LIMA, Peru — Peru’s top Catholic officials conducted a ceremonial apology Saturday to Indigenous communities affected by land seizures connected to a Catholic organization that has since been disbanded.
The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, which operated in Peru, was shut down in 2025 by the late Pope Francis following a Vatican probe that revealed sexual misconduct by its founder, financial wrongdoing by leadership, and spiritual mistreatment by senior members. The dissolution came after years of failed reform efforts.
Saturday’s apology ceremony took place in Catacaos, a northern community, before members of the Tallán Indigenous group.
“We are here to ask for your forgiveness in the name of the Church,” Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, apostolic commissioner who was in charge of the dissolution process of the Sodalitium, said before a packed church. “We are late. We should have come 20 years ago, and we are truly sorry.”
Established in 1971, the Sodalitium emerged as one of several Catholic organizations created as a conservative response to the liberation theology movement that gained momentum across Latin America during the 1960s. The group reached approximately 20,000 members throughout South America and the United States at its peak, wielding significant influence in Peru.
Abuse allegations against founder Luis Figari were brought to Lima’s archdiocese in 2011 by former members. However, neither local church officials nor the Holy See acted decisively until a victim and journalist published a book about the allegations in 2015.
Following unsuccessful reform attempts, Francis dispatched his most trusted investigators, Bertomeu and Archbishop Charles Scicluna, to examine the Sodalitium abuse claims. Their investigation revealed “sadistic” cult-like abuse of authority and spirituality, financial misconduct in handling church resources, and harassment of critics.
During Saturday’s ceremony, Bertomeu referenced a 2024 message from Francis to the community, telling them: “Fight for your lands, I am with you.”
The land conflicts stretch back at least ten years, when companies connected to the Sodalitium initiated legal proceedings to remove people from thousands of hectares in Catacaos after property transfers that farmers do not acknowledge as legitimate. Numerous farmers faced prosecution for alleged “usurpation,” and two community leaders died in violent confrontations related to the eviction attempts.
The religious ceremony occurred months after Peru’s Episcopal Conference announced a potential visit by Pope Leo XIV to the South American nation later this year.
“Forgive us, offer us your forgiveness, because we too need it,” said Bertomeu, who characterized Catacaos as a community “fearful and broken.”
Tania Pariona, secretary of Peru’s National Human Rights Commission, called the ceremony a “historic gesture” in which the church “is taking the lead over the state, which has failed to protect rural communities.”
Emergency responders battling a dangerous chemical tank situation in Southern California discovered Saturday that internal temperatures are climbing despite round-the-clock cooling operations, according to the incident commander.
Tens of thousands of residents in Garden Grove, a Los Angeles suburb, remain under mandatory evacuation orders as crews work to prevent a potential explosion.
The governor of California issued a state of emergency declaration for Orange County, with his office urging residents to comply with evacuation directives.
Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, reported that emergency teams re-entered the hazardous area overnight after drone surveillance on Friday indicated that water spray operations were helping control the situation.
However, Covey explained in a Saturday morning social media video that drone measurements only captured exterior vessel temperatures, not the chemical contents within. When crews accessed the tank’s internal gauge, they discovered temperatures had risen to 90 degrees Fahrenheit from the previous reading of 77 degrees when responders had withdrawn.
The internal temperature was climbing approximately one degree per hour, according to Covey. “That’s the bad news,” he stated.
Since Friday, authorities have cautioned that the container holding methyl methacrylate – a combustible chemical utilized in plastics and manufacturing – could burst and release as much as 7,000 gallons of toxic substances or detonate and threaten surrounding tanks.
Covey said Saturday that fire crews were investigating whether increased cooling water flow could slow the chemical curing reaction inside the vessel sufficiently to reduce pressure and avoid an explosion.
“Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us,” Covey declared. “Our goal is to find something and not allow that to happen.”
The emergency situation started Thursday at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove, a community of approximately 172,000 residents located roughly 30 miles south of Los Angeles. According to the company’s website, the facility focuses on manufacturing and testing aircraft windows and canopies for both commercial and military use.
GKN stated it is collaborating with “all relevant experts” to resolve the crisis.
“We sincerely apologize for the significant disruption to the many local residents and businesses who have had to be evacuated,” a company spokesperson said in a Saturday statement.
Authorities broadened evacuation zones Friday as explosion risks intensified. Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra told the Orange County Register that roughly 15% of people within the evacuation area are declining to leave.
Covey reported that crews transitioned from a “defensive” approach to an “offensive” strategy overnight with assistance from chemists on the manufacturer’s emergency response team. The objective was to neutralize a nearby 15,000-gallon tank and minimize its explosive danger if the smaller vessel fails.
“We did put people in harm’s way last night,” Covey acknowledged.
Emergency shelters have been established in Garden Grove and neighboring Anaheim and Cypress.
Health authorities expressed concern that chemical vapors could trigger serious breathing issues with extended exposure. Air quality monitoring systems had not detected vapor as of the most recent health assessment referenced by officials.
“You are safe as long as you are out of the zone that was determined to be an evacuation zone,” Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of the Orange County Health Care Agency said Friday.
Covey added that teams were also preparing for potential spillage by identifying methods to contain and redirect the liquid into a holding area at the industrial site, preventing it from reaching storm systems, waterways or the ocean.
According to various media outlets, midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been excluded from the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Many observers had viewed Tessmann as a likely starter after he took part in six training camps under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The 24-year-old player, known for his versatility, appeared in five of nine Europa League matches and started 22 of 29 Ligue 1 contests for Lyon during the current season. His campaign ended on May 8 due to a muscle injury that wasn’t anticipated to affect his World Cup participation, according to The Athletic.
Diego Luna also failed to secure a spot on the 26-player squad despite recording four goals and four assists across 18 matches since joining under Pochettino in 2024. Luna, who has been managing a muscle injury, gained recognition for his tough playing style, exemplified when he continued playing in a friendly match against Costa Rica last year after suffering a broken nose.
Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas earned selection despite his last USMNT appearance being in October. He was included in four of Pochettino’s squads during 2024 and 2025 and has tallied 12 goals plus 7 assists in 28 Liga MX games this season, starting 23 of those contests.
Gio Reyna will reportedly join the American squad for the tournament beginning June 11.
The 23-year-old possesses strong playmaking abilities, though his selection by Pochettino has sparked debate due to his injury-prone career, poor club form, and previous behavioral concerns with the national team. This season, Reyna started only four games and participated in 19 total matches for Borussia Monchengladbach, scoring once with zero assists.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan reportedly earned a roster spot, alongside three players who were absent from the 2022 World Cup team: center backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, who were injured four years ago, and forward Ricardo Pepi, who was reportedly among the final players cut from the previous World Cup squad.
Fifty percent of the current U.S. squad competed in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
Pochettino plans to formally reveal the roster during a Tuesday event in New York City.
The United States, co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, will compete in Group D against Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. Their opening match is scheduled for June 12 versus Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
UNITED STATES WORLD CUP ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
American military forces carried out a training exercise above Venezuela’s capital city on Saturday, marking the first such operation in the South American country since U.S. forces launched an assault on Caracas and detained President Nicolas Maduro along with his wife Cilia Flores on January 3.
According to Venezuelan officials, that January assault resulted in the deaths of no fewer than 100 individuals.
Saturday’s training operation, which Venezuelan leadership said they had approved as preparation for potential medical crises or natural disasters, featured a pair of MV-22B Osprey aircraft that touched down close to the American embassy, along with naval vessels that moved into Venezuelan Caribbean waters.
Venezuela’s information ministry has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
In an official statement, the U.S. embassy expressed its continued dedication to “ensuring the implementation” of President Donald Trump’s three-part strategy, “particularly the stabilization of Venezuela.”
Embassy officials confirmed that Francis Donovan, who leads the U.S. Southern Command responsible for American military activities throughout the Americas, was present in Caracas during the exercise.
“This keeps us on guard,” said Evelyn Rebolledo, 57, an administrator living in the capital.
“A foreign country flying over the city itself, this is new to us and more so coming from the United States, given the current situation and all the turmoil in the country. It leaves us in a state of uncertainty.”
The Trump administration has endorsed the leadership of Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, and her government has enacted legislation allowing American companies access to Venezuela’s extensive petroleum and mineral resources.
Milwaukee renters have launched an organized campaign aimed at removing one of the city’s biggest corporate property owners, according to a new investigative series by WUWM.
The radio station’s reporters Sam Woods and Jimmy Gutierrez are documenting this tenant organizing effort in their series titled “How to Evict Your Landlord,” which chronicles how residents are banding together to challenge a major landlord in their community.
The series explores the tactics and strategies being used by tenants as they work collectively to push back against corporate ownership of their housing.
An expert from a nonpartisan policy organization weighed in on the uncertain situation surrounding modifications to American military positioning across Europe, as Secretary Rubio engaged in discussions with NATO partners.
Kristine Berzina, who serves as a Senior Fellow at The German Marshall Fund think tank, addressed the unclear circumstances involving evolving strategies for U.S. military presence in European nations.
The discussions come at a time when questions have emerged about potential changes to how American forces are positioned throughout the region, creating uncertainty among alliance members about future military arrangements.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a memorandum of understanding for a peace agreement with Iran has been mostly completed and would result in opening the Strait of Hormuz, with final details expected to be revealed in the near future.
“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump wrote on Trump Social.
The president made his announcement following individual phone conversations with leaders from Muslim majority countries and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The defending champion at the Team TaylorMade Invitational is facing an uphill battle to repeat his victory from a year ago. Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods’ teenage son, finds himself in a tie for 23rd place following a second-round score of 73, three strokes over par, during Saturday’s play in Belleair, Florida.
The 17-year-old high school senior from The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Florida, started his round at the 10th hole. During his first nine holes of play, Woods managed an even-par performance by balancing two bogeys with two birdies.
Woods encountered significant difficulty early in his back nine, recording a triple bogey at the first hole and adding another bogey at the second. However, he managed to recover somewhat with a birdie on the seventh hole.
Last year’s tournament saw Woods capture the championship at Streamsong Resort’s Black course with an impressive 15-under-par performance, defeating several of the country’s premier junior golfers, including Miles Russell.
Following his victory in the previous year’s competition, Woods experienced a significant improvement in his standing within the AJGA rankings, currently holding the No. 13 position overall.
New Castle County Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man who vanished from a local neighborhood nearly two years ago.
Mark Lynn disappeared on the morning of May 23, 2023, when he was last spotted around 6:00 a.m. in the Wilmington Manor section of New Castle. Specifically, he was seen in the 100 block of West Franklin Avenue before losing all contact with family and friends.
Investigators now suspect Lynn may have relocated to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, though efforts to reach him there have been unsuccessful. The case has been classified as a long-term missing person investigation under cold case review.
Anyone with information about Mark Lynn’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact New Castle County Police.
Delaware transportation officials report that Stanton Christiana Road, also known as Delaware Route 7, has been shut down at Exit 165B leading to Interstate 95 following a vehicle accident.
The roadway closure is currently active as emergency responders work at the scene of the crash. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while crews address the situation.
No additional details about the incident have been released at this time.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he believes there’s an equal likelihood the United States will either negotiate a diplomatic solution with Iran or launch renewed military operations, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened security meetings over concerns about proposed agreement terms.
Speaking with Axios reporter Barak Ravid, President Trump described the odds as a “solid 50/50” chance of either achieving what he called a “good” deal or to “blow them to kingdom come.” Trump indicated the proposed deal should tackle uranium enrichment and Iran’s current stockpile, though Axios noted these matters likely wouldn’t be immediately resolved under the current memorandum being considered.
The president announced plans to meet with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Vice President JD Vance.
“I think one of two things will happen: either I hit them harder than they have ever been hit, or we are going to sign a deal that is good,” he said.
Trump also noted that some administration officials favor diplomatic solutions while others support renewed military operations. He rejected suggestions that Netanyahu was “worried,” but acknowledged the Israeli leader was “torn” about the proposed deal.
On Saturday, President Trump conducted a phone conference with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey to discuss the revised memorandum of understanding. Pakistan also joined the conversation, according to Reuters, while Israel did not participate.
Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that Netanyahu called together his security cabinet regarding what he considered a proposal that would disadvantage Israel.
An Israeli official quoted in the report stated that Witkoff was heavily promoting the agreement and “wants a deal at almost any price, and is placing immense pressure on Trump not to resume the war.”
The report indicated the proposed conditions would require Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for economic incentives, while talks about Iran’s nuclear program and enriched uranium reserves would occur at a later time. Iran’s ballistic missile program was reportedly excluded from the negotiations.
DENVER (AP) — Things look challenging for the Colorado Avalanche: Trailing 2-0 following a pair of defeats at home. Without Cale Makar. Just three goals scored in the series despite being the league’s top-scoring squad. Now traveling to Vegas. Historical precedent not in their favor.
“We dug a hole,” forward Logan O’Connor said as the Avalanche prepared for Game 3 at Vegas on Sunday night in the Western Conference Final. “It’s on us (to get out).”
The statistics, however, work against them. Since 1982, visiting teams that have taken a 2-0 lead in the conference finals maintain a perfect 13-0 series record, according to NHL Stats.
However, the Avalanche have climbed back from a comparable challenging position previously in playoff competition.
Admittedly, it occurred 27 years ago when they dropped two consecutive games at home to begin the 1999 Western Conference semifinals against Detroit before mounting a comeback to win.
“Uphill climb,” Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood said. “We have to flip the script on them, in their rink.”
Maybe a different environment can ignite something. Colorado posted a 2-0 record at Vegas during the regular season, including a 6-5 shootout victory.
“Any building you go into, you can kind of use the crowd noise and advantage in your favor,” forward Parker Kelly said. “Teams come out hard in their home building, so we’ve got to be able to weather the storm, push back and get to our game quick.”
It wasn’t so long ago when Vegas overcame some challenging circumstances. The Golden Knights trailed Colorado 2-0 in a second-round series in 2021, only to win four straight. Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy recalls it well — he was with the Golden Knights back then.
“We’ve just got to put on our work boots,” Roy said. “If you have a great effort next game and you win it, then obviously shift the momentum. We believe in this group.”
Colorado very well could have back Makar, who is up for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman. He has been sidelined all series by an upper-body injury.
“He will tell us when he’s ready to play,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “No one can go into Cale’s body and feel what he’s feeling, so when he feels like he can do all the things he needs to be able to do on the ice to play, then he’s going to make the decision to play.”
The atmosphere in the locker room combines anger with frustration, Bednar said.
“Which I think is normal. It’s all fine,” said Bednar, whose team is outshooting the Golden Knights by a 68-53 margin. “We’ve got to be better than we were in Game 1 and 2. It’s not like we didn’t go and compete hard or play harder, but again, with it being such a fine line, a mistake or two can cost you the hockey game. We need to do a little bit better job of forcing them into a few more mistakes, and we have to clean up some of our own.”
Several of Colorado’s leading scorers have had difficulty against the Golden Knights’ tight defense. Only captain Gabriel Landeskog, Ross Colton and Valeri Nichushkin have goals on Carter Hart in the series. Nathan MacKinnon, who had a league-leading 53 goals in the regular season, has been neutralized, along with 100-point scorer Martin Necas. Another dependable offensive contributor, Brock Nelson, is a minus-5 in the series.
“If I felt like we played our best game in Game 1 and our best game in Game 2 and we lost, I’d be a little bit more like, ‘Oh, I’m really worried about this,’” Bednar said. “They still haven’t seen our best, and maybe we haven’t seen their best, either. We have a number of areas in our game that we can improve for Game 3 to give us a better chance of winning.”
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Eighteen Senegalese soccer supporters imprisoned following violent incidents during a tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations championship match received official pardons Saturday from Morocco’s king, according to the Royal Cabinet.
The Senegalese supporters received prison sentences in February lasting up to one year for charges that included damaging sporting facilities and committing violence during a sporting event. Several of the fans have already served their complete sentences.
“Given the long-standing fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal, and on the occasion of (Muslim holiday) Eid al-Adha, King Mohammed VI has graciously granted, for humanitarian reasons, his royal pardon to Senegalese supporters convicted of offenses committed during Africa Cup of Nations competitions,” the Royal Cabinet said in a statement.
The championship match in January saw Senegalese supporters trying to rush onto the playing field, while Senegalese players left the game in protest after officials awarded a controversial late penalty to host nation Morocco.
While Senegal ultimately secured a 1-0 victory and claimed the trophy, the Confederation of African Football later took the unprecedented step of removing Senegal’s title and naming Morocco as champions. Senegal subsequently announced plans to challenge this ruling.
The controversial final and its consequences led high-ranking officials from both nations to urge restraint amid rising tensions that human rights organizations in Morocco characterized as “hate speech targeting sub-Saharan residents.” Leadership from both Morocco and Senegal committed to preserving diplomatic relationships and executed numerous agreements designed to enhance trade and investment between the countries.
Weather officials have issued a high surf advisory for the Delaware coast, warning residents and beachgoers of potentially dangerous conditions.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, issued the advisory on Thursday, May 23rd at 4:03 PM EDT. The warning remains in effect until Friday, May 24th at 8:00 AM EDT.
The advisory alerts the public to hazardous surf conditions that could pose risks to swimmers, surfers, and anyone near the water along Delaware’s shoreline.
Beachgoers are urged to exercise extreme caution during this period and stay aware of changing ocean conditions.
Australian officials have designated a neo-Nazi organization as the second group to be prohibited under new legislation targeting hate groups and their supporters. The law was enacted following a deadly anti-Semitic incident at a December Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney that claimed 15 lives. Government officials stated that the National Socialist Network “changed their name but didn’t change the fact that they were still an organization and were still engaging in the same sort of behavior that met the thresholds for this legislation.” A radical Muslim organization became the first group banned under this hate speech legislation in March.
Research from West Virginia University reveals that many adults who participate in religious services visit multiple congregations rather than sticking to one church. The study found that approximately 12 percent of service attendees regularly worship at different congregations, while 45 percent do so occasionally. Among those who visit multiple places of worship, roughly three-quarters attend two different congregations, with the remainder participating at three or more locations. The research indicates that politically liberal adults are more inclined toward this practice, while political conservatives typically remain loyal to a single church.
Social media platform X has committed to intensifying its efforts against anti-Semitic and terrorist material in Britain following pressure from the nation’s media oversight agency. The platform plans to implement several measures, including blocking British access to accounts managed by or representing Muslim terrorist organizations that the country has outlawed. Britain’s Jewish population of approximately 300,000 has experienced increasing harassment both online and in physical attacks. Recent incidents include multiple arson attacks and a double stabbing that have generated fear and outrage within Jewish communities. X has also committed to examining potentially illegal terrorist and hate material within a 24-hour timeframe.
