The United Nations has voiced serious alarm regarding new marriage legislation from Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership that contains troubling provisions about child marriage. The most disputed element of the law suggests that when a girl who has reached puberty remains silent, this can be viewed as agreement to wed. Additionally, the legislation addresses the separation of girls who have reached puberty and are married, suggesting approval of child marriage practices. Taliban officials have dismissed these criticisms, stating their decree aligns with Islamic principles and maintaining that Afghanistan has already prohibited forced marriages of girls.
Poland has officially recorded its first same-sex marriage, following through on court decisions requiring the nation to acknowledge gay unions performed in other countries. This past fall, the European Union’s top court mandated that Poland must recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other EU nations, despite Polish law currently not allowing such unions. In March, Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court referenced that decision when directing officials to acknowledge the German marriage of two Polish men. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged to legalize gay marriage in Poland, though he encounters resistance from members of his own ruling coalition.
An advocacy organization has initiated legal action against the Trump administration regarding its choice to restore a near-complete prohibition on abortions for veterans at V.A. medical facilities. Legal representatives for Minority Veterans of America are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to overturn this restriction. During president Biden’s term, abortion access at V.A. facilities was significantly broadened, including in states that have outlawed the procedure. President Trump has reversed that policy. The VA has indicated it will continue providing abortions when a pregnant woman’s life is in danger, which state laws permit even in areas with bans.
Democratic party members are expressing strong disagreement over DNC Chair Ken Martin’s 192-page analysis of the 2024 election loss. A major point of dispute involves transgenderism. Martin contends that the party has limited itself by endorsing that lifestyle and should reduce its emphasis in upcoming campaigns. The analysis cautions that Democrats “wrote off rural America, assuming urban-suburban margins would compensate. The math doesn’t work. Democrats must reclaim the Heartland and the South.” LGBT advocates are strongly criticizing Martin, potentially dividing the already fractured party as important midterm elections draw near.
Following a lengthy two-hour discussion in the Situation Room, President Donald Trump has not given his approval to a proposed agreement that would extend a ceasefire with Iran and begin fresh nuclear negotiations, keeping the future of any potential deal uncertain.
Despite the president’s earlier statement that he would reach a “final determination” on the proposal, the White House has made no announcement regarding a completed agreement or approved draft after the meeting concluded. Any deal being considered would need sign-off from both the U.S. president and Iran’s top leadership.
On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance announced that Washington and Tehran had developed a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict, awaiting Trump’s approval. The plan includes extending the ceasefire for 60 days and beginning fresh discussions about Iran’s nuclear program.
According to administration officials, President Trump brought together his advisers in the Situation Room to determine the terms he views as crucial for any agreement. Key among these demands are removing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions.”
Though administration officials suggest a deal could be possible, multiple matters remain unresolved. Remaining disagreements reportedly involve releasing Iranian assets and questions about managing and transferring nuclear materials.
A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from shutting down the Kennedy Center for repair work and has mandated the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the facility and its website, determining that any formal name change requires congressional authorization.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper delivered the ruling on Friday, giving the administration two weeks to remove all Trump references from the center and its digital platforms. Cooper’s 94-page decision, released on President John F. Kennedy’s birthday, determined that Congress holds sole authority over changing the institution’s name, not the center’s governing board.
“Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” Cooper wrote.
The judge determined that labeling the facility as the “Trump Kennedy Center” went beyond simply using an alternative name. Cooper referenced signage that identified the venue as “The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” and concluded that this modification changed the institution’s official identity.
“The ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ label adds an entirely new name to the Center’s formal title and relegates President Kennedy’s name to second place. If that is not a renaming, what is?” Cooper wrote.
Cooper rejected the administration’s contention that no actual renaming had occurred.
“They instead submit that everything is not what it seems,” Cooper wrote.
“The rechristening is not, as Defendants suggest, like calling the ‘Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’ the ‘Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,’ which is merely a clerical rearrangement,” he added.
President Trump pushed back by justifying his plans to renovate the facility, characterizing the proposed renovations as essential for addressing significant structural and safety issues. He also attacked Cooper, alleging political prejudice and conflicts of interest.
“I cannot be involved with a situation where danger to the Public is allowed to flourish in plain and open sight. Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into ‘NEVER NEVER LAND,’” President Trump wrote.
The president indicated he would pursue congressional involvement regarding the center’s future, stating he would collaborate with lawmakers “to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it.”
Tom Barrack is departing his position as US Special Envoy for Syria as the Trump administration transitions toward establishing complete diplomatic ties with Damascus.
The Lebanese-American real estate billionaire received his appointment in May 2025 following Washington’s announcement to remove major sanctions against Damascus, maintaining his dual role as US ambassador to Turkey throughout his envoy tenure.
The Associated Press reported earlier this year that congressional members received notification about the State Department’s plans to “implement a phased approach to potentially resume embassy operations in Syria,” suggesting Barrack’s departure could pave the way for reopening the closed Damascus embassy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that Barrack’s special envoy term was concluding and hinted the position would not continue.
“Ambassador Tom Barrak has played an invaluable role as our Special Envoy to Syria,” Rubio stated.
“While that title is expiring, he will continue to play a leading role for the Trump Administration in both Syria and Iraq, where his expertise, relationships, and understanding of the America First agenda will continue to deliver wins on behalf of our great country,” Rubio added.
A close associate of President Trump for many years, Barrack led Trump’s 2017 inauguration committee prior to accepting diplomatic duties.
Throughout his special envoy tenure, Barrack participated in crucial elements of US strategy regarding Syria after Bashar Assad’s removal from power. His responsibilities encompassed managing sanctions relief efforts, reconstruction projects involving Turkey and Gulf nations, and collaboration against the Islamic State terrorist organization. He additionally facilitated negotiations between Syria’s government and Kurdish-led groups while supporting measures to strengthen Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration and expand US diplomatic relations with Damascus.
Following his 17 May meeting with al-Sharaa in Damascus, Barrack characterized Syria as “a laboratory for a new regional alliance based on diplomacy, integration and hope for the entire region”.
His service also faced opposition. In Lebanon, his comments encouraging journalists to conduct themselves in a “civilized” rather than “animalistic” fashion during a press briefing generated controversy. Syrian-Kurdish leadership also criticized him for adopting an overly “pro-Damascus” stance and applying pressure on Kurdish organizations to accept conditions promoted by al-Sharaa.
Barrack represents the fourth US special envoy to Syria over the previous 12 years. The United States has not designated an ambassador to Syria since Stephen Ford, whose service lasted from December 2011 through February 2014.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has broken NFL history by collecting $17.7 million in group licensing revenue, based on the NFL Players Association’s annual financial report.
The rookie signal-caller demolished the prior single-season benchmark, previously set by Tom Brady during the 2021-22 season at $9.5 million.
Group licensing covers agreements involving six or more players, Front Office Sports reports. These deals typically encompass merchandise like jerseys and trading cards.
The massive $17.7 million total excludes Sanders’ individual sponsorship agreements with companies like Beats by Dre and Gatorade.
During his debut NFL season, the first-year quarterback appeared in eight contests with seven starts for Cleveland, completing passes for 1,400 yards along with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 169 rushing yards and one rushing score.
Rookie Travis Hunter of the Jacksonville Jaguars ranked second in group licensing earnings at $12.8 million, having been Sanders’ college teammate at both Jackson State and Colorado. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes collected $8 million in similar revenue.
A federal judge has agreed to examine a controversial $1.8 billion compensation fund designed to pay individuals the president alleges were improperly targeted by federal government agencies.
The compensation program has generated widespread criticism since its public announcement earlier this month, creating visible divisions within Republican Party ranks.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — May 30, 2026
DELMARVA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened registration today for a $1.625 billion aid program targeting specialty crop growers facing rising costs and international competition pressures.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers initiative will begin accepting applications Monday for farmers with existing Login.gov credentials. Pre-populated applications will be available through the system starting June 1. Producers without online accounts can obtain paper forms at their local Farm Service Agency office beginning June 8. The registration window closes August 7.
Rollins said the Trump administration is using an expedited process through the One Farmer One File system to accelerate payment distribution.
Markets
Livestock futures finished lower Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Live cattle transactions reached $256, down $4 from the prior week’s weighted average. Dressed cattle business continued during Friday’s session.
On Delmarva, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is offering $4.90 per bushel for December corn delivery. November soybeans are trading at $11.40.
Forecast
Sunny skies continued Saturday afternoon with temperatures around 68 degrees. Tonight’s low will drop to 51 under mostly clear conditions. Sunday will be sunny with a high near 73. Dry weather is expected to hold through Monday before a slight chance of rain Tuesday.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, May 30, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
A judicial ruling in the Turks and Caicos Islands has resulted in a prison term of four years and 26 days for Michael Misick, the territory’s former premier, following his conviction in a major corruption case that spanned several years.
Authorities took Misick into custody in Brazil during December 2012 after Brazilian officials denied his request for political asylum. The charges against him included corruption, misappropriating public funds, and gaining personal profit from selling government property to development companies.
Friday’s sentencing decision imposed the four-year, 26-day prison term on Misick. Earlier in February, a court found him guilty on three bribery charges. Misick has maintained that the accusations were politically motivated.
The same court proceeding on Friday also resulted in prison sentences for former Cabinet minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Thomas Misick, who is Michael Misick’s brother. Hanchell received a three-year sentence while Thomas Misick was given four years. Authorities placed all three men in custody, and they plan to challenge their sentences through appeals.
Michael Misick resigned from his premier position in 2009, not long after British authorities assumed temporary control of the territory’s administration and halted its constitution due to widespread corruption allegations. Direct British oversight concluded in November 2012 when the territory conducted new elections.
The state of Massachusetts, which hosts one of the nation’s most significant Brazilian communities, is witnessing enthusiasm as residents prepare to support Brazil’s national soccer team in the World Cup competition.
Throughout Massachusetts, members of the Brazilian community are making arrangements to follow their native country’s national team as they participate in the international soccer tournament.
