Drivers in Townsend should prepare for potential delays this week as the Delaware Department of Transportation begins maintenance work at a railroad crossing.
DelDOT officials have notified the public that construction activities will commence at 7:00 am on Monday, May 11th at the railroad crossing located on Blackbird Station Road. The project will necessitate periodic lane restrictions at the crossing site.
Transportation officials anticipate the construction project will wrap up by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13th. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when passing through the area during the work period.
ISTANBUL — More than 500 demonstrators were arrested by Turkish police on Friday as they tried to gather in prohibited zones during International Workers’ Day activities.
Each year, events commemorating International Workers’ Day in Turkey — recognized as a public holiday — often result in confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. Officials have banned protests in Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square, citing safety concerns related to the tragic events of May 1, 1977, when over 30 individuals lost their lives during violent incidents at the location.
Throughout Friday, small clusters of demonstrators repeatedly emerged around the restricted Taksim Square area, working to break through police barriers while displaying labor union signs and demanding access to the square.
The primary assembly location shifted to the Mecidiyekoy neighborhood, where law enforcement used water cannons and pepper spray against hundreds of participants before making arrests.
These arrests occurred just one day after Turkey’s highest Constitutional Court determined that three individuals who spent 58 days in custody during 2024’s May Day events had their constitutional right to peaceful demonstration violated, establishing a legal precedent for future May Day gatherings.
Istanbul’s governor’s office defended the actions, stating that citizens had received advance notice about security measures. “Certain marginal groups dismissed the precautions, and clashed with police officers as they do every year,” officials said, reporting that 575 individuals were in custody by 6 p.m. on Friday.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was rushed to a hospital in northwestern Iran following a severe medical emergency while serving time in prison, according to her foundation’s announcement Friday.
The 53-year-old human rights attorney experienced two episodes where she completely lost consciousness along with a serious heart crisis, the Narges Mohammadi Foundation reported.
The medical emergency occurred Friday at Zanjan prison in northwestern Iran, where Mohammadi collapsed twice before being transported for emergency care. Her legal team revealed she likely experienced a heart attack in late March, with lawyers noting during a subsequent visit that she appeared frail, significantly underweight, and required nursing assistance to walk.
According to the foundation, the hospital transport happened following “140 days of systematic medical neglect” dating back to her December 12 arrest.
“This transfer was done as an unavoidable necessity after prison doctors determined her condition could not be managed on-site, despite standing medical recommendations that she be treated by her specialized team in Tehran,” the foundation stated.
For weeks, Mohammadi’s relatives had pushed for her relocation to proper medical facilities.
The foundation, citing family members, described Friday’s hospital transfer in Zanjan as “a desperate, ‘last-minute’ action that may be too late to address her critical needs.”
Her legal team disclosed that on March 24, fellow prisoners discovered Mohammadi unconscious in her cell. During a lawyer visit days afterward, she recounted how a prison clinic physician informed her she had likely suffered a heart attack. Since that incident, she has experienced ongoing chest discomfort and difficulty breathing.
Chirinne Ardakani, her French legal representative, previously stated that prison officials refused Mohammadi’s requests for hospital treatment or visits to her heart specialist. Prison staff monitored the entire brief meeting with her attorneys.
Mohammadi, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while incarcerated, was taken into custody in December while visiting Mashhad in eastern Iran and received an additional seven-year prison term.
Her relatives reported in February that her physical condition was declining behind bars, partly due to violence she suffered during her December arrest. They described how several men struck and kicked her in the side, head, and neck areas. The Nobel committee issued a February statement condemning the “ongoing life-threatening mistreatment” of Mohammadi.
“In recent days, her blood pressure has experienced severe fluctuations, going very high and low, and today she suddenly fainted due to a sudden drop in blood pressure,” attorney Mostafa Nili wrote on X.
Initially, prison medical staff administered medication to Mohammadi, but she declined hospital transport, insisting on seeing her heart doctor. Hours later, she lost consciousness again. At that point, a neurologist demanded her immediate hospitalization, Nili explained.
Medical personnel rushed Mohammadi to the hospital where she was placed in cardiac intensive care, “but her blood pressure continues to fluctuate severely,” Nili documented. He noted that a Zanjan medical official suggested suspending her sentence for one month to allow treatment, but the local prosecutor forwarded the decision to Tehran authorities.
Before her December 12 detention, Mohammadi was already completing a 13-year, nine-month sentence on charges of conspiring against state security and spreading anti-government propaganda, though she had been granted medical furlough since late 2024 due to health issues.
Throughout her temporary release, Mohammadi continued her advocacy work through public demonstrations and international media interviews, including protests outside Tehran’s infamous Evin Prison where she had been detained.
In February, a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad imposed the additional seven-year sentence on Mohammadi. These courts routinely deliver judgments with minimal or no chance for defendants to challenge the accusations.
According to her supporters, Mohammadi experienced several heart attacks during previous imprisonments before requiring emergency surgical intervention in 2022.
In 2023, Mohammadi joined four other individuals who received the Nobel Peace Prize while imprisoned, further highlighting her advocacy for the widespread demonstrations that erupted across Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death. Amini died after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating mandatory headscarf regulations.
Her Nobel selection infuriated Iran’s conservative Shiite leadership, which extended her prison sentence and later deployed guards to physically assault her and other inmates who were protesting within Evin Prison.
Despite these challenges, Mohammadi continued her resistance, including calling for boycotts of the 2024 election that brought President Masoud Pezeshkian to power. She has consistently maintained that Iran’s government will eventually fall due to public pressure.
More than 7,000 Delaware students received recognition for their environmental creativity during the annual statewide Arbor Day celebration held at Lewes Public Library on Thursday.
The Delaware Forest Service organized the ceremony, which drew students, teachers, community leaders and forestry experts together to emphasize the critical role trees play in environmental conservation throughout the state.
The yearly event showcases student environmental awareness and creativity while promoting forest stewardship across Delaware. Participants gathered to honor both the students’ contributions and the importance of maintaining healthy tree populations in communities statewide.
Thousands of Cuban workers gathered along Havana’s iconic waterfront Friday to honor their colleagues, particularly those struggling to maintain power across the socialist nation.
Workers from Cuba’s Electric Union are operating in continuous shifts as the country’s electrical infrastructure deteriorates, causing widespread blackouts compounded by fuel shortages linked to U.S. energy sanctions.
“We are living through difficult times,” stated Yunier Meriño Reyes, an Electric Union accountant who participated in Friday’s demonstration supporting his coworkers. “We are carrying out a very tough, arduous and relentless effort — day and night — to provide electricity to the people who need it.”
Cuba’s energy emergency intensified following U.S. actions against Venezuela in early January, which stopped vital petroleum deliveries from the South American nation. Subsequently, President Donald Trump issued threats of tariffs against any nation selling or delivering oil to Cuba.
Consequently, the island endured more than three months without any oil deliveries until a Russian vessel carrying 730,000 barrels reached Cuban ports in late March.
Prior to that arrival, Cuba depended entirely on natural gas, minimal solar energy, and deteriorating thermal power facilities.
“It was brutal,” Vicente de la O Levy, Cuba’s energy and mines minister, recently informed journalists.
Following the Russian oil’s arrival, refining was necessary, requiring approximately two weeks to complete.
“We have been working eight hours a day without stopping,” explained Rafael Martínez, a worker at Cuba’s Petroleum Union refinery.
He described his excitement upon learning the Russian vessel had arrived.
“Our job is to push ahead, that’s all you can do,” he commented while colleagues celebrated around him Friday, making music with cowbells and drums during their observance.
Cuba’s Petroleum Union released a recent video featuring its employees, including driver José Antonio Báez.
“Our work generates the entire economy of the country. We drive the country’s economy,” he stated.
Pedro Luis López Manzano, an engineer and maintenance director at the Cienfuegos refinery, explained in the video that teams implemented multiple measures to ensure functionality after the facility remained closed for four months.
“It’s a challenge, but we always thought it was possible,” he commented.
Additionally, Gustavo Rodríguez Cordero, an engineer and general director at Cuba’s Petroleum Union in Villa Clara, condemned the U.S. energy sanctions in a company video.
“No one has the international right to oppress a people in this manner,” he declared.
Following the oil refining process, de la O Levy explained the government decided to focus on essential sectors including farming and food manufacturing.
“This enabled the irrigation of tobacco, corn and soybeans,” he noted. “There were more hours of power outages than anticipated because we diverted a portion of the energy supply toward production; we could not allow factories to remain idle.”
He reported that some petroleum was processed into roughly 6,000 tons of diesel and fuel oil used for hospitals, generators, and transportation.
De la O Levy indicated Cuba’s circumstances started improving April 17: “not the desired one, but significant.”
He noted the government allocated 800 tons of fuel daily from the required 1,600 tons.
“If we used 1,600 tons, there would be fewer blackouts, but the (fuel) would last half as long,” he explained.
De la O Levy cautioned that Russian oil supplies were projected to end by April’s conclusion, emphasizing the priority of maintaining the island’s thermal power plants using domestic crude oil.
“Without this fuel, we would face a total, systemwide blackout,” he warned.
Cuba generates 40% of its necessary fuel and relies significantly on foreign supplies.
As the island’s difficulties continue, Katiusca Carreño, 53, who operates at the Electric Union’s command center, expressed her dedication to serving Cuba’s citizens.
“Resources aren’t reaching us, but all of us workers are still here,” she said following Friday’s demonstration. “It’s hard, but not impossible. We work 24 hours a day.”
The City of Rehoboth Beach has released their newest newsletter installment for May 1, 2026, as part of their ongoing community communication efforts.
The newsletter, part of the city’s regular publication series, was posted to the official Rehoboth Beach government website. This edition continues the city’s practice of keeping residents and stakeholders informed about municipal matters and community updates.
The publication represents the latest in the city’s efforts to maintain transparent communication with the public through their official channels.
Formula 1’s American expansion strategy should focus primarily on boosting television viewership numbers, according to McLaren team principal Zak Brown, speaking at a motorsports business conference in Miami this week.
While the racing series has experienced tremendous growth in the United States recently – driven by Netflix’s popular ‘Drive to Survive’ documentary series, three domestic race events, and Apple’s upcoming Brad Pitt F1 film – television ratings remain modest compared to established American sports leagues.
Speaking at the Autosport Business Exchange event held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Brown addressed what he sees as the sport’s primary growth opportunity going forward.
“I think it’s going to be TV ratings,” Brown explained when discussing potential expansion paths.
The American executive expressed satisfaction with the current three U.S. Grand Prix events, though he acknowledged room for more. “I think we’ve got three fantastic grands prix and while I think we could definitely support four and five, that would come at the cost of other markets that I think we need to get into,” he stated.
“So I’m happy where we are, because I do think there’s some other growth areas in South Africa, Korea, things of that nature,” Brown continued. “I think TV ratings are still relatively small compared to the NFLs of the world. I think that’s the biggest area of growth, getting the TV ratings up.”
This season marks a significant broadcasting shift, with Apple TV replacing ESPN as Formula 1’s exclusive American television partner. The streaming service now provides live coverage of all 24 race weekends and offers expanded mobile and app accessibility.
Recent fan demographic data reveals encouraging trends for the sport’s American future. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, nearly half of new U.S. Formula 1 followers – defined as fans following the sport for five years or fewer – fall within the 18-24 age bracket, with more than half being female viewers.
ESPN concluded their final season with record-breaking numbers, averaging 1.3 million viewers across their ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC broadcasts throughout 24 races. This figure surpassed their previous 2022 record of 1.21 million viewers and represents the highest live U.S. television average in Formula 1 history.
However, these numbers pale beside traditional American sports viewership. The NFL averaged 18.7 million viewers per game across television and digital platforms during their 2025 regular season, approaching their all-time record of 19 million set in 1989.
Apple’s Senior Vice-President of Services Eddy Cue reported positive early results from their broadcasting partnership, noting ratings increases over the previous year for their first three race broadcasts.
“Not only did we see more viewers, but we also saw more viewers throughout the weekend,” Cue explained. “I always thought there was a huge opportunity to grow viewership, not just on Sunday but all weekend. And we’ve seen that early on in the results that we have.”
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized the sport’s long-term American commitment during the conference.
“We will stay there. We know that the biggest sports in the U.S. are still far away but we are racers. And so we are not shy when we’re going to attack. Attack respectfully, of course, the other sports but we’re going to be in the culture of American fans,” Domenicali declared.
The World Trade Organization is implementing significant budget reductions of approximately 10% following the United States’ return to delinquent status and mounting payment delays from multiple member countries, according to internal WTO documents obtained by Reuters.
The Geneva-based organization, which has overseen global trade regulations since 1995, faces renewed financial strain after already weathering challenges from former President Donald Trump’s extensive tariff policies and more than six years of operational gridlock that began when Trump’s initial administration blocked key appointments to the organization’s appellate tribunal in 2019.
The United States, typically the organization’s largest financial contributor, has joined nine other nations in Category 1 delinquency status, indicating contributions have remained unpaid for at least twelve months but less than twenty-four months, according to internal Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration records from March 12 and February 18.
The timing and likelihood of U.S. payment remains uncertain.
During March discussions, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated the WTO would assume a diminished position in future global trade policy, with Washington prioritizing regional, bilateral, and when required, unilateral trade approaches following unsuccessful ministerial negotiations in Cameroon.
Cost-reduction strategies outlined in classified documentation include eliminating 39 short-term full-time equivalent roles, implementing hiring freezes for fixed-term positions, expanding low-cost internship programs, and reducing energy expenditures.
The organization currently confronts its most severe payment crisis in ten years, with 20 member nations facing administrative penalties as of late 2025.
“In response to this situation, the Secretariat has planned a 10% reduction in spending in 2026,” according to a classified budget committee report from a March 2 meeting.
Updated documentation from the committee chairperson dated March 12 indicates 29 members are now subject to administrative measures, including the United States.
WTO officials declined to provide comment, while the U.S. Trade Representative’s office did not respond to requests for statement.
The organization has proposed reducing expenditures from the approved 2026 budget of 204.9 million Swiss francs ($263 million) to 183.4 million Swiss francs to address the funding shortfall until member contributions are received, based on restricted February 18 documentation.
Budget discussions are scheduled for Wednesday’s WTO General Council session in Geneva.
WTO regulations mandate that members failing to meet assessed contributions for over twelve months face “administrative measures” – escalating penalties that intensify with prolonged payment delays.
The United States, Russia, and several developing nations currently fall under the initial penalty category, restricting their representatives from leading WTO committees or accessing specific official materials.
As Reuters previously documented, the U.S. held Category 1 delinquent status last year but was removed from the list by December 2025’s conclusion following a payment. However, classified March documentation confirms its return to Category 1 status.
Separate WTO records based on December assessments show the United States owes 23.09 million francs, representing approximately 11% of the organization’s yearly budget.
Although advance payments from certain members provided the WTO with “much-needed cash flow” early this year, outstanding debts require resolution “as soon as possible,” according to the internal documents.
Houston Texans officials confirmed Friday they have locked up Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair with a three-year contract extension.
While the team did not reveal financial details, multiple sources indicate the deal is worth $54 million total.
Al-Shaair becomes the third crucial defensive player Houston has secured with a long-term deal during this offseason. The organization previously extended All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with a three-year, $150 million contract and signed five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a one-year, $40.1 million agreement.
The 28-year-old linebacker, whose previous contract was scheduled to end following the 2026 campaign, will now remain with Houston through the 2029 season.
“This place is special. The people are special,” Al-Shaair told KPRC2. “A sense of family is hard to come by. Who would have thought I would make it to the NFL? I went through homelessness. I went to several schools. I couldn’t see myself putting on a uniform with anybody else.”
During the most recent regular season, Al-Shaair served as team captain and earned his first Pro Bowl recognition in 2025. He compiled 103 tackles, defended nine passes, and intercepted two passes across 16 games, starting every contest.
Throughout his NFL career spanning 100 games with 75 starts, Al-Shaair has accumulated 535 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and four interceptions. His professional journey included stops with the San Francisco 49ers from 2019-22 and the Tennessee Titans in 2023 before joining Houston. He originally joined the league as an undrafted free agent.
Maryland’s Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, May 21st at 3 p.m., with commissioners gathering both at the Maryland Department of Agriculture headquarters and through virtual participation.
The commission’s agenda features several key discussion points, including promotional campaign updates with comprehensive reports covering the recent Sip & Shuck event and Chesapeake Oyster Week activities.
Additional agenda items will cover legislative developments affecting the seafood industry, progress reports on international marketing initiatives, and individual commissioner updates on their respective areas of focus.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Salisbury University’s men’s tennis squad saw their postseason hopes dashed Friday morning as they fell 4-0 to Christopher Newport University in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals.
The Sea Gulls, who entered the tournament as the third seed, were unable to overcome the second-seeded Captains, who hold the No. 25 national ranking. The match took place at the University of Mary Washington’s Battleground Athletic Complex, which served as host for the conference tournament.
The decisive loss eliminates Salisbury from championship contention and brings their 2026 season to a close. Christopher Newport advances to the tournament final with the shutout victory.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women’s basketball program has added Kristina Baugh to its coaching staff, filling the position of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, according to an announcement made Friday by head coach Sarah Jenkins.
Worcester County officials have announced plans for roadway improvement projects set to begin in early May, focusing on milling and paving operations throughout the area.
The infrastructure work represents part of the county’s continued commitment to maintaining and upgrading local roadways for residents and visitors.
Details about specific roads, timelines, and potential traffic impacts from these improvement projects have not yet been fully disclosed by county officials.
Residents can expect to see construction crews working on various county roads as part of this seasonal maintenance initiative.
Following a Supreme Court ruling that eliminated a predominantly Black congressional district in Louisiana, Republican leaders across multiple states are launching efforts to redraw electoral boundaries, escalating nationwide redistricting conflicts.
Louisiana postponed its May 16 congressional primary to give legislators time to create new U.S. House districts. Former President Donald Trump is pushing additional states to pursue redistricting changes before November’s midterm elections, which will decide Republican control of the narrowly divided House.
Trump previously encouraged Texas Republicans to redesign House districts for partisan advantage. California Democrats followed suit with similar actions. Additional states subsequently entered the redistricting fight, with lawmakers, commissions, or courts establishing new House districts across eight states.
This number may increase following the Supreme Court’s ruling that substantially diminished a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act.
Here’s how various states are reacting to the Supreme Court decision:
LOUISIANA Current House composition: two Democrats, four Republicans
Early voting was scheduled to start Saturday for Louisiana’s primaries. However, Republican Governor Jeff Landry acted swiftly Thursday to delay the congressional primary while permitting other office elections to proceed.
A federal lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of a Democratic congressional candidate and voter requested court intervention to stop Landry’s directive and maintain the original House primary schedule. The lawsuit noted that thousands of absentee ballots had already been distributed and many returned completed.
Additionally, a three-judge federal court panel that handled the case appealed to the Supreme Court issued Thursday orders suspending Louisiana’s congressional primary.
Republican legislative leaders in both chambers indicated readiness to enact new U.S. House districts and establish a fresh primary date before their session concludes in one month.
ALABAMA Current House composition: two Democrats, five Republicans
Alabama officials Thursday submitted an emergency Supreme Court motion requesting expedited review of a pending redistricting appeal.
A 2023 federal court mandated creation of a new near-majority Black district in Alabama, leading to election of a second Black U.S. House representative. Alabama must use this new map through the 2030 census under court order.
A Supreme Court appeal claims the map constitutes illegal racial gerrymandering, similar to arguments made regarding Louisiana.
The state seeks removal of an injunction preventing use of the 2023 Republican-controlled Legislature map that excluded the new district.
State primaries are scheduled for May 19. Republican Governor Kay Ivey stated Wednesday that the state cannot “hold a special session at this time” for redistricting.
FLORIDA Current House composition: eight Democrats, 20 Republicans
Within hours of the Supreme Court decision, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed new U.S. House districts potentially helping the GOP secure up to four additional November seats.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis convened a special legislative session before knowing the Supreme Court’s Louisiana ruling timing. However, DeSantis expressed certainty about the court’s eventual decision. The new map modifies a southeastern Florida district that DeSantis claimed was designed to elect a Black representative for federal Voting Rights Act compliance.
A 2010 Florida constitutional amendment approved by voters prevents districts from being drawn to reduce racial or language minorities’ ability to choose their representatives. DeSantis considers this amendment unconstitutional under federal law. Courts are expected to resolve this issue.
TENNESSEE Current House composition: one Democrat, eight Republicans
The Tennessee General Assembly recently concluded its annual session. Nevertheless, pressure is mounting to recall lawmakers for congressional district revisions.
Trump posted on social media Thursday about speaking with Republican Governor Bill Lee, who Trump said would work diligently for a new map potentially helping Republicans gain another seat. Democrats currently hold just one seat – a Memphis-centered district with a Black majority.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican, confirmed ongoing discussions with the White House and others while examining the court’s ruling.
The state’s candidate filing period ended in March. Primary elections are set for August 6.
MISSISSIPPI Current House composition: one Democrat, three Republicans
Mississippi conducted its U.S. House primaries in March. The Supreme Court decision may impact other office elections.
Republican Governor Tate Reeves previously announced plans to call a special legislative session for redrawing state Supreme Court voting districts, beginning 21 days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana ruling. This timeline places the special session start around May 20.