The Trump administration is pursuing legal action to acquire 14 acres of property near El Paso belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, for border barrier construction. Officials have filed suit against the diocese, which is resisting the land transfer and contends that seizing the property would violate First Amendment protections. The federal government has offered nearly $200,000 for the land parcel, citing its use as a major corridor for human trafficking operations. The location has also recorded an unprecedented number of migrant fatalities in recent years. Many area residents support the installation of barriers in this region.
New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu announced to media members that she intends to take the court Sunday when her team faces the Dallas Wings at home.
The All-Star guard, who has earned four selections to the prestigious team, has been out of action due to an injury to her left foot that occurred during a May 3 preseason victory against Connecticut.
Ionescu has been back in practice sessions since Monday and confirmed to reporters following Saturday’s practice that she expects to suit up for Sunday’s contest.
Following Thursday’s 87-70 defeat to the Golden State Valkyries, Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco shared positive thoughts about getting his star player back on the court in the near future.
“She looks good,” DeMarco said. “It’s really about the recovery and how she’s feeling later in the day and the next day. And so yeah, we’re really close there and we’re happy with her progress.”
When speaking with reporters Saturday, Ionescu described her status as “day to day” and remained uncertain about her availability for Monday’s game against the Portland Fire.
During the 2025 season, Ionescu put up averages of 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 38 contests, starting in every game for the Liberty.
Selected first overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft, she has compiled career averages of 16.7 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds over 181 games with New York, starting 177 of those contests. She was instrumental in helping the Liberty capture the WNBA championship in 2024.
CANNES, France – Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu claimed the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his latest work “Fjord.”
This marks Mungiu’s second victory at the festival’s highest honor, following his 2007 triumph with “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.”
The film features performances by Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve and explores the cultural tensions that arise when a devout family from Romania settles in a small Norwegian community.
Violent confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators broke out in Serbia’s capital Saturday as massive crowds gathered demanding immediate elections and calling for President Aleksandar Vucic to step down after more than ten years in power.
Tens of thousands of people packed Slavija Square, a major intersection in Belgrade, continuing a wave of unrest that began 18 months ago following a fatal building collapse that sparked a student-driven campaign against alleged government corruption and poor oversight.
Riot police surrounded Belgrade’s city hall, located about a kilometer from the demonstration site, before scattered confrontations erupted between demonstrators and officers near the presidential complex and outside a park where Vucic’s backers have maintained an encampment since March of last year.
Law enforcement deployed teargas and stun grenades while forcing protesters back down the street. Demonstrators responded by igniting trash-filled containers.
Numerous rally participants displayed pins featuring red handprints with the message “Your hands are bloody,” while carrying signs declaring “The students are winning.”
The anti-establishment demonstrations began following the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, a northern Serbian city, on November 1, 2024. Opposition figures, demonstrators, and civil rights organizations claim the incident reflects widespread governmental incompetence.
Vucic and his political allies reject claims of corruption and suppression of dissent, stating they have pursued accountability for those responsible for the building failure.
Speaking to the enthusiastic crowd before violence erupted Saturday, Mirjana Nikolic, who serves as rector at Belgrade’s University of Arts, declared: “This government is … afraid of those who are defending their dignity and their rights.”
Law enforcement officials estimated attendance at the square and nearby streets at 34,300 people. However, the Archive of Public Gatherings, an organization that tracks public demonstrations, calculated participation at approximately 100,000.
“I came here to show how many of us there are, how many unhappy citizens are and that it is a high time to organise election to make things better,” said Dragan Djuric, a 55-year-old farmer from the town of Sabac who attended the demonstration.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Activists from South Africa who were taken into custody after their vessels were stopped while attempting to break through Israel’s Gaza blockade claimed Saturday that Israeli forces beat and tortured them while in detention.
The Global Sumud Flotilla consisting of 50 ships was stopped Monday in international waters approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) from Israel’s coastline as participants attempted to break the blockade and bring humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in Gaza. The detained individuals reported being confined for multiple days at Israel’s K’tziot prison, where several claimed they received electric shocks during questioning about their involvement in the flotilla operation.
Israeli officials have rejected claims of abuse against the detained flotilla participants, stating the allegations were “false and entirely without factual basis.” No immediate response was available regarding Saturday’s accusations.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and family members welcomed the activists as they returned to South Africa from Turkey on Saturday morning.
The activists reported experiencing particularly brutal treatment once Israeli forces discovered their South African nationality, given that South Africa has brought Israel before the International Court of Justice with genocide accusations regarding Gaza.
“Water was withheld from us for extended periods. The food they provided was unfit for human consumption. Bathroom access was denied for many hours, and when we began to object, rubber bullets were fired at us,” activist Faizel Moosa stated.
Moosa, who previously fought against apartheid during South Africa’s struggle against white minority governance, described the detention conditions as the most severe he had ever endured.
“Having been detained under the apartheid system during our liberation fight, this experience was significantly worse. This demonstrates the daily reality that Palestinians face,” Moosa explained.
Dr. Margaret Connolly, who participated with an Irish group in the flotilla, described never feeling such terror while detailing the dehumanizing detention conditions.
She reported witnessing people being struck with firearms. Prisoners who had their clothing removed and were refused blankets were forced to crowd together in cold temperatures to avoid hypothermia.
Connolly, the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, was part of 15 Irish participants who received enthusiastic welcomes from supporters and relatives upon arriving in Dublin on Saturday.
She stated that Israeli personnel failed to supply adequate water or hygiene supplies, and her medical equipment was seized, preventing her from delivering appropriate medical treatment. She noted that bread packaging and clothing fabric used for bandages and arm supports were subsequently confiscated.
“Their intention was for us to endure suffering,” Connolly stated. “Many soldiers speaking with American accents yelled down: ‘You should have thought of this before you came.’”
Three Chilean citizens who were held by Israel during their attempt to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid also returned home Saturday, where they condemned the Chilean government for what they characterized as failure to act in securing their freedom.
Víctor Chanfreau, Claudio Caiozzi and Carolina Eltit participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla. A substantial crowd of supporters welcomed the three at Santiago’s airport with Palestinian flags, protest signs and cheering.
“The Chilean government performed terribly, which was expected,” Chanfreau informed reporters at the airport, describing the Chilean Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic response during their detention as “negligent.”
Eltit described being assaulted and confined “under terrible conditions, without toilet paper, one restroom for 190 individuals, lying in the sun, bound at hands and feet.”
Connolly criticized the Irish government for declining to impose sanctions on Israel.
Activist Qutb Hendricks urged the South African government to increase pressure on Israel by prohibiting coal sales and other supply exports to the nation.
Authorities spent Saturday searching through a New York City shipyard for clues about what triggered a deadly blast and fire that claimed one life and left more than 30 firefighters and emergency workers injured.
Officials offered few new details about the incident that unfolded Friday afternoon in Staten Island’s Mariners Harbor area on the north shore. Investigation teams continued their work at the scene while some firefighters remained on standby as a safety measure, authorities reported.
Emergency crews rushed to the shipyard around 3:30 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of flames, thick smoke, and two workers stuck in a below-ground area, according to city Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. Within less than an hour, while firefighters and medical teams were actively responding, a powerful explosion struck the location, officials reported.
One civilian lost their life in the incident, while another sustained injuries. Officials confirmed that a fire marshal and one firefighter suffered severe injuries, with 29 additional firefighters experiencing minor to moderate harm and four medical personnel receiving minor injuries. Hospital staff treated all the wounded.
“We got very lucky this day,” Bonsignore stated during Friday evening’s press briefing. “We got lucky in the sense that none of our people were killed. It’s unfortunate we had one fatality, and they did everything they could to get to that person.”
Officials had not disclosed the identity of the deceased person by Saturday.
Fire marshal Christopher Cuccaro, who was among the seriously injured, sustained a skull fracture and bleeding in the brain, reported the fire department’s chief medical officer Dr. David Prezant. Medical staff listed his condition as critical but stable.
“We will be watching him very carefully over the next 24 hours to make certain there is not subsequent brain swelling. As long as there is not, he should do well,” Prezant explained during Friday’s press conference.
Both Cuccaro and the other severely injured firefighter were hurt by the blast’s shock wave, Prezant explained. The second firefighter was recovering “very well,” he noted.
“Thankfully both of these firefighters do not have penetrating injuries and do not have blast injury damage to their organs, to their heart, lungs or abdomen,” Prezant stated.
The blaze and explosion took place inside a metal building measuring 150 feet by 150 feet located at the shipyard’s rear section, Bonsignore reported. Approximately 200 firefighters and medical personnel arrived to handle the emergency.
Local resident Richard Oviogor, who was nearby during the incident, described hearing two separate explosions and experiencing what felt like a “big shock wave” when speaking with WABC-TV.
The surrounding area houses multiple businesses, including a coffee roasting operation and a storage facility. The shipyard was previously under the ownership of the Bethlehem Steel Company, which constructed naval vessels for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
American tennis player Emma Navarro captured her inaugural clay court championship on Saturday, defeating top-seeded Victoria Mboko of Canada 6-0, 5-7, 6-2 at the Internationaux de Strasbourg in France.
Despite facing four aces from Mboko, Navarro capitalized on her opponent’s six double faults to claim her third career championship and first victory since winning the Merida Open in Mexico this past February.
The American dominated on serve, converting 34 of 46 first-serve opportunities and successfully defending seven of 10 break point chances during the 2 hour and 20 minute encounter.
Mboko’s performance was hampered by a critical double fault on game point during the final set, along with a slip at a pivotal moment. The Canadian will have little time to recover from the defeat, as she’s scheduled to face Czechia’s Nikola Bartunkova in Sunday’s French Open opening round.
Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem
Croatia’s Petra Marcinko, seeded sixth, earned her first WTA championship when unseeded opponent Anhelina Kalinina withdrew during the second set of their final match in Rabat, Morocco.
Following Marcinko’s 6-2 first set victory in the WTA 250 clay tournament, Kalinina received medical attention from a physician for blisters affecting her right foot.
The Croatian had already taken the opening three games of the second set when the Ukrainian player decided to withdraw after 46 minutes of play.
Kalinina had also been seeking her first WTA Tour championship.
Drivers heading south on Coastal Highway are facing lengthy delays this afternoon due to heavy traffic conditions.
The backup extends from Dartmouth Road to the Rehoboth Avenue Extension, where motorists can expect delays ranging from 15 to 20 minutes beyond normal travel times.
Officials report that high traffic volume is the primary cause of the slowdown in the southbound lanes. Drivers are advised to plan for extra travel time or consider alternate routes if possible.
Drivers heading north on Coastal Highway are facing lengthy delays this morning due to heavy traffic conditions.
According to transportation officials, the backup extends from Hall Avenue to Silver Drive, where motorists can expect delays ranging from 10 to 15 minutes.
The slowdown is attributed to an unusually high volume of vehicles traveling through the corridor during peak hours.
Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes if possible while conditions persist.
A conservative presidential candidate in Colombia has experienced a significant boost in voter support during the final week before the country’s upcoming election, positioning him as the likely winner should a runoff become necessary.
According to the most recent AtlasIntel survey published Saturday – the final polling data before Colombia’s May 31 election – leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda maintains a narrow advantage with 38.7% support, while right-wing businessman Abelardo De La Espriella follows closely at 37.3%.
Despite trailing in the initial vote count, polling data suggests De La Espriella would prevail in a head-to-head runoff scenario, capturing 50% compared to Cepeda’s 41.3%.
The polling results come from 4,531 interviews conducted from May 18 through May 21. During the campaign’s final week, De La Espriella experienced a notable 4-point increase from the previous AtlasIntel survey, while Cepeda saw a modest 1-point rise.
Centro Democratico Party candidate Paloma Valencia, representing the right-wing faction, holds third place with 14.3% of voter preferences, dropping slightly more than 2 points. Polling indicates she would also defeat Cepeda in a runoff matchup, earning 44.6% versus his 41.5%.
Different Paths Forward for the Nation
Cepeda has committed to building upon the policies established by current President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader, by expanding social programs aimed at addressing inequality and continuing diplomatic efforts with illegal armed organizations.
In contrast, De La Espriella has promised to halt such negotiations while adopting an aggressive approach toward criminal activity and narcotics trafficking, providing support for private investment and business development, and strengthening the nation’s mining and energy industries.
Valencia has outlined plans to increase military and police forces, initiate aggressive campaigns against criminal organizations and guerrilla groups, support business growth, and reduce taxation.
These opposition campaign platforms would represent a significant departure from Petro’s current administration. The former M19 rebel leader halted new petroleum and natural gas exploration permits as part of his initiative to transition the nation toward more environmentally sustainable energy alternatives.
Petro’s four-year presidency concludes in August. Should no candidate secure more than half of the valid ballots from the 41 million registered voters, a runoff election between the top two finishers will take place on June 21.
French tennis professional Gael Monfils expressed satisfaction on Saturday about motivating Black athletes to pursue success in tennis, noting that his upcoming retirement will provide him with better perspective on his career’s influence.
The athlete began his professional career in 2004 and captured 13 ATP championships, though his captivating playing style featuring spectacular displays and physical prowess earned him devoted followers both in France and internationally.
As the 39-year-old prepares for his last French Open tournament and career conclusion at season’s end, he acknowledged that he hasn’t yet fully grasped his impact while actively competing.
“Of course, now that I’m finishing, I think I’ll see a bit more,” Monfils told reporters.
“I think when you’re in it, it’s tough to look around (and see) how much influence you have had. I’m very grateful if I’ve inspired some players.
“Of course I know some young kids, they like my style, the way I play, the way I move, for the Black community also to see someone on the tour … I think it was important.
“I inspired some Black players to say yeah, they can make it … So I’ll see it a bit later and during this last year.”
The tennis star participated in a special exhibition match on Court Philippe Chatrier on Thursday, where the ceremony combined tennis action, musical performances and honors recognizing his twenty-year professional journey.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka, who participated in the tribute event, praised Monfils for his contribution to expanding the sport through his visibility and achievements.
“Yeah, seeing representation is so important, and on the women’s side, for me growing up, I had Serena and Venus (Williams), so I was so grateful to them,” Osaka, who has a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother, said.
“On the men’s side I always looked up to him and (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga for such a long time. It’s just so important. And obviously there’s a wave of Black French guys coming up. I can see that he’s inspired … a lot of players here.
“I really love the way he carries himself and the way he represents us. He’s just such a really cool guy. It’s nice to talk to him now, because we talk about our kids. It’s just a funny thing to have in common with him.”
Monfils will face fellow French player Hugo Gaston in his first-round match at Roland Garros as he attempts to prolong his farewell appearance at the French Open, which begins on Sunday.
Bad weather conditions have forced the postponement of Saturday’s scheduled matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles at Baltimore’s home field.
Officials have rescheduled the postponed contest for Sunday at 12:35 p.m. ET. The original Sunday game, which wraps up the three-game series, will still take place later that evening at 6:05 p.m.
The Orioles kicked off their 10-game home stretch with a 7-4 win over Detroit on Friday night. Home runs by Pete Alonso and Jackson Holliday contributed five runs to Baltimore’s victory, ending a three-game skid for the home team.
Detroit continues to struggle, having dropped seven consecutive contests and falling in 10 of their past 11 games.
Chicago White Sox management announced Saturday that they have sidelined reliever Jordan Hicks due to a right lat strain, moving him to the 15-day injured list while bringing up right-handed pitcher Jordan Leasure from Triple-A Charlotte.
The roster move dates back to Thursday for Hicks, who has struggled this season with an 0-1 record and 5.60 ERA across 20 relief outings.
The 29-year-old pitcher joined Chicago through a February 1st trade with the Boston Red Sox.
Throughout his major league career, Hicks has compiled a 17-36 record with a 4.46 ERA over 295 total appearances, including 37 starts, while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Red Sox and White Sox.
Leasure, age 27, has recorded a 2-1 mark with a 6.06 ERA in 16 White Sox appearances this season, including one start. During his current stint with Charlotte, he has maintained a 2.08 ERA over four relief appearances without a decision. Chicago had sent him down to the minors on May 7.
The Trump administration finds itself at a crossroads in its three-month standoff with Iran, alternating between threats of military action and attempts at diplomatic engagement. Both strategies have failed to produce a decisive outcome in the escalating tensions.
The administration’s approach has been marked by inconsistency, swinging between aggressive posturing and diplomatic outreach as officials search for an effective strategy to resolve the conflict.
NASCAR champion Kyle Busch has passed away following complications from pneumonia that developed into sepsis, his family announced.
The two-time champion died Thursday, just one day after he collapsed while working in a Chevrolet racing simulator.
According to his family’s statement, Busch’s condition deteriorated rapidly when his severe pneumonia infection spread throughout his body, leading to sepsis.
The racing community and fans are mourning the loss of one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, who had been competing at the highest level of stock car racing.
A vehicle collision has forced authorities to shut down the right lane of westbound US 40 at Pleasant Valley Road.
The crash is causing traffic disruptions in the area as emergency responders work at the scene. Drivers traveling through this section of US 40 should anticipate delays and may want to seek alternative routes if possible.
No additional details about the circumstances of the accident or any potential injuries have been released at this time.
BELGRADE, Serbia — Massive crowds converged on Serbia’s capital Saturday for a demonstration organized by protesting university students, despite the authoritarian government’s attempts to prevent large-scale gatherings that have challenged President Aleksandar Vucic’s strongman leadership over the past year.
Demonstrators flooded into Belgrade’s central square from multiple routes, with many displaying banners and wearing shirts bearing the youth movement’s “Students win” slogan. Earlier that day, vehicle convoys had arrived in Belgrade from towns across Serbia.
“Students managed to gather us here with their youth and wonderful energy; I really believe that we have right to live normally,” said demonstrator Maja Milas Markovic.
The student movement sparked a countrywide surge of anti-corruption street demonstrations seeking justice for a November 2024 railway station disaster in northern Serbia that claimed 16 lives. The protests resulted in the resignation of then-Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, though Vucic later launched a harsh crackdown on demonstrators.
In an apparent effort to limit attendance from other regions of the Balkan nation, Serbia’s state railway company suspended all train service to and from Belgrade on Saturday.
Vucic supporters, meanwhile, assembled at a park encampment outside the Serbian presidency building — a setup he established before a major anti-government demonstration last March to serve as a barrier against protesters. Loud folk music played from the fenced compound, which was surrounded by fully equipped riot police.