A new investigation by NPR explores how people across the United States are changing their food habits in response to rising grocery costs.
The report, part of NPR’s “What’s Eating America” series, features work by reporter Joe Hernandez, who looked into the various ways Americans are adjusting their eating and shopping patterns to deal with elevated food prices.
The investigation focuses on the different tactics people are employing to manage their food expenses during this period of increased costs.
Finland staged a dramatic comeback to defeat heavily favored Canada 4-2 in Stockholm, Sweden on May 30, securing their place in the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship final against host nation Switzerland, who dominated Norway 6-0 in the earlier semifinal.
The Finns struck first just 3 minutes and 30 seconds into the opening period when they forced a turnover and set up Patrik Puistola for a breakaway goal that found the upper-right corner of the net.
Canada, still stinging from their overtime defeat to the United States in February’s Winter Olympic gold medal game, responded quickly. Robert Thomas capitalized on a deflected shot to tie the game less than five minutes later, and Dylan Holloway put the Canadians ahead 2-1 by the end of the first period after converting a well-placed pass.
The second period belonged entirely to Finland, who exploded for three goals to seize control of the match. Aleksander Barkov found the net just 49 seconds into the frame, followed by goals from Konsta Helenius and Aatu Raty that gave Finland a commanding 4-2 advantage.
Facing elimination, Canada mounted a desperate offensive push in the third period, but Finnish goalkeeper Justus Annunen delivered an outstanding performance while his defensive teammates protected their lead to secure the victory.
Sunday’s championship game will feature four-time champion Finland seeking their first title since 2022, while Switzerland aims for their inaugural gold medal in their third consecutive final appearance.
Wyatt Langford, outfielder for the Texas Rangers, will start his rehabilitation assignment this Saturday with Triple-A Round Rock.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined since late April due to a forearm flexor strain. During his absence, the Rangers have struggled with a disappointing 14-20 record.
During the previous season, Langford delivered 22 home runs, 62 RBIs and 22 stolen bases across 134 games, while also contributing solid defensive play in the outfield.
This season, through 20 games before his injury, he managed one home run, four RBIs, three stolen bases and maintained a .238 batting average.
Meanwhile, Rangers All-Star shortstop Corey Seager, who has been dealing with a back issue, is participating in fielding practice and was scheduled for a live batting practice session on Saturday. Seager has been unavailable since May 14.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving provided an encouraging health update through a Twitch broadcast, revealing he’s nearly returned to peak physical condition following his ACL tear.
“I am definitely close to being over at 100% in terms on my ACL recovery,” Irving said. “It’s been a while now. … I’m just so grateful that I’ve had the time to heal and just experiment with my body more on the court.”
The nine-time All-Star has been out of action since sustaining the injury March 3, 2025. Throughout the 2024-25 season, he posted averages of 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists across 50 games (all starts), while connecting on 40.1% of his three-point attempts.
The Mavericks faced significant challenges without the 34-year-old veteran last season, finishing with a disappointing 26-56 record.
Irving’s comeback would allow him to team up with NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg for the upcoming season.
Motorists traveling on Route 40 southbound should expect delays due to ongoing construction work affecting traffic flow in the area.
The right lane is currently closed between Wilton Boulevard and South DuPont Highway (Route 13) as crews continue their work. Officials indicate the lane restriction will remain active until 3PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on Route 13 northbound should expect delays this morning due to ongoing construction work near Killens Pond Road.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that both the right shoulder and one travel lane are currently blocked in the northbound direction at the Killens Pond Road intersection.
The lane restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until 10 AM today. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling northbound on Route 13 should expect delays this morning as construction crews have closed the right shoulder between Big Woods Road and Big Oak Road.
The shoulder closure is part of ongoing construction work in the area and is expected to last until 12 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
Two University of Delaware track and field athletes took part in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East First Round competition over the weekend in Lexington, Kentucky.
Throwers Olamide Ayeni and Nubia Evans-Shields both participated in the discus throw competition during Saturday’s events, representing the Blue Hens at the championship level.
Drivers traveling on Parker Road should plan for potential delays due to construction activity affecting traffic flow in both directions.
The work zone spans the stretch of Parker Road running from Cypress Road to DuPont Boulevard, where crews are implementing intermittent lane closures as needed for the project.
According to transportation officials, the lane restrictions will continue throughout the day until 5 PM this evening.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone.
The Minnesota Vikings have reached an agreement Saturday with Seattle Seahawks assistant Nolan Teasley to serve as their new general manager, according to a source with direct knowledge of the decision who spoke to The Associated Press.
The source requested anonymity since the contract with Teasley has not been completed yet. Teasley has worked his complete 13-year NFL tenure with Seattle, during which time the Seahawks qualified for the playoffs nine times, appeared in three Super Bowls, and captured two championships including their most recent victory in February.
In 2023, Teasley received a promotion to assistant general manager under president of football operations and general manager John Schneider, who built both championship squads. Following the Vikings’ choice not to retain quarterback Sam Darnold last season, he signed with the Seahawks and contributed to their championship success.
Teasley will take over for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was dismissed in January following four seasons in the position. Adofo-Mensah represented an unconventional selection, bringing economics education and Wall Street background to professional football. Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf initially sought a more collaborative leader for this position, someone who could effectively connect the personnel department with the coaching staff, though all their external candidates possessed traditional scouting experience.
Observing Darnold guide the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, following his 14-win 2024 season as the Vikings’ quarterback, certainly influenced the Wilf family’s decision to part ways with Adofo-Mensah.
Teasley emerged victorious from a group of five finalists who conducted in-person meetings this week with Vikings leadership during the second interview phase, defeating current Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, Denver Broncos assistant general manager Reed Burckhardt, Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray, and Los Angeles Rams assistant general manager John McKay.
Brzezinski, who oversaw the draft last month while serving as interim general manager, has worked with the Vikings since 1999 and advanced through his skills in salary cap management and player contract negotiations. Brzezinski, who commands respect within the organization and across the league, will continue in his current position working with Teasley and coach Kevin O’Connell, forming a trio the Wilfs hope will deliver the Vikings their first championship.
Among the finalists, Teasley was the only candidate without previous Vikings connections. Both Burckhardt and Gray formerly served as Vikings scouts. O’Connell previously worked for the Rams. Gray, McKay and Teasley participated in the NFL’s accelerator program that received updates during its rollout at recent league meetings.
A Washington native, Teasley completed his studies at Central Washington University in 2007 with a public relations degree, initially working in marketing before transitioning to the NFL and starting with the Seahawks as a scouting department intern in 2013. He advanced to director of pro personnel in 2018.
When the position opened in 2022 following Rick Spielman’s dismissal, Adofo-Mensah and Ryan Poles were the sole finalists to receive in-person interviews. Poles accepted a position with the Chicago Bears and continues in that role for the current NFC North champions.
Venezuela’s former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González issued a call Saturday for new presidential elections as interim President Delcy Rodríguez nears the five-month milestone of her administration following a U.S. military operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power in early January.
The 76-year-old former diplomat received international recognition as the rightful victor of July 2024’s contested elections during a period marked by post-election turmoil and street demonstrations, with opposition groups claiming electoral fraud had occurred.
International observers validated electoral documentation demonstrating González had defeated Maduro in the voting.
Through a social media post, González declared the time has come to “build the conditions for holding presidential elections that serve as citizen instruments for change” while helping to restore institutional order and establish groundwork for governmental stability.
González’s statement arrives nearly five months after Rodríguez took control on January 5, subsequent to Maduro’s detention along with his spouse, both now facing legal proceedings in the United States.
Rodríguez, previously an associate of Maduro, received official recognition from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, leading to bilateral advancement on multiple agreements encompassing sanction removals, oil and energy sector discussions, and diplomatic relationship restoration.
Both Caracas and Washington have provided no signals that Venezuelan elections are approaching in the near future. U.S. recognition of Rodríguez as Venezuela’s exclusive leader has enabled her to restore connections with Western financial institutions and collaborate more openly with American business interests.
González emphasized that any electoral process must include “independent referees,” domestic and international monitoring, and political diversity among other requirements, while demanding political prisoner releases and “an end to the persecution” as essential conditions.
The opposition figure declared himself the “guardian” of his supporters’ mandate, who selected “freedom” for Venezuela during the 2024 election. González has remained in Spanish exile since September following arrest warrant issuance by Maduro’s government on conspiracy, usurpation and document falsification allegations — accusations he has strongly rejected.
González rose to prominence after being selected as replacement candidate for opposition leader María Corina Machado, who faced electoral participation restrictions.
Corina Machado held recent discussions with opposition figures in Panama, promoting democratic transition in Venezuela. She declared her intention to return by year’s end to seek the presidency.
WASHINGTON — A planned celebration marking America’s quarter-millennium milestone will now feature President Donald Trump as its main draw after multiple musical performers withdrew due to concerns about the event’s political associations, organizers announced Saturday.
Writing on his Truth Social platform Saturday, Trump acknowledged that performers were experiencing nervousness about appearing at the event, suggesting he might bring “the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists.’”
Freedom 250, the organization behind the June celebration scheduled for Washington’s National Mall, issued a statement confirming Trump’s participation, stating “we are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration.”
In his social media announcement, Trump referred to the event happening on “Wednesday” in two separate instances, despite the fair’s actual start date of June 25. The White House has not yet addressed this timing inconsistency.
Danielle Alvarez, speaking for Freedom 250, highlighted that the extended celebration running until July 10 will feature diverse offerings including displays, family activities, musical acts, aerial demonstrations and additional entertainment.
While Freedom 250 markets itself as politically neutral, the organization was established last year by Trump and operates under leadership from a former State Department official who served during Trump’s initial presidency. Last week saw the departure of multiple performers including Bret Michaels, the Commodores and Martina McBride.
Michaels along with other departing artists indicated they felt deceived regarding the event’s nature or expressed reluctance to become involved in political controversy.