A federal judge last year required Mississippi to redesign its Supreme Court voting districts after determining they violated the Voting Rights Act by weakening Black voter influence. Mississippi lawmakers awaited the Louisiana decision before proceeding, but their legislative session ended in April.
Reeves stated in his proclamation that the Supreme Court decision would guide lawmakers on whether “race-conscious redistricting” violates the U.S. Constitution.
GEORGIA Current House composition: five Democrats, nine Republicans
Early voting began April 27 and continues for several weeks before Georgia’s May 19 primary elections.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp said it’s too late for Georgia officials to modify congressional districts for this year’s elections since voting has already started. However, he indicated the Supreme Court decision’s reasoning “requires Georgia to adopt new electoral maps before the 2028 election cycle.”
President Donald Trump has selected Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, as his new nominee for U.S. Surgeon General following the collapse of his previous candidate’s confirmation process.
The nomination comes after Dr. Casey Means withdrew from consideration when it became apparent she lacked sufficient Senate committee support to move forward with her confirmation.
Saphier works as director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth and holds credentials including a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados and fellowships from the Mayo Clinic. She has received endorsement from medical organizations, with American College of Radiology President Dr. Dana Smetherman describing her Thursday as a “tireless advocate for women’s health.”
The radiologist has expressed support for various elements of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, particularly efforts to eliminate food additives, reduce consumption of ultraprocessed foods, and promote physical activity.
However, Saphier has demonstrated stronger support for vaccination programs compared to Kennedy and has occasionally criticized the Trump administration’s health policy management as “embarrassing.”
Should the Senate confirm her appointment, Saphier would gain authority to issue public health advisories and warnings. The surgeon general position traditionally serves as a platform for advocating vaccination policies, though it doesn’t establish vaccine requirements.
Means, the failed previous nominee who graduated from Stanford University but didn’t complete her surgical residency in Oregon and maintains an inactive medical license, faced intense questioning from senators across party lines regarding her qualifications and vaccination positions. She attributed her unsuccessful nomination to what she called a “yearlong smear campaign.”
Saphier joins several Fox News personalities Trump has recruited for his administration. His initial surgeon general selection, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, also worked as a network contributor before her nomination collapsed amid questions about her academic background.
Beyond her medical practice, Saphier hosts a podcast called “Wellness Unmasked with Dr. Nicole Saphier” and has authored books. She actually used the phrase “Make America Healthy Again” years before Kennedy adopted it, featuring it as the title of her 2020 book that criticized government healthcare management and the Affordable Care Act.
As a mother of three sons, Saphier frequently discusses her decision to continue an unexpected pregnancy at age 17 and advocates for increased support for mothers making similar choices.
Like Means, Saphier has raised questions about certain aspects of childhood vaccination schedules, specifically questioning the universal hepatitis B vaccine given at birth – a long-standing recommendation the Trump administration has attempted to modify.
She shares Kennedy’s opposition to COVID-19 vaccination mandates in schools, stating on her September podcast that such requirements were “a complete disaster” and contributed to declining vaccination confidence.
While supporting immunization generally, Saphier argues patients should retain autonomy over medical decisions. In March, she commended acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya for encouraging Americans to receive measles vaccinations.
“The more vaccine confusion we create, the more preventable disease we will see,” she stated in September, urging the administration to establish clearer policies “because it’s really upsetting.”
Despite generally supporting the Trump administration, Saphier has publicly criticized several health-related missteps. Last summer, she condemned the administration’s initial MAHA report, which referenced hundreds of studies, including some that didn’t exist.
“There were a lot of flaws in this report,” she said on her podcast. “In fact, it was pretty embarrassing.”
She also called Kennedy’s dismissal of his first CDC director, Susan Monarez, after less than a month “a mess.”
“When we keep hearing radical transparency and we’re going to regain trust, I can tell you these shenanigans are taking us farther away from that mission,” Saphier said on her podcast.
In correspondence with the Associated Press last year, Saphier characterized Trump’s advice discouraging pregnant women from taking Tylenol due to unproven autism connections as overly simplistic. She emphasized that Trump’s message failed to acknowledge that untreated fever or severe pain can also create serious risks for mothers and babies.
Following Means’ confirmation hearings earlier this year, Saphier expressed confidence that Means would perform well as surgeon general but wished she were “a little bit less involved with MAHA.”
“I’d really like to see a little bit more reaching across the aisle when it comes to public health,” Saphier said. “That doesn’t mean it has to be some Democratic nominee for surgeon general, maybe just someone a little less aligned with the MAHA movement who, I don’t know, finished their residency and has an active medical license.”
Some prominent MAHA supporters have expressed skepticism about Saphier. Turning Point USA podcaster and anti-pesticide activist Alex Clark posted Friday that Saphier “gets an F when it comes to all things MAHA.”
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday that his administration continues to evaluate a potential government-funded rescue of Spirit Airlines.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Florida, Trump provided few specifics about the proposal but indicated an announcement could come within the next day or two.
“We’re looking at it. If we could do it, we’ll do it. But only if it’s a good deal,” Trump stated.
The president expressed interest in preserving employment at the budget carrier and revealed his administration has presented Spirit with “a final proposal.”
“We’re looking at Spirit and if we can help them, we will. But we have to come first,” he explained.
Trump drew comparisons to his administration’s previous arrangement that made the federal government a significant shareholder in Intel, the semiconductor company, though he noted this situation was “a different kind of a thing.”
The president initially suggested this taxpayer-funded acquisition concept the previous week, proposing the government could eventually sell the airline at a profit once fuel prices decline following the Iran conflict.
According to court proceedings, a Spirit representative informed a U.S. Bankruptcy Court seven days ago that the airline was engaged in serious negotiations with federal officials regarding a financing arrangement that could help the company emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The potential rescue has garnered support from labor organizations representing Spirit’s cockpit crews and cabin staff, who contend that the low-cost airline’s failure would eliminate jobs and drive up ticket prices for consumers.
However, legislators from both major political parties have voiced opposition, expressing concern about using public funds and questioning whether federal intervention would essentially rescue a company with poor recovery prospects.
The airline known for its distinctive bright yellow aircraft has faced financial difficulties for an extended period. Spirit entered bankruptcy proceedings in November 2024 and filed again in August 2025.
As the Iran conflict continues to inflate jet fuel expenses across the aviation industry, Spirit’s creditors recently questioned the company’s operational viability, suggesting the airline might need to liquidate its assets and cease operations entirely.
The Defense Department announced Friday it has formed partnerships with seven major technology companies to integrate artificial intelligence capabilities into classified military operations, marking a significant expansion of AI use in warfare.
The companies involved in the initiative include Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX. These firms will supply resources designed to enhance decision-making capabilities for military personnel operating in challenging battlefield conditions, according to Pentagon officials.
Military leaders have been dramatically increasing their reliance on artificial intelligence technology in recent years. According to a March report from the Brennan Center for Justice, AI systems can significantly decrease the time needed to locate and engage battlefield targets, while also improving weapons maintenance operations and supply chain management.
The announcement follows ongoing tensions with Anthropic, a technology firm not included in the partnership list, which has taken the Pentagon to court over AI usage restrictions. The company sought contractual guarantees that its technology would not be deployed in fully autonomous weapons systems or for domestic surveillance purposes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted the military must retain the right to use the technology for any lawful purpose.
Legal action by Anthropic began after President Donald Trump moved to prohibit federal agencies from using the company’s Claude chatbot, while Hegseth attempted to classify the firm as a supply chain security risk – a designation typically reserved for potential foreign threats to national security infrastructure.
OpenAI previously secured a Pentagon contract in March to substitute its ChatGPT technology for Anthropic’s services in classified settings.
Military officials stated Friday that personnel are currently utilizing AI tools through the official GenAI.mil platform.
“Warfighters, civilians and contractors are putting these capabilities to practical use right now, cutting many tasks from months to days,” Pentagon officials said, emphasizing that enhanced AI capabilities will “give warfighters the tools they need to act with confidence and safeguard the nation against any threat.”
A federal jury in Miami delivered guilty verdicts Friday against former Republican Representative David Rivera and political consultant Esther Nuhfer for their roles in an undisclosed $50 million influence campaign benefiting Venezuela’s government during Donald Trump’s first presidency.
The convictions encompass multiple charges, including violations of foreign agent registration requirements and conspiracy to launder money while working for former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.
Rivera maintained his stoic demeanor as jurors announced their decision, mirroring his behavior throughout the proceedings.
Despite previously being released on bail, Rivera was immediately detained after Judge Melissa Damian determined he presented an escape risk due to his substantial financial resources, potential lengthy imprisonment, and pending federal charges in Washington, D.C., connected to similar foreign lobbying violations.
The seven-week proceedings provided an unusual window into Miami’s position as a hub for international influence operations targeting U.S. Latin American policy, emphasizing the city’s status as a center for both corruption and anti-Communist activism within its substantial exile community.
Testimony came from notable figures including Rubio, Texas Representative Pete Sessions, and a prominent Washington lobbyist — all expressing surprise upon discovering Rivera’s consulting agreement with a domestic subsidiary of Venezuela’s national oil corporation, PDVSA.
According to an 11-count federal indictment made public in 2022, Rivera was recruited by then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez — currently Venezuela’s acting president — to leverage his Republican congressional relationships to persuade Trump’s first administration to soften its aggressive position and reduce devastating economic sanctions against Venezuela.
Federal prosecutors contended that Rivera and Nuhfer manipulated prominent contacts, including Rubio and Sessions, treating them like “pawns on a chess board” in their influence campaign. Their objective was normalizing diplomatic ties with Trump’s team while the Maduro administration faced severe human rights allegations.
“As long as the money kept coming in, they didn’t care from where,” prosecutor Roger Cruz told jurors during final arguments regarding the defendants.
However, the pair maintained their “massive secret” and failed to report their lobbying activities as legally required, fearing disclosure would destroy Rivera’s political reputation as an anti-Communist leader, Cruz explained.
To conceal his activities, federal authorities claim Rivera established an encrypted messaging group named MIA — representing Miami — with his primary connection to Maduro’s government: Venezuelan media mogul Raúl Gorrín, who later faced U.S. bribery charges for corrupting top Venezuelan officials.
Group participants employed coded language for their operations: Maduro became the “bus driver,” Sessions was “Sombrero,” Rodríguez was “The Lady in Red,” and millions of dollars were “melons,” based on text message evidence shown to jurors.
“It was all about La Luz,” Cruz stated, referencing the Spanish term for light, which Rivera’s group repeatedly used when discussing payments from Caracas.
Defense lawyers for Rivera and Nuhfer argued their clients operated honestly and believed disclosure wasn’t necessary. They claimed the three-month, $50 million agreement with Rivera’s individual consulting business exclusively focused on encouraging oil corporation ExxonMobil to return to Venezuela — commercial activity typically excluded from Foreign Agents Registration Act requirements.
They maintained Rivera’s discussions with Rubio and Sessions were completely separate from his consulting work, occurring after the contract ended and aimed at promoting Venezuelan leadership change that would improve U.S. relations.
“He was working every possible angle to get Nicolás Maduro out,” defense attorney Ed Shohat argued in closing statements. “There was not a word in the chats about normalizing relations.”
Nuhfer’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, compared the prosecution’s case to Salem’s 17th-century witch trials, suggesting prosecutors assumed malicious intent based on weak evidence.
“My client does not have a dark heart,” he declared.
Federal prosecutors maintained Rivera exploited his contract with New York-based PDV USA to disguise illegal lobbying activities.
After exposure, the defendants attempted concealing their work by falsifying document dates and creating fraudulent agreements, including one justifying a $3.75 million wire transfer to a South Florida business managing Gorrín’s luxury yacht.
Their political activities included arranging Rodríguez meetings in New York, Caracas, Washington and Dallas. During this effort, they involved Sessions, who later attempted facilitating a meeting between Rodríguez and ExxonMobil’s CEO, who had succeeded Trump’s former secretary of state, Rex Tillerson. Following a private Caracas meeting with Maduro, Sessions also agreed to deliver correspondence from the Venezuelan president to Trump.
The outreach effort collapsed rapidly. Within six months of assuming office, Trump imposed sanctions on Maduro and branded him a “dictator,” initiating a “maximum pressure” strategy to remove the president.
Nevertheless, nearly ten years later, Rodríguez has become the second Trump administration’s reliable partner following the U.S. military’s removal of Maduro.
Prior to his 2010 congressional election, Rivera served as a senior Florida state legislator. During that period, he lived with Rubio in Tallahassee, who later became Florida House speaker.
Rivera’s past includes various controversies, such as accusations of secretly financing a Democratic spoiler candidate in a 2012 congressional election. Federal prosecutors dismissed that case last year after an appeals court overturned a substantial fine from a lower court. Rivera also faced investigation — though no charges — for alleged campaign finance violations and a $1 million gambling company contract while serving in Florida’s legislature.
Federal cybersecurity authorities are exploring dramatically reducing the time government agencies have to repair critical computer system vulnerabilities, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions. The proposed changes come as officials grow increasingly worried about hackers leveraging advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to launch attacks.
The potential policy shift would reduce the current two-week timeframe for addressing actively exploited security weaknesses to just three days, sources revealed. This represents the first public disclosure of these deliberations.
Growing alarm surrounds the capabilities and widespread availability of AI systems like Anthropic’s Mythos and OpenAI’s GPT-5.4-Cyber. While cybercriminals have utilized AI technology since 2023, these latest iterations reportedly can rapidly discover unknown security gaps or quickly weaponize newly revealed vulnerabilities for sophisticated cyber operations. What previously required hackers months, weeks, or days to accomplish can now be done in hours in certain situations.
This acceleration is forcing cybersecurity professionals to dramatically increase their response speed, according to Stephen Boyer, who founded cybersecurity firm Bitsight and has previously assisted CISA in documenting vulnerabilities.
“If you’re going to protect civil agencies, you’re going to have to move faster,” Boyer explained. “We don’t have as much of a window as we used to have.”
Two informed sources indicated that Nick Andersen, who currently leads the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Sean Cairncross, the national cyber director, are examining these deadline modifications. Reuters was unable to confirm whether officials have reached a final determination or establish a timeline for any decision. Both CISA and the Office of the National Cyber Director have not yet provided statements.
For several years, CISA has maintained a database of known and exploited vulnerabilities, commonly called KEVs, which receive priority status because they are publicly known and actively targeted by criminals or foreign intelligence operatives. Current policy typically allows civilian government departments two weeks to address such security flaws after they appear in the database. While deadlines are sometimes shortened for exceptionally severe threats, the new proposals would establish three days as the standard timeframe, sources indicated.
These CISA conversations occur as corporate executives and cybersecurity professionals wrestle with consequences from increasingly sophisticated AI releases. Banking sector leaders have been particularly affected as regulatory agencies rush to assess the potential dangers of this emerging technology.
Stricter CISA deadlines will probably influence standards for state and local governments, private companies, and other organizations, said Nitin Natarajan, who previously served as CISA’s deputy director during the Biden administration.
“This is a signal to others that says, ‘Hey you need to do this more quickly,’” he noted.
Natarajan, who currently operates cyber consulting firm NN Global, believes accelerating these deadlines makes sense given the rapid advancement of AI-enabled threats. However, he cautioned that CISA requires adequate resources to manage the pressure of compressed timelines, particularly after experiencing significant staff reductions and disruptions from government shutdowns during the Trump presidency.
“We’ve seen a reduction in their resources, both in funding and expertise,” Natarajan observed.
Kecia Hoyt, a vice president at threat intelligence company Flashpoint, emphasized that fixing software vulnerabilities often involves complex procedures requiring extensive testing before implementation. “Realistically, three days is simply impossible for some environments,” she stated.
John Hammond, senior principal security researcher at Maryland-based Huntress, described the potential shift from two weeks to three days as “quite a change.” Although he expressed cautious optimism about faster operations, he added that “only time will tell how well the industry keeps up.”
BRUSSELS, May 1 – A leading European Union trade official has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal to raise automotive tariffs on European vehicles, describing the United States as an unreliable partner in international commerce.
Bernd Lange, who chairs the EU parliament’s trade committee, delivered his rebuke on Friday following Trump’s tariff announcement. “This latest move demonstrates just how unreliable the U.S. side is,” Lange stated. “This is no way to treat close partners. Now we can only respond with the utmost clarity and firmness, drawing on the strength of our position.”
The trade committee chairman characterized Trump’s actions as “unacceptable” and pointed to what he described as ongoing violations of existing trade agreements between the two economic powers.
Lange emphasized that the European Union has been following through on a framework agreement negotiated with the United States in Scotland during the previous year. That deal established a 15% import duty on the majority of European goods and helped prevent a more extensive trade conflict.
According to Lange, American officials have consistently violated the terms of that agreement. He specifically cited “over 400 products containing steel and aluminium, which are now subject to an average tariff of 26 percent” as examples of U.S. breaches of the trade framework.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he held a conversation with Ali al-Zaidi, Iraq’s newly nominated prime minister, during which he pledged America’s complete backing for the incoming leader.
Speaking to members of the press prior to his departure from the White House for Florida, Trump expressed enthusiasm about the development. “With our help, he won, and we want him to do very well. And I told him that the United States is with him all the way. It was a great victory, the new head of Iraq is somebody that we support, very strongly,” the president stated.
Earlier this week on Monday, Iraq’s Coordination Framework, which represents an alliance of Shiite political groups, announced Zaidi as their selection for the prime ministerial position, according to a statement from the coalition.
The United States continues its efforts to strengthen diplomatic relationships with Baghdad as the region faces persistent tensions and ongoing security challenges.
The Salisbury University Sea Gulls women’s lacrosse squad is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Championship tournament.
As the team prepares for this pivotal competition, players and coaching staff are focused on bringing their best performance to the field. The C2C Championships provide an important platform for collegiate lacrosse programs to compete at the highest level within their conference.
The Sea Gulls will be looking to make their mark in this year’s tournament as they face off against other top programs in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference. The championships represent the culmination of the regular season and offer teams the chance to claim conference supremacy.
Fans and supporters of Salisbury University athletics will be watching closely as their women’s lacrosse team takes on this championship challenge.
China’s representative to the United Nations stressed Friday that preserving the current ceasefire in the Iran conflict represents a critical priority, warning that the Strait of Hormuz situation could become a major topic when President Donald Trump visits China later this month if the waterway remains blocked.
Ambassador Fu Cong addressed reporters at the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of quickly reopening the strategic strait. The Chinese diplomat expressed alarm over recent statements suggesting the ceasefire might be temporary and that additional military action could follow.
“Iran needs to lift its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. needs to lift its naval blockade,” Fu stated.
“The most urgent issue is to keep the ceasefire. And the ceasefire needs to last, and there has to be a good-faith negotiation between the two sides,” he continued.
“I think the international community should be mobilized and raise our voices against the resumption of fighting,” the ambassador added.
When questioned about Trump’s planned China visit this month, Fu responded: “I’m sure if Hormuz is still closed by the time President Trump goes to China, this issue will be high on the agenda of the bilateral talks.”
The Chinese official also dismissed claims from certain American government representatives regarding military collaboration between Beijing and Tehran, calling such allegations “false.”
Fu delivered these remarks while briefing reporters as China begins its month-long leadership of the U.N. Security Council. He announced that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will oversee a Security Council meeting scheduled for May 26.
The State Department has not yet responded to inquiries about whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet with Wang during his time in the United States.
The Delaware Division of Small Business is celebrating the significant impact of local entrepreneurs during National Small Business Month this May, recognizing the vital role these enterprises play in the First State’s economy.
According to state data, approximately 29,000 small businesses operate throughout Delaware, providing employment opportunities for more than 250,000 residents. This workforce represents over half of all workers in the state, demonstrating the crucial importance of small business to Delaware’s economic landscape.
May serves as an annual opportunity to honor small business owners for their determination, contributions to local communities, and dedication to their enterprises. The Delaware Division of Small Business is joining in this nationwide recognition of National Small Business Month to spotlight these achievements.
Minnesota appears to be the leading candidate to host the 2028 NFL Draft, while Cincinnati is reportedly the front-runner for 2029, according to Sports Business Journal.
Next week, the NFL’s events committee will convene to deliberate on hosting rights, followed by an anticipated ownership decision during the May 19-20 meetings in Orlando, Florida.
Washington, D.C.’s National Mall will serve as the venue for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Back in March, the Minnesota Vikings partnered with Minnesota Sports and Events to submit their hosting proposal, which would feature U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the primary location. Additional activities would span across St. Paul, the Mall of America, and the Viking Lakes development surrounding the team’s headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota, according to the report.
Both the Vikings organization and the NFL chose not to provide comments regarding the Sports Business Journal article published Thursday.
Buffalo has also thrown its hat in the ring as a potential host city for the 2028 draft.
Should the league opt to assign two draft locations simultaneously, Cincinnati appears to hold the advantage for the 2029 event.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” last week, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that “we’re going to probably have to start allocating the drafts a little further in advance” given the event’s growing scale. Last month’s draft in Pittsburgh established a new attendance milestone with 805,000 participants, while Washington, D.C. officials have established an ambitious target of attracting 1 million fans to next year’s three-day celebration.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Friday his administration will impose 25% tariffs on automobiles and trucks imported from European Union countries, citing alleged violations of existing trade agreements.