Student organizers emphasized their rally would remain peaceful. However, concerns about potential violence persist given Vucic’s supporters — who often wear hoods and masks — have previously assaulted student demonstrators.
The Serbian president has drawn international criticism for his harsh response to the protest movement. Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned Serbia’s government in a report this week and stated he “will monitor the situation closely” on Saturday.
While Serbia officially pursues European Union membership, it has maintained strong relationships with Russia and China. The EU’s chief enlargement official warned last month that the democratic deterioration under Vucic could result in Serbia losing approximately 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in European Union funding.
Saturday’s demonstration took place at Belgrade’s Slavija Square, which hosted a massive anti-government protest in March 2025. That gathering ended abruptly amid what experts later claimed — though the government disputed — was the deployment of a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters.
Student leaders now indicate they intend to challenge Vucic in upcoming elections this year or next, hoping to remove the right-wing populist administration from power. Vucic announced this week that voting could occur between September and November this year.
Vucic, his administration, and pro-government media outlets have labeled opposition figures as terrorists and foreign operatives seeking to harm the nation — language that has intensified political divisions.
CARACAS, Venezuela — American military personnel carried out a rapid response training drill at the United States Embassy in Venezuela’s capital on Saturday, more than four months following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro from office.
A pair of Marine Corps Osprey aircraft — dual-purpose vehicles that function as both helicopters and traditional airplanes — circled above the recently reopened American diplomatic facility in Caracas. The aircraft touched down in the embassy’s parking area, with powerful air currents from their rotors causing nearby tree limbs to sway as military personnel emerged from the vehicles.
“Ensuring the military’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world,” the embassy said on Instagram.
Venezuelan officials had previously disclosed plans for the training exercise earlier in the week. Foreign Minister Yván Gil explained that American forces would perform the drill as preparation “in the event of medical emergencies or catastrophic emergencies.”
The military exercise occurred nearly two months following the formal reopening of the American embassy in Caracas. The diplomatic facility’s restoration came after the United States reestablished complete diplomatic ties with the South American nation following Maduro’s removal in early January.
Several Caracas residents assembled near the embassy grounds on Saturday to observe the military aircraft, while dozens of others congregated in different parts of the city to demonstrate against the exercise. Those protesting displayed a Venezuelan flag bearing the words “No to the Yankee drill.”
American military aircraft previously appeared over Caracas on January 3, when specialized forces descended from helicopters on ropes and apprehended Maduro along with his wife. The pair were transported to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking. Both have entered not guilty pleas.
Ignacio Buse made tennis history Saturday by defeating Tommy Paul 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3 in the Hamburg Open championship match, becoming Peru’s first ATP Tour victor in almost two decades and preventing a complete American dominance of men’s clay court preparation tournaments before the French Open.
The 22-year-old qualifier secured his first professional tour championship and marked Peru’s first circuit victory since Luis Horna’s triumph at the Chilean Open in Vina del Mar in 2007, though the path to victory proved challenging.
During the back-and-forth championship match, Buse required medical attention for dizziness in the early stages and found himself down 4-0 in the second set, which he ultimately dropped, before surging ahead in the final set to stop sixth seed Paul from claiming his second championship of the year.
“It’s emotional for my family,” Buse said.
“So many people involved that I cannot describe. This is for them. I feel extremely happy. It’s the best feeling in my entire life for sure. I feel incredibly happy.
“I’m also really proud of Peru. It’s the best country in the world, so I’m just so emotional now.”
Paul’s defeat occurred shortly after Learner Tien mounted a comeback from one set behind in Geneva to defeat Argentine Mariano Navone 3-6 6-3 7-5 and capture his second ATP championship following Metz in 2025.
The 20-year-old fourth seed established himself as the youngest American male to claim a European clay court championship since his coach Michael Chang won the French Open title in 1989 at age 17.
American player Emma Navarro also prepared for Roland Garros with a confidence-building victory, claiming the Strasbourg championship by defeating top-seeded 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko 6-0 5-7 6-2 for her third career title.
“It’s kind of been a little bit of a rocky year and a half or so, but I think we’ve put in a lot of really good work,” said Navarro, who has battled injury and illness this season.
Paul, Tien and Navarro are among a 37-member group of American competitors — including qualifiers and wild cards — participating in the singles competitions at this year’s second Grand Slam tournament beginning in Paris on Sunday.
Buse starts his French Open journey against Russian Andrey Rublev while Paul faces Australian Rinky Hijikata and Tien meets Chilean Cristian Garin. Navarro will compete against Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in the women’s competition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Saturday that Russia is gearing up to launch an attack against Ukraine utilizing a hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, based on intelligence gathered from Ukraine, the United States, and European sources.
This alert follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s directive to his armed forces on Friday to develop retaliatory options against Ukraine following a drone attack that hit a student dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk area of eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian military officials have rejected any involvement in that dormitory attack.
“We are seeing signs of preparation for a combined strike on Ukrainian territory, including Kyiv, involving various types of weaponry. The specified intermediate-range weapons could be used in such a strike,” Zelenskiy wrote in a post on X, without referencing the drone incident.
Moscow has previously deployed the Oreshnik weapon against Ukraine on two occasions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed this missile cannot be intercepted due to its reported speed exceeding 10 times the velocity of sound.
Russia initially launched an Oreshnik at what it described as a Ukrainian military manufacturing facility in November 2024. Ukrainian officials reported that the weapon carried non-explosive dummy warheads during that strike, resulting in minimal destruction.
A second strike occurred in January 2026, with the missile hitting the Lviv region in Ukraine’s western territory.
“We are drawing the attention of our partners in the United States and in Europe to the fact that the use of such weapons and the prolongation of this war also sets a global precedent for other potential aggressors,” Zelenskiy stated.
In January, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany characterized Russia’s deployment of an Oreshnik ballistic missile in western Ukraine as “escalatory and unacceptable.”
Zelenskiy emphasized that Kyiv expects a global response and seeks “a response that is not post factum, but preventive.”
He added that international pressure must be applied to Moscow to prevent the conflict from expanding further.
A prominent renewable energy executive announced Saturday his intention to seek the presidency of Real Madrid, marking the first significant challenge in more than 20 years to current president Florentino Perez’s leadership of the world’s wealthiest soccer organization.
Perez, age 79, announced new elections on May 12 despite having two years remaining in his current term. The decision came after Real Madrid completed a second consecutive season without winning any major trophies, while their longtime rivals Barcelona successfully defended their LaLiga championship.
The challenger, Enrique Riquelme, established Cox Energy in 2014, focusing on solar power development across Europe and Latin America. His company has secured major contracts in Chile, Mexico, and Spain, overseeing more than 1.2 gigawatts worth of energy projects in Spain through its subsidiary Ibox Energy.
Cox Energy completed one of its most significant transactions in 2025 when it purchased Iberdrola’s Mexican operations for $4.2 billion, including assumed debt.
In a public letter dated May 13 addressed to Perez, who leads the civil engineering firm ACS Group in addition to his Real Madrid role, Riquelme argued that the club should adopt more democratic election procedures. He stated that the strongest institutions are those that successfully blend “experience and renewal, past and future.”
The family of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch has disclosed that the racing star’s death resulted from serious pneumonia that developed into sepsis, based on information released Saturday.
“The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the family statement read. “The Family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time.”
Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, confirmed the family received the medical findings Saturday.
The 41-year-old driver, who captured two NASCAR Cup Series titles and is regarded as among the sport’s greatest competitors, passed away Thursday.
His family, along with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR, announced his passing just hours after revealing he had been admitted to a hospital during the week and would be unable to compete in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
According to a 911 emergency call that USA Today obtained Friday, Busch had been experiencing difficulty breathing and coughing up blood on the day prior to his death.
The racing champion leaves behind his spouse Samantha, along with 11-year-old son Brexton and 4-year-old daughter Lennix. He was the younger sibling of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Busch, who is 47.
Throughout his career, Busch accumulated 234 victories spanning NASCAR’s three premier divisions: 63 Cup Series wins, 102 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and 69 in the Craftsman Truck Series. His final triumph came at Dover’s truck race last Friday, just six days prior to his passing.
The driver from Las Vegas claimed NASCAR Cup Series championships in both 2015 and 2019. While the Daytona 500 victory eluded him, he earned his first pole position for the race this year before placing 15th.
Notable victories in Busch’s career included the 2008 Southern 500, back-to-back Brickyard 400 wins in 2015 and 2016, and the 2019 Coca-Cola 600.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump indicated Saturday that American and Iranian negotiators are making significant progress toward reaching an agreement to end their ongoing conflict, based on his remarks to CBS News.
According to CBS, Trump stated that any final deal must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and guarantee that Iran’s enriched uranium materials are “satisfactorily handled.”
“I will only sign a deal where we get everything we want,” Trump stated in the interview.
Officials from Iran, the United States, and mediating nation Pakistan all confirmed Saturday that meaningful progress has occurred during negotiations aimed at ending nearly three months of warfare.
In a separate conversation with Axios, Trump indicated he plans to review the most recent Iranian proposal with his advisers Saturday and could decide by Sunday whether to return to military action.
“Either we reach a good deal or I’ll blow them to a thousand hells,” Trump told Axios.
The president has shifted between diplomatic engagement and threats of military force since a ceasefire began six weeks ago, allowing negotiators time to address Iran’s nuclear activities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas shipping corridor currently under Tehran’s control.
A company has issued a nationwide recall for a chocolate product after federal regulators discovered it contained an undisclosed prescription drug ingredient.
JXK Enterprises, Inc announced it is voluntarily pulling Boner Bears Chocolate from the market following notification that FDA laboratory testing found sildenafil in the product. Sildenafil is the active pharmaceutical ingredient found in the prescription medication Viagra.
The recall specifically affects Lot #BB21125 of the chocolate product. The company stated the sildenafil was not disclosed anywhere on the product’s labeling.
The FDA laboratory analysis that confirmed the presence of the prescription drug ingredient prompted the company’s decision to voluntarily remove the product from distribution.
A beverage manufacturing company based in Cerritos, California has issued a recall for specialty drink products due to concerns about possible salmonella contamination.
SKS Copack announced the recall after determining the beverages could potentially contain salmonella bacteria, which poses significant health risks to consumers. The contamination could lead to severe and potentially life-threatening infections, with the greatest danger to young children, elderly individuals, and people with compromised immune systems.
Health officials warn that salmonella infections can be particularly serious for vulnerable populations, including those with weakened immunity who face higher risks of severe complications from the bacterial contamination.
Aviation sector representatives are voicing serious concerns following Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation that he’s weighing the removal of federal border protection personnel from airport facilities in jurisdictions with sanctuary policies — a decision that could threaten international flight operations.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, Mullin verified his consideration of pulling CPB staff during discussions where industry representatives raised objections to various Trump administration proposals that might restrict travel operations. Both U.S. Travel and major airline companies swiftly criticized the concept, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also expressing skepticism about the approach.
“U.S. Travel believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation,” the organization stated Friday.
The Atlantic initially disclosed information about the meeting.
During Congressional testimony earlier this week, Duffy acknowledged his unfamiliarity with Mullin’s statements, expressing interest in understanding the full context and potentially questioning Mullin directly about his intentions. However, Duffy characterized politically-motivated travel restrictions as problematic policy, noting that political control eventually shifts and “you will all switch spots at one point — hopefully not too soon Mr. Chairman,” Duffy remarked.
“We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places. We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics,” Duffy stated.
The level of administrative backing for this proposal remains uncertain, although President Donald Trump has previously threatened financial penalties for sanctuary jurisdictions.
While sanctuary policies lack precise definition, the terminology typically refers to restricted collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Federal courts have previously rejected funding withdrawal attempts from such jurisdictions.
During Trump’s initial presidency in 2017, judicial rulings blocked his attempts to reduce funding to these municipalities.
The specific cities and airports Mullin might target remain unclear, though the Justice Department released a catalog last year identifying three dozen states, municipalities and counties classified as sanctuary jurisdictions.
The Airlines for America organization immediately warned that the proposal would damage economic activity and create travel chaos.
“Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo.”
Emergency shelters stayed operational across Southern California on Saturday while officials continued efforts to prevent a dangerous chemical storage tank from exploding near Disneyland’s theme parks.
The Orange County Fire Authority reported no injuries after the pressurized container began overheating Thursday and started releasing vapors in Garden Grove. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders affecting 40,000 residents, with emergency shelters established by Friday evening at three high schools and other locations.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey explained that authorities fear the tank could rupture and spill its contents or potentially explode. The container sits at GKN Aerospace, a facility that manufactures components for commercial and military aircraft. The tank contains between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a chemical used in plastic manufacturing.
Fire crews are using drone technology to track the tank’s temperature, and by Friday evening, cooling efforts showed positive results, Covey reported.
“It is not OK with me just to sit back and watch this thing blow up or fail. That is not acceptable to me,” Covey stated in a social media update. “Our group is going to do everything they can to come up with a third, a fourth, a fifth option that is not that, that is not failure, and we can get all of you back home as soon as possible. I ask you to continue to be patient.”
Officials also requested that residents avoid calling 911 with non-emergency matters, particularly suggestions for resolving the crisis, Covey noted.
“I know that everybody’s thinking they’re going to give us some really good ideas on how to fix that,” he stated. “While we really appreciate the intent of that, trust me, I have the best people around working on solutions.”
The evacuation zone initially covered Garden Grove residents but expanded Friday to include parts of five additional Orange County communities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster.
Garden Grove sits approximately 38 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and less than a mile from Disneyland’s two theme parks, which remain outside the evacuation area. The community hosts one of the nation’s largest Vietnamese populations, and local Vietnamese television networks have been translating official updates and encouraging residents to take the emergency seriously.
Covey said emergency teams constructed sandbag barriers to contain the toxic substance and prevent it from entering storm drainage systems or reaching nearby waterways and the ocean if a spill occurs.
When the chemical becomes overheated, it can produce vapors dangerous to human health, according to Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the Orange County health officer. Exposure can trigger breathing problems, eye irritation and burning, nausea and headaches.
Emergency crews initially succeeded in neutralizing one of two compromised tanks, but Covey announced Friday morning that the remaining container was “in the biggest crisis.”
GKN Aerospace released a statement saying the company was “fully focused on working with emergency services, specialized hazardous material teams and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the local community, our employees and everyone else involved.”
Federal health authorities announced Saturday they are expanding enhanced Ebola screening procedures to include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for U.S. citizens returning from three African countries affected by the viral outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Americans traveling back from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan now have two airports where they can enter the United States under the enhanced screening protocols.
According to the CDC, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has experience conducting passenger screenings and already has the necessary operational systems ready to implement. Earlier this week, officials had designated Washington’s Dulles International Airport as the initial screening location for returning citizens who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus.
The enhanced health screening at entry points represents just one part of the CDC’s comprehensive strategy to prevent Ebola transmission, which also involves screening passengers before they leave affected countries overseas, requiring airlines to report illnesses during flights, and monitoring people’s health after they arrive in the United States.
According to the World Health Organization’s latest figures, health officials have verified 82 Ebola cases in the DRC so far, resulting in seven confirmed fatalities and 177 suspected deaths. Nearly 750 additional suspected cases are connected to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
The Trump administration implemented additional restrictions earlier this week, prohibiting non-U.S. citizens who have recently visited the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan from entering the country.
France’s chances at their home Grand Slam tournament took a hit Saturday when rising star Arthur Fils announced his withdrawal from the French Open due to persistent hip problems.
The 21-year-old player, currently ranked 19th globally, had emerged as a possible championship contender following his recent victory in Barcelona and reaching the semifinals in Madrid. However, he was forced to retire during his match in Rome earlier this month while losing to Andrea Pellegrino in the second round.
“In Rome I felt a little bit like around the hip, you know, pain. It was bothering me a lot. I didn’t want to take any risk,” Fils told reporters. He mentioned that medical tests afterward appeared “pretty fine,” but the discomfort continued.
“I wasn’t able to practice for the last two weeks. Actually, the practice today was my first points since two weeks in Rome,” Fils explained.
“I’ll not be fit 100% to play the tournament, and I’ll not take any risk like I did last year. I don’t want to be stupid.”
Fils had been scheduled to play against Stan Wawrinka in his first-round match.
This withdrawal continues a troubling pattern of injuries that have hampered the young player’s career development. A year ago, he was forced to abandon Roland Garros following the second round due to a stress fracture in his lower back.
That back injury essentially ended Fils’ entire season last year, and an attempted comeback in Toronto during August proved too early, requiring another extended recovery period.
After returning to competition in February, Fils showed strong form with impressive performances in Doha, Indian Wells, and Miami before capturing the Barcelona title, where he defeated Andrey Rublev in the championship match for his first victory since his injury comeback.
Yannick Noah remains the sole Frenchman to capture a Grand Slam title during the professional era, winning his home tournament in 1983.
Two standout athletes from Salisbury University’s women’s lacrosse program have earned national recognition from the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), the organization announced Friday.
Abby Fleishell received First-Team All-American status, while teammate Audrey Harrington was selected for the Second Team All-American honors for 2025.
The prestigious awards highlight the exceptional talent within the Sea Gulls’ lacrosse program and recognize the players’ outstanding performance throughout the season.
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — An Ebola treatment facility in eastern Congo was torched for the second time this week, allowing 18 suspected patients to flee into the surrounding community, according to a local medical official who spoke Saturday.
Unknown attackers targeted the medical tent in Mongbwalu, a community at the epicenter of the Bundibugyo virus outbreak, on Friday evening. The facility had been established by the Doctors Without Borders organization to care for both confirmed and suspected Ebola patients, according to Dr. Richard Lokudi, who heads the Mongbwalu General Reference Hospital.
“We strongly condemn this act, as it caused panic among the staff of the Mongbwalu Referral Hospital and also resulted in the escape of 18 suspected cases into the community,” he stated.
Earlier this week on Thursday, attackers destroyed another medical facility in Rwampara after relatives were denied access to recover a deceased local resident’s remains.
Corpses of Ebola victims carry extremely high infection risks and can trigger additional transmission when communities handle them during traditional burial preparations and funeral ceremonies. Health officials are taking control of burial procedures for suspected victims whenever feasible, though this approach often sparks resistance from grieving families and community members.
Security forces provided protection for an Ebola victim’s burial ceremony in Bunia, another community within the affected region, on Saturday as friction escalated between medical personnel and local residents.
