Religious congregations across the United States are showing signs of recovery following attendance declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. The comprehensive study, which examined responses from 24,000 worshippers nationwide, reveals that the majority of congregations have successfully stabilized their membership numbers since the health crisis began five years ago, with numerous churches reporting growth in attendance figures. Despite these encouraging developments, researchers caution that the modest recovery has not reversed the broader, long-term pattern of declining religious service participation that continues to affect faith communities throughout the country.
Will Graham, the grandson of renowned evangelist Billy Graham, is preparing to travel to Japan for a two-day Christian outreach mission. Graham will deliver gospel messages on May 4th and 5th in the Shikoku region as part of the Love and Hope Celebration.
This upcoming visit represents Graham’s first return to Japan in a decade, with his last trip occurring in 2014. The evangelical event is part of an ongoing, multi-year initiative aimed at spreading Christianity throughout the island nation.
Christian evangelism in Japan faces significant challenges, as fewer than two percent of Japanese citizens identify as Christian. The country’s religious landscape is dominated by Buddhist and Shintoist traditions, along with practices centered on honoring ancestors, which has historically created barriers to Christian missionary work in the region.
Recent research from the Barna Group shows that marriage remains a goal for most young Americans, with 78% of Generation Z and 73% of Millennials expressing a desire to wed eventually. However, these younger generations are increasingly delaying their walk down the aisle, choosing to marry much later in life than their predecessors, if they marry at all.
The study also uncovered shifting perspectives on the relationship between marriage and parenthood among younger Americans. According to the findings, many young adults no longer view marriage as a prerequisite for raising children, with a significant portion seeing no issue with having kids outside of wedlock. Additionally, most respondents don’t automatically assume that getting married should lead to starting a family.
Historic preservation and architecture organizations will present their case to a federal judge Wednesday, seeking to block the Trump administration’s extensive renovation plans for Washington’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper will conduct a 10 a.m. hearing to review whether a preliminary injunction should be granted in the lawsuit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Institute of Architects, and six additional organizations in March.
The coalition argues that both Trump and the Kennedy Center’s governing board do not possess the legal power to move forward with their construction proposal for the renowned arts facility without proper congressional authorization and required regulatory oversight.
“It is a city upon a hill. It should not — and by federal law cannot — be demolished or overhauled in secret or at lightning speed, and certainly not at the executive’s personal whim,” the plaintiffs told Cooper.
The court has permitted both the preservation organizations and the Trump administration to examine Matthew Floca, who serves as the Kennedy Center’s executive director under Trump’s appointment.
Trump’s renovation proposal for the center, which he has already renamed to incorporate his name and displayed on the structure, represents one component of the Republican president’s wider initiative to transform Washington’s historic monuments. His additional plans include constructing a 250-foot arch and developing a 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the demolished White House East Wing currently stands.
These other projects are similarly encountering legal opposition. A federal appeals court has permitted the Trump administration to proceed with the ballroom construction while the case remains under review.
Regarding the Kennedy Center litigation, the administration informed Cooper through court documents that the proposed construction would be confined to current buildings and property, noting that Congress essentially approved the project last year by allocating $256.7 million for renovations.
The challenging groups maintain that the funding was restricted to “necessary expenses for capital repair, restoration, maintenance backlog, and security structures.”
Trump declared last year that the Kennedy Center, established as a tribute to former Democratic President John F. Kennedy, was in “tremendous disrepair.”
The Federal Reserve is anticipated to maintain current interest rates during Wednesday’s meeting, as central bank officials consider whether to address growing inflation concerns in their policy statement following what could be Jerome Powell’s final session as chairman.
Policymakers entering the Fed’s two-day gathering expressed mounting worries that elevated energy costs from the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict could shift from a temporary disruption to sustained inflationary pressure. This scenario might require interest rates to remain unchanged longer than anticipated, or potentially increase in extreme circumstances.
Ongoing diplomatic deadlock and the persistent blockade of the crucial Strait of Hormuz have driven global oil prices back over $110 per barrel, up from approximately $70 before the U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran began February 28. The Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge currently sits roughly one percentage point above the bank’s 2% goal, with March data expected to show further increases when released this week.
Market analysts see minimal probability of rate cuts before mid-next year, essentially betting against incoming Fed chairman Kevin Warsh’s potential to persuade colleagues that improved U.S. productivity will reduce inflation and permit more accommodative monetary policy.
“The developments since the March meeting — improved employment figures but persistently elevated inflation data — may push the conversation somewhat more hawkish,” though not enough for the Fed to suggest possible rate increases in its statement, explained Michael Feroli, JPMorgan’s chief U.S. economist. Unexpectedly robust job creation in March drove unemployment down to 4.3%.
The central bank will announce its interest rate decision and release its updated policy statement at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Powell plans to conduct a media briefing thirty minutes afterward.
Beyond discussing meeting outcomes and addressing economic forecasts, Powell may elaborate on his future plans as Warsh awaits Senate confirmation as Fed chief before the June 16-17 meeting.
Warsh’s nomination gained momentum last week following the Justice Department’s decision to end a criminal probe into a Fed construction project that key Republican senators viewed as an unfounded assault on Powell and the central bank’s autonomy. The Senate Banking Committee is set to vote Wednesday on recommending Warsh’s confirmation by the Republican-majority Senate.
While Powell’s chairmanship concludes May 15, his separate appointment to the central bank’s Washington-based Board of Governors continues through January 2028.
During March’s media conference, Powell stated he wouldn’t depart the board “until the investigation is well and truly over,” while leaving uncertain whether he might remain as a governor following the probe’s conclusion.
“I have not made that decision yet. And I will make that decision based on what I think is best for the institution and for the people we serve,” Powell said previously.
Jerome Powell’s leadership of the Federal Reserve comes to an end Wednesday, concluding an eight-year period defined by clashes with President Trump and unprecedented economic challenges.
Powell’s journey to the Fed’s top position began in 2017 when he was serving as a Fed governor, appointed by President Obama in 2011. During a foggy spring evening that year, he traveled six hours round-trip to West Virginia University to discuss Federal Reserve history with students – topics that would soon become central to national monetary policy debates.
Trump nominated Powell for the Fed’s leadership role eight months later, but their relationship quickly soured over disagreements about central bank independence – a conflict that continues today.
ROCKY START WITH PRESIDENTIAL CRITICISM
Taking over from Janet Yellen in February 2018, Powell inherited an economy with unemployment at 4.1%, inflation below the Fed’s 2% goal, and growing economic momentum. He maintained Yellen’s approach of gradual interest rate increases while Trump’s tax cuts stimulated the economy and tariffs threatened price increases.
Trump publicly criticized Powell’s decisions, telling CNBC five months into Powell’s leadership: “I don’t like all of this work that we’re putting into the economy and then I see rates going up.”
Powell continued his policies despite the pressure, though he caused market turbulence with comments about rate hikes being “a long way” from neutral and describing balance sheet reductions as being “on automatic pilot.” These remarks conflicted with investor expectations and led Trump to consider removing him. The experience taught Powell about the weight of his words as Fed leader.
PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND BOUNDARY CROSSING
The COVID-19 pandemic became the defining challenge of Powell’s leadership. The Fed’s response starting in early 2020 was both groundbreaking and controversial, potentially preventing another Great Depression while taking unprecedented risks.
Powell embraced bold action during the crisis, supporting massive government spending programs, cutting the Fed’s key interest rate to near zero, authorizing trillions in bond purchases, and launching lending programs that stretched traditional central banking limits.
“We crossed a lot of red lines,” Powell acknowledged during a Princeton University event in May 2020. “This is that situation in which you do that, and you figure it out afterward.”
Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to replace Powell, has criticized these expansive policies as contributing to subsequent inflation and representing political overreach.
INFLATION SURGE AND POLICY REVERSALS
During the pandemic’s peak, Powell restructured Fed strategy based on lessons from the previous decade, believing low unemployment could boost worker wages without triggering inflation. “A robust job market can be sustained without causing an outbreak of inflation,” Powell declared in August 2020, announcing the Fed would not preemptively fight inflation solely due to tight job markets.
When inflation accelerated in 2021, Powell initially labeled it “transitory” – a characterization he later regretted. As inflation reached 40-year highs, the Fed aggressively raised rates in 2022.
Powell’s rate increases came with stark warnings. At the Fed’s Jackson Hole research conference in 2022, he cautioned that rate hikes would “bring some pain” through economic slowdown and job losses.
Economists remain divided on this period’s lessons. While the Fed eventually abandoned its 2020 strategy changes, debate continues over their role in inflation. The modified framework delayed the Fed’s inflation response, but Powell’s subsequent aggressive rate hikes echoed Paul Volcker’s 1980s approach of risking recession to combat persistent inflation.
Powell successfully avoided economic downturn, achieving the lowest average monthly unemployment rate among recent Fed chairs at 4.6%. However, inflation averaged 3.09% during his tenure, exceeding the Fed’s target by more than a percentage point.
Compared to Alan Greenspan’s era, Powell delivered one percentage point lower unemployment but roughly six-tenths of a percentage point higher inflation.
SECOND TRUMP CONFRONTATION
President Biden renominated Powell in late 2021, but his tenure ends again under Trump’s criticism. This time, Trump has attempted to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook and initiated a criminal investigation of Powell through the Justice Department, which concluded last week.
The investigation focused on costs associated with renovating the Fed’s Washington headquarters. In January, Powell responded with a video statement calling the probe “a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.”
Powell’s response generated Congressional support, allowing him to conclude his central bank leadership on his own terms.
Spirit Airlines once revolutionized air travel by introducing an ultra-low-cost model that made flying accessible to budget-conscious travelers nationwide. The airline’s bare-bones approach and rock-bottom ticket prices initially allowed it to flourish in the competitive aviation market.
However, the discount carrier’s innovative strategy eventually became its downfall when established airlines began adopting similar cost-cutting measures. These legacy carriers managed to offer competitive pricing while maintaining the customer loyalty programs and premium services that Spirit couldn’t match.
The economic landscape also shifted against Spirit’s primary customer demographic, creating additional challenges for the budget airline. As larger airlines refined their own versions of low-cost flying, they effectively outplayed Spirit using the very playbook the discount carrier had created.
This strategic copying by major airlines demonstrates how quickly the aviation industry can adapt and respond to successful business models, often leaving the original innovators struggling to maintain their market position.
Approximately 50 bald eagle nests throughout the United States have been equipped with live-streaming cameras that provide intimate glimpses into the daily lives of these majestic birds. Each spring season, these webcams capture the attention of millions of online viewers who become captivated by the unfolding drama of eagle family life.
The cameras, positioned strategically near eagle nests, offer unprecedented access to witness the complete cycle of eagle reproduction and chick-rearing. Viewers can observe everything from the incubation period through the hatching process and watch as the young eaglets develop and grow under their parents’ care.
These wildlife webcams have created dedicated online communities of eagle enthusiasts who follow the birds’ activities with the same devotion typically reserved for television dramas. The live streams allow people from anywhere in the world to connect with nature and observe these powerful raptors in their natural habitat without any human interference.
German rescue teams have launched an ambitious operation to save a stranded humpback whale, loading the massive marine mammal onto a specially designed barge for transport to deeper waters. The whale, dubbed Timmy by local media outlets, has been trapped in shallow Baltic Sea waters near Germany’s coastline since early March.
The marine giant was first observed swimming off Germany’s Baltic coast on March 3, thousands of miles from its natural Atlantic Ocean environment. Since then, the whale’s condition has worsened as it repeatedly became stuck in shallow areas, with global audiences watching failed rescue attempts through live video feeds.
Rescue crews worked for several hours on Tuesday to guide the whale onto the flooded transport vessel using specialized straps and a specially excavated channel leading to the barge, according to Germany’s dpa news agency.
By early Wednesday morning, the transport vessel had reached Fehmarn island in northern Germany, positioned near Danish territorial waters, German newspaper Bild confirmed.
The planned route will take the barge around Denmark’s northern coastline, passing through the Skagerrak strait before reaching the North Sea.
Mecklenburg Vorpommern Environment Minister Till Backhaus, whose state had been hosting the stranded whale, expressed his personal investment in the rescue effort on Tuesday, stating he was “on the verge of jumping into the water to help the whale get through the last few meters.”
Despite scientific community concerns that the transport might prove too stressful for the animal, Backhaus approved the privately proposed rescue operation.
The appropriate response to the whale’s situation has sparked weeks of public debate, with some advocating for allowing the animal to die peacefully while others push for continued rescue efforts. Beach demonstrations in Wismar have featured activists demanding the whale’s freedom, while other groups have proposed alternative transportation methods to return the animal to ocean waters.
Greenpeace marine biologist Thilo Maack previously told The Associated Press that rescue attempts have inflicted significant stress on Timmy.
“I believe the whale will die very soon now. And I would also like to raise the question: What is actually so bad about that?” he said. “Yes, animals live, animals die. This animal is really, really very, very, very sick. And it has decided to seek rest.”
Scientific experts remain uncertain about the whale’s survival prospects during transport. Some researchers theorize the whale deliberately sought shallow waters due to weakness and exhaustion. However, veterinarians working with the private rescue group believe the animal is strong enough to endure the journey.
BRUSSELS (AP) — The head of the European Commission cautioned Wednesday that member nations must carefully direct energy assistance to those most in need, or risk squandering enormous sums as the Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed lawmakers about the financial strain from the U.S.-Israel conflict and Iranian responses, including potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. These developments are draining nearly $600 million daily from EU coffers while driving up gasoline costs and creating concerns about jet fuel availability in coming weeks.
Speaking to European Parliament members in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen emphasized learning from previous energy emergencies. She referenced the 2022 fuel shortage when Russia weaponized energy supplies against European nations supporting Ukraine.
“More than 350 billion euros were spent on untargeted measures and this had a huge impact on member states finances,” von der Leyen stated. “So let us not make the same mistake again, and let’s focus our support where it matters most.”
The Commission President stressed the need to break free from foreign energy dependence, advocating for greater reliance on domestic renewable resources including wind, solar, and nuclear power – similar to how Europe reduced its Russian energy ties.
“Our over dependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable,” she declared.
Data shows dramatic shifts since 2022, with Russian natural gas imports dropping from 45% to just 12% last year across the 27-nation bloc. Coal purchases were eliminated through sanctions, while oil imports fell from 27% in 2022 to 2%, with only Hungary and Slovakia maintaining Russian petroleum ties.
Von der Leyen predicted lasting consequences from the current Middle East crisis, saying the effects “may echo for months or even years to come.” She identified the solution as developing “homegrown, affordable, clean energy supply from renewables to nuclear.”
Her recommendations included expanding electricity use from renewable and nuclear sources for transportation, aviation, home heating, and industrial applications to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Currently, electricity accounts for less than 25% of the bloc’s total energy consumption.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen issued stark warnings last week about the crisis severity, describing it as more than “a short-term, small increase in prices. This is a crisis that is probably as serious as the 1973 and the 2022 crises combined.”
Jørgensen noted Europe’s limited influence over Middle Eastern developments, saying the continent has been pushed into a reactive position with minimal control over unfolding events.
“Even in a best-case scenario, it’s still bad,” Jørgensen explained. “Whether or not we will be in a security of supply crisis is primarily a result of what goes on in the Middle East. What we can do is to try and prevent, and limit” the damage.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A multinational law enforcement operation targeting criminal networks that offer violence as a paid service has resulted in 280 arrests during its inaugural year, according to a Wednesday announcement from Europol, the European Union’s police agency.
The apprehensions highlight a disturbing pattern emerging throughout Europe where criminals use social media platforms and messaging applications to recruit individuals — often young people — to commit violent acts ranging from physical assaults to homicides, creating what officials describe as a dangerous version of the gig economy.
“Violence is no longer confined to isolated acts or local dynamics. It is increasingly offered as a service: accessible, scalable and driven by online ecosystems that enable recruitment, coordination, and execution across borders,” Europol said in a statement.
The specialized task force was established last year with participation from law enforcement agencies across Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. During its first year of operations, the team identified more than 1,400 individuals connected to violence-for-hire schemes.
Notable cases include the detention of a Dutch citizen allegedly serving as an escape driver for two juveniles suspected of conducting multiple bombings in Germany during July and August 2025. Additionally, Swedish authorities arrested a minor in January for suspected participation in a shooting incident near a correctional facility in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands.
Europol has also published information on its European most-wanted database regarding three men sought for their alleged participation in violence-as-a-service operations — two Swedish nationals and one German citizen. These individuals face charges related to murder, narcotics trafficking, and financial crimes.
PUERTO TRIUNFO, Colombia — Fishermen navigate Colombia’s Magdalena River with extreme caution as massive hippos emerge from the muddy waters without notice, capable of reaching boats in seconds.
“These hippos are a true nightmare,” fisherman Wilinton Sánchez explained, describing the massive creatures that can swim at 8 kilometers per hour and run 30 kilometers per hour on land. “We were out Saturday when one lunged … reared up and swung its jaws wide. If it ever gets hold of you, it’ll tear you to pieces.”
Yet the dangerous animals also captivate visitors. Tourist boats regularly cruise the waterways multiple times weekly, carrying Colombian and international guests hoping to spot the enormous mammals. While these hippo-watching excursions sometimes end with frightened screams as the animals charge toward vessels, they provide crucial income for local communities.
These invasive hippos represent part of a 200-strong population that breeds without natural controls. The animals descend from creatures illegally imported during the 1980s by deceased drug lord Pablo Escobar for his personal menagerie at Hacienda Nápoles — an expansive ranch featuring its own airstrip that served as his isolated stronghold.
Environmental officials warn Colombia’s hippo numbers could surpass 500 by 2030 without action. Authorities recently authorized plans to kill approximately 80 hippos beginning later this year to address the growing crisis.
This decision has triggered intense controversy. Researchers supporting the culling have received death threats, while animal rights groups condemn the strategy as “murder.” Local residents in Puerto Triunfo, located 200 kilometers from Bogota, worry eliminating the animals will devastate tourism revenue supporting their town.
Diana Hincapié stops her restaurant duties to sit near a wall painting depicting a mother hippo with her baby.
“We don’t want to see a dead hippopotamus. They aren’t African anymore; they are Colombian, born and bred here for over 30 years,” the 48-year-old entrepreneur stated, expressing readiness to protest publicly if the killing plan advances.
Her riverside restaurant along the Cocorná Sur River, which feeds into the Magdalena, welcomes nearly 200 monthly visitors. Most arrive specifically seeking hippos, and Hincapié worries government actions could eliminate regional tourism entirely.
These massive land mammals have now occupied roughly 43,000 square kilometers according to ministry data. Without natural enemies and enjoying consistent rainfall unlike their African homeland, the hippos established their primary base on the “Island of Silence,” a plant-covered river island serving as their breeding center.
Álvaro Molina, 61, whose home sits across from the island, remembers the initial pair arriving about 11 years ago. The population has exploded since then. “One night I saw 12 at once, but I understand they have been migrating,” the fisherman noted.
River encounters occur so regularly that Molina expects them during every fishing trip, particularly at sunset. Several years back, his boat drifted directly over two hippos, which panicked and overturned his vessel. He successfully swam to safety aboard another boat without harm.
“Whether they are killed or taken away, it does us a favor,” Molina stated, explaining how hippos have devastated local fishing as many people quit the profession due to safety fears.
Official control measures encompass containment supported by Puerto Triunfo citizens, international transfers to wildlife facilities, and euthanasia as a final option when other methods prove impossible.
In their native Africa, these large plant-eating animals constantly traveling between water and land “can significantly impact the structure of ecosystems,” explained Daniel Cadena, science faculty dean at University of the Andes, who supports implementing combined control approaches including euthanasia.
However, euthanasia presents challenges. Official procedures involve luring animals with food into enclosures for lethal injection after sedation. Alternatively, officials may use high-powered long-distance hunting rifles, though the weapons must be extremely powerful due to hippos’ notoriously thick, penetration-resistant hide.
Senator Andrea Padilla has pressed officials to emphasize relocation rather than killing.
“It is an extermination; it is a massacre of 80 individuals,” Padilla declared. “This is a legacy left to us by a drug trafficker. How can we possibly close this chapter in the exact same way — by shooting the hippos?”
International relocation efforts have stalled. While some countries initially showed interest, ministry officials report no nations have agreed to accept transfers. Potential host countries cite either prohibitive costs for housing the enormous mammals or domestic laws preventing invasive species importation.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The Iranian rial plummeted to an unprecedented low on Wednesday, reaching 1.8 million to the dollar while a fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel remains in effect.
For several weeks during the conflict that started February 28th, the rial had maintained stability, largely due to reduced trading activity and minimal imports entering the nation.
However, the currency began its downward spiral two days prior, culminating in Wednesday’s historic low.
Economic analysts caution that the rial’s dramatic decline will likely intensify inflation throughout Iran, where the dollar exchange rate directly impacts the cost of numerous imported items including food products, medical supplies, electronics, and industrial materials.
While hostilities have ceased under the current ceasefire agreement, ongoing U.S. economic blockades continue applying pressure to Iran’s already weakened economy. These measures have significantly reduced government revenues and foreign currency reserves by halting or seizing oil exports.
This recent currency crisis follows a similar economic shock from January that sparked widespread demonstrations across the country. During that period, the rial dropped from approximately 1.4 million to 1.6 million against the dollar within days, intensifying public frustration over escalating living costs and uncertainty about Iran’s economic prospects.
For decades, Iran’s economy has struggled under international sanctions, persistent inflation, and growing disparities between government-set and market exchange rates. The recent weeks-long conflict has placed additional stress on Iranian businesses, families, and government finances.
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to New York City on Wednesday to pay respects to those killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, continuing their four-day official visit to the United States.
The royal couple’s New York agenda follows an eventful Tuesday in the nation’s capital, where King Charles addressed members of Congress, conducted private discussions with President Donald Trump during ongoing U.S.-UK diplomatic tensions regarding Iran, and met with American technology sector leaders.
During Tuesday evening’s White House state dinner, President Trump indicated that King Charles expressed support for ending Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, since the monarch does not speak for Britain’s government, this claim remains unverified. Neither Downing Street nor Buckingham Palace immediately provided comment when asked about the alleged statement.
The King and Queen will start their New York activities with a memorial service at the 9/11 site in lower Manhattan, where al-Qaeda terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers on September 11, 2001, claiming nearly 2,800 lives.
King Charles is scheduled to meet with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during the memorial ceremony.
Following the tribute, the King plans to travel to Harlem to tour a community-based organization that established an environmentally-friendly after-school urban agriculture program designed to address local food shortage issues, according to area news outlets. Environmental and sustainability initiatives have remained close to the King’s heart throughout his decades of public service.
Queen Camilla will separately participate in celebrating the centennial of A.A. Milne’s beloved character Winnie the Pooh through her charitable organization, The Queen’s Reading Room, in what Buckingham Palace describes as a “literary engagement” activity.
The royal visit to New York marks the third day of their American state tour, occurring during a period of strained relations between Washington and London, as President Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for allegedly providing insufficient assistance in the Iran conflict.
During his Congressional address Tuesday, King Charles emphasized the enduring military and cultural bonds between Britain and America, officially marking the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence from British sovereignty.
However, the monarch also highlighted NATO’s significance while President Trump has criticized the Western alliance’s hesitancy to provide military support for the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, and cautioned against American withdrawal from international engagement.
“I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking,” Charles stated during his joint address to the Senate and House of Representatives.
Elon Musk’s space exploration company is preparing for what could become the biggest initial public offering in history, with a potential valuation reaching $1.75 trillion when it goes public later this year.
The ambitious timeline for SpaceX began more than two decades ago during a celebration in Las Vegas following PayPal’s 2002 public debut. While other executives enjoyed poolside festivities at the casino, Musk was already buried in Soviet rocket manuals, plotting his next business venture.
“He’d come off what was an unequivocally big win, he was one of the largest shareholders, and yet he was focused on this next thing,” Kevin Hartz, an early PayPal investor who was at the party, told Reuters. “Now it’s a multi-trillion-dollar business.”
Over the past twenty years under Musk’s leadership, SpaceX has evolved into the planet’s most significant space enterprise, deploying thousands of Starlink internet satellites and developing reusable rocket technology that has revolutionized space economics. Musk compares this innovation to creating aircraft that don’t need to be destroyed after each flight.
The upcoming public offering could position Musk to become the world’s first trillionaire, validating years of bold risk-taking that defied conventional wisdom in the aerospace industry.
However, the company’s future ambitions may prove even more challenging than developing reusable rockets or creating the first mainstream electric vehicle, according to a Reuters analysis of over 100 pages from SpaceX’s confidential pre-IPO documents.