Several entertainers remain committed to participating, including Flo Rida, Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli and Vanilla Ice. A representative for the “Ice Ice Baby” performer previously stated he was “proud to help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!”
WORCESTER, Mass. — Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton achieved a crucial milestone Saturday, earning sufficient delegate backing to qualify for the primary ballot in his challenge against sitting U.S. Senator Ed Markey in the upcoming Senate contest.
Despite Moulton’s success in meeting the ballot threshold, Markey claimed the Democratic Party’s official endorsement by capturing more than half of the delegation’s votes.
“You have a choice, you have to decide what the future looks like and what you’re going to demand,” Markey told an audience of over 4,000 delegates on Saturday.
The incumbent senator captured approximately 73% of delegate backing, while Moulton received roughly 27%. State Democratic Party regulations mandate that candidates for statewide office must obtain at least 15% of delegate support to qualify for primary ballots.
In the heavily blue state of Massachusetts, this Senate primary battle has drawn national attention as the 47-year-old Moulton has built his campaign around calls for changing established patterns and pushing for younger leadership.
Should Markey win reelection, he would reach age 80 before starting his third six-year Senate term. Although Markey has highlighted his energy and progressive stance, concerns about age continue to follow Democratic candidates as the party works to regain Congressional control.
During his nomination address, Moulton contended that Democrats required more than “incremental change” and needed fresh beginnings.
“It’s time for the generation that grew up with the internet, and will have to live for decades with AI, to lead our way through it,” Moulton declared.
The congressman made only brief references to his rival during his speech, mentioning the need to avoid waiting another six years for leadership transition and later urging Markey to agree to multiple debates ahead of the September primary. The candidates have currently committed to participating in a single debate this summer.
Markey adopted a more confrontational strategy, criticizing Moulton’s past statements regarding transgender youth and his acceptance of corporate PAC funding.
“Massachusetts deserves better than a senator who scapegoats trans kids,” Markey stated to enthusiastic applause.
In 2024, Moulton faced criticism from party colleagues after stating he wouldn’t want his daughters competing in sports against transgender girls. Opponents argued Moulton was repeating Trump’s positions on transgender athlete participation in girls’ and women’s athletics.
Moulton later clarified that his statement “was to point out that, as a party, we need to be willing to have difficult conversations.”
The congressman, who joined the Marines following the September 11, 2001, attacks and completed four combat deployments in Iraq, first won his House seat in 2014. He mounted a brief presidential campaign in 2020 before ending it after several months.
Markey represented Massachusetts in the House for almost four decades before capturing his Senate position in 2013. He successfully defended against a 2020 primary challenge from Rep. Joe Kennedy III by mobilizing progressive supporters to defeat the younger candidate from one of America’s most prominent political dynasties.
The Massachusetts primary election is scheduled for Sept. 1.
The Toronto Blue Jays have released pitcher Austin Voth for the second time this season, clearing a roster spot for rookie Hayden Juenger on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Voth joined the Blue Jays as a free agent on March 25 and made his first appearance April 9, pitching 2 2/3 innings before being cut. The team brought him back on April 11, and he pitched 3 1/3 innings Friday night before being released again.
Throughout his eight seasons in the major leagues, Voth has compiled a 17-19 record with a 4.77 ERA across 209 games, including 39 starts with four different teams. He spent his first five seasons with the Washington Nationals and played for Chiba Lotte in Japan last year.
Juenger, 25, is poised for his major league debut after posting a 1-2 record with a 3.15 ERA in 17 games at Triple-A Buffalo, including two starts.
American forces struck a ship with a missile Friday after the vessel attempted to break through the military blockade surrounding Iran, according to military officials.
U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that it launched a Hellfire missile targeting the engine compartment of the Lian Star, which flies under Gambia’s flag. The ship was traveling through international waters en route to an Iranian port located on the Gulf of Oman when the strike occurred.
Military personnel had previously issued “more than 20 warnings” to the vessel’s crew, alerting them that their journey violated the established U.S. blockade, Centcom officials stated.
Following the missile strike, Centcom confirmed the ship was “no longer transiting to Iran” but offered no additional information about the vessel’s current status.
The military blockade, which began on April 13, has successfully “redirected” a minimum of 115 vessels, according to Friday’s announcement from Centcom.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated Saturday that American military forces remain prepared to launch additional attacks against Iran should diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between the two nations fail.
The continuing hostilities have driven up energy costs worldwide, particularly as Iran has largely shut down operations through the Strait of Hormuz.
A Massachusetts family of four lost their lives when a motorcoach collided with several vehicles on a Virginia interstate, and they were en route to a family wedding carrying homemade treats for the celebration.
The wedding ceremony will proceed as planned Sunday in South Carolina, but the occasion will also serve as a time to grieve for Dmitri and Ecaterina Doncev along with their children, Emily and Mark, according to a family member who spoke Saturday.
“A son, a father — the whole family — everyone that has been dear to us,” Carolina Bublik said.
The Doncev family perished early Friday when the motorcoach struck vehicles that had reduced speed for a construction area on Interstate 95 in Stafford County, Virginia. Another victim, a 25-year-old female from Worcester, Massachusetts, was killed in an SUV, according to authorities.
Additional individuals received medical treatment for injuries, with one person listed in critical condition, although most patients were released from the hospital, Mary Washington Healthcare reported.
An official from the National Transportation Safety Board was scheduled to address media regarding the crash investigation Saturday.
E&P Travel Inc., headquartered in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, operated the motorcoach. Virginia State Police named the driver as Jing S. Dong, 48, of Staten Island, New York.
Dmitri, 45, and Ecaterina, 44, moved to the United States from Moldova in 2008 and made their home in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Bublik explained.
Dmitri worked as a nurse at Holyoke Medical Center. Ecaterina worked as a hair stylist and had dedicated days to preparing desserts for the family wedding, Bublik noted.
Dmitri and his brother Iuri attempted to coordinate their travel while driving in different vehicles to South Carolina.
“At some point they ended up getting separated,” Bublik said. “Dmitri said, ‘You go ahead. I’ll catch up later.’ It was a big shock when Iuri arrived at the house. Dmitri should have arrived around the same time. When his car did not show up, and he wasn’t picking up the phone — that’s when the family started panicking.”
President Donald Trump unleashed criticism Saturday against the federal judge who halted his planned Kennedy Center renovation, calling U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper “an anti Trump Hater” and warning the performing arts venue “will soon be closed, probably never to open again.”
Trump’s lengthy Truth Social post expressed frustration over Cooper’s Friday ruling, which also mandated removal of Trump’s name from the center. The president connected this legal defeat to previous setbacks, including the Supreme Court’s February rejection of his comprehensive tariffs, stating it was “impossible for me to be treated fairly.”
While Trump’s message defended the renovation project, he didn’t indicate whether he would pursue further court action. Following Cooper’s decision, Trump announced he was stepping back from the renovations and would transfer control back to Congress for what had previously been called the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts before his second term began.
The White House has not clarified Trump’s current stance or confirmed whether he will remain as the center’s board chairman.
Trump pointed blame toward Cooper’s spouse, attorney Amy Jeffress, without providing supporting evidence. He highlighted that Jeffress works as a partner at Hecker Fink law firm and previously served as a counselor to Attorney General Eric Holder under Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration. Cooper received his judicial nomination from Obama.
Trump also mentioned that Hecker Fink represents former President Joe Biden in litigation against the Department of Justice, seeking to prevent release of audio recordings and transcripts from the Democrat’s conversations with a ghostwriter. These materials were gathered during an investigation into Biden’s management of classified documents from his Senate and vice presidential years.
Describing the Kennedy Center as “rusted, rotted, and rat and bug infested,” Trump claimed the “new Building would have been incomparable.” The center, honoring the late Democratic president, opened its doors in 1971.
In his decision, Cooper characterized the center board’s March 16 closure vote as “ill-informed and seemingly preordained” without consideration of legal responsibilities. The administration had scheduled construction to start in July with an estimated two-year duration. Cooper’s order temporarily stops these plans.
Cooper determined the board “overstepped its statutory bounds” by attaching Trump’s name to the facility. Since Congress designated the Kennedy Center’s name, only Congress holds authority to modify it, the judge explained. Cooper mandated Trump’s name removal within a two-week timeframe.
Trump clarified Saturday that the board, rather than himself, decided to add his name to the center. “They thought it would be good for this dying Institution,” he stated.
After taking office in January 2025, he removed the center’s existing leadership and installed his chosen board of trustees, who subsequently appointed him as chairman.
Cooper conducted hearings in late April for two related lawsuits challenging the renovation. Cultural and historic preservation groups filed one lawsuit, while Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat serving as an ex officio board member through her congressional role, brought the other. Cooper sided with Beatty’s petition while dismissing the alternative challenge.
Trump’s post also referenced Jeffress’ firm’s representation of E. Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who alleges Trump sexually assaulted her in a New York department store three decades ago.
Jeffress has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group has unveiled plans for a massive €45 billion investment over the coming five years to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure across France, according to founder Masayoshi Son in a weekend interview with La Tribune Dimanche.
Son described this commitment as Europe’s largest AI infrastructure investment to date, focusing on the northern Hauts-de-France region. The company’s total investment commitment in France is expected to reach €75 billion, Son revealed.
Officials plan to formally reveal these investment details on Monday during the annual Choose France business conference.
La Tribune Dimanche reported that two data center locations at Le Bosquel and Dunkirk are scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and 2031 respectively, delivering a combined computing capacity exceeding 5 gigawatts.
When questioned about selecting France for this venture, Son explained, “The fact that the country is a producer and exporter of energy is absolutely decisive for investments in AI infrastructure.”
This French investment represents part of SoftBank’s worldwide AI infrastructure expansion efforts. The company has already committed more than $30 billion to OpenAI, securing approximately an 11% ownership stake.
France has utilized the Choose France summit as a platform to attract international investors since President Emmanuel Macron established the event in 2018.
The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly reached an agreement with Nolan Teasley to become their new general manager, according to NFL Network reports released Saturday.