The president made the announcement through a social media post, stating the new tariffs will take effect next week. “Based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump wrote in his post.
The president also clarified that European automakers could avoid the tariffs by manufacturing their vehicles domestically. “It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF,” Trump added in his social media statement.
The announcement comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the United States and European Union partners.
Motorists are being advised to find alternate routes as a portion of Bethesda Road remains shut down following a vehicle accident.
The affected area spans from Governor Stockley Road to Avenue of Honor Road, with authorities blocking access to traffic in both directions.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have not yet provided details about when the roadway might reopen or the extent of the crash that prompted the closure.
Drivers planning to travel through this area should plan for delays and consider using alternative routes until the situation is resolved.
TYRE, Lebanon — Military forces from Israel launched multiple aerial attacks across southern Lebanon on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals, according to reports. Meanwhile, the Hezbollah militant organization confirmed it deployed rockets and unmanned aircraft, with one drone crashing in northern Israeli territory and injuring two military personnel.
The ongoing violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continues even with a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since April 17. Lebanon’s state-operated National News Agency confirmed the four fatalities occurred during bombing raids targeting three villages in the southern region.
On Friday afternoon, Israeli military officials issued evacuation warnings to civilians in Habboush village, located near the southern city of Nabatiyeh. The warning stated that residents remaining close to Hezbollah installations would face serious risk to their safety.
The Friday confrontations followed the recovery of five bodies from debris in Kfar Rumman village, also situated near Nabatiyeh, one day after their deaths occurred.
Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed the five victims died in a late Thursday airstrike on Kfar Rumman. The agency named the recovered victims as Malek Hamza along with his three sons Ali, Fadel and Hamza. Reports indicate the attack also claimed the life of a Lebanese military member. The Lebanese army verified that soldier Ali Jaber perished in the strike.
By Friday afternoon, Hezbollah had released six separate announcements detailing drone and rocket launches targeting Israeli military installations.
Israeli military officials acknowledged that Hezbollah deployed an explosive unmanned aircraft that landed in northern Israeli territory close to the Lebanese border.
Israeli news outlets described a drone attack near Margaliot in northern Israel, reporting it sparked a contained fire, while two soldiers sustained minor injuries from a different Hezbollah drone strike in the same region.
Even amid the ongoing conflict, residents have been returning to their southern Lebanon homes after weeks of displacement due to the fighting.
Among those returning was Umm Ali Khodor, whose Tyre apartment sustained damage during the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict and again during current hostilities.
“We were displaced, we rented a house, but as you know the situation is very difficult,” the woman said. “We could not continue so we returned to our home.”
The current conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah started March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel two days following a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Hezbollah’s primary supporter. Israel has subsequently conducted hundreds of bombing missions and initiated a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, seizing numerous border towns and villages.
Since the conflict began, Lebanon and Israel conducted their first face-to-face negotiations in over thirty years. The two nations have remained officially at war since Israel’s establishment in 1948.
A ten-day ceasefire announced in Washington took effect April 17, with officials later extending the agreement by three additional weeks.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported Friday that combat fatalities have reached 2,618 with 8,094 people wounded.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday his intention to impose 25% tariffs on automobiles and trucks imported from European Union countries starting next week, a decision that could shake global markets during an already uncertain economic period.
In his announcement, Trump claimed the European Union has failed to honor the terms of their mutually agreed trade arrangement, though he provided no specific details about what violations occurred.
The trade agreement in question was negotiated between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last July, establishing a 15% tariff rate on most imported goods.
The trade framework, dubbed the Turnberry Agreement after Trump’s Scottish golf property, had previously received renewed support from both American and European officials who pledged to maintain the arrangement.
However, the 2025 agreement faced uncertainty earlier this year when the Supreme Court determined the Republican president did not have legal authority to declare an economic emergency and impose tariffs on European goods.
While the original deal established a 15% tariff cap on European imports, the Supreme Court decision lowered that rate to 10% as the Trump administration implemented new import taxes under different legal authorities. The administration is currently conducting studies on trade deficits and national security concerns to establish a new tariff system, which could potentially violate the European agreement.
European officials had projected the bilateral agreement would provide automakers with monthly savings between 500 million and 600 million euros ($585 million to $700 million).
Trade between the EU and United States reached 1.7 trillion euros ($2 trillion) in 2024, averaging 4.6 billion euros daily, based on data from Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office.
Following the Supreme Court ruling in February, the European Commission stated: “A deal is a deal. As the United States’ largest trading partner, the EU expects the U.S. to honor its commitments set out in the Joint Statement — just as the EU stands by its commitments. EU products must continue to benefit from the most competitive treatment, with no increases in tariffs beyond the clear and all-inclusive ceiling previously agreed.”
Tehran has delivered a fresh diplomatic proposal to American negotiators through Pakistani intermediaries, according to Iran’s state-controlled IRNA news agency on Friday.
Neither Washington nor Islamabad has verified receipt of the new diplomatic offer. The specifics of the plan, reportedly delivered Thursday evening, have not been disclosed.
A fragile three-week truce between Washington and Tehran continues to hold, despite both nations accusing each other of ceasefire violations.
Although the truce has significantly reduced combat operations in Iran, the two countries remain deadlocked over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that handles 20% of global oil and gas trade during peaceful periods. An American naval blockade preventing Iranian oil tankers from reaching international waters has severely damaged Iran’s economy. Meanwhile, Iran’s control over the waterway continues to strain the global economy.
President Donald Trump recently outlined a new strategy to reopen the crucial shipping channel that Gulf allies depend on for energy exports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conducted extensive phone consultations Friday with regional counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Azerbaijan to update them on Tehran’s newest peace initiatives, according to his social media posts.
European Union foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas also held a telephone conversation Friday with Araghchi. Their discussion covered current diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and establish lasting security frameworks, Kallas’ office confirmed. Kallas has maintained ongoing contact with EU Gulf partners as well.
The Trump administration refused to confirm whether it had received Iran’s new diplomatic offer.
“We do not detail private diplomatic conversations,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. “President Trump has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, and negotiations continue to ensure the short- and long-term national security of the United States.”
Pakistani officials Friday declined to verify whether Tehran had transmitted proposals through Islamabad, stating that efforts to reduce U.S.-Iran tensions remain ongoing. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed a Cabinet session Wednesday that officials were still waiting for Iran’s response.
Earlier this week, Trump told Axios he had rejected Iran’s offer to reopen the strait in return for ending the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The Iranian offer would have delayed discussions about the country’s nuclear program to a future date, two regional officials revealed earlier this week. The officials familiar with the proposal requested anonymity to discuss confidential talks between Iranian and Pakistani representatives.
Trump has stated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons was a primary motivation for the conflict.
Since hostilities began February 28, at least 3,375 people have died in Iran, and over 2,600 in Lebanon, where fresh fighting erupted between Israel and Iran-supported Hezbollah militants two days after the war commenced, according to official sources.
The conflict has also claimed 24 lives in Israel and more than 20 in Gulf Arab nations. Seventeen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 U.S. military personnel across the region have been killed.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Hillsborough County authorities have confirmed that remains discovered in Tampa Bay belong to the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh, Sheriff Chad Chronister announced Friday.
The body of Nahida Bristy was recovered Sunday inside a garbage bag that snagged a kayaker’s fishing line, according to Chronister. Investigators used DNA analysis and dental records to positively identify the severely decomposed remains.
Bristy’s fellow USF doctoral student and friend, Zamil Limon, was found dead in a similar garbage bag on a bay bridge two days earlier. Authorities arrested Limon’s roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, on the same day and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder. He remains in custody without bond.
When confronted with evidence of the crimes, the suspect displayed a disturbing lack of emotion, Chronister reported.
“He was nonreactive,” Chronister said. “He was callous and showed no emotion when we showed him the information we had.”
While investigators believe both students were killed at the same location and timeframe, the sheriff said additional investigation is needed to make that determination official.
Chronister acknowledged that detectives have not yet established what drove the suspect to commit the murders.
“I hope we find that out,” Chronister said.
Although Abugharbieh had deleted information from his mobile device, forensic specialists uncovered troubling internet searches made in the days leading up to April 16, when both victims disappeared. The searches included disturbing queries such as “Can a knife penetrate a skull?” and “Can a neighbor hear a gunshot?”
Evidence shows the suspect also bought cleaning supplies, heavy-duty construction-grade garbage bags, and other materials, according to the sheriff.
“This was calculating. That’s what makes this so premeditated,” Chronister said.
Investigators discovered extensive blood evidence throughout the shared apartment, including the kitchen area, hallway leading to Abugharbieh’s bedroom, and inside his room. The apartment was shared by Abugharbieh, Limon, and a third roommate.
Forensic testing using luminol spray even revealed bloodstains forming the outline of a person in a fetal position beside Abugharbieh’s bed, the sheriff noted.
Surveillance showed Limon was last spotted at their off-campus housing complex, while Bristy was last seen at a university science facility on the same date. Limon was pursuing studies in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy focused on chemical engineering. Abugharbieh was no longer enrolled at the university.
Jennifer Spradley, a public defender representing Abugharbieh in Tampa, declined to provide comment on the case when contacted earlier this week.
WIMBERLEY, Texas — Five people died when their aircraft went down in a wooded area of central Texas Thursday evening, according to local authorities.
The fatal accident occurred in Wimberley, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Austin, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced through social media on Friday.
Federal Aviation Administration officials confirmed the Cessna 421C went down at approximately 11:25 p.m. Thursday with five occupants on board. Both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will conduct investigations into the incident.
Flight records indicate the aircraft had departed from Amarillo roughly two hours before the crash, with New Braunfels National Airport as its intended destination. Images published by the Austin American-Statesman revealed the completely destroyed plane scattered throughout a forested region.
Judge Becerra stated that victim identities will remain confidential until relatives receive proper notification.
A second plane traveling in the same vicinity successfully completed its landing at New Braunfels airport, situated about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio.
Audio recordings from Air Traffic Control reveal one pilot mentioned flying alongside the Cessna pilot to the same destination.
“I haven’t heard anything from him,” the pilot states in the recording.
An air traffic controller replied: “He started to move erratically and now his track is disappeared from the scope. So we want to make sure everything’s all right with him.”
At least one aviator in the vicinity verified that the distressed aircraft’s emergency locator beacon had activated. Emergency services were subsequently contacted by the controller.
Weather data from the National Weather Service showed overcast conditions in the New Braunfels region before the accident, with thunderstorm activity developing two hours afterward.
The community of Wimberley, home to roughly 3,000 residents, serves as a well-known tourist and recreational hiking spot in the Texas Hill Country along the Blanco River.
Federal antitrust regulators have given their approval to Intel’s financial backing of SambaNova Systems, an artificial intelligence chip company, according to regulatory documents released Friday.
The semiconductor giant invested $35 million in SambaNova during February, which combined with additional funding rounds increased Intel’s ownership portion in the AI startup from 6.8% to 8.2% compared to the previous year.
SambaNova Systems is led by a chairman who also serves as Intel’s chief executive officer, Lip-Bu Tan.
According to previous reports from April, Intel has outlined plans to provide an additional $15 million investment in the startup company.
The completion of the antitrust review clears the way for Intel’s continued partnership with the AI chip developer as both companies work in the competitive semiconductor market.
The Catholic Archdiocese of New York has reached an $800 million agreement with 1,300 survivors of sexual abuse, representing one of the most significant financial settlements in the nationwide clergy abuse crisis.
This massive payout ranks as the second-largest of its kind, trailing only behind the $880 million agreement reached by the Los Angeles Archdiocese in 2024. Catholic institutions nationwide have distributed billions in settlement funds over recent years following legislative changes in New York and other states that temporarily allowed victims to pursue legal action for historical child sexual abuse cases.
Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents the abuse survivors, described the settlement as a victory that concludes almost six years of litigation against the archdiocese and its insurance companies. Anderson noted that the proposed agreement requires final documentation and complete survivor approval before becoming official.
Beyond the financial compensation, the Archdiocese has committed to releasing documents related to sexual offenders within the Church.
“It is far from full accountability, but it is a measure of responsibility,” Anderson said in a Friday statement.
The agreement enables abuse survivors to pursue additional litigation against the Church’s insurance providers for further compensation.
Notably, this settlement prevents the archdiocese from filing for bankruptcy protection. New York’s Child Victims Act, enacted in 2019, along with comparable legislation in other states, has prompted numerous large Catholic organizations nationwide to seek bankruptcy protection.
Within New York state, all dioceses have filed for bankruptcy to resolve similar abuse lawsuit settlements, with the exception of the New York archdiocese and the Brooklyn Diocese.
The church and survivors entered mediation proceedings in December under the guidance of retired Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel Buckley, who also facilitated the Los Angeles settlement. During that time, Cardinal Timothy Dolan issued a statement recognizing that the sexual abuse of minors represented a shameful period in the Church’s history.
The low-cost airline Spirit is reportedly making preparations to shut down completely following the breakdown of negotiations for a federal rescue package, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Friday that cited sources with knowledge of the situation.
Neither Spirit Airlines nor the White House provided immediate responses when asked for comment about the potential closure.
A court hearing that had been set for Thursday, April 30th to discuss rescue options was canceled when discussions about a possible $500 million federal bailout package hit a deadlock between certain bondholders and government officials.
Officials have removed Right to Party from Saturday’s 152nd Kentucky Derby lineup after track veterinarians discovered a leg injury that could put both horse and rider at risk.
Veterinary staff in Louisville identified lameness in the horse’s right front leg Friday, just one day before the prestigious race that kicks off thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown series. The condition could impact the animal’s running form and create dangerous situations during competition.
The withdrawn horse had been given 30-1 odds by morning line handicappers and was assigned to start from post position No. 5, historically considered an advantageous spot. Robusta, carrying much longer 50-1 odds, will take the vacant slot but must start from the less favorable Gate 23.
This marks the third substitution made ahead of the full 20-horse field. Earlier changes saw Great White replace Silent Tactic, while Ocelli stepped in for Fulleffort following Thursday’s withdrawal.
Ocelli faces extremely long 50-1 odds but could make history as only the fourth horse ever to capture its maiden victory at the Kentucky Derby. The last horse to accomplish this feat was Brokers Tip back in 1933.
Ken McPeek trains Right to Party and celebrated his first Derby victory just last year when Mystik Dan prevailed in a dramatic three-horse photo finish. Christopher Elliott had been scheduled to ride Right to Party in Saturday’s competition.
The U.S. Treasury Department issued a stern warning Friday to shipping companies worldwide, stating that any payments made to Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz could result in severe sanctions.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control emphasized that even payments disguised as charitable contributions to organizations like the Iranian Red Crescent Society would not be permitted and could trigger punitive action.
This crucial waterway handles approximately 20% of global seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it one of the planet’s most important maritime corridors.
Iran has recently floated the idea of charging transit fees for vessels moving through the Strait as part of broader proposals aimed at resolving conflicts with Israel and the United States.
Treasury officials revealed they are aware of Iranian demands for payments in exchange for guaranteed safe passage through the strategic waterway. Earlier this week, OFAC had already cautioned companies about the risks of paying such fees, but Friday’s clarification specifically addressed attempts to circumvent sanctions through indirect payment methods.
While Treasury declined to provide Reuters with specific information about which countries or companies may have made such indirect payments, reports suggest at least one $2 million payment has been made for vessel passage.
The warning comes as Iran has submitted new negotiation proposals to Pakistani intermediaries, potentially opening doors for progress in resolving the ongoing standoff.
According to OFAC, Iranian payment demands may take various forms, including traditional currency, cryptocurrency, trade offsets, informal exchanges, or contributions presented as charitable donations to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Bonyad Mostazafan, or Iranian embassy accounts.
“OFAC is issuing this alert to warn U.S. and non-U.S. persons about the sanctions risks of making these payments to, or soliciting guarantees from, the Iranian regime for safe passage,” the office stated. “These risks exist regardless of payment method.”
In addition to the shipping warning, OFAC announced new sanctions targeting three Iranian currency exchange operations, which officials say handle billions of dollars in annual transactions, along with their affiliated front companies.
The office also placed sanctions on the Panama-registered NEW FUSION oil tanker. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the administration’s commitment, stating: “We will relentlessly target the regime’s ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds, and pursue anyone enabling Tehran’s attempts to evade sanctions.”
Industry experts have long noted that China, Iran’s primary oil customer, will likely continue purchasing Iranian petroleum unless the U.S. directly sanctions Chinese financial institutions. However, such action could significantly strain relations between Washington and Beijing.
Delaware transportation officials are warning drivers about upcoming lane restrictions on Interstate 95 near the Route 896 interchange in New Castle County this week.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, motorists can expect daytime lane restrictions on southbound I-95 Monday through Thursday as crews conduct concrete removal operations.
Additional overnight work is scheduled for Monday night, with lane closures planned for northbound I-95 and the on-ramp connecting southbound Route 896 to northbound I-95. This work involves barrier wall construction.
The most significant disruptions will occur during overnight hours Monday through Thursday, when multiple southbound I-95 lanes will be closed for road surface removal and repaving operations. EZPass lanes will also be restricted Wednesday and Thursday nights during this work.
Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when using this section of I-95 throughout the week.
Delaware State University’s softball squad is preparing to take the diamond in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament, with their first game slated for Wednesday, May 6th at 8:00 PM.
The Hornets will begin their quest for the MEAC championship title as they enter the conference’s premier softball competition. The tournament represents a crucial opportunity for the team to showcase their skills against other conference rivals.
Wednesday evening’s matchup marks the official start of DSU’s tournament run, as the team looks to make their mark in this year’s MEAC softball championship event.
PORTLAND, Maine — A Maine court has determined that a teenager accused of murdering a woman while she was paddleboarding is mentally fit to proceed with his trial.
The killing of 48-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart from St. George sent shockwaves through the Crawford Pond area in Union, Maine last summer. Law enforcement officials arrested Deven Young of Frankfort, Maine on murder charges in connection with Stewart’s death approximately two weeks after her remains were discovered in July.
Young, who was 17 when the alleged crime occurred and has since turned 18, has been processed through the juvenile court system up to this point. State prosecutors are seeking to try Young as an adult, but first required a competency evaluation to move forward.
Maine District Court Judge Eric J. Walker issued his ruling Wednesday, stating: “The court finds that the defendant is competent to proceed based on the court’s finding that the juvenile has a rational, as well as a factual, understanding of the proceedings and a sufficient present ability to consult with legal counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.”
Young’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 7. According to police reports, a medical examiner concluded that Stewart died from strangulation combined with blunt force trauma.
Defense attorney Jeremy Pratt, representing Young, refused to provide comment Thursday. Prosecution team members also declined to speak about the case.
Law enforcement has not disclosed any potential motive for the killing. Brief court filings that appeared temporarily on the state’s judicial website before being removed contained minimal information, only noting that Young “did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another human being, namely Sunshine Stewart.”
Audio files obtained by media outlets from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year revealed Young’s previous incidents of aggressive conduct and mental health struggles before Stewart’s death occurred. According to the Portland Press Herald, Young had been awaiting state-provided behavioral health treatment.
Stewart disappeared while paddleboarding at Crawford Pond on July 2, with her body recovered the following day. The pond serves as a popular summer destination for swimming, boating and fishing activities. Stewart’s home was located approximately 21 miles away in the Tenants Harbor section of St. George.
Family members and friends honored Stewart’s memory with a maritime memorial service last August. The tribute featured a boat parade through Tenants Harbor, with several vessels decorated with flowers.
The boats displayed photographs of a smiling Stewart alongside a large banner reading “Shine On.” Throughout her life, Stewart had worked in various roles including fisherman, boat captain, biologist, carpenter and bartender, according to those who knew her.
Insurance company AIG watched its stock price climb approximately 5% during early Friday trading after executives announced the firm has reduced its private credit investments in response to current market uncertainties.
The decision comes as rising default rates have intensified investor scrutiny of major asset management companies and their liquidity positions, particularly as more clients seek to withdraw funds across the sector. Market participants have become increasingly concerned about the private credit industry’s explosive growth and limited transparency.
Multiple alternative asset management firms with significant exposure to these credit markets have experienced stock declines during the first months of 2026.
“We’ve slowed our deployment in this asset class, given market conditions,” stated CFO Keith Walsh during an analyst call following the company’s earnings report.
AIG reported a significant increase in quarterly adjusted earnings on Thursday, boosted by solid underwriting performance and a dramatic reduction in catastrophe losses compared to the previous year when the insurance industry faced substantial claims from the Los Angeles wildfire disasters.
Walsh explained that AIG maintains all its direct lending investments on its balance sheet through business development companies. These BDCs serve as publicly traded lenders to private businesses and represent a crucial component of the private credit marketplace, offering investors enhanced returns alongside increased credit and liquidity risks.
Market participants are questioning whether current reported net asset values accurately capture the stress affecting portions of the private credit sector. Unlike publicly traded securities, BDC portfolios receive valuations through fair-value assessments and internal modeling systems that may not quickly reflect changing credit environments, creating doubt about whether asset values truly represent underlying investment worth.
“Our direct lending exposure is about $1.2 billion, less than 1.5% of the general insurance investment portfolio. It is a diversified portfolio of middle market loans with an average loan size of about $6 million,” Walsh explained.