“I always thought he was crazy,” said Walter Isaacson, who spent two years shadowing Musk while writing a biography of the billionaire. “But the danger of betting against him is that he ends up being crazy like a fox and gets things done.”
The company’s prospectus reads like science fiction, repositioning SpaceX beyond rocket and satellite manufacturing toward becoming a dominant force in artificial intelligence, featuring space-based data centers and lunar and Martian industries.
SpaceX pledges to capture solar energy for virtually unlimited power to drive the AI revolution and states it will “make life multi-planetary, to understand the true nature of the universe and to extend the light of consciousness to the stars.”
“You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great,” reads an opening quote from Musk at the top of the document, known as an S-1, “and that’s what being a space-faring civilization is all about.”
SpaceX declined to provide additional comments regarding the filing.
These extraordinary claims are generating skepticism from market watchers and critics. Nevertheless, major institutional investors and Musk supporters including Fidelity Investments, Founders Fund and Valor Equity Partners have maintained their commitment despite years of rocket explosions, financial losses, government litigation, workplace accidents and international complications.
Musk’s investor credibility stems from SpaceX’s track record of transforming questionable concepts into functioning businesses, particularly through the reusable Falcon 9 rocket and the Starlink broadband network it made possible.
“Twenty-five years ago, people thought we were insane, including me,” said Jim Cantrell, one of SpaceX’s earliest employees, who later left to start his own company. Now, “the idea of having products made on Mars and sold on Earth is not so insane.”
However, the filing reveals SpaceX recorded losses last year, invests significantly less in AI development than major technology competitors, and cautions investors that projects from lunar and Martian settlements to orbital data centers depend on unproven technologies that may lack commercial viability.
These sobering financial details have prompted some analysts to characterize Musk’s vision as promotional hype intended to boost SpaceX’s valuation. Unlike the early development of reusable rockets or electric vehicles, artificial intelligence represents a crowded marketplace where SpaceX will face competition from global giants including OpenAI, Microsoft and Google parent company Alphabet.
The filing claims SpaceX is targeting a total addressable market worth $28.5 trillion, exceeding the entire United States GDP. “A very swing for the fences number,” said Eric Talley, a Columbia Law School professor who focuses on corporate governance, adding that Musk’s “calling card is swinging big and hoping to cash in.”
Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, an investment firm that owns SpaceX and Tesla shares, said investors are “willing to suspend fundamental analysis to not be left out.”
“There’s the perception that Elon did it once with Tesla and built a trillion-dollar company,” he said, “and that he’ll be able to do this again and again.”
Musk’s space forecasts haven’t always materialized as predicted. Development schedules for Starship, the completely reusable rocket central to SpaceX’s future plans, have consistently delayed due to explosive test failures, regulatory obstacles and engineering challenges.
This matters significantly because Starship forms the foundation for much of what SpaceX has promised investors, from expanding Starlink into additional markets to launching AI infrastructure into orbit and transporting astronauts for NASA missions beyond Earth. The prospectus clearly outlines these risks.
“Any failure or delay in the development of Starship at scale … would delay or limit our ability to execute our growth strategy,” the S-1 said.
Among the most significant risks highlighted in SpaceX’s pre-IPO filing is the company’s dependence on Musk personally. He maintains four executive positions, controls the board of directors, and operates under an unusual compensation structure linked to valuation targets reaching $7.5 trillion and achievements such as establishing a million-person settlement on Mars.
The filing describes Musk as “one of the great visionaries of our generation” and warns that operating without him could present an existential threat to the company, noting that choosing a replacement may not occur in a “timely manner or at all.”
“He’s the only person reliably getting satellites into orbit, and astronauts down from the space station,” Isaacson, Musk’s biographer, said.
“He’s been able to turn science fiction into just science.”
Shareholders of pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly will be looking for information that won’t appear in Thursday’s quarterly financial report: early performance data on their new weight-loss medication Foundayo.
The highly anticipated obesity treatment, which competes with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy medication, started selling in the United States in early April. Since the launch occurred after the first quarter ended, Foundayo revenue won’t appear in Lilly’s latest financial results. Investment professionals say several additional weeks of prescription information will be necessary to assess the drug’s initial market performance.
Despite the limited data availability, the medication remains a primary concern for investors, particularly after preliminary information has led some market analysts to suggest Foundayo’s debut is trailing behind Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy, which became available in January.
“We’re two weeks into the launch, so it is really too early in my view to make a concrete call on the strength of the launch,” said BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman. “You’re really going to want to listen to how CEO Dave Ricks frames how the launch is going.”
The early prescription data might not include direct consumer purchases, and investment professionals typically require five to six weeks of information for an accurate assessment, according to Lilly investor Terence McManus of Bellevue Asset Management in Zurich.
Lilly’s stock value has dropped 19% this year as investors evaluate whether the Indianapolis-based company can meet high expectations for its obesity drug portfolio, which includes injectable Zepbound in America and Mounjaro, prescribed for both diabetes and weight management internationally.
Robust global demand for the drugmaker’s diabetes and obesity treatments is projected to support a 26% revenue increase predicted by analysts, based on LSEG information.
In the previous year, both Novo and Lilly introduced their obesity medications to the Indian market.
Lilly’s Mounjaro sales increased twofold following its launch, becoming the top-selling medication in the world’s most populous country.
Nevertheless, demand may face challenges after Indian pharmaceutical companies began offering less expensive generic alternatives to Novo’s injectable Wegovy last month.
This Tuesday, Canada authorized the first generic alternative to Novo’s Ozempic, an injectable diabetes medication frequently prescribed off-label for weight reduction. Novo plans to release quarterly earnings on May 6.
Investment professionals will also monitor the balance between pricing and demand for the popular GLP-1 medications in both American and international markets.
“It’s possible that over time people are underestimating the ex-U.S. component” for these products, Bellevue’s McManus said.
McManus anticipates drug prices outside America will increase due to White House initiatives linking American medication costs to those in other developed nations and a growing movement toward cash-payment markets.
Beyond specific pricing agreements made with the Trump administration, Americans generally pay three times more for prescription drugs than patients in other parts of the world.
However, Lilly can reduce pricing differences in cash-payment markets like the Middle East, Brazil and China, according to BMO’s Seigerman.
Lilly increased Mounjaro’s UK list price by as much as 170% last year as pharmaceutical companies adapt to policy shifts in the United States, which remains the most profitable market.
In America, worries about uncertain federal coverage for obesity medications continue to be one of the “sources of angst” for investors, said Kevin Gade, chief operating officer at Bahl & Gaynor, which owns Lilly stock.
The federal government has postponed a Medicare pilot program covering such medications after major health insurance companies including UnitedHealth and CVS Health’s Aetna expressed hesitation about participating.
A temporary program scheduled from July 2026 through December 2027, designed as a transition to the pilot program, will maintain coverage at prices negotiated in the previous year.
The conflict in Ukraine has dramatically transformed Sweden’s defense manufacturing sector into one of Europe’s most rapidly expanding military production centers, with perhaps no company experiencing this shift more dramatically than Hagglunds, an armored vehicle manufacturer based in the small northern Swedish town of Ornskoldsvik.
BAE Systems has owned Hagglunds since 2004, but the company’s roots trace back to the late 1800s when it started as a family furniture business before transitioning through various industries including buses, trams, aircraft, and finally armored vehicles during the 1950s.
The end of the Cold War brought significant challenges for the defense contractor, and Tommy Gustafsson-Rask faced the difficult task of eliminating one-third of the company’s employees when he took over as managing director of BAE Systems Hagglunds in 2012.
However, geopolitical tensions began shifting the company’s prospects around 2014. “I think the 2014 annexation of Crimea was when we saw something starting to happen,” Gustafsson-Rask explained during an interview at the Hagglunds testing facility in Ornskoldsvik. He noted that business really accelerated just prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The transformation has been remarkable. “From having a typical order book of a couple of hundred million U.S. dollars, we’re now at 8 billion U.S. dollars. So it’s an enormous development,” Gustafsson-Rask stated.
Sweden’s military equipment exports have experienced explosive growth, increasing more than threefold to 28 billion crowns ($3.02 billion) in 2025, compared to 8 billion in 2015.
The Swedish defense sector now provides employment for approximately 30,000 people, with the majority working at Saab, the manufacturer of Gripen fighter aircraft and A-26 submarines. Saab alone maintains an order backlog exceeding 274 billion crowns.
Hagglunds has committed $300 million toward expanding its manufacturing capabilities, including the addition of a third production line this year. Manufacturing output has increased by 400% since 2020, while the workforce has grown from 800 to 2,600 employees, making it the largest employer in the town of 56,000 residents.
The company’s primary success story centers on the fifth-generation Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicle. This armored vehicle operates with a three-person crew and can transport up to eight fully equipped soldiers. More than 1,300 units have been delivered, with an additional 600 currently on order, establishing it as one of Sweden’s most successful military export products.
The CV90 has proven its effectiveness in combat situations in Afghanistan and is currently being utilized in Ukraine. Hagglunds anticipates securing contracts for an additional 500 CV90s from five European countries later this year.
Reports from Ukrainian forces have been largely favorable, although drone threats remain a concern. Notably, no Ukrainian personnel have been killed while inside a CV90, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally expressed his gratitude to Gustafsson-Rask during a visit to Sweden.
“He came forward, hugged me, and told me that your CV90s are saving our soldiers’ lives, and I get goosebumps even now,” Gustafsson-Rask recalled.
Each CV90 carries a price tag of approximately $10 million and has been purchased by ten European nations.
Sweden maintained military neutrality for more than two centuries before becoming a NATO member in 2024. According to the Swedish International Peace Research Institute, the country ranks as the European Union’s seventh-largest arms exporter.
German lawmakers have approved legislation that will establish a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages beginning in 2028, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to address growing obesity rates and reduce strain on its healthcare infrastructure.
The initiative, which received government approval on Wednesday as part of a comprehensive healthcare reform package, is projected to generate roughly 450 million euros (equivalent to $526.5 million) each year. These funds will be directed toward the country’s statutory health insurance program to support prevention initiatives, including workplace wellness programs and community health projects designed to benefit the general public.
Officials have not yet finalized specific details regarding the tax structure, including the exact rate or implementation framework.
The beverage tax proposal has gained significant momentum following increased public advocacy and bipartisan political support for stronger action against excessive sugar consumption and associated health conditions. Daniel Guenther, who serves as state premier of Schleswig-Holstein and championed the proposal, previously stated to Reuters in March that “too much sugar makes people ill,” emphasizing the burden placed on both healthcare systems and the broader economy.
Although Guenther’s conservative CDU party initially opposed the concept in February, support has since grown within the party ranks, as well as among Green Party and Social Democratic representatives.
Public opinion research conducted by Forsa and released in February revealed that approximately 60% of German citizens favor implementing a tax on sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
According to World Health Organization data, more than 100 nations worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary beverages, including roughly half of all European Union member countries. Research conducted in Britain and Mexico has demonstrated that such policies can effectively reduce sugar consumption and help prevent conditions such as diabetes.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re looking at a pleasant spring day with temperatures reaching a comfortable 66 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. The morning and early afternoon should stay dry, making it perfect for any outdoor activities you have planned.
However, keep that umbrella handy for later! We’re tracking a 40% chance of rain showers developing after 4pm, with southeast winds picking up to 5-10 mph and gusts reaching 25 mph. Any rainfall should be light, with amounts less than a tenth of an inch expected.
Tonight brings a more active weather pattern as showers and thunderstorms move through the peninsula, with temperatures dropping to a cool 52 degrees. The good news? This system moves out quickly!
Thursday looks absolutely beautiful with mostly sunny skies and highs near 67 degrees – perfect weather to get back outside. Thursday night will be mostly clear and crisp with lows around 43 degrees.
Overall, it’s a typical spring pattern with a quick-moving system bringing brief rain before beautiful conditions return. Stay weather-aware this evening, and have a wonderful Wednesday, Delmarva!
Motorists traveling on Federal School Lane in New Castle County will encounter lane restrictions overnight due to ongoing construction activities.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the right lane on Federal School Lane westbound is currently blocked between Chaddwyck Road and U.S. Route 13.
The lane closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 6 a.m., according to DelDOT’s traffic incident reporting system.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone during the overnight hours.
A legal dispute heading to the Supreme Court could have major implications for prescription drug prices nationwide, potentially making medications more expensive for patients everywhere.
The nation’s highest court is preparing to consider the case Hikma v. Amarin, which involves a patent dispute over fish oil medications. Legal experts warn that the outcome could fundamentally change how generic pharmaceutical companies conduct their business operations.
The case represents a broader battle over drug patent rights that could determine whether patients will face higher costs at the pharmacy counter. Generic drug manufacturers are closely watching the proceedings, as the decision may reshape their ability to bring lower-cost alternatives to market.
While the dispute specifically involves fish oil-based medications, the ruling’s effects could extend far beyond that single category of drugs, potentially impacting the entire pharmaceutical industry’s approach to patent challenges and generic competition.
The nation’s highest court is currently examining a legal challenge to former President Trump’s efforts to eliminate a federal immigration program that provides temporary sanctuary for certain foreign nationals.
The case centers on the Temporary Protected Status initiative, a federal program that allows qualified individuals to remain and work legally in the United States when they are unable to safely return to their native countries due to what the law defines as “extraordinary or temporary conditions.”
The program has specifically benefited immigrants from Haiti and Syria, among other nations experiencing crisis situations that make return unsafe for their citizens.
The justices are now tasked with determining whether the Trump administration’s move to terminate this protection program was legally sound, a decision that could impact thousands of immigrants currently living in the United States under this temporary status.
MILAN (AP) — High-end Italian fashion house Ferragamo announced it has successfully tracked the country of origin for the majority of leather materials used in creating its luxury shoes and handbags, marking an important milestone in supply chain transparency according to industry specialists.
This development arrives as European Union environmental regulations create mounting demands for fashion companies to monitor and account for materials throughout their supply chains.
The family-owned, publicly-traded luxury company has published environmental impact reports for more than ten years, but their 2025 report issued on March 31 marks the first time they’ve included specific data on material tracking — particularly for leather, which specialists note presents greater tracking challenges compared to textile materials like cotton.
“We have been using leather in a more sustainable way,” James Ferragamo, the brand’s chief transformation and sustainability officer and grandson of founder Salvatore Ferragamo, said in a recent interview. “I think it is one of the more sustainable materials in my point of view.”
The majority of tanneries partnering with the company “control their water, have fair treatment of the workforce, monitor their supply chain ensuring that they’re buying leather from those who are not deforesting, and taking the right approach also in terms of breeding and animal welfare,” he said.
Material tracking represents a fundamental and essential step for the fashion sector, which now confronts new European Union requirements that will mandate brands and suppliers guarantee their products meet environmental standards from initial design through final disposal. Specific implementation details are still under development, with compliance being rolled out gradually over the next several years.
“Traceability is an essential factor, but it’s not sufficient, I would say,” said Francesca Rinaldi, a sustainability expert at Milan’s Bocconi University and director of the Monitor for Circular Fashion. “It enables the implementation of sustainability and circularity.”
She noted that any business failing to track their materials “doesn’t know their supply chain” and “could be also criticized for greenwashing.”
Future EU regulations and policies are advancing toward complete material circularity, incorporating strategies to extend product lifespans for clothing, accessories and shoes through repairs and end-of-life management, including recycling and upcycling, she explained.
The European Union is also implementing gradual restrictions on destroying unsold clothing, accessories and footwear for companies employing more than 250 people and generating over 40 million euros ($46.8 million) in yearly revenue.
The family business was established in 1927 by Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence, following his time in Hollywood where he had built a reputation as a celebrity shoemaker serving clients including Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. Material shortages during World War II led Ferragamo to explore alternative materials, replacing leather with wicker and utilizing cork for shoe soles, the younger Ferragamo explained.
Staying true to its heritage, Ferragamo continues focusing primarily on footwear and leather accessories. Combined, these categories represented 86% of 2025 sales totaling 976.5 million euros ($1.1 billion).
Ferragamo began its leather tracking program with the calf leather used for the signature Fiamma bag, following it from livestock breeding through final assembly, the company revealed in its 2024 annual report.
During 2025, Ferragamo engaged key tanneries representing 80% of its hide purchases in an effort to identify raw material countries of origin through supplier documentation. When including textiles like cotton, silk and nylon, the company reports 81% of its materials carry third-party sustainability certifications.
“Today there is not one single solution, one single technological solution to trace the leather to the birth farm of the cows,” said Davide Triacca, Ferragamo’s sustainability director. “We got to that result through a very dedicated and consistent approach and today we are able to trace more than 80% of the entire leather that we supply and the vast majority of which comes from Europe.”
European Union regulations do not mandate leather tracking. Environmental specialists emphasize that methods based on country-level mapping and supplier documentation do not establish complete custody chains and instead represent an initial phase of traceability.
Ferragamo’s environmental efforts have included a limited collection featuring silk-like textiles created from orange fibers in 2017, among its earliest research investments, and more recently the Nova men’s tote constructed with nylon derived from castor oil rather than petroleum, plus the Back to Earth collection showcasing the brand’s signature Hug handbag treated with plant-based dyes.
“Research keeps on going. It’s something that we’re doing all the time,” Ferragamo said. “We’re trying to find different ways of creating different materials. And sometimes the materials that we produce are not ready for market. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t experiment.”
SEOUL, South Korea — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received a seven-year prison sentence Wednesday from an appeals court for obstruction of justice and resisting arrest following his controversial martial law declaration last year.
The additional sentence compounds an already-imposed life term for rebellion charges connected to his December 2024 authoritarian actions that sparked South Korea’s most significant democratic crisis in recent decades.
Seoul High Court Judge Yoon Sung-sik determined that the former conservative leader circumvented required Cabinet procedures before announcing martial law, created false documentation to hide these violations, and used security personnel “like a private army” to prevent his arrest after impeachment. The former president remained silent during the verdict announcement and offered no statements.
A lower tribunal had previously given Yoon five years in January while partially dismissing abuse-of-power allegations related to the Cabinet meeting requirements, determining he wasn’t accountable for two members’ absence from the gathering.
The appeals court overturned that partial acquittal, convicting him on every charge and determining he infringed upon the rights of those two absent members plus seven additional Cabinet officials who weren’t informed, by assembling only a limited group to mimic an official meeting.
Yoon’s martial law announcement on December 3, 2024, despite lasting only briefly, plunged the nation into severe political upheaval, freezing governmental functions and international relations while destabilizing financial markets. The chaos subsided after his progressive opponent Lee Jae Myung secured victory in an emergency presidential election in June.
Parliament impeached Yoon on December 14, 2024, leading to his immediate suspension, and the Constitutional Court officially removed him from office in April 2025.
After his suspension, Yoon defied a Seoul court’s detention order for questioning, creating a tense confrontation where numerous investigators surrounded the presidential compound in early January 2025 but were prevented from entering by security forces and barriers. He was eventually detained later that month, freed by another court in March, then arrested again in July.
He has remained incarcerated since that time as multiple ongoing criminal proceedings continue.
Tuesday’s decision followed the same court’s enhancement of his wife Kim Keon Hee’s sentence to four years for accepting expensive gifts from the Unification Church, which pursued political influence from Yoon’s administration, and participating in stock manipulation activities.
In a separate case last week, prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence for Yoon regarding accusations that he intentionally escalated North Korean tensions in 2024 by authorizing drone missions over Pyongyang to establish justification for domestic martial law implementation.
The fate of 23 million Taiwanese people may hinge on a crucial diplomatic encounter they won’t be part of.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to make Taiwan the centerpiece of discussions when President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing next month, marking a significant shift from their previous South Korea summit last year when Xi intentionally avoided the contentious topic.
Officials in Taipei are anxiously monitoring for any indication that Trump, known for his deal-making approach to international relationships, might modify America’s established Taiwan stance in exchange for Chinese purchases of U.S. aircraft and agricultural products or relief from economic tensions.
Wu Xinbo, who leads Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies and advises China’s foreign ministry, explained Beijing’s perspective: “Regarding Taiwan, the logic is simple: if the U.S. does not want to fight a major war with China over Taiwan, it should not support Taiwan independence.”
Wu continued: “Trump has no interest in going to war with China. To avoid a major conflict that involves the U.S., he should make it clear that he won’t support independence or take actions that encourage a separatist political agenda.”
Neither China’s foreign ministry nor the U.S. State Department provided responses to inquiries about the upcoming discussions.
America maintains its “one China policy,” which avoids taking an official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty while recognizing, though not endorsing, Beijing’s territorial claims over the island. Washington states it “does not support” Taiwanese independence while committing to help the island defend itself.
Taiwan’s position as a semiconductor manufacturing hub makes it crucial to military stability across the western Pacific region. Even subtle modifications to American diplomatic language could influence how Beijing perceives U.S. determination to maintain its Taiwan support, according to regional analysts. Such changes would alarm Taipei and spark renewed concerns about Washington’s broader Asian security pledges.
Trump administration representatives have consistently stated that Taiwan policy remains unchanged and have regularly criticized Chinese pressure campaigns against the island.
Behind closed doors, administration sources emphasize that Trump has authorized significantly more weapons sales to Taiwan during his second term’s first year than predecessor Joe Biden approved throughout his entire presidency.
During a 2024 meeting with Biden, Xi requested that America alter its Taiwan language to state “we oppose Taiwan independence” instead of the current phrasing.
Washington rejected this proposed modification.
Sources familiar with summit preparations indicate that China has persistently conveyed similar messages through diplomatic channels leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, though they declined to elaborate on specifics due to negotiation confidentiality.
Taiwanese officials, whose government disputes Beijing’s sovereignty assertions, remain vigilant about potential policy shifts.
Shen Yu-chung, deputy minister at Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles China policy, stated: “We will be watching whether the U.S. makes any changes to its position on Taiwan Strait issues as a result of that meeting.”
“We will use the remaining time to intensify policy communications with the U.S.,” Shen added.
Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei noted this week that Trump’s administration “has continuously reaffirmed its support for Taiwan” since taking office.
Beijing has maintained that military action remains an option for bringing Taiwan under Chinese control. China conducted its most recent military exercises around the island in late December, responding to a U.S. announcement of an unprecedented $11 billion arms package for Taiwan.
In preparation for the summit, China has employed both incentives and pressure tactics.
Beijing has proposed trade and tourism “benefits” for Taiwan, while simultaneously taking punitive measures. Last week, Taipei accused China of convincing three African nations to deny overflight permissions for President Lai Ching-te’s planned trip to Eswatini, forcing its cancellation.
The United States issued sharp criticism of China’s interference.
President Lai maintains that Taiwan already functions as an independent nation under its official designation, the Republic of China. Beijing characterizes Lai as both a “separatist” and an illegitimate leader driving cross-strait relations toward armed conflict.
Raymond Greene, America’s top diplomatic representative in Taiwan, has been publicly reinforcing assurances that U.S. commitments, including arms sales mandated by the Taiwan Relations Act, remain “rock solid” as the summit approaches.
Former Trump adviser Robert O’Brien suggested the president would resist becoming “the first American president to lose Taiwan. That would not be a Donald Trump goal to have in mind. That’s not the legacy he wants.”
America also faces significant strategic considerations given Taiwan’s geographic importance, as Washington quietly utilizes the island’s sophisticated radar installations and surveillance facilities positioned in Taiwan’s mountainous regions to monitor China, according to security officials.
“Does the United States really want to lose one of its best locations for gathering intelligence on China?” questioned a Western security source, who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive security matters.
The political status of Taiwan remains one of the most complex international issues, with the island functioning as an independent democracy while facing claims from mainland China.
Taiwan’s complicated history began thousands of years ago with indigenous peoples, followed by brief Dutch and Spanish control in the 1600s. The Qing dynasty made Taiwan part of Fujian province in 1684, later designating it as a separate Chinese province in 1885. Japan controlled the island from 1895 until 1945, when it was transferred to the Republic of China government after World War Two ended.
The current situation developed in 1949 when Mao Zedong’s Communist forces defeated the Republic of China government, forcing them to relocate their capital to Taiwan. The Republic of China remains Taiwan’s official name today. Meanwhile, Mao established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland, declaring it the sole legitimate Chinese government over all of China, including Taiwan.
Taiwan’s international recognition is limited. Only 12 nations maintain official diplomatic relations with Taipei, primarily smaller developing countries like Belize and Tuvalu. In 1971, Beijing replaced Taipei in China’s United Nations seat.
Despite limited formal recognition, most major Western nations and U.S. allies maintain unofficial relationships with Taiwan, recognizing Republic of China passports and operating de facto embassies. Taiwanese citizens travel freely worldwide using their passports.