Teasley currently serves as assistant general manager for the Seattle Seahawks, a position he has held since 2023 under John Schneider.
The 42-year-old executive has built his career within the Seahawks organization over the past 14 years, beginning as an intern in the scouting department in 2013 before working his way up through the ranks.
Following his role in helping Seattle capture the Super Bowl championship last season, Teasley will now face the challenge of rebuilding the Vikings, who failed to reach the playoffs in the previous season.
Rob Brzezinski, Minnesota’s vice president of football operations, has been filling the general manager role on an interim basis since the organization dismissed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 30, ending his four-year tenure with the team.
PARIS, May 30 – Day seven of the French Open delivered dramatic results and major upsets on Saturday in sweltering conditions at Roland Garros.
1817 CERUNDOLO ADVANCES TO FOURTH ROUND
Juan Manuel Cerundolo, fresh off his victory over world number one Jannik Sinner, defeated Martin Landaluce in a marathon five-set thriller 6-4 6-7(7) 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 7-6(10-8) to secure his first-ever fourth round appearance at a Grand Slam tournament. His next opponent will be Matteo Berrettini in the round of 16.
1810 DEFENDING CHAMPION GAUFF ELIMINATED
In a stunning upset, Austria’s 28th-seeded Anastasia Potapova defeated defending champion Coco Gauff, the American fourth seed, with a 4-6 7-6(1) 6-4 victory in third round action.
1657 BERRETTINI SURVIVES MARATHON BATTLE
Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini endured an exhausting five-hour marathon against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, ultimately prevailing 7-6(3) 5-7 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(15-13) to advance to the fourth round.
1507 PARRY DELIVERS HOME CROWD UPSET
French crowd favorite Diane Parry pulled off a major surprise by defeating American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3 4-6 7-6(3), earning her first Grand Slam fourth round berth. The 23-year-old, currently ranked 92nd globally, will meet Poland’s Maja Chwalinska in the next round.
1350 SABALENKA ADVANCES TO FACE OSAKA
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka dominated Daria Kasatkina 6-0 7-5, setting up an intriguing round of 16 matchup against four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.
1208 OSAKA REACHES FRENCH OPEN MILESTONE
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka achieved a career first by reaching the French Open’s fourth round, defeating American 17th seed Iva Jovic 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-4.
1156 COBOLLI CRUISES TO VICTORY
Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli, last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist, dominated American 18th seed Learner Tien 6-2 6-2 6-3 to reach his first French Open fourth round. Cobolli’s next challenge will be against Zachary Svajda.
0908 HOT CONDITIONS GREET PLAYERS
Competition commenced under scorching conditions at Roland Garros, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius in Paris and forecasted to climb to approximately 33 degrees. French weather service Meteo France issued a high-temperature advisory for the capital city.
The day’s featured matches included defending women’s champion Coco Gauff facing Anastasia Potapova, while world number one Aryna Sabalenka took on Daria Kasatkina.
Civil liberties organizations have launched a federal court challenge against the nation’s biggest immigration detention facility in El Paso, Texas, citing alleged mistreatment and three deaths since the center opened nine months ago.
The American Civil Liberties Union, alongside other advocacy groups, filed the legal action representing four individuals currently detained at Camp East Montana, a large tent facility established as part of President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation strategy.
The lawsuit, submitted to United States District Court Western District of Texas, targets camp operator U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its parent organization, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This marks the first legal challenge to the desert facility located on the Fort Bliss military base, seeking better conditions for over 2,700 detainees, according to an ACLU statement.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet provided a response to requests for comment. The agency previously stated that the $1.2 billion facility complies with federal immigrant detention standards.
“We’re suing to ensure that no other human being has to endure the inhumane treatment,” said Kyle Virgien, an attorney for the National Prison Project of the ACLU, which filed the lawsuit together with Human Rights Watch and the Texas Civil Rights Project.
A February inspection of the facility’s temporary structures, mandated by Congress, discovered 49 violations of detention standards, with 11 involving “use of force and restraints” and five concerning “medical care.”
The ACLU’s legal filing alleges that detainees face confinement in windowless spaces where they experience physical mistreatment by guards, inadequate medical and mental health services, widespread use of solitary confinement, and exposure to illnesses including measles and tuberculosis.
Venezuelan immigrant Erik Ivan Rodriguez, one of the named plaintiffs, stated he faced physical violence from officials attempting to force him to sign deportation documents. Gerald Akari Angye from Cameroon, another plaintiff, reported being assaulted by guards.
El Paso medical examiners determined that the January 3 death of a Cuban immigrant at Camp East Montana was a homicide, citing “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.”
Immigration authorities initially described Geraldo Lunas Campos’ death as resulting from “medical distress.” Officials later claimed he attempted suicide and died during a struggle with guards who tried to prevent it.
The ACLU’s lawsuit contends he was fatally beaten after requesting his asthma medication. The complaint also states that a fourth individual died shortly after release from the facility, where he had been refused cancer chemotherapy treatment.
Immigration detention fatalities reached a 20-year peak in 2025 as the Trump administration increased the number of people held for alleged violations.
PARIS — Title holder Coco Gauff suffered a shocking elimination at the French Open on Saturday, falling to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in a three-set thriller that ended 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4.
The upset victory sends Potapova into the fourth round and keeps her pursuit of a first Grand Slam championship alive, while adding Gauff’s name to a growing list of high-profile casualties at Roland Garros this year.
Saturday’s result caps off a devastating stretch for tournament favorites, with top men’s players Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic already eliminated from their bracket. Gauff struggled to find her top form during crucial moments of the match.
With the defending champion now out of contention, four-time winner Iga Swiatek and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka emerge as the primary favorites for the title. Meanwhile, Potapova positions herself as a potential surprise contender after delivering such a significant upset.
“I’m cramping a little bit, but it’s OK, it’s all good. I don’t have any words now, I’m extremely happy,” Potapova told reporters on court while holding her right arm following the two-hour, 37-minute battle.
“The fight we could show, both of us… Coco’s such a champion and I respect her so much. I’m unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there, that I was fighting until the very last point,” she added.
Potapova dominated early with aggressive shots from the baseline, securing an immediate break to love in the match’s first game. She extended her advantage to 4-2 after Gauff took a tumble on Court Philippe Chatrier while attempting to reach a ball.
The American recovered her composure and claimed the following two games before a relatively small center court audience, as many spectators were divided between watching Paris St Germain’s Champions League soccer final against Arsenal in Budapest and following Frenchman Moise Kouame’s match at the tournament.
The 22-year-old Gauff elevated her performance to capture the opening set, but the Russian-born Potapova responded by intensifying her attack on the American’s inconsistent serve, earning two early breaks in the second set.
Leading 5-2 and positioned to force a deciding set, Potapova seemed ready to even the match. However, Gauff mounted a comeback by winning four consecutive games before dropping the next game and ultimately losing the set in a tiebreaker where her serve faltered.
Both players exchanged breaks in an intense final set, but fourth-ranked Gauff lost momentum as Potapova seized command and closed out the victory in impressive fashion. The win sets up a fourth-round clash with 22nd-seeded Anna Kalinskaya.
The 30th-ranked Potapova described the triumph as among her career’s most significant achievements.
“It’s up there in the top three for sure,” she concluded.
Drivers on Interstate 295 southbound are facing traffic delays this morning due to heavy congestion in the New Castle County area.
The backup extends from Landers Lane to the Interstate 95 interchange, passing through the Churchmans Marsh area. Motorists should expect an additional 5 to 10 minutes added to their travel time through this corridor.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is monitoring the situation as traffic conditions continue to impact the morning commute.
Traffic is being detoured around a major stretch of U.S. Route 9 after power lines fell across the roadway, forcing authorities to shut down the highway in both directions.
The closure extends along the Lewes Georgetown Highway from Harbeson Road to Prettyman Road, where a utility pole with electrical wires has blocked the entire roadway.
Motorists traveling between the Lewes and Georgetown areas should expect delays and plan alternate routes while utility crews work to remove the downed infrastructure and restore safe passage.
Officials have not provided an estimated time for when the highway will reopen to normal traffic flow.
RALEIGH, N.C. — As the Carolina Hurricanes celebrated on the ice after clinching their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 20 years, Rod Brind’Amour embraced his players while reminding them another series awaited.
Veteran forward Jordan Martinook then approached his coach.
“All right, Marty, you got us here,” Brind’Amour told him.
“One more,” Martinook replied, on cue. “Yep, one more.”
After eight seasons with Brind’Amour at the helm — the former captain who led Carolina to the Cup in 2006 — the team finally overcame their Eastern Conference Final obstacle by eliminating the Montreal Canadiens in five games Friday night. The breakthrough was especially meaningful for five players who endured three previous conference final losses since 2019 when Brind’Amour began coaching: Martinook, captain Jordan Staal, forwards Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, and defenseman Jaccob Slavin.
“It’s hard to really describe,” Staal said as he sat at his locker. “It’s been a lot of grinding, a lot of ups and downs. … I’m just so happy to be where we’re at and just excited for the opportunity ahead.”
Carolina’s transformation started when Brind’Amour was promoted to head coach in 2018 following seven years as an assistant. The Hurricanes were stuck in a nine-year playoff absence at that time.
They’ve qualified for the postseason every year since. The five core players have remained throughout Brind’Amour’s entire tenure:
— Staal joined Carolina from Pittsburgh during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He captured the Cup with the Penguins in 2009 — including a sweep of the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final while Brind’Amour was still playing — but endured six seasons without playoffs in Carolina.
— Slavin was selected in the fourth round of 2012 and had spent three years with Carolina before emerging as one of the league’s premier defensive defensemen.
— Aho was chosen in the second round of 2015 and had two seasons with Carolina while developing into the team’s top-line center.
— Carolina obtained Martinook from Arizona shortly after Brind’Amour’s appointment, acquiring a player who would form a strong checking line with Staal.