The portfolio reassurance and deployment strategy helped boost the insurer’s struggling stock, which has dropped nearly 13% since the beginning of the year.
Regarding software sector exposure, Walsh noted during the call: “The software exposure is approximately $130 million, or just 16 basis points of the general insurance portfolio.”
Growing anxiety over software-sector investments and potential artificial intelligence disruption has led to increased examination of valuation methods, raising concerns that loans to small and medium-sized businesses could face pressure.
MetLife CEO Michel Khalaf told attendees at the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington last month that while some weaknesses may exist in the private credit sector, these don’t indicate an impending bubble collapse.
On Friday, hundreds of employees took to the streets of Zenica, a central Bosnian city, demanding the restart of operations at the nation’s final remaining steel production facility. The demonstrators say the plant’s closure signals the conclusion of Bosnia’s heavy manufacturing period.
The 130-year-old Zenica Steel Factory ceased operations last week, placing thousands of industry jobs in jeopardy, according to protesters. This shutdown came just months after the Lukavac coke production facility closed its doors in February.
“Zenica does not exist without the Zenica steel factory,” demonstrator Avdija Halilović stated to Reuters while protesters used whistles, waved union banners, and chanted demands for the facility’s reopening.
The Pavgord Group of Bosnia, which purchased the facility from ArcelorMittal in the previous year, attributed last month’s closure to transportation challenges, lower-cost foreign steel imports, and what the company described as government inaction in implementing industry protection policies.
Company representatives were unavailable for additional statements on Friday, which was the May Day holiday.
According to N1 news reports, Nermin Niksic, who serves as prime minister of Bosnia’s Bosniak-Croat federation, announced Thursday that regional authorities were considering acquiring the plant and supporting continued operations.
Additional complications arose this week when Nova Ljubija iron ore mining operations, a crucial steel mill supplier, declared bankruptcy, impacting approximately 600 employees.
Financial experts are sounding alarms that investors may be caught off-guard by a looming oil crisis that could see crude prices double from current levels, as the window for preparation rapidly narrows.
While markets have been buoyed by artificial intelligence sector gains that pushed the S&P 500 to new record highs on Thursday, analysts warn that the real energy crisis is developing in physical oil markets rather than electronic trading platforms.
The disconnect between perception and reality has become stark. Physical crude oil – actual barrels that change hands rather than paper contracts – now costs approximately $130 per barrel, marking a dramatic 70% increase from February levels across major grades including North Sea Forties, Angolan Cabinda, and Norwegian Troll.
This represents significantly higher energy costs than suggested by Brent crude futures, which trade around $110 per barrel – a 50% jump from late February. Future contracts for delivery in one year remain above $80 per barrel, up 20% from pre-conflict levels.
“The physical markets reflect the reality on the ground and the futures market reflects more perceptions and hopes,” explained Tamas Varga, an analyst with energy broker PVM Oil Associates.
“One might say that physical markets are the true reflection of actually what’s happening around the Strait of Hormuz,” Varga added.
The conflict has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that normally handles 20% of global energy shipments. Vitol, the world’s largest oil trading company, projects that 1 billion barrels of supply could vanish before markets stabilize.
Fatih Birol, who leads the International Energy Agency, stated in April that current oil prices fail to accurately represent the severity of the situation and warned that the world should brace for substantially higher costs.
According to Frederique Carrier, head of investment strategy at RBC Wealth Management, her firm’s chief economist uses a guideline that oil shocks must persist for three to six months to create lasting inflationary pressure.
“And we’re not quite there in that window – we (will be) soon,” Carrier noted, explaining that her firm maintains a neutral stance on equities while favoring commodity-related investments like shipping and warehousing.
The severity of potential scenarios has prompted oil traders to test their portfolios against crude prices reaching $200 to $300, according to Gunvor Group executive Jeff Webster, who spoke at the FT Global Commodities Summit in April.
“The idea that it’s definitely going to be stagflation, or it’s going to be fine. That’s the bit that we’re finding a little bit surprising,” said Andrew Chorlton, Chief Investment Officer for public fixed income at M&G, referencing the dangerous combination of high inflation and sluggish economic growth.
“That seems a little complacent,” Chorlton observed.
He described adopting a “more tactical” approach to fixed income investments, focusing on differences between countries and government bond yield patterns.
Inflation expectations among consumers are rising alongside market-based indicators such as inflation swaps, which suggest investors anticipate U.S. inflation around 3.53% within one year and approximately 2.75% over five years – both exceeding the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.
These projections stood closer to 2.4% in February before the conflict began, according to LSEG data. Similar patterns are emerging across the eurozone and United Kingdom.
Laura Cooper, global investment strategist at Nuveen, said her firm continues holding AI technology positions due to their profitability while balancing exposure through “dividend growers,” infrastructure, and tangible assets including real estate and gold mining companies as protection against various risks.
Despite potential disruptions, markets typically adjust to associated risks over time as supply chains adapt, volatility decreases, and investors refocus on major long-term developments.
“You won’t know it’s a tipping point till the market reacts to it,” said Paras Gupta, who oversees discretionary portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth clients in Asia for UBP in Singapore.
“We just have to wait and see and be nimble. Everybody has one finger on the trigger,” Gupta added.
Analysts suggest the greatest risk from the Iran crisis involves potential shifts in fundamental long-term themes. Over the past 18 months, the Trump administration has disrupted global trade and international relationships, creating unprecedented uncertainty about America’s dependability as an economic and security ally.
“This is about much more than when the war will be over, but rather about how the ‘Rupture’ is playing out – shifting policy as well as public attitudes,” explained Tina Fordham, founder of political strategy consultancy Fordham Global.
“By the time geopolitical risks make landfall and hit financial markets, it is typically too late to mitigate them,” Fordham warned.
Beauty company Coty is facing legal trouble from DB Ventures, the business entity behind soccer legend David Beckham’s fragrance line, according to court filings reviewed by Reuters.
The lawsuit, filed April 23 in New York, accuses Coty of serious violations of their licensing contract and claims the company damaged the Beckham brand by allowing fragrances to be distributed through gas stations.
“How could this possibly have happened? Desperation and greed,” the legal filing states.
This legal challenge represents yet another blow to Coty’s fragrance division, which serves as the company’s primary source of income.
DB Ventures isn’t alone in its complaints against Coty. Nautica has also filed a similar lawsuit against the beauty company. Both DB Ventures and Nautica are owned by American conglomerate Authentic Brands.
Nautica’s legal action claims Coty’s “flagrant and persistent violation” of their licensing deal has caused permanent harm to the Nautica brand. Both lawsuits contend that Coty worked with unauthorized distributors.
When asked about the pending litigation, a Coty representative responded: “Coty does not comment on ongoing legal matters. The claims are without merit, and we will defend ourselves vigorously.”
Authentic Brands chose not to provide comment.
The troubles pile up for interim CEO Markus Strobel, who took over from Sue Nabi in January after her five-year tenure ended. Strobel, a former Procter & Gamble executive, now faces the challenge of reviving the CoverGirl parent company.
Coty’s stock price reached historic lows in early April and has plummeted 78% over the past year. The company has already cautioned investors about disappointing third-quarter results, scheduled for release next Tuesday.
In February, Coty pulled back its annual projections and warned that third-quarter adjusted EBITDA would likely fall between $100-$110 million, significantly below the $201.6 million analysts had predicted.
While fragrances generate most of Coty’s revenue, this business segment is contracting as the company prepares to lose important licenses. The most significant loss will be Gucci’s beauty business, which analysts expect to end in 2028 when it moves to competitor L’Oréal.
Adding to these challenges, Authentic Brands announced in January that it had decided to transfer the licensing rights for DB Ventures and Nautica fragrances to Interparfums when current Coty agreements end. The DB Ventures contract expires in April 2028, while the Nautica deal runs until January 2030.
Despite the legal disputes, both fragrance lines have shown strong sales growth. David Beckham fragrance sales jumped 71.9% between 2023 and 2025, reaching $22.9 million, according to Global Fusion data from Nielsen’s market intelligence platform. Nautica sales increased 34.2% to $29.1 million during the same period.
Interparfums declined to comment on the situation.
The pressure on Coty intensified last month when the chairman of French beauty giant L’Oréal publicly criticized the smaller company, claiming Coty lacks a viable business model.
Strobel is currently developing a new strategic direction, promising to invest more resources in key brands as the company attempts to boost sales. Coty has identified Kylie Cosmetics and its long-term partnerships with Burberry and Marc Jacobs as valuable assets moving forward.
The company initiated a comprehensive review of its consumer cosmetics division in September, exploring various options including partnerships, sales of brands, and potential spin-offs for products like Rimmel and Max Factor.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have temporarily shut down a left turn lane on eastbound Lockmeath Way for ongoing construction activities.
The lane closure affects the stretch of roadway between Peachtree Run and Brookfield Drive, according to DelDOT’s traffic incident reporting system.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect delays and plan alternate routes if possible. The construction work is expected to wrap up by 3 PM today, at which point normal traffic patterns will resume.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution when navigating through the construction zone and to follow all posted signs and traffic control devices.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials are alerting drivers to expect delays on Route 9 northbound this afternoon due to ongoing roadwork.
A flagging operation is currently underway along the shoulder of Route 9 northbound in the stretch between Grantham Road and Washington Street. The work zone is expected to remain active until 3 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the area and to allow extra time for their commute. The flagging operation may cause temporary slowdowns as traffic is directed around the work zone.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — China launched a sweeping trade initiative Friday that eliminates import duties for nearly every African nation, creating a stark contrast with the United States’ move toward increased protectionism under President Donald Trump.
The new Chinese policy extends duty-free market access to Africa’s 20 most significant economies for the next two years, encompassing nations like South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya. Combined with existing agreements covering 33 smaller African nations, this expansion means 53 of Africa’s 54 countries now qualify for tariff-free trade privileges with China.
Only Eswatini remains excluded from the arrangement due to its unique status as Africa’s sole nation maintaining official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced the policy would foster mutual economic growth between China and African nations. State media reported that a 24-metric-ton apple shipment from South Africa, processed through Shenzhen customs early Friday morning, marked the first cargo to benefit from the zero-tariff framework.
The Commerce Ministry highlighted that the policy would particularly advantage African exports such as cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, coffee and avocados from Kenya, and citrus fruits plus wine from South Africa — products that previously faced import duties ranging from 8% to 30%, according to official Chinese media.
Ivory Coast dominates global cocoa production, and together with Ghana, the two nations supply over half the world’s cocoa. South Africa ranks among the world’s leading citrus exporters.
Multiple major African economies indicated they would seek alternative markets for goods previously destined for the United States after the Trump administration implemented reciprocal tariffs last year — reaching 30% for South Africa and exceeding 40% for other African countries.
“South Africa looks forward to working with China in a friendly, pragmatic and flexible manner,” South African Trade Minister Parks Tau stated in February during bilateral discussions in China.
Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Trump’s comprehensive global tariffs unconstitutional in February, the Republican president announced his administration possessed “very powerful alternatives” and quickly implemented temporary import taxes as replacements.
China already serves as Africa’s primary trading partner. The continent houses 1.5 billion people and is projected to nearly double to 2.5 billion by 2050, according to United Nations estimates, representing more than 25% of the global population at that time.
While China promoted its tariff-free agreement as encouraging mutual development, a significant trade imbalance exists between China and Africa, with African nations owing Beijing substantial debt obligations.
Trade between China and Africa hit a record $348 billion in 2025, with China’s exports to Africa rising approximately 25% to $225 billion, while Chinese imports from Africa increased only about 5% to $123 billion, expanding Africa’s trade deficit.
China has historically purchased raw materials from Africa while exporting manufactured products in return. Thierry Pairault, a China-Africa specialist at France’s National Center for Scientific Research, noted that while the new framework might benefit agricultural exports, most African raw material exports including oil and minerals already enjoyed tariff-free access to Chinese markets.
“(Chinese leader) Xi Jinping is positioning China as the antithesis of Western protectionism. This gesture is intended to appeal to both African public opinion and global markets,” Pairault wrote in an analysis published by the China Global South Project, which examines China’s relationships with developing nations.
However, Pairault observed that the policy “only applies where it costs (China) almost nothing.”
LONDON — Authorities have filed criminal charges against a 49-year-old woman whose vehicle crashed into an end-of-school celebration at a London elementary school, resulting in the deaths of two young girls and injuries to multiple others.
Claire Freemantle now faces two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, prosecutors announced Friday. The charges stem from a July 6, 2023 incident when her Land Rover crashed through a fence and struck a tea party celebration at the Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon, south London.
The crash claimed the lives of 8-year-old students Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, while more than a dozen other people sustained injuries. Ten individuals, including several children, required hospital treatment following the collision that also damaged the school building.
Initially, prosecutors declined to file charges after determining Freemantle had suffered an epileptic seizure. At that time, she released a statement expressing her “deepest sorrow” while stating she had no memory of the events.
However, the Metropolitan Police reopened their investigation following persistent complaints from the victims’ families. Authorities discovered new evidence during this second investigation, though they have not disclosed the specific nature of these findings.
London police have acknowledged mishandling the initial investigation and issued an apology. The department has also submitted its officers’ conduct to an oversight agency for review regarding potential misconduct.
Freemantle’s defense team has questioned the decision to reverse the original determination and indicated she will enter a not guilty plea. Her first court appearance is scheduled for June 16 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
BERLIN — Georg Baselitz, the influential German Neo-Expressionist painter celebrated for his controversial inverted artworks, passed away Thursday at the age of 88.
The Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery, which served as Baselitz’s representative, confirmed the artist’s death through a family statement on Thursday. While the gallery noted he died “peacefully,” no specific cause of death was provided.
Originally named Hans-Georg Kern, the artist adopted his professional name from Deutschbaselitz, the eastern Saxony village where he was born on January 23, 1938, during Nazi Germany’s rule before World War II began. Following his childhood amid wartime devastation, he fled East Germany in 1957 during a period of mounting political tensions and relocated to West Germany.
“I was born into a destroyed order, into a destroyed landscape, into a destroyed people, into a destroyed society,” he reflected to the German news agency dpa prior to reaching his 85th birthday.
The gallery described him as “a titan of contemporary painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking” and “one of the most important artists of our time,” crediting him with influencing both fellow artists and the global art community.
His debut exhibition in 1963 sparked significant controversy when authorities identified pornographic content in two of his works, leading to their confiscation by a vice squad.
Critics frequently labeled him an “artist of rage,” and he embraced a philosophy of “contradiction,” according to dpa reporting.
Museums worldwide display his creations, and his pieces have sold for millions at international auctions. German authorities announced in 2017 that they had retrieved 15 stolen Baselitz paintings and drawings valued at approximately 2.5 million euros ($2.9 million).
Baselitz remembered gaining early recognition during the 1960s through his golden-hued “Hero” painting series, inspired by fictional characters from Russian civil war literature. These works showed damaged figures stumbling toward viewers in tattered military clothing, featuring distorted proportions with oversized hands and undersized heads. His war-torn hero piece, “Der Hirte (The Shepherd)” from 1966, earned worldwide recognition.
In 1969, Baselitz produced “Der Wald auf dem Kopf” (The Forest on its Head), marking his first “inverted” artwork that displayed trees in an upside-down orientation, establishing what would become his signature style.
“Georg Baselitz did not just turn his paintings upside down; he also turned our thinking routines upside down,” stated German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “Having experienced the destruction and suffering of the Second World War as a child, the collapse of all order forced him to question everything around him.”
In a recent video interview, Baselitz reflected on his lengthy artistic journey, noting that “typical painting has never appealed to me.”
“I actually wanted to be more of a black-and-white painter, and above all, I didn’t want to work spatially, perspectively, with shadows and light and such things that arise with the imitation of nature,” he explained while sitting in a wheelchair wearing a paint-stained jacket.
“I must say that throughout my life, I was not aware that I was a painter of color, even though I am constantly told that I have such wonderful colors,” Baselitz remarked.
The artist explained his goal to “construct my connection to the world, to myself and to my wife,” utilizing the most “simple and ordinary” methods available. His comments came from a video recorded at the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice, which currently features an exhibition of Baselitz’s “Golden Heroes” collection running from May 6 through September 27.
A “Naked Masters” exhibition at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum in 2023 showcased five decades of his work, exploring provocative nudity themes featuring the artist and his wife, Elke, displayed alongside classical oil paintings by old masters that similarly depicted nude subjects.
He leaves behind his wife and two sons, Daniel Blau and Anton Kern, according to the gallery.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne made political history as his Antigua and Barbuda Labor Party captured a record-breaking fourth straight term in office during an early election that devastated opposition representation in the Caribbean nation’s parliament.
Election results announced early Friday morning revealed a sweeping victory that sent jubilant party supporters into the streets to celebrate the overwhelming win.
Browne’s ABLP dominated the contest by claiming 15 out of 17 available parliamentary positions in the twin-island Caribbean country. The main opposition United Progressive Party suffered a crushing defeat, dropping from five seats to just one, with only Jamale Pringle surviving the electoral rout. Independent candidate Trevor Walker of the Barbuda People’s Movement also secured a seat, continuing his winning streak in every election since 2004 except for 2014.
The early election was called two years before required by the constitution, with campaign discussions centered around increasing living expenses and plans for improving the nation’s infrastructure.
“We will build one nation united and inclusive where all who are willing to come together under the banner of one Antigua and Barbuda will share in the reward of their efforts,” Browne told ABLP supporters.
Voting officials praised how smoothly the election process went, reporting that ballot locations throughout both islands functioned without major problems.
Browne and Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin are scheduled for swearing-in ceremonies Friday morning, with additional cabinet appointments to be announced over the next several days.
The pharmaceutical company responsible for manufacturing OxyContin will cease operations and transform into a public-focused organization as a comprehensive legal agreement involving thousands of opioid lawsuits becomes active this Friday.
This agreement represents one of the most significant in a string of legal resolutions addressing the devastating impact of opioid addiction in recent years. The case has drawn particular attention because many experts trace the origins of America’s opioid crisis to the aggressive marketing campaigns surrounding OxyContin, a potent prescription pain medication that entered the market in 1996.
Federal statistics indicate that opioid overdoses have claimed more than 500,000 American lives since 1999. The crisis initially stemmed from prescription painkillers, later shifted to heroin, and has now reached its deadliest phase with fentanyl-related deaths.
The Purdue agreement mandates a minimum payment of $7.4 billion. The majority of these funds—no less than $6.5 billion—will come directly from Sackler family members who previously held ownership of the company. The family relinquished control of the pharmaceutical manufacturer before its 2019 bankruptcy filing and has surrendered all ownership stakes. The settlement creates Knoa Pharma as Purdue’s replacement, featuring a state-appointed board dedicated to combating the opioid epidemic.
Analysis from the Opioid Settlement Tracker shows that total opioid litigation settlements have reached an estimated $50 billion since 2019. Companies that have reached agreements with state and local authorities include drug manufacturers, distribution companies, pharmacy chains, and consulting firms. Settlement terms typically require that most funds address epidemic-related issues.
Purdue’s settlement payments will be distributed over an 18-year period, with larger amounts scheduled for the initial years.
The Department of Justice investigation into Purdue resulted in criminal charges against three individuals and a corporate guilty plea by the company.
In 2024, five Supreme Court justices rejected an earlier settlement version, determining that Sackler family members would have inappropriately gained personal lawsuit protection through the corporate bankruptcy proceedings. The final agreement allows groups that decline payments to pursue legal action against family members.
A 2019 audit revealed that Sackler family members collected $10.8 billion from Purdue between 2008 and 2018, with no distributions received since that time. Nearly half of those funds went toward taxes the Sacklers paid on the company’s behalf. Congressional analysis in 2021 estimated the family’s combined net worth at $11 billion.
The settlement requires the release of 30 million company documents to the public. Similar to other opioid industry materials, these records will be housed at the University of California San Francisco and Johns Hopkins University.
Individuals who can demonstrate harm from prescribed Purdue opioids may receive up to $48,000 in compensation, along with survivors of those affected. Other major industry settlements do not provide direct payments to victims.
Educational systems across the nation are pulling back on digital device usage as four states have enacted new laws restricting screen-based instruction and testing for students.
The Los Angeles public school system, which serves as the country’s second-largest educational district, has joined this movement by implementing its own limitations on screen time for students.
These new regulations specifically target the amount of time students spend learning through digital devices and taking computer-based assessments during school hours.
The trend represents a significant shift in educational policy as lawmakers and school administrators reassess the role of technology in classroom learning environments.
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III earned widespread acclaim for his diplomatic skills during a recent state visit to the United States, where President Donald Trump expressed admiration for the British monarch and even removed certain tariffs on Scotch whisky in the royal couple’s honor.
The monarch demonstrated exceptional diplomatic finesse throughout the trip, balancing compliments for his American hosts with carefully worded critiques. However, experts question whether this royal charm offensive will significantly improve the strained relationship between the two nations, particularly given ongoing disagreements about the Iran conflict.
“In the short term probably yes, in the long term probably no,” said Kristofer Allerfeldt, a University of Exeter professor specializing in American history. But he said Charles had “definitely clawed back some of the prestige of the monarchy” in his homeland with his assured performance.