The United States ended official diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 but remains legally obligated to help Taiwan defend itself. Washington maintains a “One China” policy, taking no official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Beijing refuses to rule out military force to bring Taiwan under its control and has proposed a “one country, two systems” arrangement similar to Hong Kong’s model. However, no major Taiwanese political party supports this approach, and polling consistently shows most Taiwanese prefer maintaining current relations with China.
China argues that 1971’s United Nations Resolution 2758 legally establishes Taiwan as part of China, since it recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese government. Taiwan’s government disputes this interpretation, noting the resolution never mentioned Taiwan or its status. Last year, the U.S. State Department accused China of misrepresenting the resolution as part of “coercive attempts to isolate Taiwan from the international community.”
Taiwan functions with de facto independence, despite lacking formal recognition from most countries. Its people elect their own leaders, and the government controls defined territory with its own military, passport, and currency. Taiwan’s government maintains that the Republic of China is a sovereign state and Beijing has no authority to represent it, since the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan and has no role in choosing its leaders.
Formally declaring a “Republic of Taiwan” would require significant legal hurdles, including parliamentary approval of constitutional amendments and a referendum. At least 75% of lawmakers would need to approve such changes, but the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition Kuomintang currently hold equal seats in parliament. The DPP, in power since 2016, hasn’t attempted constitutional changes, while the KMT strongly opposes altering the Republic of China name.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te faces criticism from China, which labels him a “separatist.” Before his election, Lai described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence,” though he maintains this simply means Taiwan is already an independent country. Since taking office in 2024, Lai has repeatedly stated that the Republic of China and People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other,” which Beijing interprets as promoting independence.
China established legal grounds for potential military action through its 2005 Anti-Secession Law, passed by the country’s parliament. The law authorizes military force against Taiwan if it declares independence or if “possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted,” though the legislation remains deliberately vague about specific triggers.
The Philadelphia Phillies delivered a dominant 7-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night, capping off a dramatic day that began with the firing of manager Rob Thomson.
Philadelphia made the coaching change after struggling to a 9-19 record that matched the worst in Major League Baseball entering Tuesday’s game. Thomson, who had led the team for nearly four years, was replaced by bench coach Don Mattingly on an interim basis.
Mattingly’s first game as skipper proved successful thanks to an outstanding performance from pitcher Jesus Luzardo, who surrendered only two hits across seven innings of work. The left-hander struck out eight batters without issuing a single walk to improve his record to 2-3.
Philadelphia’s offense came alive in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to break the game open. Trea Turner led the offensive charge with a 4-for-5 performance that included two runs scored, while Adolis Garcia contributed two RBIs to the effort.
The victory marked just the second win for Philadelphia in their last 13 contests, providing some relief for a team that has struggled mightily this season.
Giants starter Tyler Mahle took the loss, falling to 1-4 after allowing five runs on six hits over five innings of work. San Francisco, which had won seven of their previous 10 games, struck out 12 times with Matt Chapman accounting for four of those strikeouts.
In other MLB action around the league:
The Miami Marlins edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 behind six shutout innings from Janson Junk (2-2). Otto Lopez collected three hits for Miami, while Owen Caissie and Kyle Stowers each drove in runs. Shohei Ohtani (2-1) took the loss for Los Angeles despite allowing just two runs over six innings.
Toronto defeated Boston 3-0 as Trey Yesavage made a successful season debut, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing four hits to earn his first win. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits and an RBI, while Kazuma Okamoto delivered a two-run single for the Blue Jays.
Tampa Bay squeezed past Cleveland 1-0 on Jonathan Aranda’s fifth-inning RBI single. Nick Martinez (2-1) worked seven-plus innings for the Rays, who improved to 18-11. The 2024 first overall draft pick Travis Bazzana made his major league debut for Cleveland, going 0-for-2 with two walks.
The New York Yankees beat Texas 3-2 as Cam Schlittler threw six shutout innings and Aaron Judge homered for the third consecutive game. The Yankees have now won 10 of their last 11 games.
Cincinnati routed Colorado 7-2 behind Elly De La Cruz’s 3-for-4 performance that included four RBIs. Spencer Steer added a two-run homer for the Reds, who have won eight of their last 10 games.
Kansas City extended their winning streak to four games with a 4-1 extra-inning victory over Oakland. Bobby Witt Jr. broke a tie with a three-run homer in the 10th inning.
Baltimore defeated Houston 5-3 as Shane Baz earned his first victory with the Orioles and Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer. The struggling Astros have now lost eight of their last 11 games.
Other winners included Atlanta over Detroit 5-2, St. Louis over Pittsburgh 11-7, Milwaukee over Arizona 13-2, the New York Mets over Washington 8-0, Chicago White Sox over the Angels 5-2, Seattle over Minnesota 7-1, and the Cubs over San Diego 8-3.
A New Zealand city council has turned down a proposal to build a memorial statue honoring women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese military forces during World War II, following diplomatic pressure from Japan’s government.
The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board within Auckland Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to deny the Korean Garden Trust’s request to place a bronze sculpture depicting a young girl at Barry’s Point reserve on the city’s North Shore.
The memorial would have honored an estimated 200,000 women, primarily from Asian countries, who were enslaved by Japan’s military in what has been euphemistically called the “comfort women” system.
Kim O’Neill, who heads land and property advisory services for Auckland Council, explained the decision in a statement: “Auckland Council staff recommended that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board decline a proposal for a statue for Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna based on the results of the public consultation and feedback received, which demonstrated a lack of community support for the proposal.”
During public consultations held in January, the council received nearly 700 responses from community members and organizations. According to officials, 57% of individual respondents and 15 out of 20 organizations expressed opposition to the memorial.
Those against the statue cited worries about creating community divisions, concerns over political messaging, and questions about its connection to New Zealand. Supporters argued the memorial would encourage historical reflection, recognize past injustices, and enhance educational opportunities, council representatives noted.
Japan’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Makoto Osawa, submitted formal opposition to the proposal, stating he “strongly” disagreed with the statue’s installation.
“I am concerned that it will cause division and conflict within New Zealand’s wonderful multi-ethnic and multicultural society and between Japanese and Korean communities,” Osawa wrote in his submission.
The ambassador further warned: “The installation of the statue could have a significant impact not only on the relations between peoples, private sectors and local governments in both countries, but also on the diplomatic relations between Japan and New Zealand.”
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance had offered the statue as a gift to New Zealand. The memorial design matches sculptures that activists first placed outside Japan’s embassy in Seoul, South Korea, in 2011 as part of ongoing demands for formal apologies and compensation.
The bronze figure shows a young girl sitting beside an vacant chair. According to Project Sonyeo, an organization that tracks similar memorials worldwide, the empty seat represents the comfort women who have died.
PARIS, April 29 – The French government is advising all of its citizens currently in Mali to evacuate immediately after a series of coordinated attacks struck the West African nation over the weekend, according to updated travel guidance issued by France’s foreign ministry.
French officials warned that the security environment remains unpredictable, and until French nationals can depart the country, they should remain in their homes, minimize travel, and follow directives from local government officials while maintaining contact with family members. The ministry’s advisory strongly discourages any travel to Mali at this time.
The weekend violence involved al Qaeda’s West African branch and a separatist organization led by Tuareg fighters, who struck Mali’s primary military installation and locations near Bamako airport on Saturday. The same groups also forced Russian military personnel backing Mali’s government forces to withdraw from the strategically important northern city of Kidal.
On Tuesday, the head of Mali’s military administration promised to “neutralize” the individuals behind the attacks.
The Department of Justice has filed a second set of criminal charges against James Comey, who previously served as FBI Director. This marks another legal development in the ongoing case against the former federal law enforcement chief.
In international news, King Charles has made public statements advocating for enhanced diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the relationship between the two nations.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case involving former President Trump’s previous efforts to terminate Temporary Protected Status designations for individuals from Haiti and Syria. The high court’s decision will determine whether these immigration protections can be eliminated for refugees from these countries.
Ukrainian businesses and critical infrastructure facilities are getting a new form of protection against nightly Russian drone attacks through an innovative private defense initiative.
The country introduced a pilot program last year that permits industrial companies to create their own air defense units to safeguard their operations. According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, twenty businesses have enrolled in the program, with two currently providing active air defense services.
One participating company, Carmine Sky, utilizes multiple defensive strategies tailored to each client’s requirements, including interceptor drones and automated gun systems equipped with M2 Browning heavy machine guns.
“It’s like an onion, made of layers,” explained Ruslan, a Carmine Sky representative who shared only his first name for security purposes.
Russia sends thousands of inexpensive, long-distance attack drones toward Ukraine monthly. Although Ukrainian forces intercept most of these threats, the ones that penetrate defenses have caused significant damage to military sites, manufacturing plants, and power infrastructure, leaving millions without heat and electricity during the previous winter.
During a Reuters interview at Carmine Sky’s control center, Ruslan showed how employees track incoming Russian drones. Workers sat in comfortable chairs, holding gaming controllers while scanning for threats in a darkened room covered with camouflage netting.
The firm provides services in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and additional areas, though Ruslan wouldn’t specify locations or reveal client identities.
“We are only complementing the traditional state air defence model,” Ruslan stated. “State air defence has a more strategic role, while we are local.”
These private companies must obtain Defense Ministry approval before beginning operations and integrate with the Ukrainian air force’s command structure.
“Targets and the decision to open fire is made solely by them,” Ruslan noted. “We cannot do so on our own.”
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted initial achievements last month, announcing that a private company had successfully destroyed Russian drones in the Kharkiv region. On April 17, he reported that a private air defense team had eliminated a jet-powered Shahed drone.
Civilian personnel undergo extensive screening, including polygraph examinations repeated quarterly, according to Ruslan.
Roman Korzh from Gvardiia, another air defense service provider, said training inexperienced recruits to operate interceptor drones requires approximately three weeks. Those who don’t qualify as pilots join teams as observers or maintenance staff.
Gvardiia primarily recruits from existing volunteer air defense groups with battlefield experience.
“The volunteer units are, as they say, our backbone,” said Korzh, who oversees training operations.
Work schedules remain adaptable, enabling employees to balance defense duties with civilian employment when necessary.
The Supreme Court is examining the Trump administration’s push to terminate Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Haiti and Syria.
The legal challenge centers on the TPS program, which allows qualified foreign nationals to remain and work in the United States when they are unable to safely return to their home nations due to exceptional or temporary circumstances.
An unusual political campaign is taking shape in Vermont, where a teenager has thrown his hat into the ring for the state’s highest office. Dean Roy, who is only 14 years old, has announced his candidacy for governor in the Green Mountain State.
What makes this campaign legally possible is Vermont’s unique position as a state that has not established minimum age requirements for individuals seeking the governor’s mansion. Roy has chosen to pursue his political ambitions through a third-party candidacy rather than aligning with either major political party.
The young candidate’s entry into the gubernatorial race represents an extraordinary example of how different states handle eligibility requirements for their top elected positions.
Central bank officials are anticipated to keep borrowing costs unchanged during Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting. The gathering may represent Jerome Powell’s final opportunity to guide monetary policy as the Fed’s chair.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The small Balkan nation of Kosovo will hold its third parliamentary election in just over a year after its legislature failed to select a new president, plunging the country deeper into political chaos.
Kosovo’s parliament faced a Tuesday midnight cutoff to name a replacement for President Vjosa Osmani, whose presidency ended earlier this month. After lawmakers missed this crucial deadline, the legislative body was automatically disbanded.
Officials must schedule the upcoming election within 45 days, though no specific date has been revealed yet.
Political expert Ilir Deda forecasted the election will likely occur in June. According to Deda, this vote will determine “whether people are willing to hold politicians accountable.”
The nation of 2 million residents has experienced ongoing governmental instability following February 2025’s inconclusive election results, which created months of legislative gridlock.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti established a new administration following a December 28 snap election, but another crisis quickly developed regarding Osmani’s replacement.
Kosovo’s 120-seat parliament requires at least 80 members present to select a president. Opposition parties refused to attend the session due to disagreements over potential candidates, effectively preventing any vote from taking place.
This continued political instability has already damaged Kosovo’s economic prospects and weakened public confidence in democratic institutions.
Kosovo broke away from Serbia in 2008 after a devastating 1998-99 conflict. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s independence, and these unresolved tensions remain a significant concern throughout the unstable Balkan region.
European Union officials have informed both Kosovo and Serbia that normalizing their relationship is essential for advancing their eventual membership applications to the 27-member organization.
Moscow’s annual commemoration honoring the 81st anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat will proceed without tanks, missiles, or other heavy weaponry, according to a late Tuesday announcement from Russia’s Defense Ministry.
This marks the first occasion since Moscow began its comprehensive military operation in Ukraine during 2022 that armored vehicles and artillery will be absent from the May 9th procession through Red Square, traditionally the nation’s most significant non-religious observance and a display of military strength.
Defense officials pointed to the “current operational situation” as justification for removing military hardware and cadet units from the event, though no additional details were provided in their statement.
The ceremony will still include “servicemen from higher military educational institutions of all kinds and certain service branches of the Russian Armed Forces” along with the customary aerial demonstration, according to ministry officials.
The commemoration of World War II represents one of the few historical moments that unites Russians across political divides during the nation’s turbulent Communist era, and the Kremlin has leveraged this shared reverence to foster patriotic feelings and emphasize Russia’s status as a world power.
During what Russians call the Great Patriotic War from 1941-45, the Soviet Union suffered 27 million casualties, a massive loss that continues to influence the country’s collective consciousness.
Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia for more than 25 years, has made Victory Day a cornerstone of his leadership and has attempted to connect it to the current conflict in Ukraine.
The previous year’s celebration was the most extensive since Russian forces entered Ukraine, attracting the highest number of international leaders to Moscow in ten years, including notable attendees such as China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico.
That event showcased more than 11,500 military personnel and over 180 pieces of equipment, including battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery systems deployed in the Ukrainian conflict, along with massive Yars nuclear-capable intercontinental missile launchers and truck-mounted drones. Military aircraft also conducted flyovers above Red Square.
Putin had announced a one-sided 72-hour halt to hostilities beginning May 7, while authorities disabled mobile internet service in Moscow for multiple days to prevent potential Ukrainian drone strikes.
The 2023 ceremony was reduced in scope, featuring fewer soldiers and military hardware with no aerial component.
European Union regulators on Wednesday formally charged Meta with inadequately safeguarding children on its social media platforms, alleging the tech giant allows users under age 13 to access Facebook and Instagram despite company policies prohibiting such accounts.
According to the European Commission, Meta Platforms has insufficient safeguards to block children under 13 from creating accounts and lacks proper systems to identify and delete underage profiles once they’re established.
Both Facebook and Instagram require users to be at least 13 years old to create accounts on their platforms.
Beyond account creation issues, EU officials said Meta fails to properly evaluate risks that could expose children under 13 to content and experiences unsuitable for their age group on both social networks.
The social media company pushed back against the allegations, stating it maintains systems designed to identify and eliminate accounts belonging to users under 13.
“Understanding age is an industry-wide challenge, which requires an industry-wide solution, and we will continue to engage constructively with the European Commission on this important issue,” Meta said in a statement, noting it would announce additional protective measures next week.
European officials are using the Digital Services Act to pursue the case against Meta — comprehensive legislation requiring technology companies operating across the 27-member union to better monitor their platforms and safeguard users online.
Meta can now present its defense regarding these preliminary conclusions before regulators issue their final ruling. Companies found in violation face substantial penalties reaching 6% of their total global annual revenue.
European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen said the investigation that began in 2024 determined Instagram and Facebook “are doing very little” to block children’s access, even though their own policies state “their services are not intended for minors under 13.”
“The DSA requires platforms to enforce their own rules: terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but rather the basis for concrete action to protect users – including children,” Virkkunen stated.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Four members of Indonesia’s military faced their first day in court Wednesday on charges stemming from an acid attack that left a prominent human rights lawyer partially blind and severely burned.
The defendants include three navy marines and one air force officer, all working in military intelligence roles. They stand accused of premeditated assault for the March attack on Andrie Yunus, a 27-year-old attorney who works with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, an organization known as KontraS.
Facing trial at Jakarta’s military court are Sgt. Edi Sudarko, First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetya, and Air Force First Lt. Sami Lakka. Each could receive up to 12 years behind bars if found guilty.
Military prosecutors claim the four worked in coordination but maintain their actions were driven by personal grievances. According to the prosecution, the defendants wanted “to teach him a lesson and deter him from making disparaging remarks about the TNI.”
“The actions of the defendants who threw chemical liquid on Andrie Yunus, resulting in the loss of sight in his right eye and severe burns with no hope of complete recovery, were inappropriate actions for members of the TNI,” prosecutor Iswandi stated during court proceedings.
Human rights organizations have expressed strong criticism regarding both the characterization of personal motivation and the choice to conduct proceedings in military rather than civilian court.
“This case has been narrowed to just four individuals, without transparency, while the motive is framed as personal,” stated Usman Hamid, who leads Amnesty International Indonesia. Hamid pointed out the lack of any clear personal or professional connections between Yunus and those accused, while noting that official military resources appeared to have been utilized in the assault.
“It is difficult to accept that state facilities were used solely for personal revenge,” Hamid warned, expressing concern that the case’s handling could damage public confidence.
Following Wednesday’s reading of charges, the four defendants chose not to challenge the accusations. Two of the accused also suffered minor facial and eye injuries from acid exposure during the incident. The judge scheduled the next hearing for May 6 to hear witness testimony.
The investigation initially fell under Jakarta police jurisdiction before authorities revealed military personnel were involved. Six days following this announcement, military police took four suspects from the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ Strategic Intelligence Agency into custody.
The attack occurred on the evening of March 12 when Yunus was traveling by motorcycle through central Jakarta. Attackers threw hydrochloric acid at his face, causing chemical burns across approximately 20% of his body and damaging roughly 40% of his right cornea, according to prosecutors.
Multiple surgical procedures have been required for Yunus’s ongoing recovery, preventing his attendance at the trial’s opening session, military prosecutor Mohammad Iswandi reported.
Yunus has gained recognition for his work challenging impunity in Indonesia, particularly regarding security sector reform and civil liberties protection. He participated actively in demonstrations last year opposing proposed changes to Indonesia’s military law that would have expanded armed forces involvement in civilian matters. Associates report he has faced ongoing intimidation related to this advocacy work.
The incident has drawn parallels to the 2004 killing of Munir Said Thalib, a prominent human rights advocate and KontraS founder who died from arsenic poisoning during a flight to Amsterdam. While convictions were secured, activists maintain the true orchestrator was never identified.
Growing pressure from civil society organizations demanding disclosure of who authorized and funded the attack on Yunus has prompted a response from President Prabowo Subianto, a former army general.
Prabowo has committed to pursuing those responsible and indicated he may establish an independent investigative team. Rights advocates view the Yunus trial as a crucial test of the military’s post-reform dedication to accountability.
Following the 1998 fall of dictator Suharto, Indonesia’s military officially stepped back from political involvement, leading to reforms designed to enhance civilian oversight.
HANOVER, Mass. (AP) — In a church basement in Ohio, Nicole Hockley began teaching her first class less than two years after losing her 6-year-old son in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of 2012.
Hockley developed her initiative from the tragedy of one of America’s deadliest mass school shootings. The program educates students on recognizing warning signs in classmates and encourages them to alert authorities through anonymous reporting or by speaking with trusted adults to prevent violence.
From that initial session in a Columbus church, the ‘Say Something’ initiative has reached thousands of students across the country. The program has collected almost 395,000 reports covering everything from school shooting threats and suicide concerns to substance abuse and harassment. Last year, one report resulted in the detention of an Indiana student who had made shooting threats against her school.
‘It’s been very successful,’ said Hockley, whose son Dylan was one of 20 first-grade students and six staff members killed at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012. ‘Having had direct experience of both of my children being in a school shooting and my youngest one dying, I feel very compelled to honor that legacy by doing all that I can to prevent future acts of violence and school shootings.’
Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit organization established in early 2013 by Hockley and other family members of Newtown victims, sends instructors to all 50 states. These trainers teach students to recognize indicators of possible violence or self-harm — including social media threats, weapon fixations, or changes in behavior — and emphasize the critical importance of reporting concerns before tragedy strikes.
Students who have matured during an era of frequent mass violence coverage and regular lockdown exercises find comfort in having actionable steps they can take.
‘School shootings are definitely very scary, and they do run through your head as a high school student,’ said Addison Hunt, a 17-year-old junior at Hanover High School in Hanover, Massachusetts. ‘But I think being able to have these outlets where you can report things definitely makes me feel a lot safer.’
During a recent afternoon session, Hunt and her fellow students participated in the ‘Say Something’ presentation in their school auditorium, located approximately 20 miles south of Boston.
Keely Rogers, a 28-year-old former high school music teacher, informed the students that research demonstrates nearly all school attackers displayed warning signs in advance, particularly through social media platforms.
‘You are going to become the eyes and ears of your school through social media, right?’ she said. ‘Your teachers and staff don’t follow the same people as you. They can’t keep an eye out. They can’t keep everyone safe.’
During her presentation, Rogers displayed an Instagram message from an actual tip submitted to their reporting platform that read, ‘Don’t come 2 school tomorrow if you wanna live.’ Rogers explained that someone reported the message within three minutes, leading to immediate intervention.
Ava Khouri, Hanover’s senior class president, emphasized that one crucial message from the program was overcoming concerns about peer judgment when speaking up.
‘I think that definitely students are wary to bring these issues up to adults and administration in the school, because they’re worried they’re either going to be made fun of for tattling or getting someone else in trouble,’ she said. ‘So I think that this program definitely gave light to the fact that you’re not a tattletale if you’re helping someone and you’re helping others.’
Both Hunt and Khouri mentioned they had previously reported concerning behavior to parents and school officials before participating in the program.
The ‘Say Something’ anonymous reporting platform operates around the clock with trained crisis counselors who forward urgent situations to law enforcement and school administrators. According to Sandy Hook Promise, the most frequent reports involve harassment, substance abuse, intimidation, and self-harm concerns.
Occasionally, the platform receives urgent tips that require immediate law enforcement notification.
In Indiana last year, someone utilized the system to report that a student was planning an attack at Mooresville High School near Indianapolis on Feb. 14. This date marks the anniversary of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Authorities arrested the student, 18-year-old Trinity Shockley, on Feb. 12.
The person who reported Shockley, described as her friend, stated that Shockley was fixated on the Parkland gunman and had access to an AR-15 rifle, according to police documentation. Officials said Shockley’s social media activity included a post stating ‘Parkland part two. Of course. I’ve been planning this for a YEAR.’
Shockley entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit murder and received a 12-year prison sentence in November, though her attorney maintained that Shockley would not have executed the plan, according to local media reports.
Sandy Hook Promise maintains that their program and reporting platform prevented the Mooresville shooting along with incidents in other locations, and has also prevented suicides.
‘So it’s bittersweet,’ said Hockley, the co-founder, ‘because I wish this had existed before Sandy Hook.’
An Italian professional golfer is maintaining an optimistic outlook as he recovers from devastating injuries suffered in a shocking elevator accident in South Africa earlier this year.
Andrea Pavan, who has claimed victory twice on Europe’s DP World Tour, plummeted three floors down an empty elevator shaft in February while staying near Stellenbosch Golf Club. The 37-year-old athlete had summoned the elevator at his lodging when the doors opened to reveal nothing but an empty shaft.
The terrifying fall left Pavan with multiple broken bones in his spine and a severe shoulder injury that necessitated surgical intervention.
Speaking with the BBC about his recovery timeline, Pavan explained the medical milestones ahead. “Around three months we’ll see how well the bone has healed. Around six months it’s about where complete bone healing happens and we’ll see how the joint is moving by then,” he said.
“It depends on if there are other tissues that were damaged if I need a second surgery. And there’s the possibility of necrosis when the blood flow is not sufficient for the bones. There is that risk, but so far it seem like things are positive enough,” Pavan continued.
The golfer acknowledged the complexity of his shoulder rehabilitation, noting the joint’s demanding nature in his sport. “The shoulder is a very demanding joint. Hopefully it’s a little less than a year that I can play with a full swing but it’s just so new and such a big injury there just a lot of unknowns,” he shared.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Pavan remains determined as he heals at his residence in Texas. “But I’m hopeful and the only thing I can do is to try and improve and take it day by day,” he added.
World Boxing announced Tuesday that fighters from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to participate in competitions as neutral competitors, following the International Olympic Committee’s position established after Russia’s comprehensive military assault on Ukraine in 2022.
According to the new guidelines, competitors from both nations will participate under the designation of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), prohibited from displaying their country’s flags, national anthems, official emblems, or team uniforms, while undergoing mandatory screening procedures.