— Carolina selected Svechnikov second overall a month following Brind’Amour’s promotion, with Svechnikov becoming a physical presence alongside Aho.
Success came quickly. Carolina eliminated defending Cup champion Washington in a seven-game opening round, then made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final before Boston swept them.
It marked the beginning of both sustained achievement and repeated disappointment.
The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference Final again in 2023, this time holding home-ice advantage against the Florida Panthers. However, they suffered another sweep in four one-goal contests, including a four-overtime marathon in Game 1.
Last year brought a rematch that quickly deteriorated. They dropped Games 1 and 2 in performances that frustrated their typically energetic home crowd, fell behind 0-3 in the series and were eliminated in five games.
That left Carolina with a 1-12 record in that round under Brind’Amour, unable to convert years of regular-season consistency into postseason advancement. It contributed to the “scar tissue” Martinook referenced Friday night, shared by the five core players with Brind’Amour and holdovers like assistant coach Jeff Daniels and longtime video coach Chris Huffine.
“They’ve really grinded out and did it the right way,” Brind’Amour said, “and took a lot of, I think, flack for getting this far and not getting past it. Unduly. I don’t think that was right, because they played as hard as they could. … They gave it everything they had, and that’s all you can ask.
“We got better this year, we added some pieces that made us better to get us to this point. But as a coach, you watch these guys every day, there’s nobody luckier than me to have these guys, the way they approach their business on a daily basis, not just now.”
That dedication was most evident against Montreal.
The Hurricanes swept Ottawa and Philadelphia in the opening two rounds, earning an 11-day break between rounds — the longest playoff intermission in over a century. They emerged with a terrible start against the Canadiens, who scored four first-period goals in a 6-2 victory that recalled previous conference final struggles.
Rather than collapse, the experienced Hurricanes rallied.
Nikolaj Ehlers delivered a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2. They captured Game 3 by the same overtime margin on Svechnikov’s road winner, with Aho providing a screen on Jakub Dobes at the crease. From there, they found their suffocating style that Staal compared to a “machine,” winning 4-0 on the road before Friday’s 6-1 home triumph.
Carolina became the first team to reach the Stanley Cup Final with just one loss since 1983, according to SportRadar, and the first to accomplish this feat since the league adopted best-of-seven series for all four playoff rounds in 1987.
Now they face Vegas for the Cup, a rare new chapter for Carolina’s core group in this extended journey.
“I feel like it was more maybe you guys talking about, ‘Oh, this is the Eastern Conference Final, can’t go past it,’” Aho told reporters in the locker room afterward. “I thought the room was definitely very confident in what we can do. But yeah, it feels good to play for the Cup now.”
A federal judge in Florida has announced plans to examine a controversial settlement deal between the Justice Department and President Donald Trump regarding his $10 billion legal action against the Internal Revenue Service, adding new scrutiny to the widely criticized arrangement.
The president had sued his own administration claiming improper handling of his tax documents led to media leaks. The proposed settlement would establish an approximately $1.8 billion compensation fund for those affected by alleged political weaponization.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams directed Trump’s legal team to provide a response by June 12 to allegations from 35 former federal judges who claim the settlement “is a product of collusion and is itself a fraud on the court.” The attorneys must also address whether the case should be reopened due to claims the lawsuit resulted from “deception” by Trump and the government.
After reaching the settlement, Trump attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed to avoid judicial review of the agreement.
Williams had initially approved that dismissal on May 18, but her latest ruling states the “court is empowered to investigate serious misconduct.”
It represents an uncommon situation for a judge to require government responses to motions following case dismissal. Should the judge decide to reopen proceedings, she might schedule hearings or pursue additional measures.
The former judges argued the settlement, which was never presented to the court, creates serious concerns about Trump and the government’s conduct “and manipulation of the judicial system, which threatens to undermine confidence in the administration of justice.”
In a separate development, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia issued a temporary prohibition Friday against the Trump administration establishing the “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” Brinkema’s directive remains effective through at least June 12.
The compensation fund has generated opposition, including from some Republican Party legislators in Trump’s party, who voiced frustration that individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack might receive government-funded payments. Critics have labeled it a “slush fund.”
The settlement would also prevent the IRS from conducting future audits of past tax filings for Trump, his family members, and his businesses for returns submitted before May 18 or regarding any issues “that were raised or could have been raised.”
Legal professionals have characterized the arrangement as highly irregular due to both the unusual nature of Trump’s IRS lawsuit and because compensation funds of this magnitude are typically established through congressional legislation or court oversight.
Colorado’s most promising young player, Ethan Holliday, will require surgery on his left foot and miss the rest of the season, according to a report from MLB.com.
The 19-year-old infielder, selected fourth overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, sustained a stress fracture and was placed on the injured list by Single-A Fresno. His last game appearance was on May 20.
The report indicates the timing and cause of the injury remain unknown. Colorado has not yet made an official announcement regarding the upcoming surgery.
After being drafted from Stillwater High School in Oklahoma, Holliday inked a deal with Colorado worth $9 million — setting a record as the highest bonus ever awarded to a high school player. Following the draft, he began his professional career with Fresno and returned to the team this spring.
His season concludes with a .262 batting average, nine home runs, and 32 RBIs across 33 games. Prior to getting hurt, he was performing well in May, posting a .295 average along with six homers, four doubles, and one triple over 15 contests.
According to MLB Pipeline, he ranks as the 17th-best prospect overall with a projected major league debut in 2029. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds, Holliday is anticipated to transition to third base in the future.
His older brother, Jackson Holliday, was selected first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Jackson, also an infielder, recently returned to action this season following a fractured hamate bone injury he suffered during batting practice before spring training began in February.
Through 10 games in 2026, he is batting .259 with two home runs and five RBIs.
The brothers’ father, Matt Holliday, enjoyed a distinguished career as a seven-time All-Star across four teams, most notably with the Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals.
On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rays activated right-handed pitcher Cole Sulser from the 15-day injured list while sending right-hander Hunter Bigge down to Triple-A Durham.
Sulser had been out of action due to a lower back strain.
This season, he holds a 1-0 record along with two saves and a 3.68 ERA across 18 outings, including one start.
The 36-year-old pitcher brings a career record of 11-14 with 17 saves and a 3.53 ERA over 175 games (three starts) while playing for five different teams.
Bigge, age 27, carries a 1-1 record this season with a 6.98 ERA through 18 relief outings.
Throughout his career with the Chicago Cubs and Rays, he maintains the same 1-1 record with a 4.18 ERA in 50 total appearances, including one start.
PARIS, May 30 – Key moments from Saturday’s seventh day of competition at the French Open tennis tournament (times in GMT):
1657 BERRETTINI SURVIVES MARATHON MATCH
Ex-Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini survived an exhausting five-hour marathon against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, claiming victory 7-6(3) 5-7 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(15-13) to advance to the round of 16.
1507 PARRY UPSETS ANISIMOVA
French player Diane Parry delivered a major upset by defeating American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3 4-6 7-6(3) to advance to her first Grand Slam fourth round. The 23-year-old, currently ranked 92nd globally, will meet Poland’s Maja Chwalinska in the round of 16.
1350 SABALENKA ADVANCES TO FACE OSAKA
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka dominated Daria Kasatkina 6-0 7-5 to secure a round of 16 matchup against fellow four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.
1208 OSAKA MAKES FRENCH OPEN BREAKTHROUGH
Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka achieved her first French Open round of 16 appearance, defeating American 17th seed Iva Jovic 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-4.
1156 COBOLLI DOMINATES TIEN
Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli, who made the Wimbledon quarterfinals last season, defeated American 18th seed Learner Tien 6-2 6-2 6-3 to reach his first French Open fourth round. Cobolli’s next opponent will be Zachary Svajda in the round of 16.
0908 TOURNAMENT BEGINS UNDER HOT CONDITIONS
Competition commenced in sweltering weather at Roland Garros, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius in Paris and forecasted to climb to approximately 33 degrees. France’s national weather service Meteo France issued a high-temperature alert for the capital city.
Defending women’s champion Coco Gauff was scheduled to compete against Anastasia Potapova, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka faced Daria Kasatkina.
Medical officials in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state are examining a potential Ebola infection that was reported over the weekend in the state’s capital city, according to authorities.
A man from the Democratic Republic of Congo developed fever symptoms following a recent trip to that African nation, which is currently dealing with an Ebola outbreak.
Medical officials confirmed in a statement that the patient has been placed in isolation at a medical facility that specializes in treating suspected or confirmed cases of the illness.
Three members of the Salisbury University baseball squad have been honored with prestigious recognition from the Eastern College Athletic Conference, according to an announcement made Friday morning from Danbury, Connecticut.
The Sea Gulls secured two major individual honors, with outfielder Nathan Tondreault earning the title of ECAC Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Aidan Brinsfield claimed the ECAC Pitcher of the Year award.
Additionally, third baseman Jackson Inman earned a spot on the 2026 All-ECAC Team alongside Tondreault and Brinsfield, giving Salisbury University three representatives on the conference’s elite squad.
Companies across the nation have begun receiving money back from tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court determined President Donald Trump did not have constitutional power to impose on imports from nearly all other nations.
However, this refund process may come to a stop after the Trump administration announced Friday its intention to challenge a federal judge’s decision that expanded eligibility for refunds to all businesses that paid the invalidated duties, rather than limiting it to companies that pursued legal action.
Before the Department of Justice notified the court of its appeal plans, the refund program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection had been operating relatively smoothly. The first successful claimants received their money on May 12, approximately three weeks after importers and their customs brokers began submitting requests through an online portal, CBP reported.
As of May 22, refund requests totaling $85 billion had been accepted for review – representing more than half of the $166 billion that the agency calculated the government owes to businesses that paid tariffs on imported merchandise, according to a CBP court document filed this week. The agency stated it had already instructed the Treasury Department to distribute $20.6 billion in refunds.