Regional officials in northeastern Congo implemented restrictions Friday prohibiting funeral vigils and assemblies exceeding 50 participants to limit viral transmission. The World Health Organization elevated the outbreak’s threat level to “very high” risk for Congo — an increase from the previous “high” designation — while maintaining that global spread probability remains minimal.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Friday that Congo has recorded 82 confirmed infections and seven fatalities, though he believes the actual outbreak scope is “much larger.”
No vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo strain, which circulated undetected for weeks throughout Congo’s Ituri province after the initial known fatality while health officials tested for a different, more prevalent Ebola variant and received negative results. Current tallies show 750 suspected infections and 177 suspected fatalities, with numbers expected to climb as monitoring efforts expand.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, who leads the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized that outbreak response efforts must prioritize establishing community trust.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced Saturday that three volunteers perished from the outbreak in Mongbwalu. The organization believes these healthcare workers became infected during body handling duties on March 27 while participating in a humanitarian operation unconnected to Ebola response.
This revelation would substantially move back the outbreak timeline from the previously identified first confirmed death in late April in Bunia, Ituri’s capital city.
Officials from Iran and the United States are reporting advancement in diplomatic discussions Saturday, with Pakistan’s top military commander facilitating additional meetings in Tehran while the Trump administration considers launching fresh strikes against Iran.
Speaking to reporters in India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed “there’s been some progress made” and indicated “there may be news later today.”
Following discussions with Field Marshal Asim Munir, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated that Iran has reconstructed its military capabilities following weeks of conflict and a tenuous ceasefire, according to state television coverage.
Qalibaf, who served as Iran’s primary representative during landmark direct discussions with American officials last month, warned that any resumption of attacks by President Donald Trump would result in consequences “more crushing and more bitter” than those seen at the conflict’s beginning.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported comments from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who clarified that nuclear matters remain outside the scope of current discussions. Tehran prioritizes ending the ongoing conflict before addressing its nuclear activities, which have been central to international disputes.
According to Baghaei, negotiators are working to complete a memorandum of understanding, with both sides’ positions drawing closer in recent discussions.
“Over the past week, the trend has been toward narrowing differences,” he stated. “We will have to wait and see what happens over the next three or four days.”
Rubio emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts, saying “even as I speak to you now there is some work being done. There is a chance that whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days we may have something to say.”
The Secretary of State reiterated America’s position that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons, must surrender its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, and must ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible to international shipping.
Trump previously announced he was postponing military action against Iran due to “serious negotiations” taking place and at the urging of regional allies. The president has established multiple deadlines for Tehran before retreating from those positions.
The conflict began when American and Israeli forces launched attacks on February 28, interrupting ongoing diplomatic discussions with Iran. Iran responded by essentially blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for regional oil, natural gas, and fertilizer shipments, creating worldwide economic disruption.
The United States subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that American forces have redirected over 100 commercial ships and disabled four vessels since the blockade’s implementation on April 13.
Two officials in Islamabad described positive developments in discussions between Pakistan’s army chief and Iranian leadership, characterizing the talks as heading “in the right direction.” The officials requested anonymity as they lacked authorization for public statements.
Munir conducted meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and additional high-ranking officials, according to the two sources, who noted that Islamabad remains committed to facilitating another round of direct negotiations.
It remains unclear whether Pakistan’s army chief met with Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, commander of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, who has emerged as an influential voice in shaping Iran’s hardline negotiating position.
XIAMEN, China, May 23 – Olympic champion Masai Russell from the United States moved within striking distance of the women’s 100-meter hurdles world record Saturday, running 12.14 seconds at the Diamond League meet in Xiamen. The event also saw China’s Yan Ziyi launch the javelin 71.74 meters, marking the second-longest throw ever recorded by a female athlete.
In other standout performances, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos defeated Karsten Warholm in a showdown between Paris Olympics medalists in the men’s 400m hurdles, and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala narrowly beat Gift Leotlela in the men’s 100-meter dash.
Russell, who established herself as the world’s second-fastest woman in the 100m hurdles with a 12.17-second performance last year, delivered on her Friday commitment to steadily work toward the world record this season. She maintained her lead from start to finish in the race.
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, who established the current world record of 12.12 seconds in 2022, came in second place, trailing Russell by 0.14 seconds.
“I don’t know when (the world record) is going to come but I keep getting closer and closer. I’m blessed, I’m ecstatic and all the hard work is truly showing,” said Russell.
The 18-year-old Yan generated tremendous excitement from the local spectators when she established a new under-20 world record on her opening attempt, coming tantalizingly close to the 72.28-meter mark set by Czech athlete Barbora Spotakova for the current world record in 2008.
Yan chose not to make additional attempts and dominated the competition, while Norway’s Sigrid Borge claimed second place with a 65.00-meter effort.
“I came to this race with the goal for 65m, so it really blew my mind to see that result coming,” said Yan.
“A flash in the pan is not what I want, I don’t want this 71.74 to be just a one-time thing… I think I can push harder. I’ll see how it will go for the next couple of years and prepare for breaking the world record.”
In the men’s 100-meter sprint, Omanyala accelerated at the race’s midpoint. Leotlela, who claimed victory the previous week, closed the gap in the final stretch, but the South African runner had to accept second place as the Kenyan athlete drove to triumph with powerful knee drive, finishing in 9.94 seconds.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson dominated the women’s 200-meter race for the second consecutive week, while American Jamal Britt captured the men’s 110-meter hurdles. His fellow American and world champion Cordell Tinch faded in the closing meters and placed fifth.
In the men’s 400-meter hurdles, two-time Olympic bronze medalist Dos Santos ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Warholm, the former Olympic gold medalist who earned silver in Paris. However, in the final sprint, Dos Santos surged ahead to win in 46.72 seconds.
A late surge also benefited Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune in the men’s 5,000-meter race. He initiated his move just before the final curve and pushed through to cross the line in 12 minutes and 57.32 seconds before collapsing while holding his knee.
“It is good. It was all good,” Yihune said, confirming he was not seriously injured.
Three-time Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser displayed no effects from his persistent elbow problem, placing third with a 21.41-meter throw in his first major competition since capturing the World Championship last year.
Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell achieved a 22.34-meter throw to earn his inaugural Diamond League victory.
Diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States showed meaningful advancement Saturday, with all parties including mediator Pakistan reporting significant headway toward ending nearly three months of warfare.
Iran’s foreign ministry announced its focus on completing a memorandum of understanding following meetings between Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir in Tehran.
Munir also conducted discussions with President Masoud Pezeshkian before departing the Iranian capital, according to Iranian state media. Pakistan’s military described the past day’s negotiations as producing “encouraging” advancement toward reaching a final agreement.
Speaking from India during his visit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed diplomatic advancement and suggested Washington might issue statements on the matter soon.
“There’s been some progress done, some progress made, even as I speak to you now, there’s some work being done. There is a chance that, whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say,” Rubio told reporters in New Delhi.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated: “The trend this week has been towards a reduction in disputes, but there are still issues that need to be discussed through mediators. We will have to wait and see where the situation ends in the next three or four days.”
BOTH NATIONS MAINTAIN CORE POSITIONS
Pakistan’s diplomatic intervention seeks to bridge gaps between Iran and America following weeks of warfare that resulted in the closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane to most vessels despite an unstable ceasefire, disrupting worldwide energy markets.
Negotiations reportedly focused on a 14-point proposal from Iran, which Tehran views as the primary framework for discussions, along with communications passed between both nations.
Baghaei emphasized that while America’s shipping blockade against Iran remained significant, Tehran’s main concerns were stopping potential new American military actions and resolving the continuing Lebanese conflict, where Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters are battling Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon.
Rubio restated Trump administration requirements: “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The straits need to be open without tolls. They need to turn over their enriched uranium.”
Qalibaf declared Iran would continue defending its “legitimate rights” through both military and diplomatic means, while expressing distrust toward “a party that has no honesty at all,” repeating previous Iranian accusations.
He warned that Iran’s military had strengthened its capabilities during the ceasefire period and that if America “foolishly restarts the war,” the results would be “more forceful and bitter” than when fighting initially began.
U.S. President Donald Trump, facing political pressure due to war-related energy price increases affecting American consumers, announced Friday he would skip his son’s wedding this weekend, citing Iran among his reasons for remaining in Washington.
Throughout weeks of fighting, Iran has maintained its stockpile of weapons-grade enriched uranium along with missile, drone and proxy military capabilities that both America and Israel seek to eliminate.
Health officials in Bangladesh announced Saturday that the country is facing one of its most devastating measles outbreaks in decades, with at least 86 children confirmed dead from the disease this year and an additional 426 deaths showing symptoms matching measles.
The rapid spread of infections has pushed hospitals beyond capacity and created enormous pressure on the nation’s already weakened healthcare infrastructure, with rural areas and crowded low-income neighborhoods bearing the heaviest burden.
According to information released by the Directorate General of Health Services, medical authorities have documented 62,507 potential measles cases across the country, along with 8,494 infections verified through laboratory testing, spanning from March 15 through May 23.
Medical experts emphasize that children younger than five face the greatest danger of serious complications and death, especially those who remain unvaccinated or have received incomplete immunization schedules.
Last month, the World Health Organization warned that reduced routine vaccination rates had elevated the possibility of a widespread epidemic.
In response to the crisis, government officials have broadened emergency vaccination efforts combining measles and rubella vaccines, specifically targeting younger children throughout the affected regions.
Officials report they have also sent out emergency response units, enhanced monitoring systems for tracking the disease, and boosted vitamin A distribution efforts to help prevent serious complications.
While measles ranks among the planet’s most easily transmitted illnesses, it remains largely preventable when individuals receive the recommended two-dose vaccination series.
A major German food delivery company announced Saturday that it has received an acquisition proposal from Uber, with the American ride-sharing giant offering 33 euros ($38.29) for each share of Delivery Hero.
The proposed price reflects a nearly 1.76% reduction from where Delivery Hero’s stock closed on Friday, based on LSEG market data.
Just one week ago, Delivery Hero revealed that the American company had expanded its ownership position to approximately 19.5% of outstanding shares, up from around 7%, establishing Uber as the German firm’s biggest shareholder. Reuters calculations indicate this stake has a value of roughly 1.7 billion euros.
The German company’s chief executive Niklas Oestberg announced his intention to resign last week, following pressure from multiple major investors calling for a comprehensive strategic evaluation.
Delivery Hero emphasized that its primary focus remains on implementing its strategic review process, though the company declined to provide further specifics regarding Uber’s acquisition proposal.
Financial news outlet Bloomberg had reported Friday that Uber was considering a complete buyout of Delivery Hero, news that caused Uber’s stock price to drop 1.6%.
The current exchange rate stands at $1 equals 0.8619 euros.
Heavy rain predictions for the New York area forced officials to call off Saturday’s scheduled matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Yankees.
The postponed contest will be rescheduled as a split-admission doubleheader on September 22, coinciding with the Yankees’ last homestand of the regular season.
Tampa Bay had planned to start right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who will now likely take the mound Sunday, despite continued heavy rain projections for the New York region. The Yankees were set to use Ryan Weathers on Saturday, and the left-handed pitcher will probably be pushed back to Sunday’s game.
Tampa Bay enters the series riding a five-game winning streak and holds a commanding 4-0 advantage in the season matchup, with each of those victories coming by margins of two runs or less. The Rays kicked off the series with a dramatic comeback, plating four runs in the eighth inning against reliever Tim Hill to secure a 4-2 win.
The rally featured Jonathan Aranda’s game-tying double and a crucial two-run single by Richie Palacios that deflected off Hill’s glove during the eighth frame. This victory extended Tampa Bay’s lead in the American League East to 5 1/2 games over the Yankees.
The Rays have compiled an impressive 22-4 record over their last 26 contests.
Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to struggle, managing just four victories in their previous 14 outings while being limited to three runs or fewer in nine of those games. Over their last three contests, New York has managed only three total runs while posting a dismal .136 batting average (3-for-22) with runners in scoring position.
Economic pressures and rising costs dominated headlines this past week, with Americans feeling the pinch at grocery stores and gas pumps more acutely than a year ago. These financial strains are influencing decisions made by both families and companies nationwide.
Here’s an overview of significant economic developments from the past week and their potential impact on consumers.
Borrowing costs for potential homebuyers reached their peak in almost nine months this week, as the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate increased during what is typically the housing market’s most active season.
The standard 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 6.51% from the previous week’s 6.36%, according to Thursday’s report from mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. While this represents a significant jump, the current average still falls short of the 6.86% rate from one year ago.
Mortgage rates have generally moved upward since the conflict with Iran commenced. Energy markets have been disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz closure, which has caused crude oil prices to surge dramatically — becoming a major factor driving inflation.
Anticipation of elevated oil costs and concerns about mounting debt burdens for the U.S. government and other entities have driven long-term bond yields upward, pushing mortgage rates higher.
American retailers have been managing an unpredictable economic landscape for months, dealing with everything from President Donald Trump’s tariffs to the effects of skyrocketing fuel costs related to the Iran conflict. According to AAA, the average cost of regular gasoline increased once more this week, reaching approximately $4.55 per gallon by Friday. Current gas prices stand roughly 45% higher than they were during the same period last year.
Financial reports from major retailers including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s and TJX reveal that consumers remain cautious yet continue purchasing, supported by more substantial tax refunds. However, economists widely believe that spending will decline once these refunds are exhausted. Since consumer spending drives the U.S. economy, any reduction would have far-reaching consequences.
On Thursday, Walmart released projections for the current quarter that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. Target increased its annual revenue projections on Wednesday, indicating expected continued momentum throughout the year. However, even these improved sales forecasts remained below first-quarter performance levels.
Applications for unemployment benefits decreased last week as job cuts stay minimal despite various uncertainties affecting the economy.
U.S. unemployment benefit applications for the week ending May 16 dropped by 3,000 to 209,000, according to Thursday’s Labor Department report. This figure came in lower than the 213,000 new applications predicted by analysts surveyed by data firm FactSet.
Weekly unemployment benefit filings serve as an indicator of U.S. layoffs and provide near real-time insight into job market conditions.
While layoffs remain historically low, economists describe the current labor market as being in a “low-hire, low-fire” phase. This situation has maintained the unemployment rate at a low 4.3%, but has made it difficult for jobless individuals to secure new positions.
The gap between Wall Street performance and typical American household experiences widened further on Friday, as U.S. stocks climbed toward completing their eighth consecutive winning week — the longest such run since 2023. This occurred despite a survey revealing that U.S. consumers feel more pessimistic about economic conditions.
Stock prices for Workday and Zoom Communications increased after both companies reported quarterly profits that exceeded analyst predictions.
These companies join a growing list that have surpassed profit expectations for early 2026. This series of positive earnings reports has helped keep U.S. stocks close to record levels. Over time, stock valuations typically align with corporate profit trends.
The French Open tournament kicks off Sunday in Paris, with Novak Djokovic launching his pursuit of a fourth French Open championship and a historic 25th Grand Slam title against French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. World number three Alexander Zverev will also begin play against Benjamin Bonzi.
The clay court tournament opens amid controversy, as several players limited their participation in the customary pre-tournament media events on Friday and Saturday due to escalating disputes over prize money and player representation.
FEATURED MEN’S MATCH: DJOKOVIC VERSUS MPETSHI PERRICARD
The 39-year-old Djokovic has competed in only one match since the Indian Wells tournament in March and will need to overcome any competitive rust when he faces Mpetshi Perricard for their first career meeting in his tournament opener.
The Serbian star has spent two years pursuing his 25th major championship, which would surpass Margaret Court’s record and give him sole ownership of the all-time Grand Slam record, though that goal appears increasingly challenging.
“I wanted to play more but my body was not allowing me. I was going through rehabilitation process for my injury,” Djokovic told reporters.
“If I’m able to somehow maintain a level of freshness and progress… then I feel like I have always a very good chance. I have proven that in Australia this year where I was close to winning another Slam. I always have that belief in me when I’m on the court.”
FEATURED WOMEN’S MATCH: ANDREEVA VERSUS FERRO
Russian player Mirra Andreeva has enjoyed an impressive clay court season, capturing the Linz Open title and advancing to her first WTA 1000 championship match at the Madrid Open, plus reaching the semifinals in Stuttgart and quarterfinals in Rome.
The 19-year-old opens against France’s Fiona Ferro, ranked 200th in the world, and should advance easily if she can avoid being rattled by the home crowd support like during her quarterfinal loss to Lois Boisson at last year’s tournament.
“Obviously the crowd is going to support her (Ferro) as much as they can, and that’s totally okay,” Andreeva said.
“I have some experience even from last year when I played quarters, so I pretty much know what to expect… We will see how it’s going to go, but I hope they’re not going to be too hard on me.”
ZVEREV’S GRAND SLAM BREAKTHROUGH OPPORTUNITY?
Zverev has repeatedly come close to capturing his first Grand Slam championship throughout his career, advancing to three finals without success, and the French Open appears to offer his strongest opportunity to finally break through.
The 29-year-old German reached the Paris final in 2024 and has advanced to at least the quarterfinal round in seven of the last eight tournaments, making him a top contender this year, particularly with injured world number two Carlos Alcaraz absent.
Zverev opens against Bonzi, who could present challenges as the French player is among only three competitors to win a set against world number one Jannik Sinner during the Italian’s remarkable 29-match victory streak.
SUNDAY’S FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE:
COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER (starting at 1000 GMT)
Sinja Kraus (Austria) v 11-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
Benjamin Bonzi (France) v 2-Alexander Zverev (Germany)
8-Mirra Andreeva (Russia) v Fiona Ferro (France)
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (France) v 3-Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
COURT SUZANNE LENGLEN (starting at 0900 GMT)
13-Karen Khachanov (Russia) v Arthur Gea (France)
26-Hailey Baptiste (United States) v Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic)
7-Taylor Fritz (U.S.) v Nishesh Basavareddy (U.S.)
Ksenia Efremova (France) v 18-Sorana Cirstea (Romania)
COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU (starting at 0900 GMT)
15-Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) v Oksana Selekhmeteva (Russia)
Katie Volynets (U.S.) v Clara Burel (France)
Titouan Droguet (France) v 26-Jakub Mensik (Czech Republic)
Ukrainian forces launched successful strikes against Russian energy infrastructure on Saturday, targeting the Sheskharis oil terminal and Grushova oil depot near the Black Sea, according to military officials.
The nighttime assault ignited flames at the Sheskharis facility, described as among the Black Sea’s most significant oil terminals, Ukraine’s general staff reported via the Telegram messaging platform. Military officials also confirmed that a vessel called Chrysalis sustained damage during operations in the Black Sea.