This decision comes after World Boxing’s executive board voted in March to accept membership requests from boxing organizations in Russia and Belarus, opening the door for their fighters to participate in sanctioned competitions.
The neutral athlete protocol will be enforced throughout all age divisions in competitions organized by World Boxing, European Boxing, and international tournaments hosted by national boxing organizations, extending to trainers, support personnel, and team management.
According to World Boxing officials, the new protocol became effective immediately, with the organization’s secretary general officially informing both the Russian and Belarusian boxing federations about implementation procedures for the new measures.
An Indian pharmaceutical company announced impressive financial results Wednesday, with fourth-quarter earnings climbing more than 32% compared to the same period last year.
Granules India attributed the strong performance to increased demand for paracetamol and methocarbamol medications across its primary markets, along with recent additions to its product lineup.
The company’s consolidated earnings reached 2.02 billion rupees (approximately $21.3 million) for the quarter ending March 31, up from 1.52 billion rupees in the previous year.
“We delivered a strong performance in Q4 FY26, driven by continued portfolio expansion, disciplined execution, and steady progress across regulatory, compliance, and sustainability initiatives,” stated Managing Director and Chairman Krishna Chigurupati.
Operating revenue increased approximately 23% to 14.71 billion rupees, with North American sales contributing significantly to this growth with a 12% boost. The North American market represents roughly two-thirds of the company’s total sales.
“North America continued to anchor the business as the core growth engine, (while) Europe emerged as a high-momentum market with near doubling performance,” the company reported.
Following the earnings announcement, company shares gained 2% during afternoon trading sessions.
The pharmaceutical manufacturer holds approximately 30% of the worldwide paracetamol market and maintains 10 production facilities across the globe, including seven locations in India, two in the United States, and one in Europe.
The company distributes its medications internationally, reaching customers in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and India.
Financial analysts from Emkay Global predict that growth in fiscal 2027 will likely stem from the expansion of recently launched products, while new controlled drug products expected to launch from fiscal 2028 should provide sustained long-term growth.
The analysts noted that the company has shown better-than-anticipated profit margin stability over the last six quarters, despite facing regulatory challenges at its primary Gagillapur manufacturing site.
Granules has enhanced supervision at its production facilities following U.S. Food and Drug Administration citations for violations at its largest plant, including inadequate record-keeping practices and contamination control problems.
Ukrainian officials reported Wednesday that overnight drone strikes by Russian forces targeted maritime facilities in the southern Odesa region, causing damage to a medical facility and civilian buildings while injuring two individuals.
Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, posted on Telegram that the assault in southern Odesa destroyed the hospital’s intake department and severely damaged additional sections of the medical complex.
Medical personnel and patients had taken refuge in a protective shelter during the bombardment and were subsequently relocated to an alternative healthcare facility, according to Kiper’s statement.
Local prosecutors confirmed that harbor infrastructure was struck during the assault but did not provide specific details about the extent of the damage.
Emergency response teams reported that two individuals sustained injuries from blazes that erupted in civilian neighborhoods. Officials shared images showing buildings consumed by flames and rescue crews working to extinguish the fires.
Kiper also noted that a blaze was detected at the Danube Biosphere Reserve, a protected natural area within the region.
The Odesa area, home to significant Ukrainian maritime ports and Danube River shipping facilities, has faced continuous bombardment throughout Moscow’s ongoing conflict that has lasted more than four years.
Ukrainian air defense forces reported that Russia deployed 171 drones against the nation beginning Monday night. Defense systems successfully intercepted or disabled 154 of those aircraft, according to military officials.
In a separate assault involving drones and missiles in the northeastern Sumy region, one person died and two others were wounded, with the attack sparking extensive fires in residential neighborhoods, local authorities confirmed.
SEOUL – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to seven years in prison by an appeals court Wednesday for blocking law enforcement officials who were trying to carry out his arrest warrant following his brief martial law announcement in December 2024.
The Seoul High Court announced the verdict during a broadcast proceeding, marking the first ruling from a specialized court division created specifically to handle legal matters connected to Yoon’s attempted martial law implementation last year.
The charges against the former president center on his efforts to prevent investigators from executing the arrest warrant issued against him after his controversial decision to impose martial law, which lasted only a short period before being reversed.
European Union officials announced Wednesday that Meta Platforms faces formal charges for failing to adequately safeguard children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram, marking a significant enforcement action under the bloc’s digital protection laws.
The accusations stem from a comprehensive two-year investigation conducted by the European Commission under the Digital Services Act, legislation designed to force major technology companies to better address harmful and illegal material on their platforms.
According to EU investigators, Meta’s current safeguards are insufficient to prevent underage users from creating accounts, and the company’s methods for identifying and removing children who do gain access fall short of regulatory standards.
The investigation revealed that between 10 and 12 percent of European children under the age of 13 are currently using Facebook and Instagram services.
“Our preliminary findings show that Instagram and Facebook are doing very little to prevent children below this age from accessing their services,” stated EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen.
“Terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but rather the basis for concrete action to protect users – including children,” Virkkunen added in her official statement.
European regulators are demanding that Meta overhaul its risk evaluation processes and implement stronger protective measures to prevent, identify, and remove underage users from both social media platforms.
Meta now has the opportunity to address these allegations and implement corrective actions before the Commission reaches a final determination. Companies found in violation of the Digital Services Act face potential financial penalties reaching up to 6 percent of their worldwide annual revenue.
A new analysis reveals that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s March warning about boarding Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels has failed to reduce the number of sanctioned ships passing through UK waters.
Data from Reuters shows that 98 Russian vessels under UK sanctions traveled through British waters in the month following Starmer’s March 25 announcement – roughly the same number seen in each of the previous three months.
British authorities have not announced any actual boardings or detentions of these ships, which often have unclear ownership structures and carry oil, grain, and weapons to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Tracking information from LSEG indicates 63 vessels sailed within 12 nautical miles of Britain’s coastline through the English Channel, the fastest route connecting the Baltic Sea to southern Europe. An additional 35 ships traveled through Britain’s Exclusive Economic Zone extending 200 nautical miles from shore, primarily around northern Scotland.
Maritime security specialist Elisabeth Braw from the Atlantic Council criticized the British response, stating: “You have to quickly follow up with boardings or otherwise those vessels will conclude that it was an empty threat — and that is the regrettable situation we are in now.”
Meanwhile, other European nations including France, Belgium, and Sweden have actively boarded and detained Russian shadow fleet ships in recent months.
The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment when asked about their limited enforcement actions.
Britain’s Royal Navy has shrunk to its smallest size since the 1600s, despite once being a dominant maritime force. The military now faces pressure from allies to support operations across eastern Europe, the Arctic, and Middle East regions.
London currently lists 544 vessels connected to Russia’s shadow fleet on its sanctions roster.
The tracking data revealed at least 10 ships engaged in ‘spoofing’ – disabling or falsifying their location systems – while crossing British waters.
Russian officials have denounced sanctions against their vessels as unlawful and labeled Britain’s boarding policy a ‘deeply hostile move’ that could trigger retaliation.
Security analysts point to several obstacles hampering UK enforcement, including the absence of a specialized law enforcement coast guard like those in France and Sweden, plus complex legal and economic challenges when dealing with numerous vessels.
Miami Marlins pitcher Janson Junk delivered a stellar performance on the mound Tuesday night, throwing six shutout innings to help his team secure a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and tie their three-game series.
The visiting Marlins got offensive support from Otto Lopez, who collected three hits, while Owen Caissie and Kyle Stowers each contributed RBI performances. The victory improved Miami’s record to 2-3 during their current six-game road swing through the West Coast.
Junk earned his second win of the season against two losses, surrendering just three hits while walking one batter and striking out four. The right-hander has now thrown back-to-back scoreless outings after struggling in his two previous starts, where he allowed nine runs with seven earned.
Tyler Phillips stepped up in relief to secure his second save of the season, throwing a clean ninth inning. Phillips got the save opportunity after regular closer Pete Fairbanks was placed on the injured list earlier Tuesday due to nerve irritation.
On the opposing side, Shohei Ohtani took the loss to fall to 2-1 on the season. The Japanese superstar allowed two runs, though only one was earned, on five hits across six innings of work. He issued three walks and recorded nine strikeouts while pitching on five days’ rest for the first time this season. Despite the loss, Ohtani maintains an impressive 0.60 ERA.
The Dodgers’ offense struggled without Ohtani in the lineup, marking just the second time in five starts that the two-way star didn’t bat when he pitched. Will Smith led Los Angeles with three of the team’s seven hits, as the Dodgers were limited to one run or fewer for the fourth time this season.
Miami struck first in the second inning through a combination of hustle and Los Angeles mistakes. Agustin Ramirez took a pitch to his left wrist, then stole second base and moved to third on an errant throw by Ohtani. Caissie brought him home with a sacrifice fly to give the Marlins a 1-0 advantage.
The visitors doubled their lead in the fifth inning when Christopher Morel drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Jakob Marsee’s one-out bunt. Stowers then delivered a clutch single to right field, scoring Morel for a 2-0 Miami lead.
Morel was making his first appearance in a Marlins uniform after signing as a free agent during the offseason. He had been sidelined with an oblique strain suffered during batting practice before the season opener.
Los Angeles managed to cut the deficit in half during the eighth inning. Freddie Freeman’s one-out single put runners on first and third base, setting up Smith’s RBI single to right field off reliever Michael Petersen that made it 2-1.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A quartet of mountain bongo antelopes touched down in Kenya this week, marking another milestone in efforts to save these distinctively striped creatures from extinction.
The animals made the journey from Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic, traveling in specially designed wooden transport containers via KLM cargo aircraft to Kenya’s primary airport. High-ranking officials including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano welcomed the animals, with Miano describing the event as a “homecoming of the majestic bongos.”
These remarkable antelopes face dire circumstances in the wild, with government estimates showing fewer than 100 mountain bongos surviving in their natural habitat. The species earned its critically endangered status due to hunting pressures and disease outbreaks. A devastating rinderpest epidemic in the 1980s killed thousands of the animals, prompting conservationists to relocate many survivors to European facilities for safekeeping.
This marks the third such repatriation effort in recent years, following a previous shipment in February 2025. The newly arrived animals will spend time in quarantine and adjustment periods before moving to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, which currently cares for 102 bongos. Eventually, they will be released back into their wild forest homes.
The conservancy operates Kenya’s National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo alongside government partners, with plans to incorporate these four newcomers into breeding programs designed to diversify and strengthen genetic lines.
Conservation filmmakers Jahawi and Elke Bertolli, both Kenya natives, emphasized to The Associated Press that these returning animals carry crucial genetic diversity essential for species survival. They noted that mountain bongos serve an important ecological function in maintaining forest ecosystems that supply Kenya’s water resources.
Czech Republic Ambassador Nicol Adamcova highlighted how this transfer demonstrates the enduring conservation partnership between her nation and Kenya, representing their joint dedication to protecting threatened wildlife.
Mudavadi praised the achievement as evidence of what becomes possible when government policy, scientific research, and international cooperation align toward common conservation objectives. “I commend all stakeholders involved and assure you of Government’s unwavering support in strengthening conservation frameworks and ensuring that Kenya’s biodiversity continues to thrive,” he stated.
Minister Miano emphasized that introducing genetically diverse animals represents a vital component in building the species’ reproductive strength and long-term survival prospects.
Joel Embiid delivered 33 points and distributed eight assists as Philadelphia defeated Boston 113-97 in Tuesday’s Game 5, keeping the 76ers’ playoff hopes alive in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.
The star center, who sat out the series’ opening three games due to appendix surgery, briefly left the contest with what appeared to be a knee problem at the 4:35 mark of the third quarter, but made his way back onto the court with two minutes remaining in that period.
“Obviously he was very, very good,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “Give him credit. He worked really hard to get back through the procedure that he had. Played a lot of minutes. I was super-impressed with him on the defensive end tonight.”
Tyrese Maxey contributed 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Philadelphia, the series’ seventh seed, which trailed by one point heading into the final quarter before dominating Boston 28-11 in those closing 12 minutes. Paul George recorded 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the 76ers narrowed the best-of-seven series gap to 3-2.
Boston’s second-seeded squad got 24 points and 16 rebounds from Jayson Tatum, while Jaylen Brown contributed 22 points. Neemias Queta posted eight points and 14 rebounds. The Celtics managed just 36 successful shots on 89 attempts from the floor.
“I mean it’s disappointing,” Boston’s Payton Pritchard said. “Every game you lose in the playoffs is disappointing. But the playoffs is life of its own. You never know when you’re gonna get it done, so you gotta move on and get ready for (Game 6 on) Thursday. … We don’t have time to dwell on it. We’ve got to go to Philly tomorrow and get ready for Thursday.”
Boston claimed its first lead when Brown scored a layup making it 16-15 with 2:59 left in the opening quarter. The Celtics held a 23-21 advantage after one period.
The home team expanded their margin to 42-31 following a Tatum three-pointer, but Philadelphia rallied to within two points at 50-48 after Maxey connected from beyond the arc with 2:10 left before halftime. Boston responded with seven consecutive points and took a 57-50 lead into the break.
Early in the third quarter, the Celtics pushed their advantage to 13 points at 63-50, but a VJ Edgecombe three-pointer brought Philadelphia within striking distance at 66-65 with 6:37 remaining in the period. Boston maintained an 86-85 edge entering the fourth quarter.
The 76ers seized control with an 88-86 lead on George’s three-pointer early in the final period, eventually building their biggest advantage when Edgecombe hit another three-pointer for a 109-94 margin with 2:25 left on the clock.
Boston struggled mightily in the fourth quarter, converting only three of 22 field goal attempts.
“Just missed some shots,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I thought we got some good looks. Weren’t able to capitalize on them.”
“We were able to execute what we wanted to do defensively — weren’t blowing assignments and guarded hard,” Nurse said of his team’s fourth-quarter performance. “Everybody did a good job of guarding their man. … We knew we needed to do a better job on the defensive end.”
Chinese technology giants are rushing to place orders for Huawei’s Ascend 950 artificial intelligence processors after the launch of DeepSeek’s V4 AI model, which operates on the domestic chipmaker’s hardware, according to three industry sources familiar with the situation.
Major internet companies including ByteDance, Tencent, and Alibaba have contacted Huawei regarding new processor orders, the sources revealed. These individuals have direct knowledge of the purchasing negotiations currently taking place.
Businesses focused on cloud computing services and graphics processing unit rental operations are also hurrying to submit orders, two additional sources confirmed, though they declined to identify specific companies involved.
The 950PR processor delivers substantially better performance than Nvidia’s H20 chip, which was the most powerful semiconductor Nvidia could legally export to China before Beijing banned its importation last year. However, it remains less capable than Nvidia’s H200, a more sophisticated processor currently stuck in regulatory uncertainty.
Although both U.S. and Chinese officials have approved H200 exports, no shipments have reached China as Beijing and Washington continue disagreeing over sale conditions, creating market space for Huawei’s semiconductor business.
This represents a significant milestone for Huawei following years of difficulty securing substantial orders from China’s technology industry. Earlier chip testing went smoothly this year, with companies like ByteDance and Alibaba planning purchases after receiving samples in January, Reuters previously reported in March.
Huawei, ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent did not provide responses to requests for comment.
The intense competition for Huawei’s processors demonstrates how DeepSeek’s V4 release last week has dramatically increased demand for Chinese-made AI hardware while U.S. export controls continue blocking access to Nvidia’s most advanced chips. This also validates the effectiveness of Huawei’s processors thus far.
DeepSeek’s choice to customize its V4 specifically for Huawei’s hardware signals a strategic move away from American semiconductor reliance toward China’s domestically produced AI equipment, which Beijing considers essential for achieving technological leadership.
Last week, Huawei announced its Ascend supernode infrastructure, powered by Ascend 950 series processors, would completely support DeepSeek V4 models and that the entire Ascend SuperNode product lineup had been modified for V4 inference, the process of using trained AI models to respond to questions and perform tasks.
Among Chinese semiconductor manufacturers, Huawei’s Ascend 950 series, particularly the 950PR model, stands as the only domestic processor supporting technology that handles AI calculations in compressed numerical formats, enabling more computations per second at reduced costs.
Demonstrating the urgent demand, Alibaba Cloud’s Bailian platform offered DeepSeek V4 access immediately upon release, providing both V4-Pro and V4-Flash options at prices matching DeepSeek’s official rates.
Tencent Cloud introduced V4 preview services through its TokenHub platform the same day, implementing the model on domestic servers and its Singapore international gateway for worldwide users.
The quick implementation by major cloud services means millions of users and developers can now utilize V4, dramatically increasing AI query volumes requiring processing and consequently boosting demand for underlying processors.
DeepSeek, which is providing developers a 75% discount on its new model through May 5, indicated V4-Pro pricing could drop significantly in late 2026 once Huawei’s Ascend 950 supernodes “ship at scale.”
Nevertheless, the company recognized that limitations would continue until production increases, reflecting the restricted supply of high-performance domestically manufactured AI chips.
DeepSeek’s V4 offers two variants: V4-Pro containing 1.6 trillion total parameters and V4-Flash with 284 billion parameters, both supporting one-million-token context windows. The models are distributed as open-source releases under the MIT open-source license, permitting companies to freely use, modify, and commercialize the technology.
However, 950 production is anticipated to fall below demand because of U.S. export restrictions on advanced manufacturing equipment that prevent China from obtaining state-of-the-art production tools.
Huawei intended to deliver approximately 750,000 units of the 950PR this year, with mass production launching in April and full-scale deliveries beginning in the second half of 2026, according to individuals familiar with the plans.
ZURICH – Swiss voters are increasingly embracing a controversial ballot measure that would impose a 10 million person ceiling on their nation’s population, according to new polling data released Wednesday.
The survey findings show 52% of respondents now favor or lean toward supporting the June 14 referendum, while 46% oppose the measure. This represents a notable shift from March polling that showed 45% in support and 47% against the population cap proposal.
Switzerland’s government has come out against the initiative, which is championed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP). Officials argue the measure would undermine relationships with the European Union and weaken the economy through labor market restrictions.
However, growing concerns about rapid demographic changes and strain on public services are driving voter sentiment toward the proposal, according to the Tamedia poll conducted with “20 Minuten” newspaper and Leewas polling.
The Alpine nation currently houses more than 9 million residents, with government statistics indicating foreign nationals comprise over 27% of the population as of 2024.
Polling company researchers surveyed 16,176 people on April 22-23, with results published in the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The timing of increased support breaks typical Swiss voting patterns, where referendum proposals usually see declining backing as election day approaches, the newspaper noted.
If approved, the measure would mandate that Switzerland’s permanent resident population cannot surpass 10 million before 2050. The country would also need to terminate its freedom of movement pact with the EU.
This referendum comes as Swiss legislators examine a late-2024 agreement with the EU aimed at strengthening economic partnerships, following a difficult 2025 when Switzerland faced Europe’s steepest U.S. trade tariffs.
The SVP, which holds the largest share of seats in Switzerland’s parliament, opposes deeper EU integration, viewing such ties as threats to national independence and sources of excessive regulation.
David Pastrnak netted a crucial breakaway goal 9 minutes and 14 seconds into overtime, giving the Boston Bruins a vital 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff matchup on Tuesday evening.
The dramatic winner came less than two minutes after Boston netminder Jeremy Swayman made a critical save against Alex Tuch. Pastrnak took a lengthy pass from Hampus Lindholm as he crossed the blue line, breaking away to beat Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon with a shot that went past the keeper’s skate.
Elias Lindholm contributed the other goal for Boston, while Swayman delivered 24 saves overall, including four crucial stops during the overtime period to extend the Bruins’ playoff run. The victory sends the best-of-seven series back to Boston for Game 6 this Friday.
Boston has now captured two of three contests played in Buffalo. Rasmus Dahlin tallied the only goal for the Sabres, and Lyon made 27 saves for Buffalo, which is attempting to claim its first playoff series victory since 2007.
Oilers 4, Ducks 1
Leon Draisaitl found the net twice as Edmonton extended its playoff life with a victory over visiting Anaheim in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round matchup.
Anaheim maintains a 3-2 series advantage heading into Thursday’s Game 6 in Anaheim. Vasily Podkolzin and Zach Hyman also tallied for Edmonton, which knocked Anaheim netminder Lukas Dostal from the game after scoring three times in the opening 10:13. Evan Bouchard recorded three assists, while Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each contributed two helpers.
Connor Ingram turned away 29 shots for the two-time defending Western Conference champions after serving as backup to Tristan Jarry during Edmonton’s 4-3 overtime defeat at Anaheim in Sunday’s Game 4. Alex Killorn scored for the Ducks, who remain one win away from capturing their first playoff series triumph in nine years.
Wild 4, Stars 2
Kirill Kaprizov recorded one goal and two assists as Minnesota defeated host Dallas to grab a 3-2 series advantage in their Western Conference first-round playoff battle.
Matt Boldy contributed a goal and an assist, while Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron also found the back of the net for Minnesota. Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves for the Wild.
Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen each recorded a goal and an assist for Dallas. Jake Oettinger stopped 24 shots for the Stars.
De’Aaron Fox delivered when it mattered most, putting up 13 of his 21 total points during the final quarter as San Antonio eliminated Portland with a commanding 114-95 victory at home Tuesday night, wrapping up their Western Conference first-round series 4-1.
Victor Wembanyama dominated both ends of the court with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks, helping the second-seeded Spurs punch their ticket to the conference semifinals where they’ll face either third-seeded Denver or sixth-seeded Minnesota.
Julian Champagnie contributed 19 points for San Antonio, which reaches the playoff’s second round for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign. Fox also facilitated the offense with a team-leading nine assists.
Portland got 22 points from Deni Avdija but struggled shooting the ball, connecting on just 35.1% of their field goal attempts compared to San Antonio’s 54.7%.
In other playoff action, Joel Embiid exploded for 33 points and eight assists as Philadelphia kept their season alive with a 113-97 road victory over Boston in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.
Tyrese Maxey chipped in 25 points and 10 rebounds for the 76ers, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven contest. Philadelphia trailed by one entering the fourth quarter but dominated the final 12 minutes, outscoring Boston 28-11.
The Celtics got 24 points and 16 rebounds from Jayson Tatum plus 22 points from Jaylen Brown, but went ice-cold in the fourth quarter, making just 3-of-22 shots during that stretch.
Jalen Brunson torched Atlanta for 39 points as New York cruised to a 126-97 home win in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
The Knicks now lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and got additional help from OG Anunoby’s 17 points and 10 rebounds. New York controlled the glass with a commanding 48-27 rebounding advantage.
Atlanta received 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists from Jalen Johnson, while Dyson Daniels scored 17 points. The Hawks managed just four fast-break points in the loss.
KHARTOUM, Sudan — When Khaled Abdulgader saw children playing with what looked like a soccer ball, he rushed to intervene. The moment he picked up the object, it detonated in his hands, severing two of his fingers and sending metal fragments into his chest.
During a medical follow-up visit after the explosion occurred last year, Abdulgader remained grateful despite his injuries.
“I feel like, ‘Thank God it was just my hands,’” Abdulgader said.
His experience reflects a growing crisis affecting hundreds of civilians who have been wounded or killed by unexploded military devices during Sudan’s ongoing three-year conflict. These dangerous remnants include landmines along with failed bombs, artillery shells, grenades and rockets — totaling tens of thousands of items scattered throughout the region.
Officials and humanitarian organizations report the problem is especially severe in and around Khartoum, where many residents unfamiliar with these dangers have begun returning home after Sudanese forces regained control of the capital in recent months.
United Nations data shows nearly 60 individuals were wounded or killed in Khartoum state during the previous year, with children accounting for more than half of these casualties. In just the first quarter of this year, 23 more people became victims, including 21 children.
Sudan’s history of prolonged warfare has resulted in unexploded ordnance contaminating an area equivalent to roughly 7,700 football fields across the nation.
More than half of this contamination stems from fighting that began in 2023 between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces militia, bringing this threat to previously unaffected regions like Khartoum state.
Aid organizations report that both Sudan’s army and the RSF have been accused of deploying mines during their battle for the capital.
“The presence of land mines and other explosive ordnance is of great concern to everybody,” said Juma Abuanja, the team leader for Jasmar, a Sudanese demining group.
According to Abuanja, the cleanup effort will require years to complete. The painstaking demining process allows crews to safely clear only 10 to 15 square meters each day.
Khartoum remains largely deserted, littered with evidence of fierce combat. Burned and empty structures show bullet damage throughout the city.
During a recent visit, AP reporters witnessed a soldier retrieving what appeared to be part of a rocket-propelled grenade from a residence after a local resident called for assistance in identifying the potential threat.