The administration disclosed its appeal intentions while challenging a request by Judge Richard K. Eaton for CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott to testify before the U.S. Court of International Trade regarding timelines for repaying all 330,000 importers who could qualify for refunds. The judge has set a June 9 hearing to consider why he should not order the government to take all necessary steps to accelerate the process.
Justice Department attorneys requested that Eaton permit one or two of Scott’s subordinates to testify instead, contending that as a senior presidential appointee, the CBP leader could not be forced to give court testimony. They also maintained that Eaton overstepped his authority in March when he ruled that the Supreme Court’s decision granted “all importers of record” the right to refunds.
“For that reason, defendants intend to appeal the court’s universal injunction,” the attorneys stated, noting that CBP would continue moving “as quicky as it can to process refunds in a phased approach” for companies that filed approximately 485 ongoing trade court cases to claim their refund rights.
In a brief response Friday, Eaton stated he required direct testimony from Scott about whether the government would return all funds collected from when Trump implemented what he termed “reciprocal” tariffs on most nations in April 2025 until the Supreme Court invalidated them in late February.
“This case involves $166 billion,” the judge stated. “It is undisputed that the remedy for this unlawful collection is for the United States government to refund the unlawfully collected duties.”
Several major retail chains indicated they would use their tariff refunds to reduce prices for customers on certain products. Walmart Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey informed analysts last week that the company would cut prices despite the maximum refund it could receive representing less than half of 1% of Walmart’s $483 billion in annual U.S. revenue.
Various smaller businesses told The Associated Press that the partial refunds they have received would help pay remaining or future tariffs, reduce debt, or simply maintain operations after more than a year of uncertainty and additional import expenses.
Jay Foreman, CEO of toy company Basic Fun, reported receiving approximately $450,000, representing 7% of his total claim, during two consecutive days this month. While he viewed the initial payment positively, he described the process as a “total slow roll” after receiving less than $10,000 since then.
“It’s time to release the funds back into the economy, especially given how much we and others need these funds to support our businesses and fund our operations,” Foreman said.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he’s weighing whether to call off a series of musical performances planned to mark America’s 250th anniversary celebration, following withdrawals by several performers, and may opt for delivering a speech instead.
The latest artist to back out was Bret Michaels, lead singer of the rock band Poison, who on Friday became the fifth performer to pull out of the “Freedom 250” concert series. The musical events are set to run from June 25 through July 10 at Washington’s National Mall.
In a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump floated the idea of hosting a speech and rally, describing himself as “the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime and he does so without a guitar.”
Chicago White Sox have sidelined rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami for at least 10 days after he suffered a right hamstring strain on Saturday.
The 26-year-old player, currently tied for the American League’s top spot with 20 home runs, got hurt during Friday’s victory over the Detroit Tigers at home.
The injury occurred when Murakami was sprinting toward first base trying to avoid a double play during the third inning. He clutched his hamstring muscle and had to leave the game, walking carefully back to the dugout on his own while Luisangel Acuna took over as a pinch runner. Saturday’s MRI scan verified the muscle strain.
Through 57 games in his debut major league season, Murakami has compiled a .240 batting average along with 41 RBIs and tops the American League with 43 runs scored. The Japanese player inked a two-year deal worth $34 million this past December.
Chicago also made additional roster moves, bringing up infielder Jacob Gonzalez from their Triple-A Charlotte affiliate and moving pitcher Jordan Leasure to the 60-day injured list due to his right flexor strain.
Gonzalez, who turned 24 on Saturday, did not start in the afternoon game against Detroit. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the organization’s 23rd-best prospect.
Selected by Chicago as the 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft from Ole Miss, Gonzalez has posted impressive numbers at Charlotte this year with a .317/.419/.668 slash line, 19 homers, and 62 RBIs across 52 games. He leads all minor leaguers in RBIs and total bases with 133, while sharing the home run lead through Friday.
While Gonzalez has primarily played shortstop in the minors, he has also started five games each at first base and second base this season.
If Gonzalez plays, he would join a select group as only the second White Sox player ever to debut on his birthday, following left-handed pitcher Ken Patterson who accomplished the feat on July 8, 1988.
Switzerland dominated their world championship semifinal on May 30, overwhelming Norway with a decisive 6-0 victory that secured the host nation’s place in the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship final for the third consecutive year.
Norway managed to keep the contest even through most of the opening period, but Christoph Bertschy’s goal with 2:24 left in the first frame opened the floodgates for the Swiss squad.
Energized by enthusiastic support from the home fans, Switzerland exploded for three goals during the middle period as Denis Malgin, Ken Jager and Damien Riat each found the back of the net. Norway appeared to tire during this stretch, taking several costly penalties that helped fuel the Swiss offensive surge.
The decisive second-period scoring barrage effectively ended Norway’s remarkable tournament run, which had seen them reach the semifinals for the first time in 73 years since 1951. Nico Hischier added a power-play tally early in the final period to make it 5-0, and Theo Rochette capped the scoring with 2:26 left on the clock.
Despite the semifinal defeat, Norway still has an opportunity to surpass their previous best tournament finish of fourth place from 1951 when they compete for bronze on Sunday against whichever team loses the other semifinal between Canada and Finland.
Sunday’s championship match at Swiss Life Arena in Zurich will mark Switzerland’s sixth appearance in a world championship final and their third straight, though the nation has yet to capture its first tournament title.
Delaware State Police detectives are looking into an armed robbery that took place Friday evening in Wilmington.
According to investigators, the incident happened on May 29, 2026, around 5:00 p.m. when officers were called to the back area of a business located in the 3800 block of Kirkwood Highway following reports of an armed robbery. Initial findings show that the victim had made contact with a suspect using TikTok. The pair arranged to meet on Maryland Avenue in Wilmington with plans to ride electric bikes together. Following their initial meeting, they spent time riding in the surrounding area before the suspect convinced the victim to go to the back of a Kirkwood Highway business, claiming they would make videos there.
While at the rear of the business, a second suspect wearing a mask came up to the victim, pulled out a handgun, and ordered the victim to hand over their electric bike. The victim gave up the bike and both suspects escaped with the stolen property. No injuries occurred during the robbery.
The case remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit. Investigators are requesting that anyone who saw what happened or has information that could help should reach out to Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. Tips can also be submitted through private Facebook messages to the Delaware State Police or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims, witnesses, or those who have lost loved ones to sudden death can receive assistance from the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides support and resources around the clock through their toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The Victim Services Unit can also be reached by email at [email protected].
PARIS, May 30 – French tennis player Diane Parry achieved a remarkable upset victory, defeating American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) on Saturday to reach her first Grand Slam fourth round at the French Open. Parry represents the final French competitor remaining in the women’s tournament.
The 23-year-old player, currently ranked 92nd globally, thrilled spectators at Court Philippe Chatrier by defeating Anisimova, who holds the sixth seed position. The American has previously reached major finals twice at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2025, and also made the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2019.
Parry experienced early difficulties, trailing 3-1 in the first set before mounting an impressive comeback with five consecutive games to secure the set on her third opportunity. Anisimova responded strongly in the second set, breaking Parry’s serve at a crucial moment to push the match to a final set.
The concluding set delivered high drama as Parry gained a service break to lead 4-3, but Anisimova immediately responded with her own break, heightening the match’s intensity. The decisive tiebreak showcased Parry’s determination as she seized early control and secured the victory on her initial match point following two hours and 44 minutes of play.
The French player, who supports soccer team Paris St Germain, expressed relief at completing her third-round match before the team’s Champions League final against Arsenal.
“So happy I have experienced this match in this atmosphere, you were exceptional. It was a big day with my match and PSG’s final awaiting us,” Parry said on court.
This victory marks Parry’s second career win against a top-10 opponent and guarantees French representation in the tournament’s second week for the third consecutive year.
Parry’s next opponent will be Poland’s Maja Chwalinska, who holds the 114th world ranking. Chwalinska is making her debut appearance at the French Open and has emerged as an unexpected success story with her impressive advancement to the round of 16.
Colombia’s administration on Saturday condemned Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa for what it called intentional meddling in the country’s election after he pledged to remove trade tariffs following discussions with a Colombian presidential hopeful.
On Friday, Noboa announced after meeting with Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella that he planned to work together against narcoterrorism and would drop a security tax beginning June 1.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry fired back Saturday, stating that Ecuador’s decision to lift tariffs on trade between the two nations comes from a mandate by the Andean Community of Nations and dismissed characterizing it as “a goodwill gesture by the Ecuadorian leader.”
The ministry further condemned Noboa’s statements as “deliberate interference in the electoral process” and called it “intrusion by a foreign leader” that represents a “flagrant violation of the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs.”
Colombian voters head to polling stations Sunday to choose who will replace President Gustavo Petro.
De la Espriella, representing the political movement Defenders of the Homeland, ranks among the leading contenders in polling.
Noboa has not specified whether he would stick with his plan if the ruling party candidate, Iván Cepeda, emerges victorious.
The commercial dispute between the two nations started in January when Ecuador’s president implemented what he called a security tax on Colombian goods, citing inadequate border oversight and pointing to a trade imbalance of at least $1 billion.
The levy started at 30%, slowly climbed to 50%, and eventually hit 100%. Only days before his recent statement, Noboa had announced it would drop to 75% beginning June 1st.
The Petro government, which has rejected claims of border neglect, struck back with matching actions: implementing tariffs as high as 75% on Ecuador’s products and banning energy exports to Ecuador.
The escalating conflict resulted in both nations recalling their ambassadors.
Earlier this month, the Andean Community of Nations determined that the mutual tariffs must be removed because they obstruct free commerce and set a deadline for both countries to comply. The organization is currently examining appeals challenging the decision.
American military forces have intercepted and disabled another commercial vessel attempting to violate the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, according to a U.S. official familiar with the operation who spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday.
The bulk carrier Lian Star, flying under Gambia’s flag, disregarded repeated warnings from American forces during overnight hours while attempting to access an Iranian port, according to the official, who requested anonymity when discussing military operations. U.S. aircraft rendered the vessel inoperable in the Gulf of Oman, where it continues to drift, though American forces have not boarded the ship, the official stated.