“He’s done us proud,” Allerfeldt said.
The carefully orchestrated four-day journey to Washington, New York and Virginia by Charles and Queen Camilla represented a strategic diplomatic mission requested by the British government. Scheduled to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the visit aimed to repair tensions between the UK government and Trump’s administration.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer — previously someone he commended — for refusing to participate in American military operations against Iran, calling Britain’s leader “not Winston Churchill,” referencing the wartime leader who first described the “special relationship” between the two nations.
This disagreement reflects broader friction between Trump and NATO partners, whom he has labeled “cowards” and “useless” for declining to join Iranian military action.
Despite these political tensions, Trump’s appreciation for British royalty appears unchanged and may have grown stronger following his historic second state visit to the UK last September.
Several UK opposition figures had urged cancellation of the king’s reciprocal visit, fearing the president might create embarrassing situations for the monarch.
Ultimately, the visit proceeded smoothly with considerable warmth and minimal uncomfortable incidents — although Trump occasionally broke protocol by discussing private royal conversations publicly.
During Tuesday’s formal state dinner, Trump declared that “Charles agrees with me, even more than I do” regarding preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump also claimed that “if that were up to him,” the king “would have followed the suggestions we made with respect to Ukraine.”
Buckingham Palace seemed untroubled by Trump’s Iran remarks, stating that “the king is naturally mindful of his government’s longstanding and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation.”
However, clear differences emerged on Ukraine policy. Britain has strongly supported Kyiv against Russian aggression, and during his Congressional address, the king emphasized the necessity of “unyielding resolve” in backing Ukraine.
This represented one of multiple indirect challenges to the “America first” administration’s policies during his speech, which served as the visit’s highlight.
Speaking with royal restraint and refined pronunciation, Charles emphasized NATO’s vital importance, the necessity of limiting executive authority, climate change dangers, and the value of “vibrant, diverse and free societies.” He also mentioned his pride in Royal Navy service, despite Trump’s previous disparagement of that force.
“It’s difficult to imagine he could have gone much further in what he said and what he didn’t say,” historian Anthony Seldon told The Guardian. “He judged it incredibly well: very brave, very smart, very clever.”
Allerfeldt highlighted the “extraordinary” bipartisan response to the Congressional speech, which generated numerous standing ovations.
“Apart from the section on the natural world and the environment, both Republicans and Democrats stood up and applauded,” he said.
At the state banquet’s more relaxed atmosphere, the king even generated laughter by referencing British forces burning the White House in 1814.
The visit succeeded despite controversy surrounding the king’s brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, who lost his royal title and public role amid police investigation of his Jeffrey Epstein connections. He maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing.
Epstein survivors had requested meetings with the king, which didn’t occur, though he addressed the matter indirectly during his Congressional remarks, noting the importance of supporting “victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.”
Andrew Lownie, who wrote “Entitled,” a biography of the former Prince Andrew, called the speech “the best defense of the monarchy in years.”
Following the royal departure, Trump announced tariff reductions on certain Scotch products “in honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom.”
Buckingham Palace welcomed this decision, stating the king “sends his sincere gratitude for a decision that will make an important difference to the British whisky industry and the livelihoods it supports.”
Trump praised the king as “a phenomenal representative” for Britain before returning to familiar criticism of Starmer.
Speaking to Sky News, the president said Charles is “a much different person than your prime minister.
“Your prime minister has to learn to deal the way he deals, and he’ll do a lot better,” he said.
Major pharmaceutical companies are ramping up their buying spree of biotech firms this year, driven by the looming threat of losing exclusive rights to their most profitable medications.
Industry data reveals that biotech acquisition deals totaled $84 billion during the first three months of 2026, a significant jump from $44.4 billion during the same period last year. This marks the strongest opening quarter for pharmaceutical mergers and acquisitions since 2019.
The accelerated deal-making stems from what industry experts call the “patent cliff” – a period when pharmaceutical companies lose exclusive marketing rights to their top-selling drugs, opening the door for generic competition.
Among the companies facing this challenge is Merck, whose cancer treatment Keytruda accounts for more than half the company’s total revenue but will lose patent protection in 2028. Other pharmaceutical giants including Eli Lilly, Gilead, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Pfizer are also approaching patent expirations on major revenue-generating medications.
According to Eason Hahm, who directs biopharma investment banking at William Blair, the industry faces potential revenue losses exceeding $300 billion over the next five years due to patent expirations.
“The combination of strategic urgency, tighter private funding, and an uncertain IPO market has created the perfect environment for accelerated dealmaking,” explained Patrice Mesnier, founding partner at investment firm Oldenburg Capital Partners.
Bill Holodnak from advisory firm Occam Global described the situation as companies acting out of “anxiety” regarding their shrinking drug portfolios. “The pharmaceutical industry is always going to have to come to terms with drugs going generic … and if they can’t invent the drugs themselves, they’re going to have to acquire drug candidates on the outside,” Holodnak noted.
Strong financial positions are enabling these acquisition sprees. Eli Lilly, a leader in diabetes and weight-loss medications, finished 2025 with over $7.27 billion in cash reserves and has already spent more than $35 billion on acquisitions through late April.
“Big pharma … do not have the luxury of waiting eight, nine, 10 years to build internal pipelines,” Mesnier observed. “They are no longer buying optionality. They are buying time.”
Leadership changes at companies like GSK and Novo Nordisk have coincided with more aggressive acquisition strategies. Similar shifts in executive roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, and AbbVie have also influenced deal negotiations and risk assessment approaches.
If current trends continue, total pharmaceutical merger and acquisition activity could surpass $250 billion for 2026, which would represent the second-highest annual total on record, trailing only 2019’s $328 billion.
Emily Oldshue, a partner at law firm Ropes & Gray who has advised on recent pharmaceutical deals, noted increased activity in mid-sized transactions. “Especially in the sub-$10 billion size range, we are seeing companies risk-on for M&A,” she said. “Companies are placing multiple bets and deploying a variety of structures to hedge and spread risks.”
Cancer treatment development remains the primary focus for acquisition targets, though companies are also showing strong interest in immunology, neurology, heart disease, and obesity treatments. These therapeutic areas offer potential for high-revenue drugs that could offset upcoming patent losses.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning companies focused on drug discovery are emerging as particularly attractive acquisition targets. Mark Kvamme, CEO of the O.H.I.O. Fund investment advisory, believes AI technology will significantly accelerate drug development timelines.
“Because of AI, you’re going to be able to develop these things much more quickly,” Kvamme explained.
Industry analysts from Bernstein noted that the revenue exposure to patent expiration over the next seven years is approximately 2.5 times higher than what the industry experienced over the past 16 years, creating sustained pressure for continued deal-making activity.
WASHINGTON – Manufacturing activity across the United States maintained stability during April, though companies faced mounting pressure from escalating input costs that reached their highest point in four years due to Middle East shipping disruptions.
The Institute for Supply Management released data Friday showing their manufacturing index held at 52.7 for the month, matching March’s figure and staying near a four-year peak. Any reading above 50 signals growth in the manufacturing sector, marking the fourth consecutive month of expansion.
Industry analysts surveyed by Reuters had anticipated the index would climb to 53. The steady performance was supported by rising new orders, which increased to 54.1 from March’s 53.5, as companies accelerated purchasing to prevent shortages and avoid higher prices related to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
Supply chain challenges intensified significantly, with the supplier deliveries measurement climbing to 60.6 from 58.9 the previous month. Readings above 50 indicate slower delivery times. These delays forced manufacturers to absorb higher costs, pushing the prices paid indicator up dramatically to 84.6 – the steepest level since April 2022 – compared to 78.3 in March. This surge reinforced economists’ predictions that inflation will continue accelerating throughout the year.
Government data released Thursday showed the U.S. personal consumption expenditures price index experienced its largest monthly gain in nearly four years during March, with annual PCE inflation posting its biggest increase since May 2023.
The Federal Reserve monitors the PCE price index as part of its 2% inflation goal. On Wednesday, the central bank maintained its key overnight interest rate between 3.50% and 3.75%, acknowledging mounting inflation concerns.
Financial markets anticipate the Fed will maintain current rates through 2027. Prior to the conflict, manufacturing faced challenges from President Donald Trump’s comprehensive import tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned. The White House has implemented new duties, arguing tariffs are essential for revitalizing domestic industrial capacity.
While advance purchasing appears to be driving orders higher, backlogged orders continued declining last month, and export weakness persisted. Consequently, factory employment dropped for the 15th consecutive month. Manufacturing jobs have decreased by approximately 85,000 positions since January 2025.
KÜHBACH, Germany — While a traditional brass ensemble filled the air with regional melodies and residents enjoyed cold beverages, the young men of this southern German community used lengthy wooden poles to hoist their fresh maypole skyward until it stood perfectly upright.
Beyond the local residents, visitors traveled from throughout Bavaria and neighboring regions to the community of approximately 4,500 people on Friday to witness the maypole installation — a tradition practiced for hundreds of years and deeply embedded in Bavarian cultural heritage.
“The Maypole is a symbol of togetherness,” Mayor Karl-Heinz Kerscher explained while observing the young people raising the pole. “All these young guys, when they give it their all, when they show their strength, that’s just proof that we’re powerful, that Bavaria means something, and that here in Kühbach it’s twice as beautiful.”
While May 1 serves as a national holiday throughout Germany, installing maypoles at village centers represents a cherished tradition practiced mainly in Bavaria, Austria, and additional southern German regions as an emblem of community unity, spring’s arrival, and fertility.
In Kühbach, significant effort and time goes into this ritual every three years when a fresh pole gets erected.
During the previous winter, the Kühbacher Burschen, a local organization boasting 240 members, selected an impressive spruce from a neighboring forest, felled it, removed all branches and bark, allowed it to dry, then applied three coats of white and blue paint — Bavaria’s official colors.
Along the tree’s sides, they mounted metal plaques displaying the village’s guild symbols, and most crucially, they maintained constant surveillance over their valuable maypole, which had been stored in a former lumber mill for weeks to prevent theft.
Taking each other’s fresh maypoles represents another cherished Bavarian tradition. When such theft succeeds, the robbed community must purchase back its maypole, creating significant expense: as much as 200 liters (422 pints) of beer plus an entire roasted pig with potato dumplings and brown sauce — costs that can easily reach 3,000 euros ($3,325).
By Friday morning, however, Kühbach’s maypole remained secure, and early that day the predominantly young participants, wearing their finest lederhosen and light-blue dirndl dresses, gathered at the sawmill to proudly transport it to their village center.
“Our motto is, ‘preserve traditions, shape the future’ — that really sums it up pretty well,” said Florian Oberhauser, 26, who leads the Kühbacher Burschen, or Kühbach Boys.
The 28-meter (92-foot) maypole was positioned horizontally on wooden wagons and transported into the village by two strong horses from the neighborhood brewery.
When the parade — featuring children seated in a long line atop the pole — reached the market square, the Catholic priest, who had recently concluded his May Day service, sprinkled the tree and young men with blessed water. Everyone gathered closely for prayer before the actual labor commenced.
Armed with extended wooden rods, the youth formed pairs on either side of the pole and encouraged one another with calls of “Hau-Ruck” while gradually raising the Maybaum, its German name.
Once the maypole stood upright against the clear sky, the marching band performed an additional fanfare, crowds filled the large festival tent, settled onto benches, enjoyed pork roast and sausages for lunch — along with additional beer.
Simone Nodlbichler, 41, who performed clarinet throughout the morning while her band accompanied the maypole parade through the village, past the church and into Kühbach’s market square, smiled brightly as she stored her instrument.
“This tradition is being passed down from generation to generation,” she explained while her two teenage daughters watched. “As you can see, both young and old are involved.”
“I think there’s a wonderful sense of community here, and it’s still very much alive,” she added.
DelDOT and Delaware State Police will launch automated speed enforcement on northbound Interstate 95 through the Churchmans Marsh construction zone beginning Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The Electronic Speed Safety Program will monitor traffic speeds in the work area, with officials providing a three-week grace period where violators receive warnings instead of citations. Starting May 23, 2026, vehicle owners caught speeding will face a minimum $20 fine plus additional penalties for each mile per hour above the 50 mph work zone speed limit.
The speed monitoring system represents a joint effort between the Delaware Department of Transportation and state police to protect construction workers and motorists in active work zones along the busy interstate corridor.
Salisbury University’s women’s tennis squad is making final preparations for the 2026 Coast-to-Coast Conference Championship tournament. The Sea Gulls are among the teams set to compete in this year’s conference championship event.
The tournament represents a culmination of the season’s efforts for participating teams across the Coast-to-Coast Conference. Salisbury’s tennis program continues to build momentum as they head into championship competition.
Additional tournament details and scheduling information are expected to be released as the championship event approaches. The Sea Gulls will look to make their mark in conference play during the upcoming tournament.
The Delaware Division of the Arts has revealed that Deputy Director Kristin Pleasanton will be stepping down from her position next month, marking the end of an extensive career in public service.
Pleasanton’s final day will be June 1, 2026, bringing to a close 33 years of dedicated work for the state of Delaware. Her remarkable tenure has seen her serve through the administrations of eight different governors.
Her journey with Delaware state government began in 1988 when she took on the role of Kent County Site Supervisor, launching what would become more than three decades of commitment to Delaware’s arts community and state operations.
The announcement was made public on May 1st by the Delaware Division of the Arts, recognizing Pleasanton’s long-standing contributions to the organization and the state’s cultural landscape.
Delaware agricultural producers have less than two weeks remaining to provide crucial planting information that will determine their qualification for extra federal base acres through a new program established by Republican legislation passed in July 2025.
The Agriculture Department issued guidance on April 20 establishing the May 15 deadline for farmers to supply necessary data for the additional base acre program created under the reconciliation package (Public Law 119-21), nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
This legislation establishes a distribution of 30 million additional base acres nationwide, with allocations determined by each farm’s planting patterns from 2019 through 2023. The law mandates that all property owners receive notification regarding their potential qualification for these extra base acres, which will be automatically assigned unless owners choose to decline participation.
Federal base acres serve as the foundation for calculating payments through government agricultural programs including Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage, with higher base acre totals generally resulting in increased payment amounts. Updating planting records with USDA also enables farmers to receive compensation that better matches their operation’s specific requirements.
Research from the University of Missouri’s Rural & Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center indicates that corn, soybeans, and wheat will likely receive the most substantial base acre allocations. The analysis projects Virginia may gain up to 268,000 additional base acres for these three crops, though the majority of increases are anticipated in Midwest and plains regions.
Should the collected information indicate demand exceeding the 30 million acre limit, allocations will be reduced proportionally across all participants.
Local and state Farm Service Agency locations must collaborate to guarantee that historical acreage information is finalized and entered into both the CRM Farm Records system and Acreage History and Base Allocation programs before 6 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15. Updates to farm records covering base reductions and restorations, producer partnerships, and cropland designations must also meet this same deadline, when all information will be extracted from the system.
Farms requiring data restoration back to 2019 must provide this information to state FSA offices by May 4. State offices must also forward requests for newly established farms to the Farm Records Remediation platform by May 8 when assistance from the national FSA office is required.
Farmers risk receiving incorrect eligibility decisions if their records remain incomplete or outdated.
To qualify for the program, producers must have cultivated at least one currently supported commodity or been prevented from planting due to natural disasters between 2019 and 2023. Furthermore, farmers’ revised base acreage calculations, which incorporate their historical planting data from 2019-2023, must surpass their existing base acreage totals.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A 33-year-old individual is scheduled for a court appearance next week following his detention for allegedly planning an assault on two members of the Dutch royal family, according to prosecutors who announced the case on Friday.
Court documents released by The Hague Public Prosecutor’s Office reveal that the individual is accused of planning an assault targeting Princess Amalia, the 22-year-old future queen of the Netherlands, along with her younger sister, 20-year-old Princess Alexia, during February in The Hague.
The court filing detailed disturbing evidence allegedly found in the suspect’s possession. “The suspect was allegedly in possession of two axes in early February with the words ‘Alexia’, ‘Mossad’, and ‘Sieg Heil’ carved into them, and he allegedly had a handwritten sheet with the words ‘Amalia’, ‘Alexia’, and ‘Bloodbath,’” the scheduling order said.
A representative from The Hague prosecutor’s office refused to provide additional information about the investigation before Monday’s procedural hearing. Authorities have not disclosed the location or timing of the man’s arrest. Following Dutch privacy laws, the suspect’s identity remains confidential.
The Royal House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
This is not the first time Princess Amalia has been targeted with threats. In 2022, the crown princess was compelled to abandon her university studies in Amsterdam and return to her family’s royal residence due to security concerns linked to criminal organizations. During that period, Queen Maxima revealed that Amalia “can’t leave home” and that the situation has “enormous consequences for her life.”
Following those threats, Amalia relocated to Madrid for several months. She later expressed gratitude to the Spanish capital by inaugurating a tulip garden there to thank residents for their warm welcome.
This case follows a previous incident in 2020 when another individual was found guilty of making threats against the princess, including sending menacing messages through Instagram to the then-16-year-old royal and one of her companions.
The Mexican capital is experiencing land subsidence at an alarming rate of almost 10 inches annually, new NASA satellite data shows, placing it among the globe’s most rapidly sinking major cities.
Home to approximately 22 million residents across 3,000 square miles, Mexico City and its surrounding metropolitan areas sit on what was once an ancient lake bed. Historic downtown canals have been transformed into modern streets, though waterways still exist in outlying rural areas.
Decades of intensive groundwater extraction combined with massive urban expansion have severely depleted the underground water supply, causing the capital to gradually descend for more than 100 years. This ongoing subsidence has left historic structures like the Metropolitan Cathedral, whose construction started in 1573, noticeably leaning. The shrinking aquifer has also worsened an ongoing water shortage that experts predict will continue to deteriorate.
“It damages part of the critical infrastructure of Mexico City, such as the subway, the drainage system, the water, the potable water system, housing and streets,” said Enrique Cabral, a researcher studying geophysics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. “It’s a very big problem.”
The rate of descent is so dramatic that it’s detectable from orbital observation platforms.
NASA’s latest findings indicate certain areas are dropping at an average of 0.78 inches monthly, including locations near the primary airport and the famous Angel of Independence monument.
This translates to an annual subsidence rate of roughly 9.5 inches. During the span of less than a century, the total drop has exceeded 39 feet, Cabral noted.
“We have one of the fastest velocities of land subsidence in the whole world,” he said.
The space agency’s calculations come from data collected between October 2025 and January 2026 using an advanced satellite called NISAR, which monitors real-time surface changes on Earth through a collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization.
NISAR scientist Paul Rosen explained that capturing Earth’s details from orbit “telling us something about what’s actually happening below the surface.”
“It’s basically documentation of all of these changes within a city,” Rosen said. He added: “You can see the full magnitude of the problem.”
The research team anticipates eventually achieving even greater precision, potentially measuring subsidence on individual structures.
Scientists plan to expand this technology globally to monitor natural disasters, seismic fault activity, climate change impacts in regions like Antarctica, and other environmental shifts.
Rosen suggested the system could enhance warning networks, enabling researchers to notify governments about necessary evacuations during volcanic eruptions, for instance.
For Mexico City, this technology represents a significant breakthrough in understanding and addressing the subsidence crisis, according to Cabral.
Government officials have historically paid little attention to this issue beyond reinforcing foundations beneath landmarks like the cathedral. However, recent water crisis episodes have prompted authorities to increase research funding, Cabral explained.
Data from the NISAR satellite will be essential for scientists and policymakers developing strategies to tackle this challenge.
“To do long-term mitigation of the situation,” Cabral said, “the first step is to just understand.”
For over ten years, Melani Candia has successfully renewed her immigration status every two years, allowing her to remain in the United States with her spouse and pets while working as a special education teacher in Florida.
However, this cycle brought unprecedented delays in processing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applications, causing Candia to lose her employment and live in constant worry about detention in the nation she has considered home since age 6.
“Fear has become my new baseline” as an immigrant in America, Candia explained. “But now, having a new level of vulnerability, it was a very quick increase in the fear.”
Processing delays for the Obama administration program, which provides temporary protection and work permits for individuals brought to America as children, have reached levels not witnessed since 2016’s major technical problems.
Hundreds of thousands of program participants, commonly called “Dreamers,” have experienced months-long waits only to watch their deadlines expire without decisions. This creates a precarious situation where employment authorization vanishes, driver’s licenses often become invalid, and their ability to remain in the country faces jeopardy.
“It’s not just anecdotal; it’s happening at a larger scale than we’ve ever seen before,” stated Greisa Martinez Rosas, executive director of United We Dream, an immigrant youth-led network.
Officials have not released statistics showing how many individuals recently missed renewal deadlines despite submitting applications 120 to 150 days early, as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services suggests.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, USCIS is safeguarding the American people by more thoroughly screening and vetting all aliens, which can lengthen processing times,” agency spokesperson Zach Kahler explained in a statement.
The DACA program provides qualified individuals with two-year renewable permits for living and working in America. While it doesn’t grant legal status, it offers deportation protection.
Between October 2025 and February 2026’s end, median renewal waiting periods reached approximately 70 days, compared to roughly 15 days in fiscal year 2025, according to USCIS data. This represents the longest median processing time since 2016’s 79-day average, with 2020 data excluded due to pandemic disruptions.