These attacks represent part of Ukraine’s expanded offensive strategy against Russian petroleum processing and transport infrastructure over recent months, aimed at cutting Moscow’s oil and gas export income that funds its military operations.
Robert Brovdi, who leads Ukraine’s drone operations, reported Saturday that Ukrainian unmanned aircraft had targeted 13 significant Russian oil installations during May’s first 23 days.
Brovdi stated earlier this week that Ukrainian strikes had forced six out of Russia’s ten primary oil refineries to halt crude oil processing operations.
Reuters was unable to confirm these military claims independently.
In additional operations, Ukrainian leadership announced drone strikes against Metafrax Chemical, a major Russian industrial facility in the Perm region that provides materials to Moscow’s defense sector. Officials said the plant ceased operations following the attack.
Brovdi reported through Telegram that Ukrainian drones also struck a Russian military frigate and hovercraft missile vessel near the Novorossiysk naval installation on Saturday morning.
“The extent of the damage is unknown,” Brovdi added.
A Chinese artificial intelligence company announced Saturday it will permanently slash prices on its most advanced AI model by 75%, according to a company statement.
DeepSeek said the dramatic reduction will keep pricing for its V4-Pro artificial intelligence model at just one-quarter of what customers previously paid. The company did not reveal whether the permanent discount resulted from greater availability of Huawei’s Ascend 950 chips, which DeepSeek uses to enhance V4’s capabilities.
According to the statement, DeepSeek reduced V4-Pro API pricing to a range of 0.025 to 6 yuan per million tokens (approximately $0.0035 to $0.83) based on how customers use the service. Previously, costs ranged from 0.1 to 24 yuan. Tokens represent units of text that the AI system processes.
Sales of Huawei’s AI chips have grown due to U.S. trade restrictions that block Nvidia from marketing its most sophisticated semiconductors in China. However, additional limits on equipment exports for chip manufacturing have restricted Huawei’s capacity to increase Ascend production.
During V4’s debut last month, DeepSeek explained that the Pro version would carry prices up to 12 times higher than the less capable Flash version because of “constraints in high-end compute capacity,” which restricted how widely it could be offered.
The company also indicated that Pro pricing would drop significantly once Huawei begins mass production of Ascend 950 supernodes during the year’s second half.
Traffic is being diverted around a section of Frazer Road after a fallen tree blocked the roadway at the Denney Road intersection.
The road closure remains active while crews work to remove the tree and clear the area for safe travel. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes until the obstruction can be fully cleared.
No timeline has been provided for when the intersection will reopen to normal traffic flow.
New Castle County authorities have taken two individuals into custody following an extensive narcotics investigation that spanned several months.
The probe commenced during fall 2025 when investigators with the New Castle County Police Violent Crime Interdiction Unit began examining the activities of 49-year-old Burtran Marshall. Authorities believed Marshall was involved in moving substantial amounts of illegal drugs across Delaware, with operations extending into New Castle County.
As investigators delved deeper into the case, they connected a second suspect to the alleged distribution network – 36-year-old Dominique, whose last name was not provided in the initial report.
The investigation represents part of ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking operations throughout the region.
Motorists traveling on southbound Route 1 should expect to encounter cleanup crews working in the median strip today.
The debris removal operation is taking place along the stretch of highway between Christiana Mall and Wrangle Hill Road (Route 72). Work crews are scheduled to wrap up their cleanup activities by 12 PM.
Drivers in the area should use caution and be prepared for possible delays while the maintenance work is underway.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Fourteen garment factory workers lost their lives and 93 others sustained injuries in two separate vehicle crashes that occurred Saturday across Cambodia, with the majority of victims being women.
Cambodia’s textile industry serves as the nation’s primary source of export revenue, relying on affordable labor costs to remain competitive. Workers typically earn between $200-300 monthly, including overtime pay.
The deadlier of the two accidents took place in Kampong Chhnang province, situated roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Phnom Penh, the capital city. A large cargo truck collided with an open-bed truck that was transporting employees to their workplace, resulting in nine fatalities and 53 injuries, the Labor Ministry reported in an official statement.
The second tragedy unfolded in Svay Rieng province in the southeastern region, an area known for its concentration of garment manufacturing facilities. A worker transport bus left the roadway and rolled over, claiming five lives and injuring 40 additional passengers.
Open-bed trucks serve as the standard transportation option for factory employees. These vehicles typically provide no seating or bench arrangements, leaving riders to remain standing throughout their commute, which dramatically elevates the potential for serious injuries or fatalities during accidents.
In response to the incidents, the Labor Ministry expressed being “deeply shocked by two horrific traffic accidents that occurred simultaneously” and urged rigorous adherence to traffic regulations to avoid future tragedies.
Data from the Transport Ministry reveals that traffic collisions claimed 1,467 lives in 2025, establishing vehicle accidents as the predominant cause of accidental deaths throughout the Southeast Asian country.
The nation’s textile manufacturing sector, which includes apparel, footwear, and travel goods production, provides employment for approximately 800,000 to 1 million workers across roughly 1,900 manufacturing facilities. According to the country’s Ministry of Commerce, this industry generated over $15.5 billion in export revenue during the previous year.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials confirm they have pulled news releases concerning criminal prosecutions tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot from the Department of Justice website, labeling the prosecution information as “partisan propaganda.”
The removal of documents detailing criminal charges, guilty verdicts and prison sentences represents another move by the Trump administration to fundamentally alter the narrative surrounding the Capitol attack, when hundreds of Republican President Donald Trump’s supporters breached the building to stop Congress from certifying his 2020 electoral defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.
During his first day returning to office in January 2025, Trump issued pardons, reduced prison terms or promised to drop charges for all of the more than 1,500 individuals facing criminal charges from the Capitol incident, including defendants found guilty of assaulting law enforcement with improvised weapons like flagpoles, a hockey stick and crutch.
This Monday, the Justice Department revealed plans for a $1.776 billion compensation fund designed to pay Trump supporters who believe they faced unfair investigation and prosecution. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not dismissed the possibility that violent rioters with convictions could receive compensation, sparking anger from both parties in Congress.
Following a reporter’s Friday observation on social media platform X that the Justice Department was “quietly” taking down website news releases connected to the January 6th incident, including information about a Texas man who admitted guilt to assault charges and separately faced state charges for soliciting a minor, the department replied through its “rapid response” account that nothing was being done “quietly.”
“We are proud to reverse the DOJ’s weaponization under the Biden administration. We will do everything in our power to make whole those who were persecuted for political purposes,” the post said. “This includes stripping DOJ’s website of partisan propaganda.”
The deleted releases included those covering seditious conspiracy prosecutions of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members, both far-right extremist organizations. Last month, the Justice Department filed an unopposed request with a federal appeals court to overturn those seditious conspiracy guilty verdicts, which the court approved Thursday. On Friday, the department moved to throw out the cases against these group members.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressman returned to his Southern California district last Fourth of July to hear troubling accounts from his community as federal immigration enforcement operations moved through neighborhoods, with one resident telling him they had begun carrying their passport to prove their legal right to remain in the United States.
Rep. Mark Takano, whose American-born parents were both detained as toddlers along with their families during the forced removal of Japanese Americans in World War II, found himself drawing connections between that dark period in American history and current events.
“I do feel like there’s a similarity of circumstance of my own 2-year-old father and my 1-year-old mother being labeled as enemy aliens and they’re considered a danger to national security,” he told The Associated Press in an interview.
“They’re put into these incarceration camps,” he said. “Similar arguments have been made by this administration — that immigrants pose a grave danger to our country and it’s for the security of our country that we’re doing this.”
President Donald Trump’s campaign promise of the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history is at an inflection point. Americans are seeing what it looks like to round up, detain and deport thousands of people, particularly in the aftermath of the deaths this year of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, U.S. citizens protesting the actions in Minneapolis.
The White House changed the leadership at the Department of Homeland Security as it reframes its approach. New Secretary Markwayne Mullin promised to keep the department off the front pages.
But Trump is also under mounting pressure from conservative groups not to let up on the goal of deporting 1 million people a year. The president’s Republican allies in Congress are fueling the immigration and deportation actions with billions of dollars in special funds.
Takano, the ranking Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has drawn from his own family history — and the country’s eventual redress to Japanese Americans who were detained — to challenge Trump’s approach.
“We look back on that era of history as a shameful one, as a time when our political leaders failed the Constitution, failed the American people,” he said.
A former high school history teacher before being elected to Congress in 2012, Takano grew up in Southern California and came to understand the family stories.
His grandfather Isao Takano arrived in the U.S. from Hiroshima and married Kazue Takahashi, a U.S.-born citizen. Together they settled in Bellevue, Washington, and launched a business growing tomatoes, strawberries and chrysanthemums for the marketplace in Seattle.
When the U.S. entered the war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, they were among some 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, immigrants and those born in the U.S., forcibly relocated.
His father, William, was 2 years old when his family was sent in 1942 to the incarceration camp at Tule Lake in California. His mother, Nancy Tsugiye Sakamoto, born in California to American-born parents, was a year old when she was relocated to the detention facility in Heart Mountain, Wyoming.
Then, as now, he said, people are being swept up in the anti-immigrant detentions.
“Will Americans generations from now visit Alligator Alcatraz and think to themselves, How could our government do this?” Takano said during a House floor speech, referring to the Trump-era immigration detention facility in Florida.
“These future generations of Americans will look to us, the Congress, to see what we did to try to stop it.”
Takano remembers his father taking him to see the land the family once owned. He learned about his great uncles who served in the Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team of Japanese American soldiers; one was killed in action in Italy. He recalls his own father later collected donations for the national redress campaign.
In 1988 Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act, which sought to apologize for the “grave injustice” that had been done and provide $20,000 to each person detained. Republican President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.
Takano’s parents were among those who received a letter of apology from the federal government, he said, and a payment.
Talks are underway among some in Congress, he said, for a similar redress to the people who have had their car windows smashed in, their homes raided and livelihoods upended as part of Trump’s immigration enforcement operations.
“Remarkably the country did come to realize the mistake,” he said. “I believe we’re living through one of those eras of mistakes and I believe we can come out of this moment stronger.”
MADRID, May 23 – Authorities arrested several masked individuals Saturday after they attempted to breach security barriers surrounding the official residence of Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a large demonstration demanding his resignation over multiple corruption allegations.
Law enforcement officers detained the group on the primary roadway leading to Madrid’s Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s family residence, according to footage broadcast on Spanish television networks.
Massive crowds of protesters displayed signs reading “Resignation of the socialist mafia” along with other critical messages, while waving numerous Spanish national flags during the March for Dignity event, coordinated by the Spanish Civil Society association.
Representatives from the opposition People’s Party and the far-right Vox party participated in the demonstration, which remained mostly peaceful throughout.
Earlier this week on Tuesday, a Spanish court revealed that former Spanish Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is under investigation for allegedly orchestrating an influence-peddling and money-laundering operation, adding to the current leftist administration’s mounting corruption troubles.
Zapatero, who serves as a crucial supporter of the sitting prime minister, rejected all allegations of misconduct on Tuesday.
Event coordinators claimed 80,000 participants joined the demonstration, while the Spanish government’s Madrid representative estimated attendance at approximately 40,000 people.
Tehran’s lead negotiator delivered a firm message during weekend diplomatic meetings, declaring that Iran will not yield on its core national interests while pursuing peace talks with Washington.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf made the statement Saturday during discussions with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir in Tehran, according to state television coverage. The Iranian official characterized the United States as an unreliable negotiating partner.
Pakistan is spearheading regional diplomatic efforts to bridge the gap between the two nations following weeks of warfare that forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most commercial vessels. The shipping disruption has created instability in global energy markets, despite a fragile ceasefire currently in place.
The Pakistani military leader also held meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during his Tehran visit before departing, Iranian state media reported.
Discussions focused on a 14-point proposal from Iran that serves as the primary framework for negotiations, along with messages passed between both sides.
Qalibaf emphasized Iran’s commitment to defending its “legitimate rights” through both military action and diplomatic channels, while expressing distrust toward “a party that has no honesty at all” – a criticism Tehran has voiced repeatedly.
The Iranian speaker warned that the country’s military forces have strengthened their position during the current ceasefire. Should the United States “foolishly restarts the war,” he cautioned, the results would be “more forceful and bitter” than when fighting initially began.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Friday that some advancement toward an agreement has occurred, though significant work remains. Iran’s foreign ministry countered that substantial disagreements persist between the parties.
Throughout the weeks of conflict, Iran has maintained its stockpile of highly enriched uranium approaching weapons-grade levels, along with its missile, drone and proxy force capabilities that both the United States and Israel seek to restrict.
Denmark’s King Frederik on Saturday requested that caretaker Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen make another attempt at forming a government following the breakdown of center-right negotiations headed by Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
This development provides Frederiksen, whose Social Democrats continue to hold the position as Denmark’s largest political party even after significant electoral setbacks, with an opportunity to claim a third straight term leading the country.
Earlier this month, Poulsen, who heads the right-wing Liberal Party, had been tasked with investigating potential government arrangements after Frederiksen’s initial coalition discussions fell apart when the centrist Moderate Party withdrew from negotiations.
Frederiksen will likely need to offer compromises to Moderate Party leader Lars Lokke Rasmussen, whose backing is considered crucial following the March election that resulted in parliament being divided between 12 different parties.
The Social Democrats secured 38 seats in Denmark’s 179-member parliament, a decline from their previous 50 seats in 2022, marking their poorest electoral performance since 1903.
These extended negotiations have hindered government operations during a critical period for Denmark, as the country works to address tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration regarding Greenland.
PARIS, May 23 – France announced Saturday it will prohibit Israeli far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who said the move represents mounting international frustration over how Gaza flotilla activists were handled.
“As from today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory,” Barrot posted on X.
“Along with my Italian counterpart, I am asking the European Union to also take sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir,” he continued.
International leaders expressed fury after Ben-Gvir shared footage showing himself mocking activists bound to Gaza who were being restrained on the ground, with several later claiming they suffered physical abuse while in custody.
Ben-Gvir’s actions drew criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the United States, Israel’s closest supporter. Netanyahu described Ben-Gvir’s behavior as “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
The activists, whose ship was seized earlier this week in international waters by Israeli naval personnel while attempting to transport humanitarian supplies to Gaza, were eventually expelled from Israel after being initially held in custody.
Officials with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national soccer team say they have no intention of modifying their World Cup preparation plans, even after receiving a stern warning from United States authorities about mandatory isolation requirements before entering the country.
On Friday, Andrew Giuliani, who serves as executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, told ESPN that the Congolese delegation must stay in isolation at their Belgium training facility for 21 days or face the possibility of being refused entry into the United States. This requirement stems from a fatal Ebola virus outbreak currently affecting the central African nation.
The team from Congo is scheduled to set up their tournament base in Houston and will face Portugal in their first Group K match on June 17. Their remaining group stage games include a June 23 contest against Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, and a June 27 matchup with Uzbekistan in Atlanta.
Giuliani emphasized the seriousness of the situation in his ESPN interview, stating: “We’ve been very clear to Congo that they should maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can then come to Houston on June 11.”
He added: “We’ve made it very clear to the Congo government as well that they need to maintain that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We cannot be any clearer.”
However, a team spokesperson indicated that their current timeline remains unchanged, which includes exhibition matches against Denmark in Liege, Belgium on June 3, and Chile in Cadiz, Spain on June 9.
The official explained: “We have kept our training programme. No player in the squad has come from DR Congo.”
All squad members, including head coach Sebastien Desabre, are currently residing outside of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with most located in Europe. Some team administrators did travel to the Belgium training camp from the DRC this week.
The squad had originally planned a three-day celebration visit to Kinshasa next week before departing for their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, but this trip has been scrapped.
On Friday, the World Health Organization elevated the risk level to “very high” for the uncommon Bundibugyo strain of Ebola potentially spreading into a nationwide outbreak in the DRC. The organization has also classified the outbreak affecting both the DRC and neighboring Uganda as an emergency of international concern.
Health officials report nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Delaware transportation officials are reporting a traffic incident that has impacted travel on a major highway corridor.
The right lane of southbound Interstate 95 near the Churchmans Road interchange has been shut down following a vehicle collision. The lane closure is currently in effect as crews work to clear the scene.
Drivers traveling through the area should anticipate potential delays and consider using alternative routes when possible. No additional details about the nature of the crash or any potential injuries have been released at this time.
When 5-year-old Calvin Owens ventured outdoors for the first time in over a month, he encountered his four-legged companion Hadley on a hospital courtyard. Connected to medical equipment through various wires and tubes, the young patient still found the strength to rise from his wheelchair briefly to throw a ball for her.
His face lit up watching her retrieve it. Medical staff applauded the moment.
“Look how good you’re doing!” encouraged Hadley’s handler, Schellie Scott.
These meaningful breakthroughs and joyful instances occur regularly when Hadley or her three fellow facility dogs at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital make their rounds. These four-legged healthcare workers differ from typical volunteer therapy dogs that visit hospitals for patient comfort. They receive extensive specialized training and work full-time schedules, offering emotional assistance during difficult medical procedures, encouraging physical activity, and helping make hospital environments feel less intimidating. Healthcare professionals report these programs are expanding rapidly at pediatric medical centers nationwide.
Growing scientific evidence demonstrates that brief encounters with facility dogs can enhance children’s general wellness, lessen their pain perception, and diminish stress indicators including cortisol concentrations and blood pressure readings.
“These dogs are making a real difference,” said Kerri Rodriguez, director of the Human-Animal Bond Lab at the University of Arizona. “They can provide a little bit of normalcy, a little bit of comfort, in a really stressful, sterile environment that kids might not feel comfortable in.”
While nobody maintains official statistics on facility dogs working in pediatric hospitals, Rodriguez notes the steady expansion of the annual Facility Dog Summit, where handlers and participants connect professionally. Attendance at this gathering almost doubled between 2024 and 2025. Though other medical facilities employ full-time dogs, healthcare experts indicate children’s hospitals drive most program growth. Canine Assistants, a major Georgia-based nonprofit organization, operates a dedicated pediatric hospital program that has deployed over 80 dogs across the nation.
Canine workers have served for years at facilities including Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York, Norton Children’s in Louisville, Kentucky, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Additional programs continue launching regularly. Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Maryland welcomed its initial two facility dogs this past March.
Medical centers typically obtain these animals through nonprofit organizations. Groups like Canine Companions, Cincinnati Children’s dog provider, handle breeding, raising, and training before partnering them with hospital personnel while retaining ownership. The dogs and their handlers share both living and working arrangements.