Despite the dangers, tens of thousands have returned to the city, with 1.7 million people now back in Khartoum state, according to UN figures.
UN reports indicate that demining specialists have cleared approximately 7.8 million square meters of land in Khartoum state over nearly the past year. Their efforts uncovered more than 36,000 dangerous items, including hundreds of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
Items that can be safely transported are taken to remote areas for destruction, while those too dangerous to move are detonated where they’re found.
Significant work remains as residents attempt to rebuild their communities.
In Khartoum, Jasmar’s demining crew has dedicated eight months to clearing explosives from a well-known park, one of at least seven identified minefields in Khartoum state. These contaminated zones range from suburban areas to downtown locations, with some positioned near critical bridges.
Team members took breaks under shade trees last week, removing their protective gear and face masks between work periods to escape the intense heat.
The park cleanup covering some 123,000 square meters started in August and should finish by May. The team has already discovered more than 160 explosive devices, including both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.
Abuanja confirmed at least one fatality occurred in the park before their clearance work began. The location is now secured with barriers and warning signs.
Sudan’s government acknowledges it’s working to minimize the threat but faces severe limitations in funding and staffing.
A government representative told AP they’re conducting awareness campaigns through mosque visits, market outreach, radio programs and podcasts, while developing educational resources for schools. The official requested anonymity as they lacked media authorization.
However, multiple injured victims informed AP they had never encountered any warnings, which only began in late 2024.
Some residents suggested people might hesitate to report unexploded weapons to authorities due to concerns about being questioned regarding possession of military items. A Human Rights Watch report from earlier this year documented security forces detaining civilians on suspicion of collaborating with the RSF, particularly in areas where the army has regained territory.
Others fail to recognize the danger before it’s too late.
Mogadem Ibrahim thought he was picking up automotive debris when he grabbed a metal fragment. When the object adhered to his hand and he attempted to shake it off, it exploded.
The 18-year-old now conceals his bandaged left arm under his clothing. The August blast near his Omdurman home destroyed his fingers and ended his ability to work in manual labor.
“I feel depressed and worthless. I was supporting my family and now I’m sitting here and doing nothing,” he said.
Chinese authorities have temporarily halted the approval process for new autonomous vehicle permits following a technical failure that caused Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxis to unexpectedly cease operations in Wuhan last month, according to a Wednesday report from Bloomberg News citing sources with knowledge of the situation.
The temporary ban prevents companies developing self-driving technology from expanding their current robotaxi fleets, initiating new testing programs, or beginning operations in additional metropolitan areas, the report indicated.
Local officials have also put a hold on Baidu’s robotaxi services in Wuhan while they conduct their investigation into what caused the system malfunction, Bloomberg reported.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at the time of publication.
Government agencies including the industry ministry, transport ministry, and public security ministry did not provide immediate responses to written requests for comment. Baidu also failed to respond to inquiries about the situation.
Two competing robotaxi companies emphasized their commitment to safety protocols while confirming their services continue operating without interruption.
“Pony.ai’s robotaxi services in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are currently operating normally,” the company stated.
“Our preparation work in Changsha and Hangzhou is also progressing as planned,” Pony.ai added.
WeRide reported that its “robotaxi services in China are still operating as normal” across coverage areas spanning more than 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles).
“We support the authorities’ efforts to ensure the highest safety standards across the industry,” WeRide said in its statement.
Earlier this month, Chinese government officials directed regional authorities to perform internal safety reviews and enhance monitoring protocols for road testing of intelligent connected vehicles.
The US dollar strengthened Wednesday as financial markets prepared for the Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest rate announcement, with ongoing Middle East warfare creating additional uncertainty for investors worldwide.
Trading activity remained subdued across Asian markets, with Japan observing a national holiday and multiple central bank meetings scheduled throughout the week. Currency movements stayed within narrow ranges during the lighter trading session.
The euro fell 0.07% against the dollar to $1.1705, while the British pound declined 0.05% to $1.3513. Both currencies have retreated from peaks reached earlier this month.
Market attention centers on the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement expected later Wednesday, where officials are anticipated to maintain current interest rates. Investors will closely examine the central bank’s evaluation of how Middle East conflicts might affect the US economy, along with signals about Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s plans.
“The question is what Powell is going to do, because he still holds the governor seat until 2028, so whether he chooses to resign after the expiry of the Chair term or if he stays on as a governor and as sort of a shadow Chair,” explained Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
“Powell has previously said that he will stay on if he thinks that Fed independence is under threat, so I think his decision … will depend on his perception of Fed independence,” Kong added.
The dollar index, measuring the currency against a collection of international currencies, held steady at 98.68. Canada’s dollar showed little movement at C$1.3685 ahead of the Bank of Canada’s rate decision also scheduled for Wednesday.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran conflict have stalled, with US President Donald Trump expressing dissatisfaction with Tehran’s latest proposals due to his insistence on addressing nuclear concerns immediately. This geopolitical tension continues supporting the dollar as investors seek safe-haven assets.
The Japanese yen hovered near the critical 160-per-dollar level despite the Bank of Japan’s hawkish stance Tuesday, which suggested potential rate increases in upcoming months. The yen traded at 159.63 against the dollar, receiving modest support following the Japanese central bank’s decision.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda emphasized the institution’s willingness to increase rates to prevent energy price shocks from driving widespread inflation, provided any economic downturn from Middle East tensions remains limited.
“If you look at the broader picture here, yes there’s a bit of a hawkish hint coming through, (the BOJ) may have hiked if not for the war… but the broader picture here is that, it’s still one in which the rate hike that is likely to come is going to be gradual in nature,” said Sim Moh Siong, a strategist at OCBC.
“The story for the yen is one in which the downside is capped because we’re near to intervention levels, but it’s very difficult to get excited about the upside,” Siong noted.
Currency traders remain watchful for possible intervention by Japanese officials to support their currency, as the 160 level is widely viewed as a potential threshold for such action.
The Australian dollar dropped 0.26% to $0.7164 following domestic inflation data that revealed continuing price pressures, though the core inflation measure came in slightly below expectations. New Zealand’s dollar fell 0.4% to $0.5862.
New Zealand’s central bank chief stated Wednesday that core inflation measurements for the first quarter remained stable within the target range of 1% to 3%, noting the bank’s continued focus on managing inflation while supporting economic recovery.
A Finnish elevator manufacturer announced Wednesday it will purchase a German competitor in a massive $34.4 billion acquisition that will establish the world’s largest elevator company.
Kone revealed it has reached an agreement to acquire TK Elevator from Germany for 29.4 billion euros, representing one of Europe’s most significant corporate acquisitions in 2024 and the largest company purchase in Finland’s corporate history.
The acquisition involves purchasing TK Elevator from private equity companies Advent International and Cinven. According to Kone, the merged companies expect to generate approximately 700 million euros in annual operational efficiencies.
Philippe Delorme, Kone’s chief executive officer, explained the strategic reasoning behind the purchase. “This combination would meaningfully enhance our ability to meet customers’ growing demand for reliable and sustainable solutions and services,” Delorme stated.
The transaction positions the combined entity to dominate the global elevator and escalator market, bringing together two major European manufacturers under one corporate umbrella.
German athletic wear giant Adidas announced Wednesday that its first-quarter earnings surpassed analyst predictions, driven by robust consumer demand even as the company navigates what Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden characterized as a “very volatile and heavily discounted” marketplace, particularly in the sneaker segment.
The company’s total revenue climbed 14% when adjusted for currency fluctuations, reaching 6.6 billion euros (equivalent to $7.7 billion) during the three-month period. This growth occurred despite declining sales in multiple Middle Eastern markets affected by ongoing regional conflicts, according to the athletic apparel manufacturer.
The sportswear company emphasized its strategic approach of maintaining careful control over product distribution to retailers, preventing the need for steep price reductions on footwear. This contrasts sharply with competitor Nike’s recent announcement that it would pursue “aggressive” markdown strategies to eliminate excess inventory.
Operating earnings for the initial quarter of 2026 increased 16% to 705 million euros, surpassing the 647 million euro forecast compiled from analyst predictions and representing growth from the previous year’s 610 million euros.
Revenue received a boost from heightened interest in soccer merchandise as anticipation builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament scheduled to begin in June, the company noted.
The State Department has announced plans to produce special commemorative passports featuring President Donald Trump’s image in honor of America’s approaching 250th anniversary.
According to the department, these limited-edition travel documents will be released to celebrate the nation’s semiquicentennial milestone. The commemorative passports represent a departure from standard passport designs and will showcase the current president as part of the historic anniversary celebration.
The announcement comes as the country prepares for the significant milestone of its 250th year of independence. Details about the availability and distribution of these special passports have not yet been fully disclosed by the State Department.
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani delivered a dominant pitching performance Tuesday evening, recording nine strikeouts during six innings of work for the Los Angeles Dodgers while sitting out of the batting lineup for the second time this season.
The 31-year-old dual-threat athlete allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits while issuing three walks in the matchup against Miami. Ohtani threw a season-high 104 pitches for Los Angeles, with 67 finding the strike zone, before exiting with his team down 2-0.
This marked the second occasion in three weeks where Ohtani focused solely on pitching duties rather than serving as the designated hitter in the batting order.
“It’s almost like a half-day for him,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “I think that in itself is a win for his mind and body.”
Dalton Rushing stepped into both the designated hitter role and leadoff spot in Ohtani’s absence from the lineup.
Los Angeles is implementing a strategic approach to managing Ohtani’s responsibilities during his inaugural full campaign as a dual-role player while the franchise pursues a third consecutive championship.
“Obviously having him do both duties, theory, practice, it’s great,” Roberts said. “But how sustainable is it without kind of taking a little bit off his plate? That’s the question and it’s not exact science.”
Despite occasional control issues, Ohtani surrendered his second earned run across 30 innings this year, causing his ERA to rise from 0.38 to 0.60.
The performance came with Ohtani working on five days of rest for the first time this season, departing from his typical six-day schedule.
Ohtani’s achievement places him alongside Fernando Valenzuela from 1981 and his own 2024 campaign as the only Dodgers hurlers to surrender just one run through their first five seasonal starts. This year, Ohtani accomplished the feat while pitching only 9 1/3 innings.
The superstar is expected to return to hitting duties Wednesday afternoon for the series conclusion.
CHIANG SAEN, THAILAND — Seventy-five-year-old fisherman Sukjai Yana pulled in just one small fish from his nets as he worked the waters where the Mekong and Kok rivers meet in northern Thailand. From his long-tail boat, he cast his nets again, hoping for a better catch in waters that once teemed with fish.
Contaminated water flowing from rare earth mining operations in Myanmar and Laos is now reaching Thailand’s river systems, putting at risk the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waterways for fishing and farming.
The heavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to Southeast Asia’s economically vital agricultural exports, which generate billions of dollars annually and serve as a foundation for the region’s growing economies.
“The Mekong and Kok Rivers are both a source of food and income, which gives life to the people,” said Sayan Khamnueng of the Living Rivers Association. “The river contaminants are the biggest transboundary issue we’ve ever faced.”
So far, Thailand has only responded to the escalating crisis by tracking heavy metal concentrations and informing local residents about potential health dangers. This limited approach has sparked worry in downstream nations Cambodia and Vietnam.
“If the contamination continues … the new generation (will) have to move to the city because they cannot continue their farmer’s life,” said Sangrawee Suweerakarn of the Romphothi Foundation, an advocacy group for the Shan ethnic group.
Asian financial markets displayed mixed performance Wednesday following the United Arab Emirates’ announcement that it will withdraw from OPEC, a decision that sent crude oil prices tumbling despite broader geopolitical concerns.
Futures contracts for U.S. markets pointed to a higher opening.
Japanese markets remained shuttered for a national holiday.
Across other Asian trading centers, South Korea’s Kospi index climbed 0.3% to reach 6,657.40, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.4% to 26,029.02. China’s Shanghai Composite index posted a 0.3% increase to 4,091.01.
However, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.3% to 8,689.50.
Taiwan’s Taiex dropped 0.6%, while India’s Sensex managed a 0.4% gain.
Crude oil prices retreated following the UAE’s OPEC withdrawal announcement. June delivery Brent crude fell 0.5% to $110.71 per barrel in early Wednesday trading, while July Brent dropped 0.6% to $103.74. For perspective, Brent crude traded around $70 per barrel before the Iran conflict escalated in late February.
U.S. benchmark crude oil declined 0.6% to $99.32 per barrel.
The UAE’s scheduled Friday exit from OPEC has drawn significant attention from energy markets. The organization controls approximately 40% of worldwide oil production, with the UAE ranking among OPEC’s top producers. The nation has increasingly challenged OPEC’s production limits in recent years, seeking to expand its oil sales globally.
“The UAE’s exit will increase (oil) output,” ING Bank strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a research note on Wednesday. “The UAE has been increasingly frustrated over recent years by its output being constrained by OPEC production quotas, which have kept it well below its potential.”
However, with U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts for a lasting resolution to the Iran conflict remaining stalled and the Strait of Hormuz – through which approximately one-fifth of global oil previously flowed – still largely blocked, analysts suggest near-term oil price movements will primarily depend on prospects for reopening this crucial shipping route.
Before the Iran conflict began, the UAE held the position of OPEC’s third-largest oil producer. ING analysts noted that its withdrawal “will reduce OPEC’s effectiveness in managing and influencing the global oil market through supply measures.”
Market participants continue monitoring developments in U.S.-Iran diplomatic discussions, though meaningful advancement remains limited. Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States ending its port blockade. However, the U.S. appears unwilling to consider any agreement that doesn’t address the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activities.
The Federal Reserve is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision later Wednesday.
Tuesday saw Wall Street pull back from recent peak levels. The S&P 500 benchmark index dropped 0.5% from its latest record to close at 7,138.80. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1% to 49,141.93, while the tech-focused Nasdaq composite fell 0.9% to 24,663.80.
Technology and artificial intelligence stocks drove the decline. Broadcom shares tumbled 4.4%, Nvidia decreased 1.6%, and Micron Technology lost 3.9%. Major tech companies including Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms are scheduled to release quarterly earnings Wednesday.
In early Wednesday currency trading, the U.S. dollar strengthened slightly to 159.63 Japanese yen from 159.62 yen. The euro weakened to $1.1708 from $1.1712.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds held steady at 4.35%.
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to appear before lawmakers on Wednesday in his first congressional testimony since the Trump administration initiated military action against Iran, a conflict that Democratic leaders have criticized as an unauthorized and expensive military engagement.
The House Armed Services Committee session is planned to review the administration’s proposed 2027 defense budget, which seeks to increase military spending to an unprecedented $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are anticipated to emphasize requirements for additional drone technology, missile defense capabilities, and naval vessels.
Democratic committee members are expected to challenge officials on the escalating expenses of the Iranian conflict, the significant depletion of essential U.S. weapons stockpiles, and a school bombing incident that resulted in civilian casualties. Legislators may also examine the military’s readiness to counter Iranian drone attacks, particularly after some aircraft breached American defenses and caused casualties among U.S. personnel.
Although a temporary ceasefire is currently active, the United States and Israel initiated hostilities on February 28 without seeking congressional authorization. Democratic members in both chambers have been unsuccessful in advancing war powers legislation that would compel President Trump to suspend operations pending congressional approval.
Republican lawmakers have expressed continued support for Trump’s military strategy, pointing to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, diplomatic possibilities, and the risks associated with military withdrawal. However, GOP members are anxious for the conflict’s conclusion, with some considering future legislative actions that could challenge the president if hostilities continue.
Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transport route, has caused fuel costs to surge and created political challenges for Republicans approaching midterm elections. The United States has implemented a naval blockade against Iranian vessels and increased regional military presence, deploying three aircraft carriers to the Middle East simultaneously for the first time in over two decades.
Both nations seem trapped in a military deadlock, with Trump reportedly rejecting Tehran’s recent proposal to reopen the shipping lane in exchange for ending the war, removing the naval blockade, and delaying nuclear negotiations.
Hegseth has evaded public congressional scrutiny regarding the conflict, though he and Caine have conducted televised Pentagon press conferences. The defense secretary has primarily engaged with conservative media representatives while referencing biblical texts to criticize mainstream news organizations.
Wednesday’s hearing will present a significantly different environment for Hegseth, as will Thursday’s Senate Armed Services Committee appearance with Caine. Lawmakers’ inquiries are expected to extend beyond budget matters and the Iranian situation to address Hegseth’s dismissal of senior military officials.
Following Navy Secretary John Phelan’s exit last week, Hegseth has also removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and multiple other high-ranking generals, admirals, and defense officials.
“Tell us why. You know these are important positions. We are in a war posture with Iran,” said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican.
Tillis, whose vote was essential for Hegseth’s confirmation, stated that the defense secretary’s Pentagon management has led him to reconsider his endorsement.
“He may be able to clean it up, but on its face, you don’t go through the number of highly reputable, senior-level officials, admirals and generals,” Tillis added.
Georgia Republican Rep. Austin Scott criticized George’s dismissal during last week’s House Armed Services Committee session, declaring that “some of us are not through asking the questions about that.”
“I think the firing of Gen. George was an extreme disservice to the United States Army,” Scott said. “And I think it was reckless conduct.”
CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (AP) — When Maine Governor Janet Mills wants to illustrate why others shouldn’t count her out politically, she recalls an incident from her early career involving a powder blue outfit she once donned in court.
More than 40 years ago, Mills made history as the state’s first female prosecutor in the attorney general’s criminal division when she won a murder case. However, the newspaper coverage the next day highlighted something entirely different: “The prosecutor wore pale powder blue.”
“That wasn’t the first time someone underestimated me. And it certainly wasn’t the last,” Mills, who is now seeking a U.S. Senate seat, stated in a recent message to her campaign supporters.
This theme has become central to the two-term governor’s messaging as she campaigns for the Democratic nomination to challenge veteran Republican Senator Susan Collins. Although Mills brings decades of government experience and has earned backing from Washington’s Democratic leadership, she finds herself trailing in the race leading up to next week’s initial primary debate.
Her primary challenger, Graham Platner, a former military member turned oyster farmer, has been attracting larger and more energetic audiences. Platner has also outpaced Mills in fundraising and has saturated television and radio with advertisements since launching his campaign last summer.
Mills contends she represents the Democrats’ best option against Collins in what could be a pivotal Senate contest. She believes her smaller, more personal campaign events allow for deeper voter connections. With their first debate set for May 7 — the opening round of five planned debates — Mills expects Platner’s previous controversial statements to become a major talking point. She emphasizes her extensive governmental background, contrasting it with Platner’s limited experience serving only on a small town’s planning committee.
Following a Portland demonstration supporting Planned Parenthood, Mills highlighted her role in establishing the Maine Women’s Lobby, an organization advocating for gender equality since the 1970s, and her long-standing commitment to reproductive rights. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund recently endorsed her candidacy.
“He’s been nowhere on these issues,” Mills said of Platner. “He’s never walked the walk.”
Mills boasts an impressive list of firsts in Maine politics. She broke barriers as the state’s inaugural female district attorney, attorney general, and governor. For this Senate campaign, she has secured endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
However, her past successes may not guarantee victory in this year’s Democratic primary, as party members debate whether seasoned politicians or fresh candidates offer the better path forward. Platner has won support from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressive figures who argue that Democrats’ 2024 electoral setbacks demonstrate the need for new leadership.
Age has emerged as another campaign issue. At 78, Mills has committed to serving just one term if elected. Platner, who is 41, argues that voters should choose a senator willing to build long-term influence in Washington, where gaining seniority and policy influence typically requires years. This age difference presents both opportunities and challenges, given Maine’s older population but Democrats’ growing concerns about elderly candidates following Joe Biden’s decision to abandon his reelection bid at age 81.
“I’m really torn, I want the person who can win,” said Karen Tilbor, 79, who supports Mills as governor but remains undecided about the primary. She believes “many more young people” will support Platner.
While Platner organizes large rallies across the state, Mills’ supporters argue the governor doesn’t need massive events because she already enjoys broad name recognition and voter familiarity with her positions and character.
Denham Ward, 79, finds this approach appealing.
“She has got supporters who have known her for a long time, who know what she can do,” Ward explained. “She’s a known commodity for the state and has an organization that I think can take on Susan Collins.”
Emily Cain, a former Maine legislator and past executive director of EMILY’s List, which supports female Democratic candidates and has endorsed Mills, believes the fundamental question for primary voters is: “Who do you think has the best chance of beating Sen. Collins?”
Although Maine voters chose Democrat Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in 2024, Collins has maintained her Senate seat for decades by positioning herself as a moderate in a predominantly Democratic state.
“If it’s just about who you like better, or who makes you feel better, then that is different than who you think can win in the fall,” Cain observed.
Even Mills’ supporters like Cain avoid claiming she has a clear advantage in the Democratic primary.
“I think the governor has a path to victory,” Cain said. “I think it’s going to be up to her, her team and her supporters to get across that finish line.”
Mills maintains that Platner’s controversial background makes him a riskier choice for the general election.
Questions persist about inflammatory statements Platner posted online previously, which he has since renounced but which Mills featured in an attack advertisement where women called his remarks “disgusting.” He has also faced scrutiny over a skull-and-crossbones tattoo associated with Nazi imagery that he received while drinking during military leave in Croatia. Platner has since had the tattoo covered.
Mills also confronts some challenges. Liberal voters have criticized her opposition to a ballot measure creating a red flag gun law in the state, though the measure ultimately passed.
Additionally, Mills has positioned herself as a Trump opponent, which may help in much of Maine but could alienate voters in rural areas. Trump has won the presidential vote in the Republican-leaning 2nd Congressional District in three consecutive elections.
Platner has built his campaign around economic concerns like housing and healthcare costs while targeting billionaires and what he terms “oligarchy.”
During a recent Saturday rally, he appeared alongside Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who told the crowd of hundreds that the nation requires significant change.
Meanwhile, Mills recently spent a Friday meeting with small business owners in Cape Elizabeth and South Portland, coastal communities near the state’s largest city.
These events weren’t intended to draw massive crowds, and they didn’t. One involved casual conversations with restaurant patrons during lunch, while another featured discussions with a flower shop owner and employees. Each event attracted approximately five to 10 attendees.
Some voters present believed Mills’ governmental experience would benefit the state.
“Janet Mills has a ton more experience at many levels of government and I think has the best chance to hopefully give Maine a little bit of a leg up in terms of getting federal funding for us, and some federal recognition,” said Shelley Stevens, 51, who owns Fiddleheads florist in Cape Elizabeth. “It’s just very pragmatic for me.”
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court will consider Wednesday whether the Trump administration has the authority to terminate legal safeguards for migrants who escaped conflict zones and natural catastrophes, marking another significant immigration dispute before the justices during the president’s comprehensive border enforcement efforts.
Federal officials are challenging lower court rulings that prevented the Department of Homeland Security from rapidly terminating temporary protected status for individuals from Haiti and Syria. Should the Supreme Court rule in favor of the Trump administration, officials could remove protections from as many as 1.3 million individuals across 17 nations, making them vulnerable to removal proceedings.
The justices have previously supported the administration and permitted the termination of protections for Venezuelan nationals while litigation continues, though they provided no explanation for their decision.
Government lawyers maintain that the Homeland Security secretary possesses authority to terminate the program called TPS, and that statutory language prevents courts from reviewing such determinations. Federal attorneys stated in legal filings that “‘No judicial review’ means no judicial review.”
However, attorneys representing approximately 350,000 Haitian migrants and 6,000 Syrian nationals argue that courts can examine whether officials adhered to all procedural requirements outlined in federal law. They maintain that in both situations, the government bypassed proper procedures.
Following President Donald Trump’s return to office, Homeland Security has terminated protections for 13 nations. Legal advocates report that some individuals who maintained lawful residence and employment in America for over ten years have lost their livelihoods and homes within weeks. Returning to Haiti and Syria remains impossible for many due to continued violence and chaos in those nations, according to Sejal Zota, co-founder and legal director of Just Futures Law.
“This really is life or death,” she said. Legal documents reveal that four Haitian women deported from America in February were later discovered beheaded and abandoned in a river.
The Trump administration petitioned the Supreme Court after federal judges in New York and Washington, D.C., agreed to postpone the termination of protections. One court determined that “hostility to nonwhite immigrants” likely influenced the decision to end Haitian protections. During his campaign, Trump promoted unfounded claims that Haitian immigrants were stealing and consuming pets. Federal officials have rejected allegations that racial bias influenced TPS determinations.
Syrian nationals received protected status initially in 2012 during a civil conflict that persisted over a decade until President Bashar Assad’s regime collapsed in late 2024.