The Department of Homeland Security blamed 2016’s delays on technical problems during the transition to fully electronic DACA renewal processing.
By late April 2026, USCIS reported most renewal applications were completed within approximately 122 days, marking a two-week increase from earlier monthly estimates.
Congressional representatives and advocacy organizations report some applicants recently waiting six months or longer—about 183 days or more.
“The delays that people are concerned about used to be sort of a matter of weeks at a time,” U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said during an interview. “Now it’s from a few months to many, many months.”
Padilla joins dozens of legislators who have written to federal agencies questioning extended wait times and whether individuals missing renewal deadlines face arrest or deportation targeting.
More than five months after submitting her DACA renewal application, Elsa Sanchez continues awaiting a response. When her deadline passed in early April, her healthcare IT company placed her on leave, leaving the single mother of a college freshman without income.
This uncertainty affects everything from travel plans to household spending decisions on items like shampoo and cleaning supplies.
“I’m like, ‘I don’t know, maybe I can cut down on that. Maybe I don’t need this,’” she explained. “Because I’m saving every penny.”
Sanchez experienced similar delays about ten years ago, but current fears intensify amid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiatives.
Since DACA’s 2012 launch, the program has endured numerous legal challenges, including two Supreme Court cases. While the government continues approving renewals, a 2025 federal court ruling halted first-time application processing and potentially opens another Supreme Court review.
During 2025’s first eleven months, over 250 DACA recipients faced arrest and 86 experienced deportation, according to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She indicated most arrestees had “criminal histories” without specifying crime types or distinguishing between arrests, charges, or convictions. Separate DHS responses to Democratic congressional inquiries reported conflicting figures of 270 arrests and 174 removals in 2025’s first nine months.
DACA eligibility partly depends on lacking felony convictions, significant misdemeanors, or three misdemeanor offenses. Previously, individuals facing status issues received warnings and opportunities to contest decisions before immigration officers initiated detention and deportation proceedings.
“Any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation for a number of reasons —including if they committed a crime,” he stated.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t respond to questions about targeting DACA beneficiaries after missed renewal deadlines.
Federal lawmakers have recently documented cases of ICE arrests following DACA lapses.
Protection may have weakened further following last week’s Board of Immigration Appeals precedent decision determining DACA status alone cannot prevent deportation.
Experts suggest extended wait times might relate to restarting biometric appointments paused during the pandemic. Some applicants may miss deadlines by not submitting applications within recommended timeframes.
Immigration attorney and DACA recipient Maria Fernanda Madrigal submitted her renewal application approximately six weeks before her deadline, previously sufficient processing time. She also waited for her employer’s DACA workshop to waive the $550-plus renewal fee.
Earlier this month, Madrigal’s DACA expired and the mother of three lost her position.
“My first concern was my cases, to be honest, because I knew I was going to have to hand off everything, and my team is already overworked,” Madrigal said.
Immigration lawyers report USCIS has suspended renewal processing for individuals from dozens of countries the agency labeled “high-risk” in recent policy memorandums following presidential proclamations. The National Immigration Law Center estimates 3,000 to 4,000 people could be affected.
“This process that has no timeline is leading to people from certain countries experiencing a pause. And we don’t know how long that pause will be in place,” explained Ignacia Rodriguez Kmec, National Immigration Law Center attorney.
Candia checks her renewal status daily, most fearing detention in poor ICE facility conditions while also considering what returning to Bolivia after 25-plus years would mean.
“If God forbid that happened, it would break my heart because I’ve been in this country since I was 6,” she said. “My entire life is here.”
The Worcester County Board of Electrical Examiners will not hold its previously scheduled meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026.
The session was originally planned for 3:00 p.m. at the Worcester County Government Center, located at 1 West Market Street in Snow Hill, Maryland. The meeting was to be held in Meeting Room 1102.
County officials posted the cancellation notice on Friday, May 1st. An agenda had been prepared for the session, but no reason was provided for the cancellation.
The Board of Electrical Examiners typically handles licensing and regulatory matters related to electrical work within Worcester County.
When Moira Cathleen Delaney learned she had an aggressive intestinal cancer, she began planning how she wanted her body handled after death. Her passion for gardening, wildlife, and forests led her to choose natural organic reduction, a process that transforms human remains into soil.
Following her death in October at 57 years old, Delaney’s family scattered portions of her transformed remains beneath her beloved backyard tree and distributed other portions in glass containers to close friends and family members for planting.
“For her, it was a very comforting thought to be able to return to the earth in that kind of way, and to have her final physical act contributing to the life process,” said Marcos Moliné, her son.
Research conducted for the National Funeral Directors Association shows growing interest in environmentally conscious body disposal methods. Experts and researchers note that people are increasingly concerned about how traditional death practices like embalming, fire cremation, and vault burials impact climate, environment, and human health. Many also desire their final resting place to be in natural outdoor settings they treasured.
“How we die does lead to a substantial impact on not only the people around us and our communities, but the earth itself,” said Mark Shelvock, a psychotherapist and lecturer at Western University in Canada, who co-wrote a paper on green death practices.
Available options differ depending on location and local regulations. Traditional practices carry significant environmental costs.
The embalming process uses known cancer-causing chemicals like formaldehyde, which are injected into veins to preserve bodies for viewing. While the Environmental Protection Agency has labeled formaldehyde gas an “unreasonable risk” to public health, studies suggest minimal likelihood of soil and groundwater contamination.
Fire cremation, chosen by nearly two-thirds of respondents in funeral association surveys, typically relies on fossil fuel energy. The Cremation Association of North America calculates that a standard cremation uses energy equivalent to powering a 2,000-square-foot home for one week.
Casket and vault production requires substantial resources, involving wood harvesting, mining, and energy-intensive manufacturing. Concrete production alone accounts for approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions and 2% in the United States.
Traditional cemeteries demand ongoing maintenance including mowing, watering, and fertilizing, requiring continuous energy and resource consumption.
“There’s all of this management that goes into conventional cemeteries that looks very much like a golf course,” said Samuel Perry, a funeral director and president of the Green Burial Council, a global nonprofit that guides green burial standards and certification.
Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Florida combines natural burials with land preservation efforts. Workers dig graves manually, and bodies must be placed in biodegradable caskets or shrouds made from materials like bamboo or cotton. The facility prohibits embalmed bodies and vaults, requiring cremated remains to be stored in chemical-free, biodegradable urns.
The approach emphasizes natural decomposition processes.
Scott King initially doubted his mother Linda’s wish for this burial method, but research convinced him of its elegant simplicity. Linda was interred in a Prairie Creek meadow last October, and recently, King buried his brother Kenneth nearby.
“Through death, life begets life,” said King. “She really liked that idea, too, that she can, in her passing, help give life to something else. That was very important to her. My brother, I think, sort of went along with the ride.”
The cemetery collaborates with a land trust to manage, restore, and protect property from development. Staff remove invasive plant species, introduce native vegetation, and conduct controlled burns.
Executive director Heather Grove explains the benefits extend beyond burial practices. The area now supports increased biodiversity and wildlife populations, and “if you want talk about carbon capturing and all that, conservation is key to sequester,” she said.
Green Burial Council data indicates that eco-friendly burials sequester approximately 25 pounds of carbon.
Elena Slominski, a researcher studying environmentally conscious disposal methods, describes conservation burial as “by far the best thing you can do because it’s actually, technically a carbon sink. It actually restores ecological habitat and protects the land.”
However, this option faces limitations in areas where space is scarce, and critics argue it’s impractical due to land requirements.
Earth Funeral specializes in natural organic reduction, sometimes called terramation or human composting. Bodies remain in sealed containers for 30 to 45 days alongside mulch, wood chips, and flowers. Microorganisms break down remains into soil through natural processes that generate heat reaching 131°F or higher, sufficient to eliminate pathogens.
“What we are fundamentally doing is using science and technology to accelerate a completely natural process” using renewable energy sources, said Tom Harries, the company’s co-founder and CEO. Families receive portions of the resulting soil, while remaining amounts go to conservation or reforestation projects.
Fourteen states currently permit this process, with 15 others considering legislation to legalize it, according to Earth Funeral. Experts recommend this option for urban residents facing limited and expensive burial space.
Alkaline hydrolysis also aims to accelerate natural decomposition. Colorado-based water cremation company Be a Tree places bodies in vessels containing 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide, then heats the mixture to approximately 200°F for about 18 hours.
Remaining skeletal material is air-dried, processed, and returned to families as powder in urns or formed into stone shapes. Most families use some liquid for houseplants or gardens, while the majority goes to land conservation partners as fertilizer, said founder and CEO Emily Nelson. Other companies discharge remaining liquid with regular wastewater.
This method consumes roughly 90% less energy than fire cremation.
Perry from the Green Burial Council addresses frequent questions about whether post-death disposal choices significantly impact individual environmental footprints.
“The quick and dirty answer is no, I don’t think this one thing is going to change a whole lot. But it’s always about changing industries. And as an industry, if we do better, we are making a bigger impact.”
Motorists traveling on Twaddle Mill Road should expect delays this morning due to ongoing mobile striping operations affecting both eastbound and westbound lanes.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that road crews are conducting striping work along the stretch of Twaddle Mill Road situated between Kennett Pike and Montchanin Road.
The lane restrictions and potential delays are expected to remain in effect until 12 PM today. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes when possible.
Commuters traveling on Beaver Valley Road should expect potential delays this morning as mobile striping crews conduct road work in the area.
The striping operation is affecting both eastbound and westbound lanes of Beaver Valley Road between Thompson Bridge Road and Concord Pike (Route 202). According to DelDOT, the road work is expected to wrap up by 10 AM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes while the striping work continues.
KYIV, May 1 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that his country will implement comprehensive military reforms, including enhanced compensation for armed forces personnel, improvements to the military contract system, and potential gradual release programs for long-term service members.
Speaking through his official Telegram channel, Zelenskyy outlined the timeline for these changes. “In June, the reform will begin – and the first results must already be delivered in June, particularly in the area of financial support for soldiers, sergeants, and commanders of the Defence Forces of Ukraine,” the president stated.
The military overhaul represents a significant shift in how Ukraine manages its armed forces as the country continues to face ongoing challenges.
LUSAKA – Washington has publicly rebuked Zambia for refusing to participate in negotiations over a massive health assistance package worth more than $1 billion, with American officials saying their repeated attempts at communication have been disregarded as a key April 30 deadline came and went without an agreement.
Departing U.S. Ambassador Michael Gonzales stated that the inability to complete the memorandum of understanding has resulted in funding operating without structure, lacking a unified strategy for programs addressing HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease readiness.
“Instead of continuing to languish without engagement, the actual funding under our Health MOU should have started this month,” Gonzales stated during Thursday evening comments as he prepared to conclude his diplomatic assignment.
Healthcare advocacy groups have raised concerns that the agreement connects financial assistance to mining privileges and creates potential data security vulnerabilities. Gonzales dismissed what he termed “disgusting and patently false” claims that Washington was threatening to block essential medical support “unless we get critical minerals.”
Zambian Presidential Spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka indicated his government would communicate with Washington using proper diplomatic procedures.
“We appreciate the support we have received from the U.S. and other countries…If there are any concerns, we are open to dialogue but that should be done through laid down diplomatic channels,” Hamasaka responded to Gonzales’ statements.
The blocked agreement has created tensions after Washington previously reduced assistance due to stolen donated medications, highlighting administrative problems within Zambia’s healthcare infrastructure.
The deal also mandates approximately $340 million in matching funds from Zambia’s government during the same timeframe, based on a draft document examined by Reuters.
Gonzales reported that Washington had encountered “effectively zero substantive engagement” from Zambian leadership since January, with phone calls remaining unanswered and scheduled meetings being canceled, blocking productive discussions about future collaboration.
The deal was originally scheduled for signing in November but encountered delays after updated versions were distributed.
Gonzales emphasized that America would maintain its established commitment to Zambian citizens, including supplying antiretroviral medications and stopping mother-to-child HIV transmission, but cautioned that extensive aid would require substantial improvements.
Cosmetics powerhouse Estee Lauder revealed on Friday it will eliminate up to 3,000 additional positions worldwide while boosting its yearly earnings outlook, as the company accelerates a comprehensive restructuring initiative. The announcement sent company stock soaring approximately 11% during pre-market trading.
The beauty conglomerate behind Clinique and M.A.C brands, currently in discussions for a potential merger with Puig (owner of Jean Paul Gaultier), disclosed that total workforce reductions will now reach between 9,000 and 10,000 positions. This represents an increase from the previously announced target of up to 7,000 job cuts, with the company targeting cost savings of up to $1.2 billion.
The expanded reduction plan could affect roughly 17.5% of Estee Lauder’s global workforce of 57,000 employees as of June 30, 2025, based on the company’s most recent annual report.
“The increase in planned job cuts could be an indication that in light of merger plans, Estee Lauder will be able to shed more positions on its side while retaining Puig employees,” said eMarketer analyst Sky Canaves.
According to company officials, more than 70% of the new job eliminations will target department store personnel as the organization pivots toward rapidly expanding digital and specialty retail platforms including Ulta, Sephora, Amazon and TikTok Shop.
Under CEO Stephane de La Faverie’s “Beauty Reimagined” initiative, the company’s emphasis on premium product launches and supply chain optimization has generated improved quarterly revenue in luxury markets across China and Europe.
Management updated its full-year adjusted earnings projection to a range of $2.35 to $2.45 per share, surpassing the previous forecast of $2.05 to $2.25. The company also anticipates organic revenue growth at the upper portion of its earlier 1% to 3% projection.
However, Estee Lauder cautioned that current projections assume no worsening of global political tensions or related consequences, including potential tariffs and shifts in consumer confidence, along with business interruptions in Middle Eastern operations beyond May 2026.
The beauty manufacturer reported quarterly revenue of $3.71 billion, exceeding analyst predictions of $3.69 billion compiled by LSEG. Adjusted earnings of 88 cents per share also surpassed expectations of 65 cents per share.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are performing road striping work in Millsboro today, focusing on the Mt Joy Road and Cannon Road corridors and nearby streets.
The mobile striping operation began earlier today and is expected to wrap up by 3:00 PM this afternoon. Drivers traveling through the area may encounter slower traffic and should allow extra time for their commute.
DelDOT advises motorists to exercise caution when driving through active work zones and to follow posted signs and flagging personnel directions.
Motorists traveling southbound on Interstate 95 should expect delays this afternoon due to an ongoing litter removal operation near the Delaware-Maryland border.
The cleanup effort is taking place along the left shoulder of I-95 South, stretching from the Route 141 overpass down to the Maryland state line. Delaware Department of Transportation officials report the operation will continue until 4 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential traffic backups during the cleanup period.
Motorists traveling on Commerce Street westbound are facing lane restrictions today due to ongoing construction work.
DelDOT reports that the right lane is currently blocked between Farmington Road and Brown Street, creating potential delays for drivers in the area.
The lane closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 4 PM today. Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when passing through this section of Commerce Street.
Construction crews are working to complete the project as quickly as possible while maintaining safety for both workers and motorists.
A straightforward and flavorful soup recipe was showcased by Chef Tammy Brawley during Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television show called ‘Real Virginia.’
The hearty chicken taco soup brings together Mexican-inspired flavors using convenient pantry staples. The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can each of black beans (drained and rinsed), pinto beans (drained and rinsed), diced tomatoes, and corn. Additional ingredients include 12 ounces of canned chopped chicken breast, 15 ounces of chicken broth, one 10.75-ounce can of cream of chicken soup, 10 ounces of green enchilada sauce, and one packet of taco seasoning.
Preparation involves combining all canned items in a large stockpot, followed by stirring in the enchilada sauce and taco seasoning packet. The mixture should be brought to a rolling boil, then reduced to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
For serving, the soup pairs well with various toppings including tortilla chips, sour cream, freshly chopped cilantro, and diced avocado pieces.
A vibrant summer recipe featuring fresh herbs was showcased by Chef Tammy Brawley during an episode of “Real Virginia,” the weekly television show produced by Virginia Farm Bureau.
The refreshing herb salad combines multiple garden-fresh ingredients for a light seasonal dish.
Fresh Herb Summer Salad
Ingredients: 2 pita bread slices 1 cucumber 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1 bunch green onions 2 cups fresh parsley 1 cup fresh mint 1 cup fresh basil 1 cup fresh dill 1 fresh lemon 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Begin by heating the pita bread in a 350-degree oven until warmed through and lightly crispy. Slice each piece into 8 portions and set them aside.
Prepare the vegetables by dicing the cucumber into small pieces, cutting the cherry tomatoes into quarters, and thinly slicing the green onions. Mix these together in a bowl. Remove the herb leaves from their stems and roughly chop them. Create the dressing by squeezing the lemon juice into a small bowl and whisking it together with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Toss the chopped vegetables and herbs with the lemon dressing. Add salt sparingly and black pepper according to your preference.
Serve the finished salad alongside the toasted pita pieces, dividing everything evenly among four serving bowls.
The White House is claiming that military hostilities with Iran have concluded due to a ceasefire implemented in April, a position that would exempt the administration from seeking congressional authorization as a Friday deadline approaches.
This stance builds upon testimony given by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before the Senate on Thursday, where he stated that the ceasefire had effectively halted the conflict. Using this logic, the White House argues it hasn’t triggered the 60-day requirement under a 1973 statute that mandates congressional approval for extended military operations.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire extension, Iran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz while U.S. naval forces maintain a blockade preventing Iranian oil vessels from reaching international waters.
Republican lawmakers who previously expressed concerns about Trump’s Iranian military engagement had highlighted May 1 as a crucial date for congressional intervention. However, that deadline appears likely to pass without GOP action as legislators continue supporting the administration’s position.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires Congress to either declare war or approve military force within 60 days — with Friday marking that deadline — or within 90 days if the president requests additional time. Congress has made no effort to enforce this provision, having left Washington on Thursday following the Senate’s sixth rejection of Democratic efforts to end the conflict.
The administration has demonstrated no willingness to pursue congressional authorization, maintaining that the legal deadlines are irrelevant since Iranian hostilities effectively ceased when the April ceasefire took effect.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota stated Thursday that he has no plans to schedule votes authorizing Iranian military action or otherwise intervening in the matter.
A senior administration official, speaking anonymously about the government’s stance, declared that regarding the 1973 law, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb. 28 have terminated.” The official noted that American and Iranian forces haven’t engaged in combat since the two-week ceasefire beginning April 7.
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed his wish to lead what he calls a “normal Congress,” but the Republican-controlled chamber he oversees continues to operate in anything but ordinary fashion.
Marathon overnight sessions have become commonplace. Extended periods pass with no legislative activity on the House floor. Bills get drafted hastily in private meetings. Votes get called with little warning. Major legislative efforts collapse spectacularly. Yet occasionally, as occurred this week, the House manages surprising victories when bills actually get approved.
“Sometimes it’s an ugly process, sometimes it’s a long process,” Johnson remarked following House approval of bipartisan legislation funding a significant portion of the Department of Homeland Security, bringing an end to the agency’s longest shutdown on record. “But we got it done.”
The GOP majority, facing challenging odds to maintain their narrow House control in this election cycle, frequently appears to still be finding their footing, despite regaining power in 2022, as they prepare to seek voter approval for another term this November.
The week’s procedural stumbles — including a five-hour delay while Johnson met privately to rescue his legislative agenda, followed by an unexpected vote tally occurring close to 11 p.m. — would traditionally have been viewed as politically and procedurally shocking. Today, such chaos represents just typical Wednesday business.
Two weeks prior, what began as a standard House Rules Committee session transformed into a late-night venue for unveiling a hastily crafted 14-page measure modifying surveillance legislation, specifically the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, before being expedited to the floor for a 2 a.m. vote that ultimately failed.
“House Republicans have shown again that they can’t govern,” stated California Rep. Ted Lieu, who serves in Democratic leadership.
“They routinely pass bills to the Senate that are way too extreme, then it ends up that we have all these floor session days where we’re just doing nothing,” he explained.
Johnson, who assumed leadership following Kevin McCarthy’s removal more than two years ago, currently manages one of the narrowest House majorities in recent memory, providing him virtually no margin for error when attempting to advance legislation through party-line votes without Democratic support.
The speaker must balance not only former President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities but also accommodate the diverse factions comprising his majority, ranging from the conservative House Freedom Caucus to the remaining pragmatic GOP conservatives.
Johnson’s own leadership tenure remains uncertain, given Republicans’ track record of forcing previous speakers, including McCarthy, John Boehner, and Newt Gingrich, into early departures.
Last year, the Louisiana congressman successfully guided passage of his party’s primary legislative accomplishment, a comprehensive package of tax reductions and safety net program cuts that Trump ultimately signed. During that effort, he commented on the challenges of achieving legislative success.
“I do so deeply desire to have just a normal Congress,” the speaker stated in July.
“But it doesn’t happen anymore,” he continued. “Our way is to plow through and get it done.”
Looking toward fall elections, Johnson and fellow Republican legislators have outlined an agenda featuring promises of another GOP-exclusive budget package similar to the tax legislation, which they could advance through both chambers without requiring Democratic support.
Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, indicated Thursday that he anticipates “the centerpiece” of that package “will be supporting our troops” through more than $100 billion in funding for military operations against Iran, plus resources to replenish defense supplies and address other Pentagon requirements.
Despite this week’s House turbulence, Arrington described what they’re terming budget reconciliation 3.0 as the “next order of business.”
However, GOP legislators might determine it’s preferable to avoid the difficult work of crafting legislation, along with the dramatic disruptions typically accompanying such efforts, and instead focus on campaigning to attract voters.
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign organization, admitted that attempting to pass legislation with such a narrow majority “can be rough. It’s ugly.”
“I’d be fine with letting us go home and campaign,” Hudson acknowledged. “But we’ve got a lot of important work still to do.”
Some of Johnson’s most vocal critics among conservative Republican lawmakers directed their frustration over the disorganized process not toward Johnson’s leadership but toward their GOP colleagues in the Senate, who frequently dismiss House legislative efforts.
“Yeah, sometimes, it gets a little tense,” said Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy. “But we’re still getting stuff done. We’re sending it over to the Senate. So we look forward to them doing their job.”
Delaware’s farming community faces unique mental health challenges including financial pressures, social isolation, and unpredictable economic conditions. As the nation observes Mental Health Awareness Month this May, local agricultural organizations are taking action to address these concerns head-on.
A collaborative effort between the Delaware Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Engagement Committee and the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will bring a specialized mental health workshop to farmers and their families. The educational session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, running from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Delaware Agriculture Museum, with no admission charge.
The workshop aims to equip participants with hands-on techniques for identifying and addressing mental health warning signs including stress overload, exhaustion, and depression in both themselves and their peers. Attendees will also receive information about local mental health services and how to access professional care when needed.
Leading the presentation will be Maria Pippidis from UD Cooperative Extension, who will deliver a University of Maryland Extension curriculum called “Observe, Engage, Share.” This specialized program teaches participants to better understand mental health challenges and spot early warning signs of psychological distress.
Pippidis brings extensive experience to the role as a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator Emeritus, having served UD Cooperative Extension since 1992. Her expertise spans financial planning, healthcare navigation, community building, and personal growth, with recent focus on agricultural stress management and building stronger farm families.
“Farmers are incredibly resilient, but resilience doesn’t mean facing challenges alone,” said P&E Co-chair Maci Carter. “By bringing this conversation into the open, we’re reminding our agricultural community that support is available and that taking care of mental health is just as important as taking care of the farm.”
Participants will receive take-home materials including contact information for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring immediate access to professional crisis intervention services when needed.
Additional information about Delaware Farm Bureau programs can be found at defb.org. Questions regarding the upcoming seminar should be directed to DEFB Assistant Executive Director and Marketing Coordinator Mikayla Paul at [email protected].
A British jury delivered a guilty verdict Friday against James Holder, the 54-year-old businessman who helped establish the popular Superdry clothing brand, on charges of rape stemming from a May 2022 incident.
At Gloucester Crown Court, jurors found Holder guilty on the rape charge while clearing him of a second accusation involving assault by penetration related to the same evening.
According to court testimony, the victim stated that Holder climbed into her taxi and followed her into her residence without permission after both had spent time drinking at a Cheltenham establishment. The woman told the court that the attack occurred after Holder had briefly fallen asleep, and that she wept while pleading with him to stop as he continued the assault.
The businessman, who is married with two children, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming that any intimate contact had been mutually agreed upon.
Holder has been remanded into custody while he awaits his formal sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for May 7 at Bristol Crown Court.
The nation’s two largest oil corporations experienced significant earnings drops during the first three months of the year, even as crude oil and gasoline costs soared to new heights. However, industry analysts say the reduced profits are merely accounting setbacks caused by hedging strategies that went wrong following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February.
Both Exxon Mobil and Chevron released their quarterly financial reports on Friday, with both companies exceeding Wall Street’s adjusted earnings forecasts. Stock prices for both firms rose in pre-market trading, building on gains made earlier this week.
At the beginning of the year when energy costs were lower, both Exxon Mobil and Chevron had established hedging arrangements to protect against price swings, which is common practice throughout the oil industry.
However, after the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, oil shipments became nearly impossible as the Strait of Hormuz was effectively blocked. Both companies cannot record profits from their hedging positions until they can physically receive the crude oil deliveries.
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz near Iran’s coastline has become a major conflict zone and is causing widespread economic disruption worldwide. Approximately 20% of global oil shipments typically move through this waterway daily, but the passage has been severely restricted since hostilities began in late February.
Exxon’s earnings reached $4.18 billion, equivalent to $1 per share, for the quarter ending March 31. This compares to $7.7 billion, or $1.76 per share, during the same period last year. The company suffered nearly $4 billion in losses during the quarter due to what it described as “unfavorable estimated timing effects” from its hedging activities.
When excluding these one-time impacts, Exxon’s earnings came to $1.16 per share, significantly surpassing the $1.07 per share forecast by analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research. The company does not modify its official earnings reports to account for one-time events like asset transactions.
During the first quarter, net production averaged 4.6 million oil-equivalent barrels daily, representing a decrease from the 5 million oil-equivalent barrels per day produced in the preceding quarter.
Chevron announced first-quarter earnings of $2.21 billion, or $1.11 per share, down from $3.5 billion, or $2 per share, in the previous year’s first quarter.
The company noted that its quarterly results included a $360 million net loss tied to a legal reserve, while foreign exchange rate fluctuations reduced earnings by $223 million.
Chevron’s adjusted earnings totaled $1.41 per share, significantly outperforming Wall Street’s expectation of 92 cents per share. Similar to Exxon, Chevron does not modify its official earnings reports for one-time events such as asset transactions.
The company generated $48.61 billion in revenue, which also exceeded expectations.
Both Exxon and Chevron join other major oil producers releasing earnings this week. BP announced on Tuesday that its first-quarter profits more than doubled compared to the previous year.
These oil company results emerge as U.S. gasoline prices reach their highest levels in several years, creating growing frustration among travelers, families, and businesses that are especially vulnerable to rising energy costs.
According to AAA, the national average gasoline price reached $4.39 on Friday, marking an increase of more than 8% for the week.
U.S. inflation accelerated significantly last month amid the largest monthly gasoline price surge in six decades, based on Labor Department statistics. The dramatic rise in fuel costs has strained household budgets for lower- and middle-income families, making it harder to afford basic necessities.
The situation is also affecting business operations, especially for companies sensitive to fuel cost increases. Airlines across the globe have started canceling flights as Middle East conflicts disrupt jet fuel availability and drive up airfare prices.
MCCOYSVILLE, Pa. — Conrad Fisher’s path through music has led him from his Amish heritage in Pennsylvania to Nashville’s music scene and back home again. Now the singer-songwriter creates videos and recordings featuring artists from Amish and Mennonite backgrounds, reaching audiences far beyond their traditional religious circles.
This past weekend, Fisher performed at a former Presbyterian church he purchased at a bargain price and transformed into a performance venue and recording facility called Ragamuffin Hall, located in rural McCoysville, Pennsylvania.
Fisher shared the stage with Ben and Rose Stoltzfus, a husband-and-wife duo whose Amish heritage and harmonious vocals have attracted millions of YouTube viewers. The sold-out performances served as preparation for upcoming shows at significantly larger venues across Pennsylvania and Indiana.
“Ragamuffin Hall is supposed to be a place where those weird things that’ll get you ostracized everywhere else, we’re like, ‘Oh, no, that’s a gift. And here’s how you use it,’” Fisher explained.
Fisher’s parents both came from Amish families, though his father later joined a Mennonite church as a young man. The Mennonite congregations Fisher attended during childhood rarely incorporated musical instruments into their services.
Despite this, his father enjoyed Johnny Cash and didn’t monitor Fisher’s MP3 player too closely. Fisher’s musical awakening came when his brother returned from a camping trip with a compilation CD featuring Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and the Beach Boys.
“It blew my mind, right?” recalled Fisher, who is now 31. He began studying keyboards before expanding to guitar, bass and drums, eventually learning music production “mostly because I was dead set on making a living with music.”
“My buddies would be like, ‘Hey, I wrote a song for my girlfriend. Can you do a track?’ And I’m like, sure,” he said.
As a young adult, Fisher relocated to Tennessee and spent three years working within the songwriting industry — the Oak Ridge Boys even recorded one of his compositions. However, the touring lifestyle didn’t appeal to him, especially performing at bars.
“There’s drinking and carrying on,” Fisher noted. “It’s just not me. I’m not a prude, but I just don’t enjoy that scene.”
Fisher prioritizes his wife and three children while remaining committed to his Mennonite faith — his pastor once questioned why he didn’t simply start a woodworking business and launch a prison ministry. His music production work eventually became successful enough that he could leave carpentry behind three years ago.
In 2022, Fisher discovered an old brick church several miles from his residence was available for purchase. After presenting his concept for converting it into a music incubator, the sellers agreed to a below-market price.
Musicians now regularly visit Ragamuffin Hall, primarily to record “clean country music” and traditional bluegrass with strong gospel influences. Fisher has worked with various acts including an Amish steel guitarist who performed with his son’s group, a musician who traveled hours from Missouri, and an Amish band from Ohio.
During last Saturday’s performance, Fisher mixed his original compositions with songs popularized by Waylon Jennings, Alison Krauss and Don Williams. Following his five-piece band’s opening set, they remained on stage to accompany Ben and Rose. Fisher performed using an electric guitar crafted from a beam salvaged during his church renovation project.
The predominantly white afternoon audience consisted mainly of older attendees, including several musicians’ relatives. The venue’s lower level offered Ragamuffin Hall merchandise alongside $3 homemade whoopie pies, a popular Pennsylvania Dutch treat.
While the isolated culture and simple lifestyle of conservative Anabaptist communities aren’t typically linked with music, Amish sacred music spans five centuries. Their 900-page hymnal — the “Ausbund” — was partially written by imprisoned Anabaptists in 16th-century Germany and remains in use today.
Fisher’s Amish background and fluency in Pennsylvania Dutch, the dialect spoken by Old Order Amish, helps him connect with similar musicians.
However, Amish church music traditionally involves only group singing without instruments or individual performers. The community typically discourages public performances and other displays considered prideful.
“There’s a lot of great talent in that community that goes undeveloped because,” Fisher explained, using a Pennsylvania German expression, “that’s just, ‘we don’t do that,’ you know.”
This type of criticism emerged in February after Fisher posted an energetic live performance of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” on YouTube. Fisher felt compelled to address the backlash.
“I’m a believer, I’m a man of faith, and I’m not ashamed of that,” he responded in a video message. “But I do play a lot of different kinds of music, just like, you know, if you’re a shed builder you build sheds for all kinds of people, not just churches and schools.”
Elam Stoltzfus, who directs the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, described attending a charity fundraiser where Ben and Rose performed as “one of the shocks of my life.” (Stoltzfus is a widespread surname among the Amish.) The event featured bright lighting, a video display, barbecued chicken and vendors selling merchandise, CDs and books.
Stoltzfus, whose family departed the Old Order in the mid-1960s when he was 10, noted the gathering was filled with Mennonite and Amish attendees. While they didn’t dance, they did applaud.
“I was thrilled to see this happen, because I knew this was a paradigm shift,” he said. “When I was a teenager, it would never have happened.”
Amos Raber from Goshen, Indiana, also grew up in a traditional “horse and buggy” Amish household and identified as Amish until age 22. Today, he supports his family through concert performances and income from what he reports are millions of monthly clicks across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and Facebook.
Raber has observed Amish youth increasingly gathering with guitars to sing in recent decades. Yet they still face restrictions on public performances.
“Most times, if you see someone who’s really Amish doing that kind of thing, they’re probably not going to be Amish long,” Raber explained. Since beginning their recording and performing career, Ben and Rose have departed their Amish church and joined a different Christian denomination. They declined to comment for this story.
LeRoy Stoltzfus, a singer-songwriter living near Lancaster, was 13 when his family left the Amish church. He said recent changes in the Lancaster Amish settlement have made it easier for people to leave without losing family and friend connections, avoiding the traditional practice of “shunning” that has long intrigued outsiders.
After years playing guitar as a church worship leader and completing four years at a Colorado Bible college, he now earns his living as a musician, combining concerts with online advertising revenue and recordings for a fan base that includes many current and former Amish people.
“Ever since I can remember I wanted to be a star,” LeRoy Stoltzfus said. “But the older I got, I realized it wasn’t about me — it was about putting out music and helping people.”
Justin Hiltner, a Nashville banjo player and songwriter who serves as managing editor of the roots music blog “The Bluegrass Situation,” said he was impressed with the music’s quality after investigating it. He also sensed that Ben and Rose, Conrad Fisher and others are creating a musical community.
“This is clearly not just insular music that’s just facing other Amish folks or other Mennonite folks,” Hiltner observed. “Clearly it’s ‘broken containment’ here.”
Hiltner described the music — and Fisher’s videos — as “really compelling.”
“To kind of an outsider, this is the performance of American essentialism, the rural American ideal, right?” Hiltner said. “I did hear a level of talent that’s very clearly pushing and pulling these folks towards bringing their music to a wider audience.”
Religiously conservative musicians can distribute their recordings through a network of bookstores throughout the United States and Canada. At Ken’s Educational Joys in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, CD collections are displayed alongside floor-to-ceiling Bible selections.
Owner Lydell Zimmerman said his top music sellers are a cappella recordings, but he’s observed that Ben and Rose have developed a strong following.
“I think their presence as an Amish couple singing online is what brought people’s attention to them,” Zimmerman noted.
Ben and Rose came to Fisher’s studio when Ben’s brother, a Lancaster friend of Fisher’s, scheduled a recording session there.
Fisher immediately recognized Ben and Rose’s talent. Using Fisher’s production expertise, they’ve accumulated over 30 million YouTube video views. Eventually, Fisher suggested live performances and the couple agreed.
“I started recording when I was 14,” Fisher said. “If you would have told me two years ago that what’s going to put me on the map or boost my business in a big way, it’s going to be an Old Order Amish couple, I would have laughed at you.”
BEREA, Ky. — Kentucky State Police have arrested a suspect believed to be connected to Thursday’s deadly bank robbery that resulted in the shooting deaths of two U.S. Bank employees.
Trooper Justin Kearney announced Friday that authorities have detained someone who is “believed to be involved” in the fatal incident that occurred at the Berea branch.
According to state police, the gunman entered the U.S. Bank location Thursday dressed in a gray-white hoodie, mask, and gloves before opening fire on a male and female worker.
The manhunt involved multiple law enforcement agencies conducting house-to-house searches for evidence and video footage, while helicopters, drones, and K-9 units scoured the area. The investigation included personnel from the Lexington Police Department, county sheriff’s departments, FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“This was a team effort,” Kearney wrote in his Friday morning social media post.
The trooper declined to release additional information about the arrest.
Local schools were placed under lockdown protocols Thursday as a precautionary measure until officials confirmed campus safety. State police reported that bus transportation was suspended, requiring parents to personally retrieve their children from school.
U.S. Bank officials released a statement expressing their cooperation with investigators and commitment to assisting the victims’ loved ones and staff members.
“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic event that took the lives of two of our employees at our Berea, Kentucky branch earlier today,” the financial institution stated. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues and the entire Berea community.”
Berea is located approximately 36 miles south of Lexington.
WASHINGTON (AP) — During his Senate confirmation hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told lawmakers his objective for executing President Donald Trump’s large-scale deportation plan was to keep his agency out of newspaper headlines.
To a certain extent, he’s succeeded. The days of viral social media footage showing former Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino confronting demonstrators have ended. While his predecessor Kristi Noem made her inaugural secretary trip to New York City for Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests, Mullin traveled to North Carolina to assess hurricane recovery operations.
The Republican administration seems to be adjusting its strategy for a signature policy that helped return Trump to office, shifting away from confrontational, highly visible enforcement methods toward more discreet operations. However, officials maintain they haven’t abandoned their ambitious deportation targets despite this tactical change.
“Clearly they’ve stepped back from the, for want of a better word, the Bovinoist tactics of before,” said Mark Krikorian, the president of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for immigration restrictions. “But it’s not clear this means they’re actually stepping back from immigration.”
Last year, the Trump administration initiated multiple immigration enforcement campaigns primarily in cities controlled by Democrats, resulting in increased arrests through large-scale operations. These crackdowns generated confrontations between demonstrators and enforcement personnel and resulted in the fatal shootings of two American citizens in Minneapolis.
Following these incidents, the president’s strict anti-immigration policies have become less popular among voters, and no new major city-focused operations have been announced, prompting questions about the administration’s approach.
“We’re still enforcing immigration laws. We’re still deporting illegals that shouldn’t be here. We’re still going after the worst of the worst — but we’re doing it in a more quiet way,” Mullin said in an interview April 16 with CNBC.
ICE apprehensions have declined in recent months, with immigration detention numbers falling from approximately 72,000 in January to 58,000 this week, according to Associated Press data.
However, demonstrating ongoing commitment, ICE budget documents indicate plans to remove 1 million individuals during this fiscal year and next, compared to approximately 442,000 people last year. The agency also has substantial funding for its operations, with Congress allocating more than $170 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for Trump’s immigration initiatives last year.
The administration targets detention capacity for roughly 100,000 people this fiscal year, more than doubling last year’s average daily ICE detention population. Officials have already increased detention space by acquiring 11 warehouses nationwide.
“They are working really on building a juggernaut of a system,” said Doris Meissner, who headed the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, a predecessor to ICE, during President Bill Clinton’s Democratic administration and is now a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said there had been no change to Trump’s strategy.
“President Trump’s highest priority has always been the deportation of illegal alien criminals who endanger American communities,” Jackson said.
ICE did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Immigration advocates anticipate the Trump administration will focus more intensively on removing protections for migrants with temporary legal authorization to stay in the U.S. while their cases undergo review.
Demonstrating this approach, green card approvals by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fell by half during a year under the Trump administration, according to Cato Institute analysis, which supports U.S. immigration. Humanitarian visas for refugees and asylum seekers experienced the largest decreases.
USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler attributed the decline to enhanced applicant screening by the administration.
The Trump administration has also sought to eliminate Temporary Protected Status from hundreds of thousands of individuals, with a crucial case about potential executive overreach being considered by the Supreme Court this week.
Advocates view this as messaging designed to intimidate immigrant communities while making more people subject to deportation. This approach also allows the department to function without the public attention generated by workplace raids or residential arrests.
Over the past year, ICE has concentrated on establishing partnerships with jurisdictions nationwide, enabling local and state police to perform expanded immigration enforcement duties, from verifying immigration status of jail inmates to conducting immigration checks during regular traffic stops.
These partnerships, called 287g agreements, have expanded from 135 in 20 states before Trump’s presidency to over 1,400 in 41 states and territories currently.
Several states, particularly Florida and Texas, have mandated various forms of local law enforcement cooperation with ICE.
Meissner from MPI said Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, will likely emphasize further discussions about municipal and state cooperation with ICE.
“At the end of the day, some of this may very well succeed in increasing the numbers,” Meissner said.
Conservative supporters of increased deportations argue the only effective way to reduce illegal immigration is making employment so difficult for migrants that they voluntarily depart.
The Trump administration has implemented measures to complicate life for undocumented individuals, including restricting public housing eligibility by immigration status, sharing Medicaid data with ICE, and requiring undocumented individuals to register with federal authorities.
Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies suggested the Social Security Administration could notify employers when employee names don’t match Social Security numbers. Authorities could conduct regular audits of I-9 employment eligibility forms that companies must complete for new employees. Banks could be required to collect citizenship information from customers.
Regardless of future strategy, the administration faces significant pressure to maintain its objectives.
“The numbers are too low,” said Mike Howell, part of the Mass Deportation Coalition, which launched a playbook for how the administration can actually get to a million deportations a year by using tactics such as worksite enforcement.
“The deportation numbers are just too low,” Howell said, “and they need to be much higher, and they can be much higher.”
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD continues facing significant challenges as vehicle sales dropped for the eighth consecutive month in April, marking a 15.5% decline compared to the same period last year. This represents the company’s most extended period of declining sales as it grapples with sluggish domestic demand.
Despite domestic struggles, BYD’s international operations showed promising growth, with overseas passenger vehicle and pickup truck sales surging 35% to reach 130,000 units last month, according to calculations from a social media post by BYD executive Li Yunfei.
While the company hasn’t revealed its complete sales goals for this year, BYD has expressed confidence in achieving international sales of at least 1.5 million vehicles.
The Chinese automaker, which serves as Tesla’s primary competitor in China, reported its most significant profit decline since 2020 during the first quarter. The company faces intensifying competition in the budget vehicle market, particularly for models priced below 150,000 yuan ($21,936), with rivals Geely and Leapmotor applying pressure.
BYD’s current sales slump surpasses its previous record decline, which lasted six months during the elimination of government electric vehicle incentives that concluded in December 2019.
To address domestic market challenges, including reduced trade-in programs for entry-level electric and hybrid vehicles that are pushing consumers toward premium models, BYD is introducing vehicles equipped with faster-charging battery technology and developing a high-speed charging infrastructure to demonstrate its technological capabilities.
The company also announced it will increase pricing for its proprietary driving assistant system feature starting Friday, attributing the change to rising costs for memory hardware components worldwide.