While hospitals avoid direct purchase costs for the animals, they cover ongoing expenses including food and medical care, which can accumulate significantly since most are larger breeds such as Labradors or golden retrievers. Medical facilities commonly organize fundraising campaigns or pursue grants to manage these costs.
Healthcare professionals emphasize the clear advantages of these “animal-assisted therapies.” Rodriguez co-authored a 2022 research study examining survey data from 17 pediatric hospitals. Pediatric healthcare workers described how facility dogs offered reassuring companionship, established connections, and created familiar hospital atmospheres for children and families. A 2021 Journal of Pediatric Nursing study determined that animal-assisted interventions benefited pain management and blood pressure control in children and adolescents. Additional research found these therapies decrease anxiety and discomfort while potentially improving cardiovascular and respiratory function.
Facility dogs access more restricted hospital areas than volunteer animals and sometimes focus on specific departments. Opal, one of two St. Louis dogs, divides her schedule between the pediatric behavioral health unit and the child protection program.
Regardless of their work location, maintaining cleanliness remains essential.
Hadley receives baths twice monthly because she operates in the cancer and blood diseases section, where patients may have compromised immune systems. She gets additional baths or special wipe cleanings following potential germ exposure. Handlers utilize easily sanitized leashes and toys, and people must clean their hands before and after dog contact.
When patients require isolation, dogs remain outside their rooms. The single exception occurs when terminally ill children request canine companionship. In such situations, caregivers determine that comfort and fear reduction outweigh infection concerns.
Hadley begins her workday when her handler Scott — whose child life assistant role involves maintaining patients’ normal routines — reaches the hospital. Hadley primarily visits patients but also takes breaks for free play time.
During a recent morning, the Labrador-golden retriever mix ran energetically around a grassy play space with her colleague, Grover. While Grover maintains calm composure, Hadley’s excitement leads her to shake her head while tossing balls to herself.
“Hadley loves life,” Scott said. “Hadley lives big.”
Throughout the hospital, the dogs receive continuous attention. For handlers, “it’s like being the assistant to a famous person,” joked Scott.
Evidence of their celebrity status appears everywhere.
They feature in closed-circuit television programs produced by the hospital and broadcast to patient rooms. Holiday and event-themed dog photographs decorate corridor walls. Special mailboxes allow children to send letters or drawings to the dogs and receive responses.
Patients can collect trading cards featuring each dog with information like breed and birthday, decorate bandanas for their furry friends, or receive small stuffed dogs. Healthcare workers create dog-themed books showing children upcoming procedures or treatments.
Children with extended hospital stays develop close relationships with the dogs.
Aspen Franklin, a 14-year-old battling a serious immune disorder, has visited the hospital since toddlerhood and spent weeks there recently. Sometimes, Hadley has cuddled next to her in bed.
“She has a calming presence,” Aspen said. “That is a comfort to me.”
Like other facility dogs, Hadley also supports families. When Aspen’s younger brother Emory provided cells for her bone marrow transplant, Hadley spent time with him and other visiting siblings.
Having Hadley present “is really nice because they’re away from their animals at home,” said their mom, Brittney Franklin, whose family has two dogs and a cat.
Franklin recently observed Aspen creating art with Hadley. Since the dog couldn’t enter her room so soon after transplant, Aspen applied paint colors to a small canvas and gave it to Scott, who placed it in a plastic bag with peanut butter spread on top. Just outside the room, Hadley enthusiastically licked the surface. Abstract artwork resulted.
Hadley’s following patient was Calvin, the young boy she encountered on the courtyard. Calvin suffers from a rare, severe form of juvenile arthritis and recently underwent bone marrow transplant. Despite only managing to stand briefly at a time, he repeatedly made the effort to play with Hadley.
“He’s such a strong little man,” Scott said.
Following Calvin’s return indoors, Hadley visited 11-year-old Bethany Striggles, who recently completed chemotherapy treatment for bone cancer. The girl threw the ball down the entire hallway length, and Hadley ran joyfully to fetch and gently return it. Bethany rewarded her with an ice pop.
“She helps me exercise more,” Bethany said. “She’s energetic and happy and always likes to see me.”
Eventually, Hadley does become tired. When this occurs, she returns to an office lovingly called her lair, containing treats, toys and a large dog bed.
Above the bed hangs a bulletin board filled with artwork, photographs and messages. One, written on orange construction paper, displays a small, pink handprint and reads: “Thank you for being my BEST FRIEND.”
At least 90 workers lost their lives in a devastating gas explosion at a coal mining facility in China’s Shanxi province, according to state media reports released Saturday.
The deadly incident occurred Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine located in Changzhi city, China’s official Xinhua News Agency confirmed. Approximately 247 workers were present during their shifts when the explosion took place.
The province of Shanxi serves as China’s primary coal-producing region. This area, which exceeds Greece in land mass and houses roughly 34 million residents, employs hundreds of thousands of miners who extracted 1.3 billion tons (1.17 billion metric tons) of coal during the previous year – representing almost one-third of the nation’s entire coal production.
Such tragic incidents occur regularly throughout China, where fast-paced industrial development has resulted in aggressive resource extraction, substandard workplace safety measures, and insufficient oversight systems.
Mine operators and regional government officials often face criticism for prioritizing financial gains over worker protection. These underground catastrophes typically stem from inadequate ventilation systems needed to remove dangerous gases that naturally emerge from coal deposits. Over the last twenty years, Chinese authorities have worked to decrease mining fatalities through enhanced safety protocols and shutting down certain smaller operations.
2023: 53 people were killed after a collapse at an open-pit mine in northern China’s Inner Mongolia region.
2009: 108 miners died as a result of a gas explosion at the state-run Xinxing mine in Heilongjiang province near the border with Russia. State broadcaster CCTV displayed a diagram showing the miners trapped about a third of a mile underground. Footage showed one entrance was blocked and rescuers in orange suits with breathing equipment attempting to enter through another.
2005: 171 people died in a blast at the Dongfeng coal mine in Qitaihe in Heilongjiang province.
2005: 214 miners were killed following a gas explosion at the Sunjiawan coal mine in the Liaoning province in China’s northeast.
2004: 166 died in a gas explosion at the Chenjiashan coal mine in the Shaanxi province, in China’s northwest.
2004: 148 people were killed in a gas explosion at the Daping coal mine in China’s inland Henan province.
2000: 162 people died after an explosion at the Muchonggou coal mine in the mountainous Guizhou province in China’s southwest.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — State Representative Chris Rabb faced steep odds in his bid for the Democratic congressional nomination in Philadelphia, with the political establishment firmly aligned against him.
The mayor and Philadelphia’s Democratic Party organization had thrown their support behind a different candidate in this week’s primary contest. Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation also backed another contender. One of Rabb’s opponents had millions in financial backing, while another benefited from extensive voter mobilization efforts led by powerful local construction trade unions.
Despite these challenges, Rabb secured victory by a commanding 15-point margin over his nearest rival in Tuesday’s contest. The state lawmaker appears headed to Congress since no Republican candidate filed for the GOP nomination.
A coalition of progressive organizations powered Rabb’s campaign, with his strategy focusing partly on criticizing his own party for prioritizing wealthy contributors over ordinary voters. He attributed his success to a grassroots coalition inspired by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, concerned about Republican President Donald Trump, and seeking more responsive governance.
“That was at the heart of why I was running and that is what I built my campaign around and that, I believe, is a chord we struck in this electorate that showed up and came out like gangbusters,” Rabb said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Progressive activists view Rabb’s triumph as among their most significant victories this year and another indication that Democratic voters perceive party leadership as ineffective against Trump. Progressive candidates are also seeking House positions in New York, California and Michigan, either challenging sitting Democratic lawmakers or targeting vulnerable Republicans.
The 55-year-old Rabb describes himself as a Democratic socialist and “proud troublemaker” who consistently championed progressive legislation during his five terms in the state House. His supporters believe voters delivered a clear message this week.
“They want someone who knows what they stand for and is ready to fight, whether it’s fighting Donald Trump now or fighting an economy and political system rigged for billionaires in years ahead,” said Adam Green, a co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
The success of progressive candidates in midterm contests has raised concerns among moderate Democrats that far-left nominees might alienate centrist voters and waste a politically favorable opportunity to defeat Republicans, regain congressional control, and obstruct Trump’s agenda during his final two years in office.
Mike Mikus, a Pittsburgh-based Democratic strategist, said progressives could pose challenges for the Democratic Party in the future, but not during this election cycle.
“Regardless of who we nominate, gas prices are still too high, grocery prices are too high and people generally think the economy is not in a good place,” Mikus said. “And voters will vote for change.”
The Working Families Party served as perhaps Rabb’s most significant backer, an organization that argues both Democratic and Republican establishments have compromised with powerful interests. The group has supported several congressional members, with Analilia Mejía becoming their latest success after winning a New Jersey special election on April 16.
Rabb remains uncertain about what awaits him in Washington. “Will we have a razor-thin majority? Will we be in a razor-thin minority?”
He views Congress as an institution where most members avoid bold action due to financial influences in politics. During his victory address, Rabb displayed the passion that progressive supporters say resonated with voters.
“I have been critiqued along this campaign for being too radical, too bold,” Rabb told the crowd. “They ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Rabb’s policy positions on many campaign topics did not differ substantially from his opponents’, including supporting Trump’s impeachment, eliminating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, implementing a data center moratorium, and advocating for “Medicare for All.”
He distinguished himself by emphasizing support for government-operated grocery stores to eliminate “food deserts” and comprehensive minimum wage legislation that would end lower tipped wages and include independent contractors like gig workers.
Most significantly, Rabb mounted fierce criticism of establishment politics, including within his own party.
He argued that people are frustrated with insider politicians and big-money politics, leading to poor voter participation even with Trump in office and strong opposition to “MAGA extremism and corporate greed,” referencing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
“We can learn lessons from this victory because, if establishment politics was as effective and productive as people would have us think, then I would have been blown out of the water,” Rabb said.
State senator and former state party chair Sharif Street placed second on Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker supported his campaign, while building trades unions contributed over $600,000.
Dr. Ala Stanford finished third, receiving endorsement from retiring incumbent Dwight Evans and $3.5 million in expenditures from 314 Action, a left-leaning political action committee focused on electing scientists to Congress.
The state’s leading Democrat, Gov. Josh Shapiro, remained neutral in the race but called to congratulate Rabb following the election.
Allied progressive organizations provided at least $1.8 million in spending support for Rabb, according to federal campaign records. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., campaigned for him four days before the primary.
Supporters celebrated his victory over the city party’s “machine.”
“The fact that Chris was able to win in machine territory is significant and should send a shock wave to the Democratic establishment that base voters are upset and want transformational change,” said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, which was founded by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
While progressive organizations are gaining influence in Philadelphia, some Democrats noted that Rabb won just 45% of votes, suggesting a unified establishment candidate might have succeeded. Others pointed to low turnout, with fewer than one-third of registered Democrats participating.
“Momentum, the vibes, how people feel about a candidate are going to make a difference,” said Mustafa Rashed, a Democratic political consultant in Philadelphia.
Rabb revealed he nearly abandoned the race and considered withdrawing after discovering his campaign treasurer had stolen funds.
The sense of betrayal, combined with being financially outmatched by rivals, made him question whether his candidacy could survive.
“There was a lot of internal talk about what is the path forward for me,” Rabb said. “I had to dig down and just reaffirm that I’m walking in my purpose and this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, irrespective of the adversities.”
CINCINNATI (AP) — Specially trained canines are providing comfort and emotional support to young patients at children’s hospitals across the nation, delivering much more than just a friendly greeting. These full-time facility dogs differ from volunteer therapy animals because they receive extensive professional training and can access all hospital areas to assist patients during their entire stay.
According to specialists, children’s hospitals throughout the country are increasingly adopting facility dog programs as ongoing research demonstrates significant advantages for pediatric patients. Research indicates that even short encounters with these animals can enhance overall wellness, reduce anxiety and discomfort, and help young people feel more comfortable in strange medical environments.
At facilities like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, canines such as Hadley offer emotional comfort during challenging medical procedures, motivate children to remain physically active, and bring a touch of everyday life to the hospital environment. These dogs have become popular throughout the medical centers, with their images displayed in corridors, featured in media appearances, and special mailboxes installed where young patients can leave messages and artwork for their four-legged friends.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
When Faisal Rashid and his spouse woke up at 3 a.m. in February, they were racing against time to reserve their places for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage before all spots were taken. From their Pasadena, California residence, adrenaline coursed through him as he worked through the online reservation system.
The February moment when the pair discovered they had secured places in the sacred Islamic journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia was so moving that remembering it still causes them to become emotional.
“It was a very, very joyful experience,” said 35-year-old Rashid, his voice wavering. “My wife was already crying, praying. We were very grateful that this happened,” he added, a tear rolling down his face.
Much has shifted since that February day — the Iran war erupted and widened before a tenuous ceasefire was reached. The couple’s determination to complete the pilgrimage remains unchanged, however.
They represent American Muslims who are joining millions of pilgrims gathering in Saudi Arabia from across the globe for a Hajj that this year occurs amid regional tensions and uncertainty surrounding the conflict. The Hajj will officially start on Monday.
During the Hajj, Muslims come together in religious ceremonies and worship as they complete one of the Five Pillars of Islam. A sacred duty for Muslims who are physically and financially capable, Hajj can represent the spiritual journey of a lifetime for participants and an opportunity to seek divine forgiveness and cleansing of previous wrongdoings.
Many Muslims dedicate years to saving funds and waiting for authorization to undertake the journey.
“It’s not something you just get,” said Rashid, a doctoral candidate and a Los Angeles Police Department reserve officer. “It’s something that if God invites you, then you’re able to go.”
At one point, his father asked how the war affected their Hajj plans; an aunt wondered if he could get a refund if things escalated.
He figured others had previously endured far worse to make the journey. “You’re brought up to think about how this is a very physically and emotionally enduring expedition,” he said.
A planner by nature, Rashid began following a flight tracker and registered for a program that sends updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
But instead of worrying, he has been leaning on his faith.
“In Islam we’re taught that you’re supposed to do your very best effort but then let go of the things that … you don’t have control over,” he said. “I need to let go and feel that, ‘Hey, you know what, God is the best of planners.’ “
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was “slight progress” during talks with Iran over a potential peace deal. He spoke days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was holding off on a military strike against Iran because “serious negotiations” were underway. Trump has been threatening for weeks that the ceasefire reached in April could end if Iran does not make a deal.
Following the eruption of the Iran war, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh in April advised Americans to reconsider participating in this year’s Hajj, citing then the “security situation and intermittent travel disruptions.”
Ahmed Sufyan, a surgeon in Michigan, has been concerned about potential flight disruptions on his way back from the pilgrimage. His round trip includes stops in Gulf countries that had been embroiled in the war, which started on Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and drew retaliatory strikes by Iran.
“There is some uncertainty with the war,” he said. “That does add a level of concern.”
Still, he said, “the faith is what drives us.”
If this were for vacation, he couldn’t have justified it. But Hajj is different, he said.
“I feel really lucky that I have this opportunity,” he said. “I personally know people who have attempted to go for many years, and it’s not easy to secure a spot.”
“Hajj,” he said, “transcends politics and conflict.”
His goal? To return a better person.
“To fulfill the Hajj requirements, you have to stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about your creator and putting things into perspective,” he said. “It teaches you patience and humility.”
Hajj brings together large numbers of Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world, leaving many feeling unity and connection.
In India, home to a large Muslim minority, pilgrimage planning has proceeded largely as normal, but high fuel prices have pushed up travel costs for this year’s pilgrims from the country.
Back in the U.S., the uncertainty upended Noor-e-ain Shahid’s plans for her children’s care while she and her husband go to Hajj.
The Texas neurologist had planned for her children to stay with family in Dubai. Tickets were bought; then the war erupted.
By late April, Shahid decided there was too much unpredictability: What if things flare up in the region? What if flight delays leave her kids stuck in Dubai?
Her in-laws offered to stay with the children in the U.S. while she and her husband are away. She is not worried about her own safety on the journey.
“If Allah has invited me, then Allah will take care of me,” she said. “And if Allah has decided my end is there in this situation, then, I mean, I accept that.”
She has been overwhelmed by emotions. High among them is feeling fortunate.
“It’s considered as rebirth,” she said. “You go there and you have an opportunity to become new when you come back and start over.”
In California, ahead of the Hajj, Rashid and his wife have prepared for the physically demanding pilgrimage by going to the gym and on walks. New shoes, he said, must be broken in. He has been spiritually preparing and getting guidance.
The couple also collected prayer requests that others would like them to make during Hajj.
“You want to go in spiritually with a clean slate, not with any kind of ill hearts or bitterness,” he said. “You don’t want to feel anxious about worldly things.”
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced Saturday that three volunteers have died from Ebola after being exposed to the virus while conducting body management work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The volunteers – Ajiko Chandiru Viviane, Sezabo Katanabo, and Alikana Udumusi Augustin – were working with the Mongbwalu branch in Ituri province in the northeastern part of the country when they contracted the disease on March 27. They passed away on May 5, 15, and 16.
According to the IFRC, the three workers were engaged in body management duties as part of humanitarian operations that were not connected to Ebola response efforts. The current outbreak had not been detected when the exposure occurred.
The World Health Organization has classified the current outbreak as an international emergency. This particular strain, known as Bundibugyo Ebola, currently has no licensed vaccine or therapeutic treatment available.
Deceased Ebola patients remain extremely contagious, and improper burial practices where relatives touch bodies without adequate protection are a major source of virus spread. Red Cross teams are actively working in affected areas to prevent such unsafe practices.
“These volunteers lost their lives while serving their communities with courage and humanity,” the IFRC said.
Red Cross workers are currently conducting house-to-house visits in outbreak zones to counter false information about the disease circulating in affected communities.
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina enters the French Open as a potential championship candidate following her recent Italian Open victory, but the athlete is maintaining a measured perspective about her title prospects, emphasizing that a relaxed mental approach and concentration on her play matter more than dwelling on capturing her first Grand Slam championship.
The 31-year-old athlete defeated reigning Roland Garros titleholder Coco Gauff in last week’s Italian Open championship match after securing hard-fought victories against world number two Elena Rybakina and third-ranked Iga Swiatek.
Although she claimed her most significant tournament victory since taking maternity leave following her daughter’s birth with fellow tennis professional Gael Monfils in 2022, Svitolina, currently ranked seventh globally, emphasized she won’t burden herself with expectations entering the Grand Slam tournament beginning Sunday.