Haitians entered the program following a devastating 2010 earthquake and have received multiple extensions due to persistent gang warfare that has forced over one million people from their homes, court records show.
Maryse Balthazar was visiting the United States when the earthquake devastated her homeland of Haiti. She has maintained temporary legal status for 16 years, raising two children while working as a nursing assistant for elderly patients. Healthcare industry representatives argue in court filings that the field depends on Haitian immigrants like Balthazar and would suffer significantly if the Supreme Court permits their status to end.
For Balthazar, losing protection would be catastrophic. The earthquake destroyed her Haitian residence, and another potential home was lost in a fire possibly linked to gang activity. “I’d be homeless,” she said. “I’m scared … it’s a fear we are all living with.”
Additional immigration matters before the Supreme Court this term include Trump’s effort to limit birthright citizenship and the administration’s authority to reinstate restrictive asylum policies.
In Ukraine’s northeast region, military crews spend long nights monitoring computer screens from mobile command centers, tracking incoming threats with the help of interceptor drones and caffeine to stay alert.
These operators represent approximately 1,000 similar teams across Ukraine working to counter Russia’s most devastating aerial weapon: the Shahed drone.
“Even if you use 50 drones to shoot down one Shahed, it’s worth it,” explained Borys, a team leader who previously worked as a television news producer before the conflict changed his career path. “One Shahed can fly in and destroy something far more valuable.”
Russia has deployed thousands of these Iranian-designed, cost-effective long-range attack drones monthly against Ukraine. Moscow has modified the original Shahed design, renaming it the Geran, with enhanced navigation systems, improved engines, and more powerful explosive payloads.
Ukrainian forces successfully intercept most Shaheds and similar long-range drones, but those that penetrate defenses cause significant damage. According to Ukrainian air force statistics, over 1,000 drones reached their targets out of approximately 6,500 launched last month, devastating military installations, urban areas, and power infrastructure while leaving millions without electricity and heat.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced in February an ambitious goal to neutralize 95% of all incoming Shaheds and comparable long-range attack drones from Russia.
Military charity Come Back Alive compiled air force data showing February’s interception rate exceeded 85%. With Russia’s ground offensive stalled, Fedorov emphasized that strengthening aerial defenses could prove crucial for Ukraine’s survival through another year of warfare.
Reuters spoke with twelve Ukrainian officials, defense manufacturers, and military personnel involved in this defensive campaign, who reported steady progress. Fedorov recently stated the interception rate had climbed to 90%.
Reuters could not independently confirm the drone launch and interception statistics. Russia’s defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Moscow consistently denies deliberately targeting civilian populations, claiming its aerial campaigns aim to weaken Ukraine’s military capabilities. Ukraine has also launched thousands of long-range drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles, against Russian targets including energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian personnel involved in the interception program warn that developing a nationwide defense network with thousands of air defense units will require months, and technological advances may prove temporary in the ongoing arms race with Russia.
The initial interceptor that successfully destroyed a Shahed in early 2025 became obsolete within four months when Russians discovered they could outpace it by boosting the Shahed’s velocity from 170 kilometers per hour to over 200 kph, according to Taras Tymochko, a technology expert at Come Back Alive.
Consequently, interceptors must travel faster than their targets to achieve successful intercepts, requiring upgrades to reach speeds up to 300 kph, Tymochko noted.
Currently, approximately 15-20% of Russian Shaheds use jet propulsion instead of traditional propellers, enabling speeds of 400 kph, said Yuriy Cherevashenko, a senior Ukrainian air force commander.
Fedorov told Reuters that jet-powered interceptor drones, currently under development by Ukrainian manufacturers, would address this speed challenge.
Russia first imported Shaheds from Iran shortly after Moscow’s 2022 invasion began. These aircraft, resembling small planes with pointed fronts and triangular wings, became infamous for their distinctive high-pitched engine noise, earning the nickname “mopeds.”
Russia now produces thousands monthly in domestic facilities, forming the majority of its long-range drone fleet.
“As Russia builds out more and more of these UAVs, they represent an existential threat to Ukraine,” said Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think-tank. “Therefore taking them down is of the utmost importance.”
Production costs remain classified, but the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated last year that Russian Shahed variants cost $35,000 each to manufacture.
Ukrainian interceptor drones cost several thousand dollars each, with the most affordable models priced under $1,500, according to manufacturers. These typically consist of 3D-printed plastic shells containing explosives and powered by four small rotors.
Field operations prove challenging for Ukrainian interceptor teams. Soldiers have only minutes from when a Shahed appears on radar until it moves beyond range. They must guide an interceptor toward the target until spotting the Shahed through their drone’s camera, then execute a collision course and detonate.
Target identification depends heavily on weather conditions. “We had a night when we had 10 launches and we didn’t find a single (Shahed),” said Borys.
The 47-year-old left television work to enlist after the invasion and now leads three interceptor crews in the 420th Unmanned Systems battalion. He requested his surname be withheld following standard Ukrainian military protocol.
When fog rolled in during a cold March evening, soldiers in Kharkiv region had to abort their mission due to zero visibility through their drones’ cameras.
Fedorov said Ukraine is developing automated drone guidance technology to improve effectiveness during poor weather.
Facing nightly attacks of over 500 drones, Ukraine has rapidly developed cost-effective urban and infrastructure defense methods. The country employs a comprehensive, multi-tier system using electronic warfare equipment, interceptor drones, armed pickup trucks, helicopters, and fighter aircraft.
Air force commander Cherevashenko said the military is applying knowledge gained from Russia’s drone campaigns last summer and winter to defeat the Shahed threat. “We have a great opportunity to do this.”
Electronic warfare systems that disrupt Shahed navigation show varying effectiveness, but can neutralize nearly half the drones during some attacks, said air force spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat.
Interceptor drones currently eliminate 40% of Russia’s Shahed-type weapons and other long-range attack UAVs, according to Cherevashenko, up from approximately 25% during winter.
Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets also participate, with each aircraft capable of destroying up to 10 Shaheds nightly, Ihnat told Reuters.
Cherevashenko identified Russia’s use of artificial intelligence to develop new tactics and flight routes as a major challenge, making it difficult for Ukraine to maintain pace.
He also noted the deployment of “mesh networks,” where drone groups function as signal relays in grids extending over 120 kilometers, enabling them to overcome Ukrainian navigation jamming.
Ukrainian interception efforts benefit from an unexpected advantage: remote operations. Elite pilots now control interceptors remotely via internet connections across multiple Ukrainian regions, instantly switching between video feeds, Cherevashenko explained. Ground support teams handle drone preparation and antenna setup, but pilots can operate from any location.
JAKARTA – Four Indonesian military personnel appeared in court Wednesday facing charges related to an acid attack on a human rights advocate who spoke out against the military’s growing influence in civilian affairs. Prosecutors are seeking maximum prison sentences of 12 years for each defendant.
Andrie Yunus, who serves as deputy coordinator for KontraS (Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence), sustained severe chemical burns covering one-fifth of his face and body when attackers on a motorcycle doused him with acid on March 12.
The assault left Yunus with lasting disfigurement and significant damage to his right eye, prompting widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
Court records indicate the four defendants face charges of serious premeditated assault under Indonesia’s criminal code, which carries potential sentences up to 12 years behind bars.
Military prosecutor Mohammad Iswadi told the military tribunal that the intelligence unit officers allegedly targeted Yunus in retaliation for his protests against legislative changes that expanded military appointments to civilian government positions.
“With the incident, the suspects deemed Andrie Yunus to have insulted and stomped on the military as an institution,” Iswadi stated, revealing that the attackers used a combination of automotive battery acid and rust removal chemicals.
Reuters could not immediately reach the four officers or their attorneys for comment. The defendants, whose ranks span from captain to second sergeant, were all present at Wednesday’s proceedings.
Indonesia’s national human rights commission, Komnas HAM, has identified at least 14 individuals connected to the attack through its independent inquiry.
“The attack could lead to fear among civilians to criticise government officials,” the commission warned.
The human rights body expressed concern that trying the case in military court limits public oversight and may result in more lenient treatment for the officers. It has called for civilian courts to handle proceedings against the remaining 10 suspects.
Democratic institutions in Indonesia, ranked as the world’s third-largest democracy, face increasing pressure as military involvement in civilian sectors and state enterprises has expanded substantially under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general.
Prior to the attack, Yunus had participated in a podcast discussion about the military’s broadening authority in civilian matters.
President Prabowo characterized the assault on Yunus as “terrorism” last month and committed to ensuring a comprehensive investigation.
An Arizona community that depends almost entirely on Colorado River water is scrambling to prepare for potential cutoffs as the waterway faces unprecedented shortages.
Cave Creek’s water supply flows through pumping stations in Phoenix that draw from the Central Arizona Project, which channels Colorado River water across the state. Utilities Director Shawn Kreuzwiesner recently inspected the critical pump systems that keep his town’s water flowing.
The Colorado River is experiencing severe strain due to exceptionally low snowpack levels this winter, creating a water shortage that threatens communities throughout the Southwest. Cave Creek finds itself particularly vulnerable because of its heavy reliance on the river system for municipal water needs.
The town is among the first communities that would face water restrictions under emergency protocols designed to manage the Colorado River crisis. Local officials are now developing contingency plans to ensure residents maintain access to water even if their primary source is reduced or temporarily cut off.
The situation highlights the broader water security challenges facing Western communities as climate conditions continue to stress the Colorado River system, which serves millions of people across seven states.
OAKLAND, Calif. — At-risk young men gather around tables inside an Oakland church, joined by prosecutors, religious leaders and shooting survivors all working to demonstrate there’s hope beyond prison, violence or death.
The approach focuses on unwavering support rather than penalties. The participants begin showing signs of engagement.
“We’re going to talk about keeping you and those you love alive and free,” emeritus pastor Jim Hopkins of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church explains to those who meet at his facility. “If you put down the gun, start taking the (city’s) services, we’ll help you find another way.”
The California community has reduced murders to unprecedented levels, with analysts crediting a program that identifies individuals most vulnerable to gang involvement and connects them with life mentors to redirect their paths.
Municipal leaders conduct weekly reviews of recent shootings to pinpoint those involved. The city’s Department of Violence Prevention locates and engages these individuals through individual meetings or group sessions at the church, providing various services including life coaching support.
While no single factor explains declining murder rates, city officials point to the Oakland Ceasefire-Lifeline program as crucial, creating change through individual transformation.
Murder statistics have dropped significantly across major American cities recently, but Oakland’s transformation stands out as especially remarkable.
The community of approximately 400,000 residents hasn’t experienced such low murder rates since 1967, during the era when the Black Panthers held influence and hippies gathered in nearby San Francisco for the Summer of Love.
For almost 25 years, Oakland remained among America’s most dangerous municipalities. Police documented yearly murder rates between 16.2 and 36.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of roughly five per 100,000.
Oakland embraced the lifeline initiative, originally developed in Boston, following 2011 gun violence that claimed three young lives — children aged 1, 3 and 5 in separate incidents. The community saw a 43% murder reduction between 2012 and 2017.
City leaders later weakened the program until it was virtually eliminated during the pandemic, according to a 2023 audit.
Murder numbers only decreased after officials adopted audit recommendations, dropping from 118 in 2023 to 78 in 2024.
Last year, Oakland reached a historic low of 57 murders.
Law enforcement participates only by identifying individuals likely to seek revenge for shootings that injured or killed friends or family, or those who might become retaliation targets.
“People may underestimate how little the clients believe in themselves, and how little they value their own lives,” explained Holly Joshi, violence prevention department chief.
Once chosen, participants meet individuals whose lives gang violence has permanently altered, including parents who lost children or someone left paralyzed who can only communicate by tongue clicks.
Last year, Bernard, a 27-year-old former gang member, joined 200 people paired with life coaches. He was approached while leaving prison after serving six years for attempted robbery. Today, he maintains steady employment, his own apartment and a transformed perspective.
He’s developed greater awareness of community connections, he explains.
“When I was younger, I didn’t realize I wasn’t only hurting myself. I was hurting everybody around me, everybody who cared for me,” Bernard shared, requesting his surname remain private due to concerns about future opportunities.
Initially, Bernard remained distant from his 35-year-old life coach, LaSasha Long.
However, after the young man who missed his mother’s funeral while incarcerated experienced another tragedy — losing a close childhood friend — he needed someone to talk to.
“As soon as I called Sasha, she was there with advice,” he recalls.
Long understood his pain. She experienced a turbulent childhood, moving between relatives after a stray bullet killed her mother during her toddler years. She shared what she believed would have helped her heal: acknowledging his losses while recognizing what he still had to live for. She reminded him his friend would want him to continue living.
He absorbed her words.
“I can’t take the credit for it because it was all him. He was the pilot,” she explains, noting she provided transportation and appointment reminders. “But he wanted to change. He wanted that.”
Now they speak daily by phone. He makes silly expressions while posing for Associated Press photographs. She jokes about being his best man someday. He protests she’s not a man. She counters that he hasn’t seen how sharp she looks in formal wear.
Long characterizes life coaching as “heart work,” helping someone discover hope in darkness.
Bernard hopes to follow Long’s example someday, becoming a coach who can provide support to others who experienced violent upbringings while struggling financially. His mother showed love but battled addiction. His father cycled in and out of incarceration.
He’s found fulfillment in assisting others.
Recently, while on break from his San Francisco street cleaning job, Bernard witnessed a teenager crash his bicycle. His former self wouldn’t have rushed to help, let alone comfort the embarrassed youth by explaining that everyone falls sometimes.
Instead, Bernard cleaned the gravel from the boy’s scraped face and joked: “Tell your girl you got jumped.”
“All some of us need is to see or know that people care,” he reflected. “Once people realize that, I believe they start to do better, they want to do better. They figure there’s more to life.”
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is alerting lawmakers that money to compensate Department of Homeland Security employees will be depleted by May, raising concerns about potential airport delays and national security risks as Congress continues to delay action on ending the agency’s historic funding shortage.
The Office of Management and Budget delivered a memo to legislators Tuesday evening, stating that emergency funds President Trump allocated through executive orders to pay Transportation Security Administration employees and other DHS workers will be exhausted next month. The memo urged the House to swiftly pass the budget measure that senators approved during an overnight session last week, which would establish a pathway for complete department funding.
“DHS will soon run out of critical operating funds, placing essential personnel and operations at risk,” the memo said.
The administration’s urgent appeal may assist House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose slim Republican majority has been paralyzed by internal party disagreements on multiple pending matters, including the Homeland Security budget dispute that has brought legislative progress to a near halt.
The House is anticipated to vote Wednesday on the Senate budget measure designed to initiate a complex procedure that would eventually restore department funding. The administration cautioned GOP members against proposing modifications that could delay approval.
“Restoring funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has never been more urgent, as demonstrated by recent events,” the memo said, referencing last weekend’s incident when an armed individual attempted to breach the annual White House correspondents’ dinner attended by Trump, the vice president, and senior Cabinet members.
The Department of Homeland Security has operated without standard funding for more than two months following Democrats’ refusal to authorize Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol funding without operational reforms after fatalities occurred during protests against Trump’s deportation policies.
Immigration enforcement personnel have primarily received compensation through additional funding — approximately $170 billion — that Congress authorized as part of Trump’s tax reduction legislation last year. However, other employees, including TSA staff, have depended on Trump’s executive intervention to guarantee their wages.
With payroll expenses exceeding $1.6 billion biweekly, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin recently indicated those emergency funds are diminishing.
Congressional Republicans from both chambers have pursued an independent approach, seeking to approve Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol funding without Democratic support. Their goal is securing $70 billion for immigration operations throughout Trump’s remaining term to prevent future disruptions.
This complex procedure, identical to the method used for Trump’s tax legislation last year, will unfold across several weeks.
The Senate initiated the process last week and now awaits House action. After the budget resolution receives approval, both chambers must develop the actual funding legislation, which typically requires weeks to complete.
Meanwhile, Johnson is expected to quickly address legislation this week that would fund remaining Homeland Security components, including TSA, the Coast Guard, and other agencies.
This bipartisan measure has Democratic backing and already cleared the Senate a month ago, when Republicans reluctantly agreed to separate the immigration-related funding that Democrats opposed. However, House progress has stalled as Republicans in that chamber disagreed with the Senate’s strategy.
A new study released Wednesday shows encouraging progress in protecting the world’s tropical rainforests, with destruction rates dropping significantly in 2025 after reaching devastating record levels the year before.
According to research from the World Resources Institute and University of Maryland, approximately 4.3 million hectares of untouched tropical forest disappeared last year – equivalent to 10.6 million acres. This represents a substantial 36% decrease compared to 2024’s record-breaking losses.
The improvement stems primarily from Brazil’s aggressive campaign to reduce deforestation, following commitments made by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after taking office in 2023.
Elizabeth Goldman, who co-directs Global Forest Watch and helped compile the annual assessment, expressed cautious optimism about the findings. “It’s encouraging, when the problem feels massive, (that) there are real interventions that work out there and we can see it in the data,” Goldman stated.
However, she cautioned that current deforestation rates remain dangerously high. Nations worldwide are still destroying forests at levels 70% above what scientists say is necessary to achieve the international pledge signed by nearly all countries in 2023 to stop and reverse forest destruction by 2030.
“Achieving this goal in the coming years will not be easy,” Goldman warned.
Agricultural development remains the primary cause of forest clearing globally, with commercial farming operations in countries like Brazil, Bolivia and Indonesia leading the destruction, while subsistence farming drives losses in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some nations have shown sustained success in forest protection. Malaysia and Indonesia have maintained long-term policies that effectively reduced primary forest losses, particularly in areas where palm oil plantations historically threatened natural ecosystems.
Yet policy changes threaten this progress. Indonesia experienced increased deforestation last year partly due to President Prabowo Subianto’s expansion of a food estate initiative designed to achieve national food independence.
Environmental organizations worry that Brazil may face similar setbacks after the expiration of an industry agreement that prevented soybean purchases from recently cleared Amazon rainforest areas.
Beyond tropical regions, global forest losses including northern ecosystems fell 14% last year. However, climate change continues mounting pressure on forests worldwide.
Canada experienced its second-worst wildfire season on record last year, with the past three years seeing boreal forest burns approximately five times higher than the previous two-decade average.
In tropical areas, where fires typically result from human activity, increasingly dry conditions are transforming small controlled burns into massive uncontrolled blazes.
Rod Taylor, who directs WRI’s global forest programs, noted that while forests remain crucial carbon storage systems that help combat climate change, rising temperatures are increasingly converting these ecosystems from carbon absorbers into greenhouse gas producers through fires and droughts.
“We’re on a kind of knife’s edge,” Taylor explained.
When race cars zoom around tracks at 200 miles per hour, drivers need powerful neck muscles to maintain focus and control. This physical demand has made neck conditioning a cornerstone of Formula 1 training programs.
As drivers prepare for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix, many will pack specialized equipment designed to strengthen their necks. These athletes use weighted harnesses and intensive body-weight exercises to keep their heads stable while experiencing forces up to five times stronger than gravity during high-speed turns.
While office workers don’t face such extreme conditions, sports medicine expert Dr. Neeru Jayanthi from Atlanta believes F1 training methods could address a growing problem among computer users. Simple changes like improving screen posture and incorporating neck-focused workouts might reduce discomfort for people suffering from what’s commonly called ‘tech neck.’
Performance coach Antti Kontsas, who trained four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel and other racing stars, acknowledges the difference in requirements. “Does a normal person need to have a neck like an F1 driver? Probably not,” Kontsas said.
However, he told The Associated Press that “the healthy foundations are the same for the normal person and for the driver. Where you would start is exactly the same.”
Safety remains paramount when attempting any neck conditioning program. Medical consultation is essential, particularly for individuals with previous injuries or unexplained neck discomfort. Understanding personal limitations is crucial before beginning any exercise routine.
“It’s just knowing the loading, exposing gradually. That’s the safe way to progress,” Kontsas explains.
Modern F1 has evolved dramatically from earlier eras when drivers would smoke and drink before races. By the 1990s, seven-time champion Michael Schumacher from Germany demonstrated how cardiovascular fitness and strength training contributed to success, understanding that exhaustion leads to costly errors.
Kontsas emphasizes including neck muscles, or the cervical spine, when developing back and core exercise routines. Simple movements like maintaining head alignment during side planks can provide benefits. Another basic exercise involves lying flat.
“The most simple thing is lying on your back on a bench with your head hanging and then holding your head in a complete horizontal line. You’re holding your head still and seeing how long you can hold that. That’s a good way to train, particularly, the front musculature,” Kontsas said.
Professional drivers advance to resistance bands or weighted head harnesses for increased difficulty. The time commitment remains manageable – even F1 competitors typically dedicate just 10 to 15 minutes per session, two or three times weekly, according to Kontsas.
For desk workers, better neck health begins with posture awareness and simple movements like chin tucks to counter forward head positioning while viewing screens.
Jayanthi explains that ‘computer neck,’ which triggers pain in the neck, shoulders, and back, develops when “your head sits in different positions off the spine” during work.
“You sit in front of the computer for two, three, four hours, and you never realize that your head was in the wrong position the entire time,” he said. “So we can go back to positioning our neck and actually doing chin tucks and isometrics to push your head in the correct position on the spine. Just remind yourself every 30 to 60 minutes.”
Research suggests neck and trunk strength benefits extend beyond comfort, Jayanthi notes. Neck conditioning represents “one of the most accessible, least expensive” approaches for concussion recovery and prevention. Similarly, spinal strength can predict injury prevention in tennis players.
While measuring fitness impact on driving performance proves difficult, the prominence of Angela Cullen, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton’s longtime personal physiotherapist, highlights the importance of physical preparation in Formula 1’s recent history.
The physical demands can overwhelm newcomers to elite racing. British driver Oliver Bearman, 18, made his F1 debut in 2024 with just two days’ notice, replacing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. after emergency surgery. Despite fitness from Formula 2 competition, the F1 experience proved overwhelming.
When asked about his post-race condition, Bearman responded: “Destroyed.”
“Physically it was a really difficult race. … I think especially my lower back and my neck, it’s hurting,” Bearman added.
Standing at the front of his traditional fishing vessel in Chiang Saen, Thailand, 75-year-old Sukjai Yana pulled a meager collection of tiny fish from his nets, worried about both the size of his catch and whether anyone would buy what he hauled in.
Many days, Yana returns home empty-handed as customers increasingly avoid purchasing fish due to concerns about contamination in the Mekong River system. Toxic chemicals flowing downstream from rare earth mining operations are endangering the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waterways for agriculture and fishing.
For generations, Yana’s family has called this northern Thai fishing community home. “I don’t know where else I’d go,” he said.
Yana represents just one of 70 million residents across mainland Southeast Asia whose lives depend on the massive Mekong River, which stretches nearly 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). Growing global appetite for rare earth minerals has sparked an uncontrolled mining surge primarily in conflict-ridden Myanmar, with operations now expanding into neighboring Laos.
The mighty Mekong has already endured numerous environmental challenges, including plastic waste, upstream hydroelectric projects, and riverbank sand extraction. However, environmental specialists caution that toxic discharge from mining activities represents a potentially catastrophic danger.
Contact with dangerous heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium increases the likelihood of cancer, organ damage and birth defects, particularly affecting children and expectant mothers.
Thailand faces the most severe impact from this mining expansion as these contaminants threaten its worldwide agricultural exports — affecting everything from rice sold in American grocery stores to edamame consumed in Japan and garlic used throughout Malaysian cooking. Current responses remain localized and insufficient, while smuggling activities and Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict prevent comprehensive regional solutions, creating additional concerns for downstream nations Cambodia and Vietnam.
Suebsakun Kidnukorn from Mae Fah Luang University in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province emphasized that farming forms the economic foundation of Southeast Asia, cautioning that rare earth extraction is destroying “the world’s kitchen.”
While harvesting banana clusters at his farm in the mountainous Thai village of Tha Ton, 63-year-old Lah Boonruang counted on his fingers the contaminated crops he grows — rice, garlic, corn, onion, mangoes and bananas.
Boonruang waters his farmland using the Kok River, a Mekong branch that carries pollutants as it flows from Myanmar into Thailand.
“Everyone is afraid of the toxins,” he said. “If we can’t export, a farmer is the first to die.”
Thailand ranks among the globe’s leading rice exporters alongside India and Vietnam. The country shipped more than $10 billion in rice and fruit products during 2024, with trade data showing the United States as the primary rice purchasing nation.
Niwat Roykaew, who established The Mekong School environmental institute in northern Thailand’s Chiang Khong district, expressed deep concern about the situation. “Our worry is that toxins accumulate in the rice we export. This would make our rice farming industry, which is our culture, collapse,” he said.