This latest incident brings the total number of vessels stopped by U.S. military forces to six since the blockade’s implementation. One ship was permitted to continue its journey.
The American blockade commenced on April 17 following Iran’s effective closure of the strait after hostilities erupted with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28. A tentative ceasefire has remained in place since April 7. The region and international community now wait for developments regarding a potential agreement to extend the ceasefire for 60 days while conducting fresh negotiations on Iran’s contested nuclear program.
Developments in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman have disrupted the global economy, with substantial quantities of oil, natural gas and related products like fertilizer effectively blocked from transport, intensifying pressure on consumers and agricultural producers.
The American blockade aims to restrict Iran’s shipping capabilities and further limit its revenue streams, adding pressure to its already struggling economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump conducted meetings with advisers on Friday but has not yet made a decision regarding proceeding with an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strait. Iran has indicated the deal remains incomplete.
Maritime commerce has continued moving through the strait at reduced levels compared to pre-conflict volumes, despite Iran’s claims that it must authorize all passages.
“Any violation of these regulations will place the security of their passage at serious risk,” Iran’s joint military command stated Saturday in a declaration broadcast on state television, cautioning that military vessels attempting to interfere would face targeting.
Iran has imposed transit fees reaching as high as $2 million, which maritime experts consider a breach of international maritime commerce principles regarding freedom of peaceful navigation.
Qatar’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, said Saturday the Gulf nation objects to charging transit fees, “but for certain times when they say they are going to use it for mine clearing or some usage of the fees for a temporary time, this is something that is negotiable, and it could be something that will help the transit of the Strait of Hormuz to be back to normal stage.”
The U.S. official previously informed the AP that American forces have not located or eliminated any mines in the strait.
PARIS, May 30 – The French Open reaches its critical phase Sunday as four-time champion Iga Swiatek and second seed Alexander Zverev take the court for their fourth-round contests.
Two-time finalist Casper Ruud and Italian Open winner Elina Svitolina will also compete in key matches.
FEATURED MEN’S SHOWDOWN: CASPER RUUD VS JOAO FONSECA
Without any Grand Slam winners remaining in the men’s competition, Ruud has positioned himself as a serious threat thanks to his extensive Roland Garros final appearances – more than any other male player still competing.
The early departures of both Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic during the opening week have created unprecedented opportunities for a fresh Grand Slam winner to claim the title.
“It’s such an open tournament, which is kind of refreshing for everyone, and to see that there will be a new slam champion in about a week or so. I think every player is aware of it,” Ruud said.
“I’m going to try to use the experiences that I’ve had of reaching far in Slams to my advantage and see where that takes me, but you focus one match at a time.
“I have an incredible task ahead of me with a young special talent like Joao. He has already beaten top players in his career, so he knows what it takes.”
The 19-year-old Brazilian player Fonseca made headlines by defeating Djokovic in a dramatic five-set match, though the teenager remains modest about his prospects despite the Serbian’s prediction of championship potential.
“That was my first fourth-round (match) in my career. I’m just thinking about my next match,” Fonseca said.
“For me it was a great achievement just being able to play, my first time (in the) round of 16. I’m just going to enjoy the moment.”
WOMEN’S HIGHLIGHT: IGA SWIATEK VS MARTA KOSTYUK
Despite capturing two clay court championships this season and maintaining a perfect clay court record, Kostyuk views herself as the challenger against Swiatek.
Kostyuk claimed victories at both the Open de Rouen and Madrid Open before arriving at Roland Garros. She has shown remarkable mental strength at this clay court major after learning that a Russian missile struck near her family’s residence in Kyiv prior to her opening match.
The 15th-seeded player has lost just one set and now pursues her first win against Poland’s Swiatek with confidence.
“I lost to her three times, one of which was during junior years. Very excited for this match. I wanted to play her in a while,” Kostyuk said.
“She loves to play here, obviously, but I have every chance. I’m an underdog in this match, for sure. I’m going to go out there and enjoy it as much as I can.
“I definitely have a different feeling going into this match, because I feel like last time that I played her in Cincinnati (in 2024), I lost this match way before it even started and I don’t feel the same this time.”
Swiatek aims for her first clay court championship since capturing the French Open in 2024, with the Polish third seed recognizing her opponent’s strong 2025 performance.
“Marta is having a great season. She always had a game to play well. Did some semi-finals of big tournaments before. Now she won Madrid. So good for her,” Swiatek said.
“But I’m going to focus on myself, prepare tactically, as before any other match, and we’ll see.”
SUBSTITUTE PLAYER DE JONG WELCOMES ZVEREV CHALLENGE
Dutch player Jesper de Jong entered as a substitute after Arthur Fils withdrew, earning him a fourth-round meeting with second seed Alexander Zverev, who has defeated him twice previously – including at Roland Garros last year.
“I hope to have a good performance, prepare physically for it, because he’s a physical player,” De Jong said.
“Last year he brutally demolished me after that first set. I’m physically stronger than last year, so I’m really looking forward.”
SUNDAY’S MATCH SCHEDULE (seeding numbers included):
COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER
15-Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) v 3-Iga Swiatek (Poland)
7-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v 11-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
Jesper de Jong (Netherlands) v 2-Alexander Zverev (Germany)
15-Casper Ruud (Norway) v 28-Joao Fonseca (Brazil)
COURT SUZANNE-LENGLEN
18-Sorana Cirstea (Romania) v Wang Xinyu (China)
27-Rafael Jodar (Spain) v Pablo Carreno Busta (Spain)
8-Mirra Andreeva (Russia) v Jil Teichmann (Switzerland)
26-Jakub Mensik (Czech Republic) v 11-Andrey Rublev (Russia)
American tennis player Zachary Svajda has combined athletic success with social media stardom during his unexpected French Open performance, capturing fans’ attention with a popular TikTok video showing him donning a beret while holding a large croissant.
The unseeded 23-year-old athlete can anticipate growing his online fanbase following his Saturday victory at Roland Garros, where he defeated Argentine 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo with a score of 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3 in the third round.
“I love my TikTok. It’s so much fun,” Svajda shared with media members regarding the video he published one day prior to his match on Court 14.
“I don’t put any pressure on myself. With TikTok, I feel like I can just post whatever I want. When I saw I had made the third round I was like, ‘I have this picture of me with my big croissant that I got a few days ago’.”
“I’m like, ‘you know, I’m going to post it and say, I can’t believe I’m in third round’. Yeah, that one is going viral. It’s so funny. I love my TikTok.”
Having limited Grand Slam tournament experience and never advancing beyond the second round despite consistently competing at his home U.S. Open tournament since 2019, Svajda now has an excellent chance to advance further in the competition.
The surprising departures of world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, along with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s absence, have created new possibilities in this year’s men’s competition at the clay court tournament.
“When I saw Sinner was out, I tried to stay present and stay positive and take it day by day, match by match,” Svajda explained.
“I knew the draw was open, but I just tried to keep doing my routines, keep doing what I’ve been doing and see what happens.”
Svajda hopes to end a lengthy Grand Slam championship dry spell for American male players that extends back to 2003 when Andy Roddick captured the U.S. Open championship.
Fellow American players including 19th seed Frances Tiafoe and 31st seed Brandon Nakashima also have chances to advance following their Saturday matches, though Svajda recognizes he might become the final American remaining in Paris.
“Yeah, that would be amazing. It’s like I’m dreaming right now. It’s crazy,” Svajda commented.
“Today was so special too, because it’s my dad’s birthday. I know he’s watching from above.”
Minnesota has removed right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson from their roster following his winless start to the current season, with the team designating him for assignment on Saturday.
The 25-year-old hurler holds the dubious distinction of topping all major league players in losses while also pacing the American League with 41 earned runs surrendered.
Woods Richardson’s earned run average ballooned to 7.74 during Thursday’s 6-2 defeat on the road against the Chicago White Sox, where he gave up five runs on five hits across 2 2/3 innings of work. Over 47 2/3 innings pitched, he has recorded 26 strikeouts while issuing 25 walks and allowing nine home runs. Opposing hitters have compiled a .330 batting average and .952 OPS against him through 12 appearances, including 10 as a starter.
Since joining the Twins for his big league debut in 2022, Woods Richardson has compiled a 12-17 record with a 4.76 earned run average across 65 career games, with 61 of those coming as starts.
To fill the roster spot, Minnesota brought up right-handed pitcher John Klein from their Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul. The 24-year-old Klein made his major league debut on May 2 and currently holds an 0-1 record with a 7.71 ERA through two relief outings for the Twins.
The Pentagon is considering speeding up its planned military pullout from European installations and will share its strategy with alliance partners next month, according to a Saturday report from German publication Welt am Sonntag, which cited an unnamed Pentagon source.
The U.S. revealed plans in May to remove 5,000 military personnel from Germany, a decision many viewed as stemming from disagreements between President Donald Trump and European nations regarding the Iran war. Germany currently hosts approximately 35,000 active-duty American military members, representing the largest U.S. military presence in Europe.
When initially announced, Pentagon officials indicated the troop reduction would take between six and 12 months to complete.
The German newspaper’s report did not specify how significantly the timeline would be shortened or identify which military installations could be impacted. According to the publication, American officials plan to outline their strategy during next month’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Force Sourcing Conference.
Pentagon representatives did not immediately provide a response when asked for comment on the report.
Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream has been selected to lead the U.S. men’s national soccer team as captain for the upcoming World Cup tournament.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced Saturday that the 38-year-old veteran would wear the captain’s armband for the national squad.
“I am so grateful he is with us — he is a great captain not only (on the) field but more importantly off the field. He has the experience and capacity to be the leader we want,” Pochettino said.
Since joining the national team in 2010, Ream has appeared in 80 matches for the USMNT and was a starter in all four games during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Tyler Adams served as captain.
“This is more than a dream come true,” said Ream, who will make history as the oldest American to compete in a World Cup. “It’s the highest honor for me.”