“It’s all about trying to focus on my game, my performance, not going too far with the thoughts about if I can win the title or not,” Svitolina, who faces Hungarian opponent Anna Bondar in her opening match, explained to media members Saturday.
“There’s still lots of matches to win to get that title, and you need to be fit and mentally ready.
“There’s still a lot of work ahead. It’s just important to focus on the first round, one match at a time, and be ready for anything that comes my way.”
The Ukrainian player, who has advanced beyond the quarterfinal stage at every Grand Slam tournament except Roland Garros, expressed contentment with her career trajectory.
“It’s okay if I don’t win a slam,” she stated.
“It’s also fine, in a way, because if you’re not okay with that I think you can just eat yourself from inside and all the time not be happy about what you do on the court.
“I think my career, even if I finish tomorrow, is okay. And if something happens, I’ll be fine with that and I’ll still be a happy person and live my life good.
“So I just want to have this mentality now, because I think when you’re younger, of course you want to win a slam, this is the goal, number one, and you’re so upset and you can really damage yourself mentally if you don’t succeed.
“I still believe I can win a Grand Slam but I’m also fine if it’s not going to happen or if it’s not on the cards for me.”
Five Palestinian police officers died Saturday when Israeli missiles struck their security post in northern Gaza, according to local police authorities, marking an escalation in attacks against the Hamas-controlled security force.
Gaza’s police directorate reported that two missiles struck the facility in the Tawam area, killing at least five officers and injuring additional personnel. The directorate oversees security operations in Gaza territories that came under Hamas administration after a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement in October.
Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the incident.
The role of Hamas’ approximately 10,000 police officers has become a major obstacle in negotiations surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza strategy. While Hamas seeks to incorporate these officers into a future security force outlined in the proposal, Israel opposes including any personnel with Hamas connections.
The diplomatic discussions have reached an impasse due to Hamas’ unwillingness to surrender its weapons and continued Israeli military operations throughout the territory. Health authorities report that more than 880 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began, while at least four Israeli soldiers have been killed in militant operations during the same timeframe.
A powerful 6.0 magnitude tremor shook Hawaii’s Big Island late Friday evening near Honaunau-Napoopoo, prompting scientists with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to evaluate conditions at the Kilauea volcano.
The famous Kilauea volcano, recognized as among the globe’s most active volcanic sites, sits on Hawaii’s Big Island and has been producing intermittent eruptions since December 23, 2024.
Scientists with the USGS’ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) released information earlier Friday indicating their forecast models predict the volcano’s next eruption will happen between May 24 and May 27.
Friday’s seismic event registered at approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) below the surface and created tremors that residents across Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu islands could feel, the USGS reported.
Officials with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center determined the earthquake would not generate tsunami conditions, and authorities received no initial reports of structural damage or injuries from the incident.
A Tennessee federal court has dismissed all criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, bringing an end to a case that captured national headlines due to a deportation error by the Trump administration.
The federal judge cleared Garcia of human smuggling charges that had been pending against him. Garcia’s situation became widely known after the Trump administration mistakenly deported him to a dangerous correctional facility in El Salvador.
The dismissal represents a complete victory for Garcia, who is now free of all federal criminal allegations that had been brought against him.
The United States housing market is grappling with a pair of significant challenges – insufficient inventory of available properties and unaffordable pricing on existing homes. Federal lawmakers believe their newest proposed legislation could provide relief for both issues.
Sherill Baldwin frequently spends her time working at a neglected graveyard in Connecticut. Though she discovered the location by accident, Baldwin has now become involved in a growing effort by volunteers known as ‘cemetery citizens’ who dedicate themselves to caring for abandoned burial sites.
These dedicated individuals are part of a larger nationwide initiative focused on rehabilitating and maintaining burial grounds that have been overlooked or forgotten by their communities. The volunteers work to clear overgrown vegetation, repair damaged markers, and restore dignity to these final resting places.
The head of Nvidia confirmed Saturday that China is part of the company’s ambitious $200 billion central processing unit market projection, indicating the tech giant still anticipates substantial future demand despite ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China.
Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, made the remarks to reporters after arriving in Taipei on Saturday. When questioned whether his market forecast encompassed China, he responded: “I would think so.”
The focus on central processing units has intensified as corporations increasingly adopt agentic AI technology – automated systems that operate independently – expanding demand beyond the graphics processing units typically used for training large-scale models.
Earlier this week, Huang worked to reassure investors that the world’s most valuable company could maintain its exceptional growth trajectory through a diverse customer base, with new products helping achieve the $1 trillion sales target for its primary AI chips.
During Wednesday’s earnings call, Huang announced that Nvidia’s new “Vera” central processors would open access to the new $200 billion market opportunity.
The company has obtained licenses from U.S. authorities to market its H200 chips but still awaits approval from Chinese regulators, who are promoting domestic chip manufacturers.
Recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing failed to produce immediate progress for Nvidia’s H200 chip sales. Huang participated in those talks as part of the American delegation.
Last week, Reuters revealed that approximately 10 Chinese companies received U.S. clearance to purchase Nvidia’s second-most advanced AI chip, the H200, though no shipments have occurred yet.
“H200 has been licensed to ship to China. It would be terrific to be able to serve that market. The Chinese market is very important. It’s very large, of course,” Huang stated while speaking at Taipei’s downtown Songshan airport.
Huang’s visit to Taipei precedes next month’s Computex trade show. He indicated plans to meet with TSMC during his Taiwan visit, the global leader in contract chip manufacturing that produces many advanced semiconductors driving artificial intelligence advancement.
KYIV, May 23 – A deadly drone attack by Russian forces targeted mourners attending a funeral service Saturday in the vicinity of Sumy, a northeastern Ukrainian city, leaving one person dead and nine others wounded, according to a top regional authority.
Oleh Hryhorov, head of the regional military administration, offered no additional information about the incident. Media outlets in the area reported that an attack drone with guidance capabilities struck the roadway close to a bus.
The city of Sumy sits approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) away from the Ukrainian-Russian border and has faced repeated strikes from Russian missiles and drone attacks throughout the ongoing conflict.
WASHINGTON, May 23 – Following the Trump administration’s intensified pressure on Communist-controlled Cuba, which came after military forces removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, analysts are examining why the Cuban situation may unfold differently despite Caracas having been a major ally of the island nation’s government.
LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION QUESTIONS
When U.S. forces captured Maduro during a swift operation on January 3, then-Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed control and has remained as acting president. However, Cuba presents a different scenario with no clear deputy to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel or former President Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old ex-leader whom the U.S. indicted this week as part of efforts to intensify pressure on Havana.
Orlando Pérez, a specialist in U.S.-Latin America relations at the University of North Texas in Dallas, explained the challenge: “The security apparatus in Cuba has dismantled, systematically dismantled, every alternative or potentially alternative power source.”
While Venezuela has a prominent opposition figure in Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, who won 2024 elections but was prevented from assuming power and hopes to return for free elections this year, Cuba lacks a comparable leader.
Though Raúl Rodriguez Castro, the former president’s grandson, recently met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe during an unusual visit by a U.S. intelligence chief to Havana – sparking speculation about potential cooperation with Washington – the younger Castro holds no official government role and isn’t anticipated to turn against his family. He participated in a Friday rally in Havana protesting his grandfather’s indictment.
ANALYZING ADVANTAGES AND DANGERS
Cuba has remained a U.S. adversary since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Trump enjoys strong backing from hardline Cuban-Americans in Florida who have long advocated for U.S.-supported regime change, and the Republican president has expressed clear desires for transformation in their native country.
Historically viewed as a threatening Soviet ally just 90 miles from Florida, and more recently as a potential base for Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere, Cuba’s position has shifted as Russia’s focus moved elsewhere after the Soviet bloc’s collapse, while economic difficulties have reduced its capacity to challenge the U.S.
Analysts warn that Cuban instability could trigger a migration emergency, as citizens already facing widespread power outages due to the U.S. blockade might choose to escape the island during conflict or disorder.
Cuba’s armed forces demonstrate greater ideological commitment and unity than Venezuela’s military and would likely mount stronger resistance. While dozens of Cuban agents died in Venezuela during January while protecting Maduro, survivors gained valuable intelligence about U.S. operational methods.
Cuba is also considered more sophisticated in surveillance and intelligence capabilities, particularly after years of collaboration with Russia and China.
POTENTIAL U.S. GAINS FROM CUBA
Venezuela possesses significant natural resources, with U.S. corporations already positioning themselves to extract oil from the South American nation, which has experienced increased exports.
Cuba offers no comparable resources. Its government-controlled tourism sector lagged behind other Caribbean locations in cost and service quality even before this year’s sharp decline, worsened by shortages connected to Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy, the U.S. blockade, and tariff threats against nations supplying it with fuel.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a vocal Cuba critic who also serves as national security adviser, is viewed as the driving force behind the Trump administration’s Cuban strategy.
A Florida-born son of Cuban immigrants who has previously sought the presidency and is expected to run again, Rubio could benefit politically from major Cuban changes, but failure carries significant risks as the U.S. confronts massive budget shortfalls while conducting a costly Iran campaign estimated at billions daily.
LEGAL COMPLICATIONS
The 1996 Helms-Burton Act restricts Washington’s ability to alter Cuban relations, connecting embargo removal to specific political changes including establishing a democratically elected government.
Trump modified U.S.-Venezuela business relationships by ousting Maduro while maintaining the existing government structure without announcing plans for free elections.
Regarding Cuba, he cannot legally proceed without dramatic cooperation from Cuban officials, who have refused to collaborate thus far.
Cuba’s situation proves more complex due to its economy’s lack of private enterprise, dominated instead by Gaesa, a military conglomerate under U.S. sanctions controlling the island’s premier hotels, main port, leading commercial bank, and extensive networks of supermarkets, gas stations, and remittance operations.
Washington justified the Venezuela intervention by citing Maduro’s government involvement in “narcoterrorism.” Cuban officials haven’t faced similar accusations, with their government claiming cooperation with the U.S. in anti-drug efforts.
A traffic collision has resulted in the closure of the right lane on Interstate 95 southbound near the welcome center area.
The lane blockage is located just beyond the welcome center on the southbound side of the interstate. Drivers traveling through this section should anticipate potential delays and exercise caution while passing through the incident scene.
Traffic conditions may be impacted as vehicles merge from the closed right lane into the remaining open lanes.
Local Russian authorities reported Saturday that a Ukrainian drone strike ignited a blaze at an oil facility in the Krasnodar region during overnight hours, marking another assault on Russia’s crucial petroleum infrastructure.
Officials from Novorossiysk reported that debris from the downed drone caused the fire at the oil terminal, resulting in injuries to two individuals. The authorities did not identify which specific facility was targeted.
According to Russia’s Astra news outlet, the attack hit the Sheskharis oil terminal and depot, which serves as the endpoint for the state-controlled pipeline company Transneft’s primary oil transportation lines in the area. Astra published images that seemed to display smoke billowing from the terminal, though the photos’ authenticity could not be confirmed. Ukrainian officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
Ukrainian forces have broadened their capacity for medium and long-distance strikes, utilizing drone and missile systems developed within the country to combat Russia’s 4-year-old invasion. Strikes against Russian petroleum facilities that provide crucial funding for the invasion have become nearly routine events.
In related developments, Moscow-appointed officials announced that the fatality count from a Ukrainian drone attack on a college dormitory in Starobilsk, located in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of Ukraine, has climbed to 11 following the overnight strike into Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the dormitory attack on Friday as a “crime” and directed military leaders to present options for response. He stated that no military or law enforcement installations were located near the educational facility.
During an emergency U.N. Security Council session requested by Russia to address the strike, Ukrainian Ambassador Melnyk Andrii rejected his Russian colleague’s war crimes allegations, characterizing them as a “pure propaganda show” and maintaining that the May 22 operations “exclusively targeted the Russian war machine.”
Plant species that define familiar landscapes around the world face a growing threat of extinction as rising global temperatures transform their natural environments, new research reveals.
Scientists examined the future survival prospects of more than 67,000 vascular plant species — representing roughly 18% of all known plants with water and nutrient transport systems. Their findings paint a concerning picture for botanical diversity worldwide.
The research indicates that between 7% and 16% of these species could see their natural ranges reduced by more than 90%, putting them in serious danger of disappearing entirely. Among the plants at highest risk are California’s Catalina ironwood, an uncommon native tree, bluish spike-moss from an ancient plant family spanning over 400 million years, and approximately one-third of all Eucalyptus varieties — trees synonymous with Australia’s landscape.
Scientists reached these conclusions by analyzing millions of location records for plants alongside projected greenhouse gas emission patterns for the years 2081-2100.
Plant survival depends on much more than geographic location — it requires specific combinations of temperature ranges, precipitation levels, soil types, land usage, and environmental features like shade coverage.
“One way to picture this is to imagine plants trying to follow a moving ‘climate envelope.’ As temperatures warm, many species can shift northward or uphill to stay cool enough. But temperature is only part of the story,” explained Junna Wang, a Yale University postdoctoral researcher, and Xiaoli Dong, a professor of environmental science and policy at the University of California, Davis, in joint statements to Reuters.
Wang and Dong served as lead researchers for the study, which appeared in the journal Science.
According to their findings, climate change is reducing the availability of these essential environmental combinations in many regions, creating fewer locations where all necessary survival conditions exist simultaneously.
Plants typically spread to new areas over multiple generations through seeds or spores transported by wind, water, wildlife, or gravity. However, when researchers compared realistic plant movement patterns with hypothetical scenarios allowing unlimited dispersal, extinction projections remained remarkably similar.
“If slow movement were the main problem, then allowing unlimited dispersal should dramatically reduce extinction risk. But that is not what we found,” Wang and Dong noted.
This discovery carries significant implications for conservation efforts.
“If dispersal limitation were the main driver, then strategies like assisted migration — physically helping species move to new areas — could solve much of the problem. But if climate change is reducing the amount of suitable habitat overall, then simply helping species move may not be enough,” the researchers added.
Different regions face varying levels of threat. Arctic plants adapted to cold conditions may lose habitat as extremely cold climates become less common. Arid areas, including portions of the western United States and regions with Mediterranean-style climates, confront dangers from intensified drought conditions, reduced soil moisture, and increased wildfire frequency. Along southern and eastern Australian coasts, shorelines may prevent species from migrating toward the poles.
However, the study also identified potential benefits in some areas. Local plant diversity could increase across approximately 28% of Earth’s land surface as species establish themselves in newly favorable locations. This includes parts of tropical and subtropical regions where enhanced rainfall — beyond just temperature changes — might create suitable conditions for additional plant varieties.
The researchers characterized these changes as a worldwide reorganization, with some species vanishing from their traditional territories while others colonize new areas. They emphasized that local increases don’t necessarily indicate overall improvement for plant populations.
These geographical shifts could also produce “novel communities” — plant combinations that have never coexisted historically but would begin interacting for the first time. The researchers acknowledged uncertainty about how these new ecological relationships might develop.
Plants form the foundation of most land-based ecosystems. They capture and store carbon, prevent soil erosion, support animal populations, and supply food, lumber, medicines, and other essential materials. Changes in plant diversity can therefore trigger widespread effects throughout natural systems and human communities.
“If climate change reduces vegetation cover, ecosystems may absorb less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can further intensify warming. That creates a feedback loop in which climate change harms plants, and reduced plant cover/productivity in turn worsens climate change,” Wang and Dong explained.
“Ultimately, protecting plant diversity is not only about conserving nature for its own sake — it is also about maintaining the ecological systems that support human societies,” they concluded.
WASHINGTON, May 23 – A major rift has emerged between President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans over his proposed $1.776 billion compensation fund for individuals he describes as victims of government “weaponization,” creating a heated standoff just months ahead of the midterm elections.
The Senate put a halt to deliberations on Thursday regarding a $72 billion immigration enforcement spending package after numerous GOP senators insisted the controversial fund should either be eliminated entirely or face strict oversight requirements.
Democratic lawmakers have similarly vowed to target the fund through the immigration legislation.
The previous day, Senate Majority Leader John Thune prevented $1 billion in federal money from going toward an elaborate White House ballroom that Trump has started constructing, stating he lacked sufficient Republican support.
Trump responded forcefully on Friday.
“I am helping others, who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden Administration, receive, at long last, JUSTICE!” the president wrote on his social media platform.
This power struggle between Trump and members of his own party, fueled by recent primary wins of Trump-backed candidates defeating incumbent legislators, may escalate when Congress reconvenes next month and could impact November’s midterm races.
“The American people are going to reject this out of hand,” Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said of the anti-weaponization fund, whose beneficiaries could include those convicted in connection with the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Though many GOP senators remained unusually quiet after Thursday’s spending bill discussion, Tillis and others made clear how politically damaging the president’s requests had become.
“(The fund) could potentially compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted their guilt, got convicted, got pardoned and now we’re going to pay them for that? That’s absurd,” Tillis, who is not running for reelection, said in a Thursday interview with Spectrum News.
CONGRESSIONAL MANEUVERING OVER COMPENSATION FUND
Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, facing a competitive reelection race this fall, joined forces with Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi of New York on a bill to block any payments from the fund.
Retiring Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska described both the ballroom and anti-weaponization funds within the immigration spending package as “poison pills” for House Republicans in difficult reelection contests.
Given Republicans’ narrow control in both congressional chambers, just a small number of dissenting lawmakers could sink Trump’s proposals.
However, there’s widespread doubt that congressional Republicans, who have remained faithful to the president on issues ranging from trade policy to budget cuts to military action, are prepared to break away.
“We’ve heard this talk for 10 years now of rebellion and cracks in the coalition. It has never happened,” said Doug Heye, a longtime Republican strategist.
He noted Republicans are “constantly capitulating” on Trump’s priorities, suggesting any uprising would be “light years” away.
Several Trump supporters in Congress, including Republican Representatives Abraham Hamadeh of Arizona and John Rose of Tennessee, have rallied to his defense.
“Not a single congressional Republican was elected to oppose President Trump,” Hamadeh posted on X, adding: “Yet an insurgency is already brewing” in the Senate. “STOP slamming the brakes on the America First agenda.”
Peter Ticktin, an attorney representing more than 400 January 6 defendants, expressed confidence his clients will receive compensation despite congressional resistance.
“They’re fools if they think this is going to work,” Ticktin said of Senate Republicans who oppose the fund. “It’s still going to go through, and those opposing the fund will suffer in future elections.”