Thai researchers have discovered increased heavy metal contamination in additional Mekong tributaries, including the Sai and Ruak rivers.
The Mekong originates in China and travels through five Southeast Asian countries before reaching the ocean. Countless people throughout the Mekong Basin depend on fish as their primary protein source.
Advisories telling ethnic communities in northern Thailand’s hills to stop using river water create particular hardship for the Lahu people, renowned for their fishing traditions, explained Sela Lipo, a 56-year-old Lahu community leader.
“The Lahu’s way of life is always with a river,” he said. “The contaminated river has cut off our lifeline.”
Thai officials acknowledge having minimal influence over mining activities occurring across borders in troubled Myanmar and Laos. Thailand’s ability to respond has been hampered by insufficient technical knowledge, data and financial resources, according to Aweera Pakkamart from Thailand’s Pollution Control Department.
Public universities, municipal authorities and regional groups like the Mekong River Commission have instead concentrated primarily on tracking heavy metal concentrations and informing local populations about potential dangers.
Warakorn Maneechuket, a scientist at Thailand’s Naresuan University, reported that recent testing of water, fish and riverbed samples from Mekong tributaries revealed elevated concentrations of hazardous heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium linked to rare earth extraction.
In her laboratory, she demonstrated clear indicators of contamination using a surgical blade to highlight abnormal growths resembling tumors, altered scale coloration, and strange eye pigmentation before examining a catfish captured from the Kok River.
Heavy metal buildup occurs gradually and dangerously. Arsenic exposure can trigger organ shutdown. Mercury attacks the nervous system. Lead interferes with brain function while cadmium damages kidney tissue.
Tanapon Phenrat from Naresuan University helped create a mobile application allowing fishers to assess fish safety, teaching Chiang Saen fishermen to use the technology for identifying and photographing questionable catches. Developing a community-based scientific database for northern Thailand can help measure contamination extent and distribution, he explained.
“Each and every sample is very important,” he said.
Because rare earth elements appear everywhere in modern life, market demand continues climbing.
These materials prove essential for contemporary technology, powering everything from mobile phones and electric cars to military weapons and aircraft. Despite their name suggesting scarcity, rare earths exist abundantly. What makes them valuable is the expensive extraction process and complicated refinement procedures, which China dominates.
The Washington-based Stimson Center has employed satellite imagery analysis to locate almost 800 suspected illegal rare earth and other mining locations along Mekong tributaries throughout Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Numerous Myanmar sites sit in active combat zones. The ongoing war has created a “diversification of mines” across different regions, noted Regan Kwan from The Stimson Center, who has documented mining expansion to 26 riverside locations in Laos.
Rare earth extraction involves either excavating rock formations or using chemical solutions to wash minerals from soil, generating poisonous waste products. This process creates distinctive patterns visible in satellite monitoring, Kwan explained.
Myanmar serves as China’s primary heavy rare earth supplier, delivering over $4.2 billion worth of these materials to China from 2017 through 2024, with most exports occurring following the 2021 military coup.
President Donald Trump has prioritized securing America’s critical mineral and rare earth supplies as a central foreign policy goal. These materials power F-35 fighter aircraft, submarines, Tomahawk missiles, radar equipment and precision weapons, according to federal agencies, with demand increasing as the United States restocks and expands military reserves depleted by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
This development brings troubling news for the river system supporting mainland Southeast Asia.
Brian Eyler from the Stimson Center compared the situation to previous regional disasters, noting that while 20th-century conflicts including the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge massacres caused the most devastating damage to the Mekong region, toxic contamination ranks as a close second threat, calling it an “atomic bomb” for the river ecosystem.
The pollution proves far more destructive than other challenges like massive dam construction and “it is not stopping.”
NEW YORK — Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their way to New York City on Wednesday during their highly anticipated diplomatic mission to the United States.
The royal pair’s visit to the Big Apple occurred at the halfway point of their four-day journey celebrating America’s 250th anniversary of independence. This marks the first time a sitting British monarch has set foot in New York since Queen Elizabeth II’s 2010 visit.
The couple participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National September 11th Memorial, where they had the opportunity to meet first responders and family members of those who perished in the terrorist attacks. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other officials were also present at the ceremony, which took place as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the tragic events.
Following the memorial service, Queen Camilla made her way to the New York Public Library to present a new “Roo” stuffed animal to complement the library’s renowned Winnie-the-Pooh collection, marking the beloved character’s 100th birthday this year.
The library currently displays five cherished dolls — Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Kanga — which served as the creative foundation for A.A. Milne’s classic children’s stories. These toys belonged to the British writer’s son, the real Christopher Robin, during the 1920s. The library received the dolls as a gift in 1987, and they now serve as a highlight of its children’s literature archive. In Milne’s stories, Roo appears as a small brown kangaroo who is Kanga’s offspring.
During the same timeframe, King Charles visited an after-school urban agriculture program that serves youth dealing with food insecurity, and later met with business and financial executives in Manhattan.
The royal duo then attended an evening reception for the King’s Trust, a charitable organization Charles established in 1976.
This four-day journey represents Charles’ inaugural state visit to America since ascending to the throne. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, completed four state visits to the United States during her reign.
On Monday, the monarchs shared tea with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House.
Tuesday’s schedule included a private Oval Office discussion between Charles and Trump. The king subsequently addressed Congress in a historic speech — the first delivered by a British monarch since his mother’s 1991 appearance — before attending an official state dinner at the White House.
The royal itinerary also includes planned stops in Virginia before concluding their American visit with a formal White House farewell ceremony on Thursday hosted by Trump. Charles will then travel alone to Bermuda for his first royal visit to a British overseas territory since becoming king.
WASHINGTON — A pivotal moment for the Federal Reserve arrives Wednesday as Chairman Jerome Powell prepares to lead what could be his final policy meeting while the Senate moves forward with confirming his successor.
During Wednesday’s session, Powell will oversee the central bank’s deliberations and conduct an afternoon press conference where he might reveal whether he plans to remain on the Fed’s board of governors after his chairmanship concludes on May 15 — an uncommon move in Fed history.
Meanwhile, the Senate Banking Committee is set to vote on Kevin Warsh’s nomination to take over as Fed chair. The confirmation vote is anticipated to pass along party lines before advancing to the full Senate next month. Trump selected Warsh, who previously served as a senior Fed official, for the role in January. Warsh supported Trump’s push for interest rate reductions last year, prompting Democratic lawmakers to raise concerns about his potential independence as Fed leader.
Financial experts broadly predict the Fed will maintain its benchmark rate at 3.6% for the third consecutive meeting on Wednesday. Most central bank officials view this level as effective for managing inflation by moderating lending and consumer spending without severely impacting employment or triggering job losses.
A significant focus during Wednesday’s press conference will be any remarks Powell makes regarding his plans beyond the chairmanship. Powell’s term as a board member extends through January 2028. While Fed chairs traditionally step down from the board when their leadership roles end, Powell has indicated he might break with this tradition. Such a decision would mark the first time a chair has remained on the board since 1948.
Should Powell decide to stay, he would prevent Trump from selecting another appointee to fill that position on the seven-member Fed board, where three current governors are already Trump nominees. This choice could help preserve Fed independence, which Powell has championed throughout his tenure.
However, remaining on the board could intensify conflicts with the Trump administration and establish what some experts describe as a “two Popes” situation, featuring both a current and former chair serving together. This arrangement might deepen disagreements among policymakers if some choose to align with Powell’s approach instead of following Warsh’s direction.
Although Warsh advocated for rate reductions last year, he’s unlikely to implement lower borrowing costs immediately, as most officials prefer to assess the economic effects of the ongoing Iran conflict before making changes.
This leadership transition occurs during a period of economic uncertainty that presents challenges for the Fed. Inflation has climbed to 3.3%, reaching a two-year peak as the war has driven up gasoline prices significantly. This inflationary pressure makes rate cuts more difficult, since the Fed typically maintains or increases rates when inflation worsens.
Simultaneously, job creation has nearly stalled, frustrating unemployed individuals who struggle to find new positions. The Fed usually reduces rates during periods of employment weakness to encourage spending and job growth.
Nevertheless, layoffs remain minimal as employers appear to adopt a “low-hire, low-fire” approach. Many Fed officials suggest that with unemployment staying low, the central bank doesn’t need to cut rates to stimulate economic activity and hiring. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3% in March from the previous month’s 4.4%.
Economists will closely examine whether the Fed modifies its post-meeting statement Wednesday to indicate that future rate adjustments could involve either increases or decreases. Currently, the statement suggests any rate change would be a reduction. According to minutes from the March meeting, numerous members of the 19-person rate-setting committee support considering a rate increase, though this likely falls short of majority support.
A fresh national survey has uncovered a striking pattern in American news consumption habits: roughly 60% of adults across the country make deliberate efforts to sidestep coverage of President Donald Trump either frequently or occasionally.
The research, conducted by the Media Insight Project, reveals sharp contrasts between political affiliations when it comes to news engagement and emotional responses to media coverage.
Take Denver resident Don Cohen, a 72-year-old retiree who dedicates approximately two and a half hours daily to news consumption through his iPad and television broadcasts. Despite his extensive media habits, Cohen acknowledges his desire to escape Trump-related stories.
“It would be to avoid media,” Cohen explained. The independent voter has maintained his opposition to Trump since the 2016 presidential campaign announcement.
The survey data indicates that Democrats and Republicans experience vastly different emotional reactions to news consumption. Republican voters are significantly more inclined to describe their news intake as providing an optimistic worldview, while Democratic voters rarely report feeling hopeful after consuming media.
David Sterrett, who serves as a principal research scientist at the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and participated in the project, suggests Democrats might be engaging in unrealistic expectations about avoiding Trump coverage.
“They would like to avoid Trump news, but they’re probably not because most national politics news is somewhat connected to the president,” Sterrett observed.
The research found that Democratic voters demonstrate greater confidence in media organizations, especially national news outlets, compared to their Republican counterparts. Democrats also show higher rates of regular engagement with national political coverage.
However, Republicans express more positive feelings about their news consumption, while Democrats frequently describe media as overly stressful to engage with.
Approximately two-thirds of both Democratic and independent voters report making active attempts to avoid Trump-related stories either often or sometimes. Fernando Ocegueda, a 50-year-old phlebotomist from Los Angeles and registered Democrat, recently reduced his political news consumption for this exact reason.
“I don’t agree with his decisions,” Ocegueda said regarding the president. “I don’t think he’s fit, so I don’t even want to bother in paying attention to what he has to say.”
Cohen believes the president has generated widespread instability that triggers defensive responses in many Americans. He theorizes this anxiety paradoxically drives continued news consumption.
“People don’t want to know, but they sort of want to know, because of the imminent sense of threat that is attached to him,” Cohen explained. “You know it’s a train wreck, and you just can’t take your eyes off of it.”
The avoidance pattern extends beyond Democratic voters. Roughly half of Republican respondents also reported frequently or occasionally trying to avoid Trump news coverage. Nicole Pratt, who describes herself as a moderate Republican, exemplifies this group.
The 62-year-old Torrance, California resident supports certain Trump administration initiatives and wants to stay informed, but has grown weary of stories focusing on what she perceives as presidential narcissism.
“His fights with other people, his arguments — I don’t bother with that anymore,” Pratt stated. “It’s like, I have other things to do.”
Sterrett suggests some Republicans claim to avoid Trump news not from fatigue with the president, but from distrust of conventional media sources.
“A lot of his followers do get news directly from him via social media, and his posts and announcements,” he noted.
Social media serves as a daily news source for approximately 40% of both Republican and Democratic voters, though both groups acknowledge the platform’s problems with accuracy.
Most voters from both parties assign significant responsibility to social media users for spreading false information about current events and important topics.
The parties diverge when assigning blame elsewhere. About 75% of Democrats hold politicians highly responsible for misinformation spread, compared to 65% of Republicans. Additionally, 64% of Democrats place substantial blame on social media companies like Facebook, Meta, X, and YouTube, while only 53% of Republicans share this view.
A majority of Democrats (58%) also attribute considerable responsibility for misinformation to artificial intelligence companies developing chatbots. Fewer Republicans (47%) view AI companies as responsible.
Meanwhile, most Republicans point to national news media as bearing significant responsibility for spreading false information about events and issues. Approximately half of Democrats agree with this assessment.
Independent voters show less overall engagement with news compared to party-affiliated Americans. About 80% of both Democrats and Republicans regularly follow various news topics, while only around 70% of independents maintain similar habits.
Beyond Trump-related coverage, voters from both parties show similar patterns in avoiding celebrity news, general news, or news on specific devices like social media or smartphones. Most Americans from both political sides occasionally try to avoid news discussions with friends and family.
Despite partisan differences in news preferences, Sterrett notes the survey reveals some common ground. Americans from both parties show similar interest in following sports, weather, and crime coverage.
“Especially when it comes to local issues and the stuff that affects people’s daily lives, it does seem like Republicans and Democrats are following similar sources and following similar topics,” Sterrett concluded.
The Media Insight Project represents a collaboration between the American Press Institute, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, the Local News Network at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey included 2,101 Americans: 1,092 adults aged 18 and older, plus 1,009 teenagers aged 13-17, though partisan questions were limited to adults. Adult polling occurred February 5-8, while teen polling ran February 2-16 using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points for adults and plus or minus 4.3 percentage points for teenagers.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri residents will confront an extraordinary decision at the ballot box this November that no other state voters have faced in more than 100 years: whether to completely phase out their state’s individual income tax.
This historic ballot measure represents the first instance since modern income taxation began that a state legislature has directly asked citizens to eliminate their income tax entirely. Approval would simultaneously authorize lawmakers to broaden the state’s sales tax base.
This groundbreaking proposal represents the culmination of a nationwide five-year period of aggressive tax reduction efforts across states that benefited from surplus revenues during the post-COVID economic recovery. That trend only recently slowed as some Democratic-controlled states moved toward higher tax rates for wealthy residents. Throughout this period, nearly every state implemented either temporary or permanent reductions to various taxes including income, sales, property, or gasoline levies. More than half of all states with income taxes lowered their highest tax rates.
Unlike previous tax reduction efforts, Missouri’s approach openly recognizes the challenge of eliminating income tax revenue without finding alternative funding sources to maintain government operations.
Federal income taxation authority was established through the 16th Amendment’s ratification in 1913. Missouri followed suit with its own income tax in 1917, joining many states that adopted similar measures in subsequent years.
However, several states including Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming never implemented individual income taxes, instead depending on sales taxes, oil revenues, or other funding mechanisms. New Hampshire and Tennessee, which previously taxed investment income but not wages, both eliminated those taxes within the last five years.
Alaska stands alone as the only state to have implemented and later abolished a general individual income tax, eliminating it in 1980 during a period of substantial oil revenue.
Massachusetts citizens voted down income tax elimination proposals in both 2008 and 2002, though those measures originated from citizen initiatives rather than budget-responsible lawmakers.
Kentucky passed legislation in 2022 that reduced income tax rates and established revenue-based milestones that could gradually eliminate the tax entirely. The law also extended sales tax coverage to services like personal fitness training and website design. However, these revenue triggers require legislative approval for each additional rate reduction.
Mississippi enacted legislation last year that gradually decreases income tax rates from 4% to 3% by 2030, with revenue growth benchmarks that could trigger further cuts. Complete elimination could take more than a decade if all benchmarks are achieved.
Oklahoma also passed legislation last year establishing gradual income tax rate reductions tied to revenue growth until complete phase-out. The state won’t determine until next year whether it has met the revenue threshold for the initial rate reduction.
South Carolina recently joined this movement when Republican Governor Henry McMaster signed legislation last month that could eventually eliminate individual income tax as revenues increase.
Missouri’s proposed constitutional amendment instructs the General Assembly to eliminate individual income tax through gradual reductions based on revenue growth. To facilitate this transition, it grants lawmakers authority to generate revenue by applying sales tax to “any goods and services,” bypassing a constitutional restriction on sales tax base expansion that voters approved in 2016.
Lawmakers would have five years to determine which additional sales to tax without requiring another public vote.
However, some voters may not understand they are authorizing expanded sales taxes. The ballot language asks whether to phase out income tax and “modify” sales tax, avoiding terms like “increase” or “expand.”
The amendment, approved by the legislature last week, will appear on November’s ballot unless Republican Governor Mike Kehoe schedules an earlier election.
Governor Kehoe has prioritized individual income tax repeal, contending it will stimulate economic growth while attracting businesses and new residents.
During a House committee hearing this year, Will Spartin testified that although he attended business college in St. Louis, he established his beverage company headquarters in Florida due to that state’s lack of individual income tax. He expressed interest in returning to Missouri, but only if financially viable.
“If Missouri moves in this direction, even gradually, it would be a meaningful signal to people like us that Missouri wants to compete for modern industries,” Spartin told lawmakers.
Sharon Wells, a retired elementary school teacher from suburban St. Louis, reported paying several hundred dollars in state income tax this past year. She worries her total tax burden could increase if income tax is replaced with broader sales tax coverage.
Wells employs lawn care services, visits a hair salon twice monthly, and requires periodic medical, dental, and automotive maintenance services. None of these services currently face taxation, but all could under Missouri’s proposal.
“I think it’s a huge mistake,” she said. “We’re already paying far more than we have in the past for groceries, medicine, all kind of services. Everything has gone up.”
According to estimates from the nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, families earning between $49,000 and $78,000 annually would pay an average of $535 more in taxes if Missouri repeals its income tax and implements higher sales taxes. Lower-income earners would face even larger increases, the organization stated.
“Pretty clearly, this is going to be a tax increase for most people,” said Carl Davis, the institute’s research director.
Additional data indicates that income tax policies, while not the primary factor, can influence interstate migration patterns. Texas, Florida, and Tennessee all ranked among the top five states for net interstate migration of federal income tax filers in 2023, while higher-tax states California, New York, and New Jersey ranked near the bottom, according to IRS data analysis by the nonprofit Tax Foundation.
If Missouri voters approve this referendum, “it could embolden other states to accelerate their own planned income tax reductions,” said Katherine Loughead, the foundation’s director of state tax projects.
The world’s leading contract semiconductor manufacturer has completely withdrawn from its investment in chip designer Arm Holdings, according to regulatory documents filed Wednesday.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company disclosed that its subsidiary TSMC Partners divested 1.11 million shares of Arm stock over two days, April 28-29, at a price of $207.65 per share. The transaction generated approximately $231 million in proceeds.
The stock sale created a $174 million impact on the company’s retained earnings, the filing revealed.
With this latest divestment completed, TSMC has completely eliminated its position in Arm Holdings.
Company documents described the move as part of disposing an equity investment.
TSMC had initially purchased approximately $100 million worth of Arm stock at $51 per share when the chip design company went public in 2023, joining other strategic investors in the offering.
The Taiwanese manufacturer had been systematically reducing its holdings throughout the year, previously selling 850,000 shares in 2024 at $119.47 each, generating roughly $102 million according to earlier regulatory filings.
Arm’s stock price declined 7.98% during Tuesday’s trading session.
Both men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments could see significant growth within the next few years, with news reports suggesting the field size may increase from the current 68 teams to 76 teams beginning in 2027, although the NCAA has pushed back on claims that anything is set in stone.
After several major sports news organizations reported Tuesday that expansion plans were moving toward approval by NCAA committees and could become official by May, the NCAA released a statement disputing that characterization.
“Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees, and no final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time,” the organization’s statement said.
According to CBS Sports, the proposed format would place 52 teams directly into the main tournament bracket, while the remaining 24 teams would compete in 12 preliminary games scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday. The winners of those matchups would advance to complete the Round of 64. The current “First Four” designation would be replaced, with the preliminary contests becoming the “opening round” and the traditional Round of 64 renamed the “first round.”
ESPN reports that the NCAA is still working through contract discussions with its broadcasting partners, which must be completed before the proposal can go to various committees for votes, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees, oversight committees, the Division I Cabinet, and the Division I Board of Governors.
This would represent the tournament’s first growth since 2011, when the field expanded from 65 to 68 teams through the creation of the First Four games. Prior to that change, the tournament had maintained either 64 or 65 teams since 1985.
Yahoo Sports previously reported that the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference have been the primary advocates pushing for tournament expansion. NCAA president Charlie Baker has also expressed his backing for the idea.
“I said all along that I think there are some very good reasons to expand the tournament,” Baker told ESPN in February. “So, I would like to see it expand.”
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has completed a scheduled follow-up surgery on his right ankle, according to NFL Network reports released Tuesday.
The 26-year-old signal-caller suffered a season-ending ankle fracture during Denver’s victory against the Buffalo Bills in their AFC divisional playoff matchup. He had initial surgery performed in Alabama just two days following the injury.
As Nix prepares for his third professional season, team officials expect his participation in voluntary offseason workouts and organized team activities to be limited, sources indicate. The Broncos organization intends to proceed cautiously with their quarterback’s recovery timeline, with NFL Network reporting the team will take things “very easy” with him.
Denver head coach Sean Payton addressed Nix’s condition during Saturday remarks, stating: “He had a recheck that was scheduled. He’s doing great. We’re excited about his progress. These guys will be coming in here. … He’s here.”
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles announced Tuesday it has greenlit new regulations that will permit companies to test and operate self-driving heavy-duty trucks on state highways.
The updated rules eliminate previous restrictions on autonomous vehicles exceeding 10,001 pounds, potentially opening the door for driverless freight transport across the Golden State. The DMV emphasized that the changes also strengthen safety protocols and monitoring requirements for all categories of self-driving vehicles.
Under the new framework, autonomous trucks must still make required stops at inspection stations and follow all existing state and federal commercial vehicle regulations. Medium-weight autonomous vehicles up to 14,001 pounds will be permitted for use by government agencies and educational institutions.
The regulatory change comes after Governor Gavin Newsom rejected legislation in 2023 that would have banned heavy-duty autonomous trucks from California roads. Following that veto, the DMV began developing this comprehensive regulatory structure to address the previous limitations.
Companies seeking to deploy autonomous trucks must follow a phased approach, starting with supervised testing using human safety operators before advancing to fully driverless trials and eventual commercial operations. Testing requirements mandate 50,000 miles of operation for lighter vehicles and 500,000 miles for heavy-duty trucks at each development stage.
A top Republican lawmaker in the House of Representatives has summoned the leader of a prominent civil rights organization to appear before Congress next month after federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against the group.
Representative Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, sent a formal request Tuesday to Bryan Fair, the interim president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center, asking him to appear at a May 20, 2026 committee hearing.
The request comes after the Trump administration secured a criminal indictment against the SPLC last week, alleging the organization misled its financial supporters by employing paid sources to penetrate far-right groups.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors political extremist movements across the country, has dismissed the charges, calling them “false allegations.”
In his letter to Fair, Jordan stated the hearing would investigate how the SPLC “has played in distorting federal civil rights policy in recent years.” The Republican congressman also accused the organization of presenting a “highly partisan understanding of ‘hate’” that targets conservative viewpoints in its research on extremism in America.
Civil rights advocates have expressed concern about what they describe as the current administration’s campaign against organizations that advocate for civil rights and challenge government policies.
The 55-year-old organization had maintained a long-standing relationship with federal law enforcement agencies, regularly providing intelligence to the FBI and other agencies, until the Trump administration severed those connections six months ago.
SPLC officials defend their informant operations, stating the program has “saved lives” and was conducted with full knowledge of federal authorities. They note that the FBI similarly employs paid sources in its own investigative work.
A high-ranking Taiwanese official has confirmed she traveled to two disputed islands in the South China Sea this week, marking the first ministerial visit to the contested territory in seven years.
Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling announced Wednesday on social media that she had visited both Itu Aba and the uninhabited Zhongzhou Reef during what her department described as environmental and humanitarian training exercises.
During her stop at Zhongzhou Reef, Kuan participated in beach cleanup efforts and observed the daily operations of Coast Guard personnel stationed there. She shared photos of herself and her team, including one staff member holding a large Taiwanese flag.
“There, I personally witnessed marine debris that had drifted in from surrounding countries and gained a deeper appreciation for the day-to-day life of our Coast Guard personnel stationed in the Nansha islands,” Kuan wrote, referring to the area by its Chinese name.
When questioned by lawmakers Wednesday about her South China Sea expedition, Kuan emphasized Taiwan’s unwavering position on territorial claims. “In the defence of sovereignty of course there is absolutely no backing down,” she stated.
Both Taiwan and China assert control over large portions of the South China Sea, with Taiwan maintaining authority over Itu Aba in the disputed Spratly Islands chain. The islands visited by Kuan are also claimed by both China and Vietnam.