A Federal Reserve official is warning that the ongoing conflict with Iran could force the central bank to raise interest rates multiple times to combat rising inflation.
Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari explained his opposition to this week’s Fed policy decision, stating that oil price shocks from the Middle East conflict could significantly alter the inflation picture.
“With an extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz and potentially further damage to energy and commodity infrastructure in the Middle East…the price shock wave could be much larger than is currently expected,” Kashkari said in a statement released after Wednesday’s Fed meeting concluded. “We would likely have to follow through with a strong policy response…Federal funds rate increases, potentially a series of them, could be warranted even at the risk of further weakness to the labor market.”
Kashkari joined three other officials in dissenting from this week’s Federal Reserve decision, marking the most divided policy vote the central bank has seen since 1992.
The majority decision, approved 8-4, maintained language suggesting the Fed’s next move would likely be to lower rates rather than raise them. Kashkari opposed this messaging, along with two colleagues, while a fourth dissenter actually favored cutting rates immediately.
The Minneapolis Fed leader emphasized he supported keeping current interest rates unchanged, but believes geopolitical risks have grown too significant for the Fed to continue signaling future rate cuts.
Global oil markets have experienced dramatic price swings due to threats against the Strait of Hormuz shipping route and Middle Eastern energy facilities. Crude oil has climbed well above $100 per barrel in recent weeks, reaching $126 this week compared to $70 when the conflict began.
Kashkari argued that the Fed’s current policy language, while not a firm commitment to cut rates, creates expectations among market participants that reductions are coming next.
“Given recent economic developments and geopolitical developments and the high level of uncertainty,” he stated, the Fed “should offer a policy outlook that signals that the next rate change could be either a cut or a hike.”
Even under the most optimistic scenario where shipping lanes reopen quickly and commodity flows resume normally, Kashkari projects underlying U.S. inflation would remain around 3% for the year. That level sits well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target and would justify maintaining current interest rate levels in his assessment.
Drivers using Holland Glade Road are experiencing traffic delays today as construction crews work along a busy stretch of roadway.
According to DelDOT, the roadway between Hebron Road and Coastal Highway (Route 1) is subject to periodic lane restrictions as work continues throughout the day.
The construction-related lane closures are scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM today, with traffic patterns returning to normal after that time.
Motorists are advised to plan for additional travel time when using this route and consider alternate paths if possible during the construction period.
Motorists traveling southbound on Philadelphia Pike are encountering lane restrictions today as construction crews work in the area.
DelDOT reports that the right lane is currently blocked between Seminole Avenue and Governor Printz Boulevard due to ongoing construction activities.
The lane closure is expected to remain in effect until 3 PM this afternoon. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone.
Traffic may experience delays during peak travel hours, and motorists should consider alternate routes if possible.
New Castle County police have arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting incident that left a man critically injured last month in Newark.
On April 20, 2026, around 2:50 in the afternoon, law enforcement officers were dispatched to Christiana Hospital after receiving reports of a gunshot victim who had arrived seeking medical care. When police arrived at the hospital, they found a 30-year-old man who had been shot in the upper portion of his body and was listed in critical condition.
The shooting incident took place on Concord Bridge Place, according to authorities. Police have now taken a suspect into custody in relation to this case, though additional details about the arrest have not been released at this time.
The investigation into this shooting remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Authorities in Israel have detained a 36-year-old suspect captured on camera assaulting a nun in the most recent incident of violence against Christians in the vicinity of Jerusalem’s Old City, police announced Friday.
The unidentified individual was taken into custody following Wednesday’s assault near David’s Tomb — a sacred location outside Zion’s Gate on the Old City’s southern perimeter — “on suspicion of a racially motivated attack,” and continues to be held by authorities.
Video footage released by police revealed the nun with visible injuries and showed the perpetrator dressed in tzitzit, a religious fringed garment typically worn by devout Jewish men.
The victim works as a researcher at the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, according to the institution’s director, Olivier Poquillon. In a social media post, he characterized the assault as an “act of sectarian violence.”
The walled Old City district in Israel-controlled east Jerusalem represents a historic enclave spanning thousands of years and houses sacred locations for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths. The area frequently becomes a source of conflict as questions of access and control over these religious sites remain deeply connected to the historical and political disputes central to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
Various religious organizations have recorded increasing incidents of intimidation and attacks against Christian visitors, religious leaders, and Palestinian Christian locals, including physical assaults and spitting, frequently perpetrated by ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students.
According to Wadie Abunassar, who coordinates the Holy Land Christian Forum, violence directed at Christians represents an escalating trend. He suggested the swift police action in this case resulted from the availability of video evidence.
“I feel great anger on the system and great sadness because I feel that this will not end anytime soon,” he stated. Among the challenges, he cited insufficient deterrent measures against such attacks.
“Many times in such cases there are no arrests and if there are arrests, sometimes after one or two days, (suspects) are released,” he explained. “In some cases, the police do not recommend the prosecution to file charges or to indict them. And in some cases, when there is indictment, the indictment is mild.”
This detention occurs amid increased examination of Israel’s treatment of religious minorities, following recent police restrictions on holiday worship access for Muslims and Christians, including Latin Patriarch’s Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
Israel faced global condemnation after a soldier photographed himself destroying a fallen crucifix statue with an ax in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials subsequently condemned the action and announced disciplinary measures.
“In a city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, we remain committed to protecting all communities and ensuring those responsible for violence are held accountable,” Israeli police stated in their social media announcement regarding the arrest.
Israeli military forces have transported two organizers of a humanitarian aid convoy to Israel for interrogation after intercepting their Gaza-bound flotilla in international Mediterranean waters.
The detained leaders are Saif Abukeshek, who holds Palestinian-Spanish citizenship, and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian national. Both served on the steering committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to challenge Israel’s naval blockade while delivering humanitarian supplies to Palestinian territories.
Israeli naval units intercepted approximately 20 vessels carrying 175 activists near Crete’s coastline. According to activist reports, Israeli forces boarded their ships, destroyed engines, and arrested several participants. The confrontation took place hundreds of miles from Gaza and Israeli territory during overnight hours from Wednesday into Thursday.
Israeli officials justified their preemptive action by citing the large number of vessels involved, stating they needed to act before the flotilla entered Israeli territorial waters.
On Friday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced via X that both activists would face questioning in Israel. The ministry alleged Abukeshek has “suspected ties to a terrorist organization” while Ávila faces “suspected illegal activity” charges, though no supporting evidence was provided.
The Global Sumud Flotilla organization has called for international intervention. “We demand that all governments do all they can to pressure the Israeli regime to release all the illegal abductees,” the group stated Friday.
Most flotilla participants were freed in Crete late Thursday. Organizers reported that 31 of the original 53 vessels reached safety and planned to continue their mission to “break the illegal siege of Gaza.”
The convoy departed Barcelona, Spain earlier this month. Organizers had anticipated more than 70 boats and 1,000 international participants would join the effort, with additional vessels planned to meet the original fleet as it crossed the Mediterranean eastward.
Greece’s foreign ministry said Thursday it had requested Israel remove its ships from the area and offered assistance to help activists disembark in Greece for repatriation.
Solidarity demonstrations supporting the flotilla took place in multiple cities including Rome, Athens and Istanbul.
Neither Spain nor Brazil has issued statements regarding their citizens’ detention and transfer to Israel. However, both countries joined other nations in a Thursday statement condemning Israel’s interception and detention of activists in international waters as “flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”
This marks the second attempt by the Global Sumud Flotilla to reach Gaza within a year. Israeli authorities previously stopped a similar effort involving approximately 50 boats and 500 activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, and several elected officials.
Israel arrested and later deported all participants from that previous attempt, including Ávila, who alleged mistreatment during detention. Israeli authorities rejected those accusations.
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is troubled by Americans’ attraction to get-rich-quick schemes, from lottery tickets to cryptocurrency promises, cautioning that these approaches typically push people away from true financial security rather than toward it.
“There are a lot of young people, mostly young men, going to blue-collar construction jobs, playing the lottery. It drives me crazy,” Bessent said in an interview.
“The best thing you can do is not play the lottery,” he said — rather, people should invest and “then watch it grow.”
The Treasury Secretary discussed fundamental principles of creating budgets and building savings during a recent Associated Press interview, marking the conclusion of Financial Literacy Month. This educational campaign has become a central focus for the former billionaire hedge fund executive since he joined President Donald Trump’s team, motivated by his own impoverished childhood experiences.
While previous Treasury leaders like Hank Paulson and Tim Geithner gained recognition for steering America through the financial crisis, and Steven Mnuchin became known for crafting the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Bessent hopes his dedication to educating community bankers, seniors, and students about budgeting and debt management will help shape his professional legacy.
This financial education campaign unfolds as Americans struggle with rising costs for housing, food, energy, and daily necessities, while expressing doubt about the Republican administration’s economic handling. Recent AP-NORC polling reveals Trump’s economic approval ratings fell from 38% in March to 30% in April.
The country faces unprecedented debt levels, exceeding $39 trillion as of March, prompting questions about how Bessent can encourage personal savings while the federal government battles its own massive debt burden.
“The Trump administration in particular has a problematic record on cutting taxes without offsets and growing spending,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
The 63-year-old Bessent built his wealth through extensive hedge fund experience, including collaboration with George Soros, a financier and philanthropist frequently criticized by Trump and fellow Republicans. Bessent played a notable role in the Soros organization’s 1992 British pound speculation during Black Wednesday, generating enormous returns. He subsequently established his own investment firm, Key Square Group.
Despite his financial success, Bessent frequently references his modest origins in rural South Carolina near Myrtle Beach, where he began working at age 9 as a restaurant busboy and setting up beach equipment. His real estate developer father had squandered generations of family wealth through excessive borrowing.
Bessent’s 1979 Naval Academy aspirations were blocked due to his openly gay status, which also prevented foreign service opportunities.
He attended Yale University, where professor David Darst taught him about emerging financial market instruments. Darst characterized Bessent as a “guy who’s working at the highest levels, but he’s interested in people learning the ABCs of finance.”
In 2025, Bessent made history as America’s first openly gay treasury secretary. “I sit here knowing that President Trump chose me because he believes I’m the best candidate, not because of my sexual preference, not because treasury secretaries with green eyes do better,” Bessent said at his confirmation hearing.
Upon taking office, Bessent quickly revived the Treasury Department’s Financial Literacy Month program.
“Wall Street has grown wealthier than ever before, and it can continue to grow and do well,” Bessent has emphasized in multiple speeches, maintaining that his Trump administration efforts remain “focused on Main Street.”
During a Treasury Department roundtable with community financial institutions last month, Bessent heard bankers discuss rising sophisticated fraud targeting customers and challenges engaging high school students in saving programs.
“It could be as simple as a 14-year-old starting a savings account and watching interest compound at 4% a year,” said Thomas Fraser, CEO of First Mutual Holding Co. in Lakewood, Ohio, who participated in the discussion.
Financial education advocacy isn’t new territory for Bessent. Geoff Canada, president of Harlem Children’s Zone, has maintained a 30-year relationship with Bessent and reports the treasury secretary has guided one program scholar for over ten years. Canada credits Bessent with “deep understanding that financial literacy is essential for fostering real social and economic mobility for America’s children.”
Canada noted Bessent “has championed this issue long before joining the administration, and I know it remains a top priority.”
Financial literacy discussions with Bessent consistently lead to Trump Accounts — a proposed program providing $1,000 to babies born during the Trump presidency. Private companies would invest this money in stock markets, with children accessing funds at age 18.
Bessent believes this initiative will inspire young people to embrace investing by demonstrating “the power of compounding, because that money is locked up for 18 years.”
However, Bessent argues Americans across all age groups and income levels need better money management skills. “There’s a narrative that doctors are famously terrible at finance,” Bessent observed.
Critics challenge the treasury secretary’s strategy, arguing the core issue involves insufficient disposable income for investment rather than lack of financial knowledge, as living costs continue climbing and the Iran conflict drives energy prices higher.
“You cannot preach penny-pinching while making it harder for Americans to pay their grocery, utility and healthcare bills,” said Emily DiVito, senior adviser for economic policy at the left-leaning Groundwork Collaborative. “If Secretary Bessent is serious about advancing financial literacy, he should focus on lowering the cost of living for working families.”
Bessent’s investment advocacy occurs amid record-breaking U.S. debt levels, with the growth trajectory concerning budget specialists.
National debt reached $37 trillion in August, then $38 trillion just two months later. Currently at $39 trillion, it now exceeds the entire economy’s size.
Budget expert MacGuineas cautioned that continued borrowing and rising interest payments will force Americans to confront difficult fiscal choices ahead.
She commended Bessent’s goal of halving deficits and reducing them to 3% of gross domestic product but emphasized “it’s going to take a combination of spending reductions, revenue increases and economic growth” to achieve this target.
The Treasury Department maintains that federal deficits declined during Trump’s initial year back in office and that Republican tax cut provisions have returned money to Americans’ wallets.
“It’s hard to disagree with the fact that we need more financial literacy in this country,” MacGuineas said. “The bigger picture, of course, is that we should also probably give a financial literacy class to our lawmakers.”
Delaware State Police have shut down the left lane of southbound Interstate 495 at Terminal Avenue due to police activity currently underway in the area.
The lane closure is affecting traffic flow on the busy highway, and motorists traveling through the area should expect potential delays during their commute.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the area and consider alternate routes if possible while authorities handle the situation.
No additional details about the nature of the police activity have been released at this time.
Electric vehicle registrations for Tesla showed impressive growth across multiple European nations in April, though Chinese automotive manufacturers continued to gain market position against the American company.
The electric car manufacturer has demonstrated remarkable recovery throughout Europe this year following two years of declining sales, including a significant 27% drop in 2025.
European sales for the company increased by nearly 45% during the first three months of the year. The surge in both new and pre-owned electric vehicle interest across Europe has been attributed to rising fuel costs following the Iran conflict that started February 28.
Elon Musk’s automotive company received additional momentum in European markets last month when Dutch regulatory officials approved its driver-assistance technology. The Netherlands vehicle authority RDW has informed the European Commission about plans to pursue continent-wide authorization for the software, which Tesla offers through monthly subscriptions.
Vehicle registration data, which reflects actual sales figures, showed dramatic increases across several countries in April compared to the previous year. Denmark experienced a 102% jump according to bilstatistik.dk, while PFA data revealed France saw a 112% increase. The Netherlands automotive industry group BOVAG documented a 23% rise.
This recovery occurs even though Tesla maintains a limited vehicle portfolio with only two aging models available. The company hasn’t introduced a new mainstream vehicle since launching the Model Y in 2020.
The electric vehicle manufacturer continues confronting increased pressure from expanding Chinese competition and established automakers as additional electric models reach the marketplace.
Market performance data from April showed Chinese EV company Xpeng exceeded Tesla’s sales numbers in Denmark, while BYD surpassed Tesla’s performance in the Netherlands.
Energy giant Exxon Mobil Corporation exceeded Wall Street expectations for first-quarter profits on Friday, despite facing substantial losses from Middle East conflict disruptions and complex financial timing issues.
The oil company reported adjusted earnings of $1.16 per share for the January-March period, surpassing analyst predictions of $1.00 per share compiled by LSEG. However, the company’s overall net income fell to $4.2 billion, a significant drop from $7.7 billion during the same quarter last year, marking the weakest performance since early 2021.
The adjusted earnings figure excludes a substantial $700 million loss from oil shipments that couldn’t be delivered due to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. When also removing impacts from financial derivatives, earnings would have reached $2.09 per share.
Exxon’s operations were helped by rising oil prices and stronger output from key production sites in the Permian Basin and Guyana, which partially compensated for Middle East production setbacks.
Company CEO Darren Woods acknowledged the challenges in a statement, noting that while Exxon has grown stronger in recent years, “events in the Middle East tested that strength with the safety of our people remaining our top priority.”
The Middle Eastern crisis has pushed oil prices upward since late February, though the impact on major oil companies’ profits has varied significantly across the industry.
Exxon had previously revealed it expected multi-billion-dollar impacts from timing effects that should reverse in coming quarters. This contrasts with British oil giant BP, which reported improved profits this week thanks to successful oil trading activities.
The company employs financial derivatives to protect against price fluctuations during the time needed to deliver oil shipments to customers. Since the physical shipment value isn’t recorded in earnings until transactions complete, this creates timing gaps, according to company explanations.
“In general, it takes a few months for that to unwind,” Chief Financial Officer Neil Hansen explained during an interview. He noted the difficulty in forecasting future timing effects, which depend on commodity price movements.
Hansen emphasized that the core business showed resilience, with net income actually growing year-over-year when excluding timing impacts and undelivered shipments.
Approximately 20% of Exxon’s oil and gas production occurs in the Middle East, representing one of the highest regional exposure levels among major competitors. By comparison, Chevron, America’s second-largest oil producer, reported Friday that less than 5% of its production comes from the Middle East.
War-related disruptions reduced Exxon’s first-quarter production by 6% compared to the previous quarter, according to regulatory filings released earlier this month.
Company executives are expected to face questions during Friday’s analyst conference call about repair timelines for damaged Middle Eastern assets, which also represent a significant portion of Exxon’s liquefied natural gas operations.
The energy company maintains ownership stakes in two Qatar-based liquefied natural gas facilities that sustained damage from Iranian attacks.
Exxon’s primary upstream operations center on Permian Basin activities and offshore Guyana production. Hansen reported that Guyana achieved record production levels while Permian operations continue expanding.
The company generated $2.7 billion in free cash flow during the quarter, down from $8.8 billion in the comparable 2023 period. Exxon distributed $4.3 billion in dividends and bought back $4.9 billion worth of company shares during the three-month period.
Capital expenditures totaled $6.2 billion, aligning with the company’s full-year spending projections.
Dallas-based HF Sinclair Corporation delivered an unexpected financial win in the first quarter, reporting adjusted earnings that caught analysts off guard on Friday.
The energy company earned 69 cents per share for the three months ending March 31, a dramatic turnaround from analyst predictions of a 6-cent loss per share, according to LSEG data.
The company’s success stems from improved refining margins and stronger refined product sales volumes during a period of global energy market turbulence.
American refiners are currently experiencing some of their most profitable margins in recent years, driven by Middle Eastern supply disruptions linked to ongoing conflicts involving Iran that have increased demand for U.S. fuel exports.
Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a vital shipping lane handling approximately 20% of worldwide oil and gas transport — has created supply concerns, elevated crude oil prices, and triggered significant volatility throughout energy markets.
American refining companies, which rely less heavily on Middle Eastern crude oil sources, are positioned to capitalize on global fuel shortages by increasing international sales from Gulf Coast facilities.
“Looking forward, we remain focused on the execution of our strategic priorities and believe each of our business segments is well positioned to take advantage of the current favorable macroeconomic backdrop,” CEO Franklin Myers said in a statement.
Industry-wide refinery margins in the United States, tracked through the 3-2-1 crack spread measurement, jumped approximately 73% during the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
HF Sinclair’s adjusted refinery gross margin reached $9.95 per barrel during the quarter, an increase from $9.12 per barrel in the previous year’s first quarter.
The company’s refining division generated an adjusted core profit of $55 million for the quarter, a significant improvement from the $8 million loss recorded during the same period last year.
Meanwhile, HF Sinclair’s renewables division posted adjusted core earnings of $133 million, reversing a $17 million loss from the prior year.
The lubricants and specialties division also showed growth, with adjusted core profits climbing to $103 million from $85 million in the previous year.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro departed his Brasília residence early Friday morning for medical treatment, according to a social media announcement from his wife Michelle Bolsonaro.
The ex-president is scheduled to undergo surgery on his right shoulder to treat an ongoing condition that has caused continuous discomfort and restricted his range of motion.
Currently, Bolsonaro is serving a humanitarian house arrest sentence under a 90-day medical authorization while managing additional health concerns.
Last year, the former leader was found guilty of attempting to orchestrate a coup following his close electoral loss to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s 2022 presidential race.
Connecticut has enacted new legislation that eliminates religious exemptions for state-mandated vaccinations, a move that legal experts anticipate will face court challenges. The law removes the ability for families to cite religious beliefs when seeking to exempt their children from required immunizations.
The new statute includes specific provisions stating that Connecticut’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act cannot be invoked to avoid vaccination requirements for students attending public or private educational institutions. Legal experts suggest the Trump administration may launch an investigation into Connecticut regarding this new vaccination policy.
Pro-choice advocates in Indiana are taking their fight against the state’s abortion restrictions directly to the highest court using an unconventional legal approach. The challengers are invoking Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, claiming the abortion ban interferes with their faith-based convictions that support access to the procedure.
This unique legal strategy represents a creative approach that could influence similar litigation across the country. The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to fast-track the case, allowing the challengers to bypass lower court proceedings. Oral arguments are scheduled to take place in September.
A biblical verse from Proverbs 22:6 states “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” New research from the Pew Research Center appears to validate this ancient wisdom, showing that children who experience positive religious environments during their upbringing have a significantly higher likelihood of maintaining their faith as adults.
The research findings demonstrate a clear correlation between the level of religious involvement in a child’s household and their likelihood to continue practicing faith later in life. According to the study, youngsters raised in more devoutly religious homes show greater tendencies to preserve their spiritual beliefs when they reach maturity.