DEMOCRATS PLAN TO FORCE CHALLENGING VOTES
Democratic lawmakers, though holding minority status in both chambers, are capitalizing on what they view as the president’s politically insensitive proposals.
They’ve highlighted the contrast between struggling American consumers dealing with inflation and Trump’s expensive ballroom project and potential large government payments to January 6 participants or other associates.
“Is it possible on May 21, 2026, Republicans finally found an ethical bridge too far?” Senator Dick Durbin, the second-highest-ranking member of the Democrats’ Senate leadership, said at a Thursday press conference.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday described Republicans as experiencing a “meltdown” over the ballroom and what Democrats label a Trump “slush fund.”
One option for congressional Republicans when they return from break on June 1 involves finding a compromise position.
An anonymous source with knowledge of the negotiations mentioned discussions about potential fund restrictions, including standards for commission oversight members or mandating judicial review.
At minimum, Democrats will likely attempt to force opponents into politically challenging votes on spending bill amendments.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware told reporters this week he had prepared 13 such amendments. One would prevent payments to January 6 participants who attacked Capitol law enforcement, while others would ban taxpayer funding for payments and require public disclosure of all payments if the fund survives, according to a spokesperson for the senator.
Turkish intelligence operatives have successfully detained 10 individuals suspected of Islamic State involvement during an operation in Syria, according to security sources who spoke to the Anadolu news agency on Saturday.
The operation was conducted jointly with Syrian intelligence services, with sources indicating all detained suspects have Turkish citizenship and are believed connected to previous terrorist incidents within Turkey’s borders.
According to the state-run Anadolu agency, one detainee allegedly maintained ties to those responsible for the devastating 2015 bombing at Ankara’s train station, an attack that claimed over 100 lives.
Security sources revealed that among those captured was an individual who reportedly functioned as the terrorist organization’s intelligence leader overseeing Turkey-related operations.
The detained suspects face accusations of participating in weapons training, conducting propaganda activities, and either organizing or providing support for terrorist attacks, sources stated.
A devastating gas explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province has resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people, representing the country’s most catastrophic coal mining incident in over 16 years.
The deadly blast occurred late Friday evening, adding to China’s lengthy record of fatal mining accidents spanning several decades.
China’s mining industry has experienced numerous tragic incidents throughout its history:
In 1950, a mining accident at the Yiluo Mine in Henan province claimed at least 174 lives.
A decade later in 1960, a methane explosion at the Laobaidong Coal Mine in Shanxi province resulted in 684 fatalities.
The 1990s brought another tragedy when a gas explosion at the Sanjiao River coal mine in Shanxi province killed 147 workers in 1991.
The year 2000 saw a gas explosion at the Muchonggou Coal Mine in Guizhou province that took 162 lives.
Multiple disasters struck in 2004, including a gas explosion at the Daping Coal Mine in Xinmi, Henan province, killing 148 people, and another gas explosion at the Chenjiashan Coal Mine in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, that claimed 166 lives.
The following year proved particularly deadly with several major incidents: a gas explosion at the Sunjiawan colliery of state-owned Fuxin Coal Industry Group in Liaoning province killed 214 people, flooding at the Daxing Mine in Guangdong province resulted in 123 deaths, and an explosion at the Dongfeng Coal Mine in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang province, killed approximately 170 people.
In 2007, heavy rainfall caused flooding in two mines in Shandong province, leading to 181 fatalities.
The most recent major incident before this week occurred in 2009, when a gas explosion at the Xinxing Mine in Heilongjiang province killed 108 people.
The current disaster at the Liushenyu Coal Mine represents the deadliest coal mining accident China has experienced since that 2009 incident.
Pope Leo delivered sharp criticism against corporations pursuing massive profits while damaging the environment during a Saturday visit to a region of Italy notorious for toxic waste problems.
The pontiff traveled to Acerra, located approximately 220 kilometers (137 miles) south of Rome, where he condemned what he called “dizzying” corporate profits that come at the expense of environmental destruction. Leo, who is the first U.S. pope, called on the global community to “reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air, and social coexistence.”
The papal visit focused on an area near Naples dubbed the “Land of Fires,” where the European Court of Human Rights determined last year that government officials failed to shield local residents from illegal waste disposal activities dating back to at least 1988. Leo explained his motivation for the trip was to “gather the tears” of families who have lost relatives to illnesses connected to the contamination.
Crowds welcomed the pope’s arrival via popemobile in an outdoor plaza on the bright spring afternoon, with supporters displaying small Vatican flags in yellow and white, wearing yellow caps, and holding up signs featuring photographs of deceased family members.
During his remarks, Leo, who has adopted increasingly direct language in recent months and plans to release his first major document on Monday, stated that “unscrupulous people and organizations have been allowed to act with impunity for too long.” Throughout his four-hour stay in Acerra, he also criticized “the dizzying profits of a few, blind to the needs of people, their work and their future.” The pope also held meetings with affected residents.
For many years, waste collection, processing and disposal operations in southern Italy were controlled by a limited number of private entities, with some contracts connected to the Camorra, a mafia organization operating in the Naples region.
The European court ruled in January 2025 that Italian government officials repeatedly failed to take action against illegal dumping in an area also called the “Triangle of Death,” named for the unusually high cancer rates affecting local populations.
The court mandated that the Italian government create a complete database of contaminated sites and inform citizens about health risks within two years.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni named an Italian general in February 2025 to lead a special unit focused on assisting victims and pursuing environmental restoration efforts.
Leo plans to release his first encyclical, a significant religious text, to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on Monday. The document is anticipated to examine artificial intelligence developments and how the technology affects warfare and workers’ rights.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re looking at a soggy Saturday across the peninsula as a steady rain system moves through our area. Expect overcast skies and persistent rainfall throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a cool 58 degrees. The most notable feature today will be those gusty east winds at 15-20 mph, with some gusts reaching up to 35 mph, so secure any loose outdoor items. We’re anticipating between a quarter to half inch of new rainfall.
Tonight, the rain continues with temperatures holding steady around 55 degrees – perfect weather for staying cozy indoors!
Looking ahead to Sunday, we’ll see a significant warm-up to 74 degrees, but don’t put that umbrella away just yet. The rain will transition to showers and thunderstorms as we head into the afternoon and evening hours. Sunday night keeps the active weather pattern going with more showers and storms possible, and temperatures dropping to a mild 62 degrees.
Stay dry out there, Delmarva, and have a wonderful weekend! I’m your TV Delmarva meteorologist keeping you weather-ready.
Researchers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) published findings from the 2026 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey this past May, revealing encouraging news for the region’s iconic crustacean population.
The joint annual study counted approximately 349 million blue crabs throughout the Chesapeake Bay in 2026, marking a substantial 46% jump from the previous year’s count of 238 million crabs.
Particularly promising was the surge in young crabs, with researchers documenting 228 million juvenile blue crabs – representing a dramatic 121% rise compared to the prior year’s findings.
This positive trend breaks a concerning pattern, as the above-average population numbers come after six straight years of disappointing juvenile recruitment rates.
Both overall crab numbers and juvenile counts reached their peak levels since 2019, according to the survey data.
Adult male crab populations also showed improvement, with an estimated 37 million adult males recorded – a 43% boost from the previous survey.
However, adult female numbers declined by 25% to 81 million crabs, though this figure still exceeds the management threshold while falling short of target objectives.
The harsh winter conditions took a toll on the Bay’s crab population through increased mortality rates. Approximately 20% of adult male crabs and 12% of adult female crabs perished during the winter months, significantly higher than the typical mortality rates of 9% and 7% respectively observed from 1996 to 2026.
These survey findings arrive as researchers work to complete the Chesapeake Bay blue crab benchmark stock assessment, a comprehensive evaluation of the species and environmental factors influencing population trends.
The preliminary assessment indicates higher crab numbers than previously calculated in the Bay, though it also identifies an unexplained overall population decline affecting the species.
Throughout the coming year, DNR plans to collaborate with other jurisdictions, commercial watermen, and scientific experts to determine how the stock assessment findings will be incorporated into management strategies.
The last blue crab stock assessment conducted in 2011, along with subsequent management actions, successfully restored the Chesapeake’s blue crab population following more than ten years of poor abundance and harvest numbers.
This updated stock assessment will provide essential information to refine that earlier work by establishing appropriate management targets, thresholds, and sustainable fishing quotas.
Maryland and Virginia have jointly conducted the Winter Dredge Survey since 1990, with annual review of findings aimed at maintaining uniform management approaches across both states.
During the survey period, marine biologists employ dredging equipment to collect, measure, document and return blue crabs at 1,500 locations across the Chesapeake Bay between December and March. Complete survey data can be found on the DNR website.
Ugandan health authorities announced Saturday that three additional individuals have tested positive for Ebola, raising the nation’s confirmed case total to five.
According to a Health Ministry statement, the newly confirmed patients include a Ugandan driver who had transported the country’s initial confirmed case and a healthcare worker who became exposed to the virus while providing care to that same patient.
The third newly confirmed case involves a Congolese woman, the ministry reported.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Taiwan’s capital Saturday, calling for lawmakers to approve the complete defense budget package after parliament only authorized a portion of the requested funds.
The opposition-controlled legislature approved just two-thirds of the $40 billion supplementary defense budget that President Lai Ching-te had sought. The president’s proposal included funding for American-made weapons systems as well as domestic military equipment like drones, aimed at strengthening defenses against China, which considers the island part of its territory.
Parliamentary opposition members, holding the majority of seats, passed their own modified version of the spending plan this month, authorizing funds only for American arms purchases. They argued the administration’s proposals lacked clarity and risked enabling corruption.
Multiple human rights organizations and pro-independence advocacy groups organized the demonstration in the capital, with participants displaying flags and chanting in favor of increased defense expenditures.
“True peace requires national defence. Only by strengthening our national defence can we ensure Taiwan’s freedom,” Wang Hsing-huan, chairman of the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party, which has no lawmakers in parliament, told the crowd.
Government officials are now working to secure approval for the remaining funds, including money for a new “T-Dome” integrated air defence system.
“We need to protect ourselves against China’s expansion,” said civil engineer Angela Yen, 34. “China and Taiwan are two different countries.”
Leaders from both major opposition parties maintain they support defense investments but refuse to approve “blank cheques” for military spending.
During remarks in southern Taiwan earlier Saturday, Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the largest opposition party the Kuomintang, stated that no one wished to see military conflict with China emerge.
Her party reported she emphasized that Taiwan possesses adequate resources but must avoid wasteful expenditures. Taiwan should invest in peace, not war, and not send the next generation to serve as soldiers and fight, added Cheng, who last month met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The island’s government continues to reject Beijing’s territorial claims, maintaining that only Taiwan’s citizens can determine their political future.
After more than 11 months away from home, the crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford received a triumphant reception upon their return to Naval Station Norfolk. The aircraft carrier’s deployment lasted 334 days, during which sailors faced multiple challenges at sea.
The extended mission took the crew through two separate military conflicts while also dealing with onboard emergencies including a fire and malfunctioning sewage systems. Despite these hardships, the sailors were greeted as heroes when they finally stepped onto home soil.
Emotional reunions filled the naval station as family members welcomed back their loved ones after nearly a year of separation. The homecoming marked the end of one of the longest recent deployments for the crew members aboard the massive warship.
Fifteen years have passed since a catastrophic tornado devastated Joplin, Missouri, but the community spirit that emerged from that tragedy continues to flourish today.
In the wake of the disaster, an extraordinary response unfolded as nearly 100,000 volunteers traveled from across the nation to assist with rebuilding efforts. The outpouring of support was so significant that volunteers left messages of hope on tornado-damaged structures, and grateful Joplin residents later responded with thank-you notes to those who helped.
The legacy of that volunteer spirit remains alive in the Missouri community, where acts of service have become a lasting part of the local culture. Experts who study human responses to disasters note that catastrophic events can reveal compassion in unexpected and powerful ways.
The transformation of Joplin serves as a testament to how communities can emerge stronger from devastation, with the bonds forged during recovery continuing to shape the town’s character years later.
Maine’s groundfishing sector is facing severe economic pressures as escalating food expenses and fuel costs continue to devastate the already troubled industry. However, an initiative that began during the coronavirus pandemic is providing crucial support to help fishermen survive the worsening inflationary pressures.
The Fishermen Feeding Mainers program represents a collaborative effort between the Portland Fish Exchange in Portland, Maine, and the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. This initiative focuses on distributing fresh, locally-sourced seafood to community members at no cost, with public schools among the beneficiaries.
Workers at the Portland Fish Exchange can be seen handling fish in containers before the catch is prepared for distribution. This partnership demonstrates how the fishing community is adapting to economic challenges by finding new ways to connect their harvest with local food needs while supporting their struggling industry.
Officials appointed by Russia report that fatalities from a drone attack on a student dormitory in eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk region have increased to 10, up from an earlier count of six deaths.
Moscow blamed Ukraine for what it called an intentional drone attack on the town of Starobilsk on Friday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin directing his military to develop retaliatory options.
According to Leonid Pasechnik, who leads the Russian-appointed regional administration, the strike resulted in 10 deaths, left 48 people wounded, and 11 individuals remain missing.
Ukrainian military officials rejected Russia’s claims and stated they had targeted an elite drone command unit in that location. They maintained that Kyiv operates within international humanitarian law guidelines.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A holiday morning email would launch South African disease expert Lucille Blumberg into a medical mystery spanning thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
On May 1, while South Africa observed Labor Day, Blumberg received an urgent message from a colleague in the United Kingdom. The message detailed a cruise ship passenger who had been airlifted to a Johannesburg hospital with what appeared to be pneumonia, while additional passengers aboard the vessel were falling ill.
The colleague, responsible for monitoring diseases in remote British territories across the South Atlantic, requested Blumberg’s assistance with the patient, who had been removed from the ship at Ascension Island.
This urgent request thrust Blumberg and her team at South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases into a race against time to solve an outbreak mystery aboard the Dutch cruise vessel MV Hondius.
“Even though it was a public holiday, we moved, we moved really fast,” Blumberg told The Associated Press. “It was busy. There were many conversations. There were online discussions, and there was laboratory testing happening at the time.”
In just 24 hours, the team successfully identified the culprit: hantavirus, an uncommon virus transmitted by rodents.
The elderly British passenger had reached the private Johannesburg medical facility several days prior in critical condition, leaving healthcare providers puzzled about the root cause of his illness.
When he was removed from the vessel, two elderly Dutch travelers aboard the MV Hondius had already perished, though this initially raised minimal concern. Health officials on Ascension Island had notified the World Health Organization about a group of pneumonia-like cases on the ship.
Initially, Blumberg and her team suspected Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia type. Bird flu was another possibility they considered.
“I called my infectious disease colleagues, and we had a caucus, and we discussed the usual ones,” Blumberg said. “Legionella is well described in outbreaks in hotels and on cruise ships, and influenza certainly is. These people had visited islands where avian influenza is well documented.”
However, tests for these conditions returned negative results. The specialists conducted comprehensive testing for various respiratory illnesses, all yielding negative outcomes.
The investigation team then focused on the ship’s origin point — Argentina — and learned that passengers were enthusiastic birdwatchers who had reportedly visited South American regions populated by both birds and rodents.
This information steered the South African disease specialists toward a different possibility: the uncommon hantavirus infection carried by rodents, which occurs in certain South American areas.
“It’s a well-described, not common, but it’s a well-described virus in Chile and Argentina,” Blumberg said. She noted that their investigation benefited from partnerships with hantavirus specialists from South America and the United States, coordinated through the WHO, the U.N. health agency.
“You can get onto a Zoom (call) online and ask your questions and get advice. This is not something every day. So that was quite extraordinary,” Blumberg said.
By Saturday morning, Blumberg contacted the director of South Africa’s sole laboratory capable of hantavirus testing.
“I said, we want to do hanta, and she said, ‘yeah, I’m coming.’”
Laboratory analysis of the patient’s blood specimens confirmed hantavirus that same afternoon. The team conducted additional testing for verification, Blumberg explained.
These positive results, which also pinpointed the Andes variant of hantavirus, enabled the WHO to notify the cruise ship about the outbreak and make a public announcement. Although hantavirus typically doesn’t spread easily between people, the WHO notes that the Andes strain can transmit from person to person.
The laboratory findings also prompted Blumberg to urgently obtain blood samples from a Dutch woman — among the initial two cruise passengers who died — who had left the ship with her deceased husband’s remains on St. Helena island and traveled to South Africa, where she also passed away.
Postmortem hantavirus testing on her also returned positive.
“It was a bit of a wow moment,” Blumberg said. “And at least once you know what you’re dealing with, it’s much easier to respond.”
The British passenger who became the first confirmed hantavirus case from the cruise is recovering in the hospital, according to South Africa’s health ministry. The vessel has since reached Rotterdam’s Dutch port, where it underwent disinfection and remaining crew members departed.
“I’ve been doing outbreaks for 25 years. That’s what we do. We do them every day,” she said. “I think the important thing was to respond immediately to a question that clearly was urgent and then to take it from there.”
ISTANBUL, May 23 – Authorities in Turkey have arrested 13 individuals as part of an investigation into the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s 2023 leadership congress, according to state media reports released Saturday. The arrests come after a court decision earlier this week removed party leader Ozgur Ozel from his position, escalating a significant political crisis.
An appeals court in Turkey ruled Thursday to invalidate the congress where Ozel won his leadership role, pointing to unspecified voting irregularities. The court’s decision restored former CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to the leadership position – a controversial figure who previously lost to President Tayyip Erdogan in that year’s elections.
Party officials strongly criticized the court’s decision, with the CHP calling it a “judicial coup.” Ozel vowed to challenge the ruling through the legal system and declared his intention to stay “day and night” at the party’s Ankara headquarters.
According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office announced that suspects were apprehended across seven provinces on accusations of tampering with delegate voting during the 2023 congress.
The detained individuals are facing multiple charges including “violating the law on political parties,” “accepting bribes,” and “laundering assets derived from crime,” prosecutors stated. Law enforcement conducted search and seizure operations at locations in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis and Malatya provinces.
Political experts described this week’s court ruling as a crucial test of Turkey’s fragile democratic institutions amid concerns about authoritarian governance. They suggest the decision could extend Erdogan’s 23-year presidency even as the nation struggles with persistent inflation challenges.
While the next scheduled national election is 2028, an earlier vote might be necessary if the 72-year-old Erdogan, who faces term limitations, decides to seek reelection. Political observers believe the court ruling increases the likelihood of an early election. Government officials reject accusations that courts are used to suppress political opponents, maintaining that the judicial system operates independently.