Kuan acknowledged that Vietnamese officials had filed objections regarding her trip, but characterized their response as routine. “Our exercise has not caused, nor will it cause, any regional tension,” she posted on Facebook, noting that Vietnam’s protest “has not been notably more forceful than usual.”
Itu Aba features infrastructure including an airstrip capable of handling military supply flights from Taiwan and a newly constructed pier that opened in 2023, designed to accommodate patrol vessels weighing up to 4,000 tons. Despite these facilities, the island maintains lighter defenses compared to nearby Chinese-controlled territories, and Chinese forces typically do not interfere with Taiwan’s presence on Itu Aba and Zhongzhou.
Vietnamese foreign ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the territorial dispute.
During a White House state dinner on Tuesday, President Donald Trump brought up Middle East tensions while claiming that Britain’s King Charles shares his opposition to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
The remarks occurred on the second day of King Charles’s four-day official visit to the United States, coming at a time when diplomatic relations have been strained due to Trump’s repeated public criticism of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding what the president characterizes as insufficient support in the Iran conflict.
Speaking to dinner guests, Trump addressed ongoing Middle East operations, stating: “We’re doing a little Middle East work right now and we’re doing very well.”
The president continued: “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”
When King Charles spoke following the president’s remarks, he avoided any discussion of Iran or Middle Eastern conflicts. As the British monarch, King Charles does not serve as a government spokesperson for official policy positions.
The British Embassy in Washington directed inquiries about Trump’s dinner comments to Buckingham Palace, which had not provided a response by press time.
Earlier in the day, during an address to Congress, King Charles avoided direct references to the Iran situation but touched on Trump’s NATO critiques, emphasized the need for continued American support for Ukraine against Russia, and warned against isolationist policies.
For years, both the United States and Britain have consistently maintained their position that Tehran must not develop nuclear weapons capabilities.
Iran, which currently does not possess nuclear weapons, continues to deny pursuing such capabilities while asserting its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to develop nuclear technology for peaceful civilian purposes, including uranium enrichment.
Crude oil prices continued their upward climb Wednesday after reports emerged that President Trump may extend the United States blockade of Iranian ports, potentially worsening supply chain disruptions in the Middle East.
According to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday evening, Trump has directed his staff to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran. The strategy aims to maintain economic pressure on Iran while restricting oil exports by blocking maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, according to U.S. officials cited in the report.
June Brent crude futures climbed 52 cents to reach $111.78 per barrel by early Wednesday, marking an eighth consecutive day of gains. The contract is set to expire Thursday, while the more actively traded July contract increased 0.4% to $104.84.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery rose 57 cents to $100.50 per barrel, building on the previous session’s 3.7% increase and extending gains for seven of the past eight trading days.
“The recent rise in oil prices has been driven by the Strait blockade. If Trump is prepared to extend the blockade, supply disruptions would worsen further and continue to push oil prices higher,” said Yang An, an analyst at Haitong Futures.
While a ceasefire exists in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, negotiations for a permanent resolution remain stalled. Iran has closed shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles approximately 20% of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transportation, while the U.S. maintains its port blockade.
Washington seeks an end to what it characterizes as Iran’s nuclear weapons development program, while Tehran demands compensation for recent hostilities, relief from economic sanctions, and some degree of authority over Strait of Hormuz operations.
The Hormuz closure continues to drain global oil reserves, with industry sources reporting Tuesday that the American Petroleum Institute documented another weekly decline in U.S. crude inventories.
Crude stockpiles decreased by 1.79 million barrels during the week ending April 24, according to the sources. Gasoline reserves dropped by 8.47 million barrels, while distillate stocks fell by 2.60 million barrels.
World soccer’s governing body announced Tuesday it will distribute nearly $900 million to teams competing in the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant boost in financial support for participating nations.
During a FIFA Council meeting held in Vancouver before the organization’s 76th Congress, officials approved a 15% bump in resources that will be shared among all 48 member associations taking part in next year’s expanded tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The enhanced financial package totals $871 million, with each qualifying team now set to receive $2.5 million in preparation funds, an increase from the previous $1.5 million allocation.
Teams will also see their qualification bonuses grow from $9 million to $10 million, while FIFA announced additional support including subsidized delegation expenses and expanded ticket allocations worth more than $16 million combined.
“FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our Member Associations in an unprecedented way,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.
“This is one more example of how FIFA’s resources are reinvested back into the game.”
The financial boost addresses concerns raised by some participating countries about the challenges of competing in a tournament spanning North America, where teams face extensive travel distances, varying tax systems and complex logistical demands.
European soccer’s governing body UEFA had conveyed worries from several member nations that teams might struggle financially unless they advance far into the competition.
The upcoming tournament represents a historic milestone as the first men’s World Cup to include 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-team format, and will take place across three North American countries.
FIFA’s increased payouts reflect expectations for the most commercially successful World Cup ever, with additional teams creating more matches and expanded opportunities for ticket sales, sponsorship deals and broadcasting revenue.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced Tuesday that left-handed pitcher Justin Steele has experienced a setback in his comeback from Tommy John surgery and has been forced to stop throwing.
The 30-year-old pitcher, whose last appearance on the mound came on April 7, 2025, had been progressing toward a potential return in the final weeks of May or beginning of June. However, a left elbow flexor strain has now halted his throwing routine entirely.
Medical staff will reassess Steele’s condition in approximately four weeks, though the exact timeline for his eventual return remains uncertain. This development further depletes Chicago’s pitching depth, as the team is already missing right-handed pitcher Cade Horton, who is also recovering from Tommy John surgery.
This marks Steele’s second Tommy John procedure throughout his baseball career. His first surgery occurred years ago while he was developing in Chicago’s minor league system.
When healthy, Steele has proven to be a reliable performer for Chicago. The pitcher earned All-Star recognition in 2023 and placed fifth in National League Cy Young Award balloting that same year. Throughout his major league career spanning 102 appearances with 91 starts, he has compiled a 32-22 win-loss record alongside a 3.30 earned run average.
The Houston Rockets will face another must-win situation without their marquee player, as the team confirmed Tuesday evening that Kevin Durant will be sidelined for Wednesday’s Game 5 matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
This marks Durant’s fourth absence in the five-game first-round playoff series so far.
The veteran All-Star, who has been selected to 16 All-Star teams, was initially held out of Game 1 due to a right knee contusion. He then missed both Games 3 and 4 after suffering a left ankle sprain and bone bruise that failed to improve sufficiently for team medical staff to approve his return for Wednesday’s contest.
Durant’s only action in the series came during Game 2, where he contributed 23 points but struggled with ball security, committing nine turnovers in a losing effort.
The Lakers have capitalized on Durant’s limited availability, establishing a commanding 3-1 series lead. However, Los Angeles has also battled significant injury concerns, as their top two offensive weapons, Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), have yet to take the court in this series. Reaves may return for Wednesday’s game.
After falling behind 3-0 in the series, Houston staved off elimination with a dominant 115-96 win on Sunday.
Durant, now 37 years old, is playing in his 18th NBA campaign. The accomplished forward earned MVP honors in the 2013-14 season, captured four scoring titles, and earned All-NBA recognition 11 times while winning two championship rings. This marks his inaugural season wearing a Rockets uniform.
The Biden administration is reportedly working on new guidelines that would enable government agencies to work around safety warnings when implementing artificial intelligence systems, according to a report published Tuesday by Axios.
The proposed guidance would specifically allow federal departments to move forward with AI model adoption despite supply-chain risk warnings from Anthropic, an AI safety company. Among the systems that could be affected is an AI model called Mythos.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the details of this report.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced late Tuesday that the nation will proceed with its annual Victory Day celebration on Moscow’s Red Square next month, though the traditional display of military hardware will be absent due to ongoing combat operations in Ukraine.
The May 9th commemoration, which honors the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in what Russians refer to as the Great Patriotic War, represents one of Russia’s most significant national holidays. The annual event typically brings together aging veterans wearing their military decorations in an emotional celebration featuring films, documentaries, and wartime songs.
However, this year’s ceremony will take a notably different approach, according to the Defense Ministry’s announcement.
“Military personnel from the higher military educational institutions of all types and individual branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take part in the parade as part of the marching column,” the ministry stated.
The official statement explained that certain educational institutions would be excluded from participation, “and nor will a column of military equipment take part in the military parade in connection with the current operational situation.”
Despite the absence of ground-based military vehicles, the parade will showcase personnel from various military branches currently involved in what the Kremlin terms its “special military operation.”
According to the ministry, participants will include members of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, Aerospace Forces, and naval personnel. Aircraft will conduct aerial demonstrations and conclude the ceremony by displaying Russia’s white, blue, and red flag colors across the sky.
The modified parade format comes as Russian forces continue their gradual advancement through eastern Ukraine, now more than four years into the conflict.
Senior military leaders claim Moscow’s troops are making progress across multiple battlefronts, with the Defense Ministry regularly reporting the seizure of Ukrainian villages, including two announced on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts brokered by the United States to reach a peaceful resolution remain at an impasse, as Washington’s attention has shifted toward Middle Eastern conflicts.
President Vladimir Putin has stated Moscow’s objective of capturing the complete Donbas region, encompassing both Donetsk and Luhansk areas, including territories that remain under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian leadership continues to reject any proposals involving withdrawal from currently held positions.
Financial markets displayed mixed performance during Wednesday’s Asian trading session as investors grappled with stalled Iran peace negotiations and emerging doubts about the artificial intelligence industry ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement and major technology earnings.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan dropped 0.2%, marking its second consecutive day of losses after reaching record peaks on Monday. Taiwanese semiconductor companies led the decline, while Japanese markets remained closed for a holiday observance.
S&P 500 electronic mini futures climbed slightly by 0.1%, and Brent crude oil prices increased 0.4% to reach $111.71 per barrel as diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran situation reached a deadlock.
Westpac analysts noted in their research commentary: “Markets remained cautious overnight as peace talks continued to stall, with Iran seeking the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and mediators expecting a revised Iranian proposal in coming days.”
According to a U.S. official, President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Tehran’s most recent proposal, insisting that nuclear matters must be addressed from the beginning of any agreement.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump has directed his staff to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, citing U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
Tuesday’s Wall Street session ended poorly, with the S&P 500 declining 0.5% and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 0.9% as market participants evaluated the Iranian diplomatic standstill.
Technology stocks faced additional pressure following a Wall Street Journal report indicating that artificial intelligence leader OpenAI failed to meet internal benchmarks for weekly user engagement and revenue generation. This development sparked worries about ChatGPT’s parent company’s capacity to justify its substantial data center investments, negatively impacting Oracle and CoreWeave stock prices.
Wednesday’s earnings announcements from technology powerhouses Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms will provide another crucial test for the AI-fueled market surge.
Despite the Iran conflict challenges, American corporations have demonstrated strength: among the roughly one-third of S&P 500 companies that have already announced quarterly results, 81% exceeded analyst projections.
Investor focus will shift to the Federal Reserve’s April policy meeting conclusion on Wednesday, marking Jerome Powell’s final session as Fed chair.
Market participants consider a rate hold virtually guaranteed. Federal funds futures indicate a 100% probability that the central bank will maintain current rates, with no policy adjustments anticipated until late 2027, based on CME Group’s FedWatch analysis.
ING analysts wrote in their research publication: “Given the challenging war-impacted inflation environment, it won’t cost much for the Fed to adopt a hawkish tilt; while remaining in a wait-and-see mode. There will also be questions on the incoming Kevin Warsh and Powell’s intention to stay or go.”
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 0.6 basis points to 4.346%, while the dollar index, measuring the greenback against six major currencies, gained 0.1% to 98.67, extending its second straight day of increases.
Markets also processed news of the United Arab Emirates’ unexpected departure from OPEC, though analysts expect the remaining oil-producing alliance members will likely maintain unity.
Chris Weston, Pepperstone Group Ltd’s head of research in Melbourne, explained: “On any other given day, this news may have seen the Brent price move down $5 to $6 off the bat, given the UAE accounts for around 10% of OPEC output.”
He added: “However, with the UAE’s production facilities currently close to capacity, it is perhaps no surprise that Brent front-month futures quickly erased the initial drop.”
Gold prices fell 0.3% to $4,581.40. In digital currency trading, bitcoin remained unchanged at $76,471.21 while ethereum decreased 0.3% to $2,289.16.
NEW YORK — A historic leadership transition is taking place at one of America’s most influential women’s organizations, as Tracy Sturdivant prepares to become the new president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation.
Sturdivant will replace Teresa Younger in leading the nation’s first major philanthropy created by and for women. The announcement was made Tuesday during the foundation’s annual gala in New York City, where activists including Tarana Burke, who founded the #MeToo movement, received recognition.
The incoming leader noted the unusual nature of her appointment, observing that it’s uncommon for one Black woman to take over a major nonprofit organization from another Black woman. Even more unusual, she added, is inheriting an organization in strong financial condition.
Under Younger’s leadership, the Ms. Foundation built an endowment exceeding $100 million while deliberately focusing resources on women and girls of color. Younger described the organization as prepared for future challenges rather than facing any crisis.
“We need all hands on deck to make sure that we’re supporting women in the midst of what I call this perfect form of instability that they’re experiencing,” Sturdivant shared during an interview.
The Detroit-born executive arrives at the foundation after leading The League, an organization she established to promote civic participation through cultural initiatives. Her previous collaboration with former Ms. Foundation president Marie Wilson, who helped create “Take Our Daughters to Work” day, shaped her understanding of large-scale efforts to change public narratives.
Wilson’s mentorship came through their joint work on the White House Project, which focused on advancing women into leadership roles across various industries and sectors.
Sturdivant believes changing public narratives has become increasingly critical as conservative movements across the country work to eliminate funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. She views the Ms. Foundation, established in 1973 and having survived numerous cultural changes, as well-positioned to connect with today’s feminists through contemporary communication methods.
As an example of emerging voices she wants to amplify, Sturdivant highlighted Blair Imani, a historian and content creator recognized at Tuesday’s event. Imani produces “Smarter in Seconds,” a popular online series that provides progressive education on racial and gender topics through brief videos.
“They are leading the culture and being able to take some of our cues from them, I think, is gonna be really helpful,” Sturdivant explained.
The new leader is exploring ways to increase grant funding for initiatives addressing equal pay, family leave policies, and childcare access. These issues were central to her work co-founding the Make it Work Campaign, a three-year effort to improve women’s economic circumstances nationwide.
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows men’s wages are increasing more rapidly than women’s earnings, with the gender pay gap expanding for two consecutive years. A recent poll by the Associated Press and NORC found that most working women in America feel disadvantaged regarding competitive compensation, though the nation remains split on addressing these inequalities, with many men holding different perspectives.
“We’re really talking about what does it mean for folks to be able to lead a life where they are not just surviving but thriving, they feel safe and they’re secure,” Sturdivant stated. “That’s going to be the work of the foundation under my tenure.”
Sturdivant emphasized her commitment to continuing the foundation’s “unapologetic” support for marginalized communities while simultaneously working to bring new allies into the movement for economic equality and reproductive rights.
TACOMA, Wash. — Washington state officials filed a federal court petition Tuesday seeking to compel private prison company The Geo Group to permit state health inspectors access to its immigration detention facility in Tacoma, following years of detainee complaints about conditions.
State health department officials have been repeatedly turned away from the Northwest ICE Processing Center, where The Geo Group houses immigrants under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Gov. Bob Ferguson, who spoke at a press conference outside the facility Tuesday. The center can house approximately 1,600 individuals awaiting deportation proceedings.
Washington enacted legislation in 2023 establishing its “broad authority to enforce generally applicable health and safety laws against contractors operating private detention facilities.” The Geo Group challenged the statute in court, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the law’s validity. The company has until June 11 to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for review.
“Despite the mandate of the court and the seriousness of the problem, The Geo Group continues to defy our law by refusing to admit DOH inspectors,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said during the press conference. “In my view, this is not just a legal obligation. It is a moral obligation.”
When contacted by The Associated Press, The Geo Group declined to provide comment and directed inquiries to ICE, which did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Officials report receiving approximately 3,500 complaints from facility detainees over recent years, with nearly 1,000 concerning water, food and air quality issues. Detainees have reported finding burned plastic, splinters, hair, worms and other foreign materials in their food, while also complaining about foul-tasting water.
Ferguson stated that health inspectors have been denied entry during all 10 attempted visits since the law took effect. The most recent rejection occurred April 20 when inspectors sought to examine the water system. Since Tacoma’s municipal water supply meets quality standards, officials suspect potential problems with the detention center’s internal plumbing maintenance.
According to the state’s court filing, inspectors were instructed to contact ICE’s Seattle field office, despite having previously attempted that approach without success.
SYDNEY – Rising energy costs linked to Middle East conflicts have pushed Australian consumer prices significantly higher during the first three months of 2024, creating headaches for policymakers who may now face pressure to increase interest rates.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures Wednesday revealing that the nation’s consumer price index climbed 1.4% during the January-March period, marking the steepest quarterly increase since the final months of 2023. The annual inflation rate accelerated from 3.6% to 4.1% in the first quarter, with March alone reaching 4.6%.
Core inflation measurements also showed concerning trends for Australia’s Reserve Bank. The trimmed mean indicator rose 0.8% for the quarter, slightly below economist predictions of 0.9%. However, the yearly core inflation rate increased from 3.4% to 3.5%, keeping it well beyond the central bank’s preferred range of 2% to 3%.
The elevated inflation figures come as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy markets, creating ripple effects across the Australian economy and putting additional strain on household budgets.
Negotiations for a potential half-billion-dollar federal bailout of Spirit Airlines have reached a deadlock, according to a Tuesday report from Bloomberg News citing industry sources.
The breakdown centers on disagreements with a consortium of lenders, spearheaded by hedge fund Citadel, who are resisting proposed conditions they believe would substantially diminish the worth of their investments and restrict potential returns.
Bloomberg News reports that the lending group submitted an alternative proposal in recent days, but has not received a response from negotiators.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm these developments. Both Spirit Airlines and Citadel declined to provide immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.
Economic analysts anticipate that Chinese manufacturing expansion will decelerate in April as escalating expenses related to Middle Eastern conflicts challenge Beijing’s strategy of using industrial production to support economic development.
Economists surveyed by Reuters predict the official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index will fall to 50.1 in April, down from March’s reading of 50.4, based on responses from 27 financial experts.
Thursday’s anticipated PMI release, compiled from National Bureau of Statistics company surveys, will provide updated insights into how the globe’s second-biggest economy is managing amid U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran that have disrupted energy markets and supply networks.
First-quarter economic indicators showed that warfare impacts remained relatively limited, supported by substantial strategic petroleum stockpiles, varied energy sources, and strong international appetite for Chinese-manufactured electronics.
Economic output increased 5% during the initial three months, reaching the higher end of Beijing’s yearly growth expectations, even as goods shipments abroad declined in March. Chinese industrial company earnings rose in March at the fastest rate seen in six months.
This series of positive economic indicators has reduced urgency for officials to implement major economic stimulus measures, despite ongoing weakness in consumer spending and employment markets.
Credit rating firm Moody’s supported this assessment Monday by upgrading China’s outlook to “stable” from “negative,” pointing to durable economic and financial resilience.
China’s central banking authority maintained key lending rates unchanged last week for the eleventh straight month, as early-year economic momentum and rising inflation decreased requirements for additional monetary support.
However, as Iranian conflicts drive up production expenses and threaten worldwide economic prospects, China’s industrial sector may struggle to remain protected.
Chinese producer prices ended a 41-month period of decline in March, with costs jumping in energy-dependent sectors including non-ferrous metal extraction. Nevertheless, cost-driven inflation rather than demand-based price increases creates economic risks, which ANZ analysts describe as “not friendly to the economy.”
During recent leadership discussions, China’s senior officials acknowledged the nation’s economy demonstrated robust early 2024 performance while also confronting obstacles and difficulties. They committed to enhancing energy independence while advancing technological progress and increased self-reliance.
The White House has defended President Donald Trump’s receipt of FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize amid mounting international criticism from soccer officials and human rights organizations.
FIFA presented Trump with the inaugural honor during December’s World Cup draw ceremony, citing his efforts in “promoting peace and unity around the world.” The decision sparked immediate backlash from human rights advocates and soccer organizations leading up to the World Cup.
This week, Australian soccer star Jackson Irvine criticized the award, stating it undermines FIFA’s Human Rights Policy. Meanwhile, Norway’s soccer federation has called for FIFA to eliminate the prize altogether.
In response to the criticism, White House officials pointed to Trump’s “Peace through Strength foreign policy” approach, claiming it successfully concluded eight conflicts within a year.
“There is no one else in the world more deserving of FIFA’s first ever Peace Prize than President Trump. Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly suffers from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome,” stated White House spokesman Davis Ingle.
The controversy comes as the United States prepares to co-host the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 through July 19. However, military actions have continued since the award ceremony, including a strike on Venezuela one month after the tournament draw and coordinated airstrikes with Israel targeting Iran beginning February 28.
President Trump has repeatedly highlighted his role in resolving global disputes and has publicly suggested he deserves recognition with the Nobel Peace Prize on multiple occasions.
The University of Delaware’s men’s basketball team has welcomed a new addition to their lineup for the 2026-27 season with the signing of transfer player Eugene Alvin, according to an announcement made Tuesday by head coach Martin Ingelsby.
Alvin comes to the Blue Hens program after completing his previous season playing for Morgan State University. The Newark-based team continues to build their roster as they prepare for the upcoming basketball season.
Coach Ingelsby confirmed the signing as part of the program’s ongoing efforts to strengthen their competitive position for the 2026-27 campaign.
Investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has prohibited its Hong Kong-based employees from accessing artificial intelligence tools developed by Anthropic, according to a Financial Times report published Tuesday.
Banking staff in the region lost access to Anthropic’s Claude AI models several weeks ago, according to four sources familiar with the situation cited by the newspaper.
The restriction represents an unusual move in Hong Kong, where American-developed AI technologies like ChatGPT and Claude typically remain accessible. While mainland China blocks these AI platforms, Hong Kong generally stays outside such restrictions, with access limitations usually determined by the U.S. companies themselves.
An Anthropic representative informed the Financial Times that Claude models were never officially “supported” in Hong Kong, though the company refused to provide additional details.
According to the report, Goldman Sachs implemented the ban after conducting a thorough review of its agreement with Anthropic in consultation with the AI company. This analysis led the bank to conclude that Hong Kong-based staff should be completely barred from using any Anthropic services.
The prohibition does not affect Goldman Sachs’ relationships with other artificial intelligence providers, including OpenAI, the Financial Times noted.
Neither Goldman Sachs nor Anthropic provided immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.
The development comes months after Goldman Sachs’ chief information officer Marco Argenti announced in February that the financial institution was collaborating with Anthropic to create AI-powered systems designed to automate various internal operations.
WASHINGTON – During Tuesday’s formal White House reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla, President Donald Trump reflected on how the forebears of both leaders would be amazed to witness “the Anglo-American revolution in human freedom” enduring into modern times.
Following his remarks, Trump moved away from the podium to greet Charles with a handshake, and the two leaders shared a moment of laughter. The White House later shared a photograph of their interaction with the caption “TWO KINGS.”
This marks another instance of Trump embracing royal symbolism during his current presidency. Last October, he shared an artificial intelligence-created video showing himself crowned and flying a military aircraft over protesters displaying “No Kings” signs – demonstrations that Republican congressional leaders have labeled “Hate America” gatherings.
In the video, Trump’s depicted character releases waste material onto the crowd below. That same day, he posted additional AI content portraying himself in royal regalia including a crown, ceremonial cape, and sword while Democratic lawmakers bowed before him.
The historical context adds irony to the “Two Kings” reference, as American colonists fought an eight-year independence struggle against Charles’ ancestor King George III starting in 1775. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 accused the British crown of “repeated injuries and usurpations” aimed at establishing “absolute Tyranny over these States.”
“One interesting difference between America and the UK is the people are the sovereign. We don’t have one person that’s sovereign,” said Representative Joe Morelle, a New York Democrat, speaking to Reuters. “I don’t think the president, respectfully, understands that difference.”
White House representatives did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment. The presidential couple is hosting Charles and Camilla for an official state dinner Tuesday night.
During his address to Congress earlier Tuesday, King Charles highlighted the nations’ common heritage and democratic values, referencing the Magna Carta, Britain’s 1689 Declaration of Rights, and America’s 1791 Bill of Rights to emphasize that “executive power is subject to checks and balances.”
When questioned about accusations of monarchical behavior during a CBS “60 Minutes” interview following Saturday’s thwarted assassination attempt, Trump dismissed the claims.
“I’m not a king,” Trump told correspondent Norah O’Donnell. “If I was a king, I wouldn’t be dealing with you.”