The United States currently holds the 16th position in global rankings and has been placed in Group D for the World Cup tournament in North America. Their opening match is scheduled for June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, followed by games against Australia on June 19 in Seattle and Turkey on June 25 in Inglewood, California.
Before the tournament begins, the team will play preparation matches against Senegal on Sunday in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
Ream is currently in his third year with Charlotte and fourth season in Major League Soccer. Throughout his MLS career, he has recorded two goals and three assists across 105 regular-season games, with 102 starts between the New York Red Bulls in 2011 and Charlotte from 2024-26. His international experience includes playing for English clubs Bolton Wanderers from 2012-15 and Fulham from 2015-24.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder will face Saturday night’s decisive Game 7 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs without two key players, as Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell remain sidelined due to injuries that have plagued them during the Western Conference finals.
Williams continues to battle a left hamstring strain that has troubled him throughout much of the postseason. Mitchell is dealing with a strained right soleus muscle.
The injury struggles have been a recurring theme for Williams, who sat out 49 of the team’s 82 regular-season contests due to wrist and hamstring ailments. Saturday’s Game 7 will mark the 10th playoff game this season that Williams has been unable to participate in due to his latest hamstring troubles. He did manage to appear in five games during this series, including approximately 10 minutes of action during Thursday’s Game 6 defeat to the Spurs.
Mitchell had stepped into the starting role to fill Williams’ absence until sustaining his own injury. Since then, Oklahoma City has turned to Jared McCain as their starter in that position, joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren in the starting five.
In contrast, the Spurs enter Game 7 with a clean bill of health, listing no injuries on their report.
The NBA has assigned Marc Davis, John Goble and Josh Tiven as the officiating crew for Saturday’s winner-take-all contest between the Spurs and Thunder. Both Davis and Tiven bring Game 7 experience from earlier in these playoffs, with Davis having worked the deciding game of the Cleveland-Detroit series in Round 2, while Tiven officiated Game 7 of the Orlando-Detroit matchup in Round 1.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A member of Guyana’s military sustained injuries during an armed confrontation with Venezuelan gunmen near the countries’ shared border, officials reported.
According to a statement from the Guyana Defense Force, their patrol boat operating on the Cuyuni River encountered hostile fire on Friday evening.
This incident represents another violent episode in a series of border confrontations that have occurred in recent years amid ongoing territorial disagreements, with Venezuela asserting claims over two-thirds of Guyana’s land. A prior assault resulted in injuries to eight Guyanese military personnel.
Both nations recently presented their cases before the International Court of Justice in The Hague regarding a disputed 62,000-square-mile (160,000-square-kilometer) area abundant in gold, diamonds, timber and additional natural resources. The contested region sits adjacent to significant offshore petroleum reserves that currently yield approximately 900,000 barrels daily.
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez informed the court in The Hague that diplomatic discussions rather than legal decisions should settle this longstanding territorial disagreement.
Venezuela maintains its claim to Essequibo based on historical colonial boundaries that included the area. The country contends that a 1966 Geneva agreement involving Venezuela, Britain and the former British Guiana, which became Guyana, invalidated boundary lines established by international arbitrators in 1899.
MADISON, Wis. — A commercial flight heading to Minneapolis made an emergency landing in Wisconsin Friday evening after crew members dealt with a disruptive passenger onboard.
The aircraft, United flight 2005 departing from Chicago, touched down safely at Madison’s airport to handle what airline officials described as a security issue involving an unruly traveler, according to a company spokesperson’s email statement.
Law enforcement personnel already on the aircraft were able to subdue the disruptive individual without delay, said Carrie Springer, who speaks for the Dane County Regional Airport.
When the plane arrived at the gate, deputies from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office boarded and took the passenger into custody. Springer noted that federal investigators will take over the case.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-900, was carrying 147 passengers along with six crew members. The airline reported no one sustained injuries during the incident.
After the disruptive passenger was removed, the flight resumed its original route and reached Minneapolis in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Federal prosecutors are demanding a judge remove herself from a Georgia election records dispute, claiming her participation in an event celebrating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis creates concerns about her impartiality in the case.
Court investigators issued a “private reprimand” to a federal judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit after determining she engaged in sexual activity in the courthouse with a senior uniformed police officer within hearing distance of court staff, participated in a partisan political event, and initially provided false statements denying the accusations.
The court’s probe did not reveal the judge’s name or specific courthouse location within the 11th Circuit, which covers Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Federal prosecutors are basing their recusal request on news reports identifying U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta as the subject of the investigation.
The Associated Press could not verify the judge’s identity independently. A staff member answering calls at Ross’ office Friday indicated the judge was not available and directed inquiries about the accusations to the court’s media relations department, which stated, “Judge Ross has no comment right now.” The media office did not respond Saturday to follow-up questions about the federal recusal motion.
While federal judges serve lifetime appointments, they face potential disciplinary measures including censure, public or private reprimands, and temporary case suspensions. Removal requires congressional impeachment proceedings.
Ross received her nomination in January 2014 from then-President Barack Obama, a Democrat, with Senate confirmation following in November of that year. She previously presided over state court matters in DeKalb County, which encompasses a portion of Atlanta, beginning in 2011. Before her judicial career, she spent over ten years as a state and federal prosecutor, primarily in Atlanta.
Ross currently handles the election records lawsuit filed by federal prosecutors against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Federal prosecutors have initiated legal action against several states seeking complete voter registration databases. Raffensperger maintains that Georgia statutes prevent disclosure of voters’ private information without meeting specific requirements, which he says the federal government has not satisfied. He indicated that Georgia provided the publicly available portion of voter records to federal authorities in December.
Ross has set a Wednesday hearing for the matter, though federal prosecutors want to postpone that proceeding pending their recusal request.
In the disciplinary matter involving the unnamed federal judge, the Judicial Council of the 11th Circuit decided in a February ruling to issue a private reprimand while maintaining the judge’s anonymity. The Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States upheld that decision on May 22.
The investigation findings attached to the ruling indicate the judge attended a function hosted by a district attorney’s campaign. The judge admitted going to the event to meet with former district attorney’s office colleagues at a private gathering held at the same location but separate from the prosecutor’s victory celebration.
Ross previously served in the Fulton County district attorney’s office and worked alongside Willis before Willis became district attorney.
Willis launched an investigation into Trump and associates for potential 2020 election interference in Fulton County shortly after taking office in January 2021. Her examination included a January 2021 telephone conversation where Trump pressed Raffensperger to help “find” sufficient votes to reverse Democrat Joe Biden’s Georgia victory in the 2020 presidential race.
Willis secured an indictment in August 2023 against Trump and 18 co-defendants, charging them with participating in an extensive conspiracy to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election outcome. An appeals court ultimately dismissed the case in November after determining an “appearance of impropriety” resulted from a romantic relationship Willis maintained with the external attorney she recruited to spearhead the prosecution.
“A judge who attended a party celebrating the election of a Democrat best known for prosecuting a Republican President for alleged election interference cannot then preside over a case concerning that President’s efforts to ensure election integrity,” Justice Department lawyers wrote in their filing Friday.
Federal prosecutors contended that any “objective reasonable observer” would interpret Ross’ attendance at Willis’ election night celebration as supporting her election and official actions.
“If Judge Ross is indeed the Subject Judge, that conduct gives rise to an appearance of bias, which requires Judge Ross to recuse herself from this election-related case,” the Justice Department filing says.
The federal filing briefly references the accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct with a police officer in the judge’s chambers and subsequent false denials, but notes “those are not the subject of this Motion.”
Additionally, the Atlanta Police Department announced it has launched an investigation to determine whether the “high-ranking law enforcement officer” found to have engaged in sexual activity with a federal judge in chambers belongs to their department.
Turkey’s former opposition chief Ozgur Ozel proved his political influence remains strong Saturday, attracting tens of thousands of supporters to a demonstration in Ankara following a court decision that stripped him of his leadership position and potentially strengthened President Tayyip Erdogan’s grip on power.
Following his speech to the massive crowd – with attendance figures reaching into the tens of thousands according to private Anka news agency and opposition-aligned media – Ozel guided supporters through Turkey’s capital in response to last week’s court decision removing him from his role leading the primary opposition CHP party.
The judicial ruling invalidated the CHP’s 2023 party convention, bringing back previous chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu – a controversial figure among party members who suffered defeat against Erdogan in that year’s presidential race.
This development may strengthen Erdogan’s prospects for continuing his leadership of more than twenty years in the NATO member nation and significant emerging economy.
Saturday saw Kilicdaroglu making his first appearance at CHP party headquarters since the May 21 court decision, where he promised to eliminate party corruption, referencing cases involving CHP-controlled municipal governments.
The removed leadership rejects these accusations, labeling them as having political motivations, which the government disputes.
While Kilicdaroglu addressed party members, Ozel spoke to a larger gathering outside the party’s Ankara regional headquarters.
“This is not an internal matter for the CHP,” Ozel declared. “This is a matter between Erdogan and the nation. On one side are the seized buildings; on the other, millions standing up for their party and their country.”
He argued the court’s decision failed to validate Kilicdaroglu’s authority and demanded an immediate party convention, while supporters shouted “Leader Ozgur!” and “Traitor Kemal!”
Ozel then guided a non-violent march to the memorial site of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who established modern Turkey and founded the CHP.
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, viewed as a potential CHP presidential nominee alongside imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu – who remains Erdogan’s most significant political opponent – participated in the demonstration and also demanded a party convention.
Kilicdaroglu indicated such a gathering would occur “as soon as possible,” though he provided no specific timeframe.
The Chicago Bulls are reportedly showing interest in BYU head coach Kevin Young as they search for a new leader to guide their franchise.
According to ESPN’s Friday report, the organization has begun “early conversations” with Young as part of their comprehensive search to find Billy Donovan’s replacement, who departed on April 21 following six seasons with the team.
The Bulls also made significant front office changes last month, letting go of executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley. The franchise struggled this season with a 31-51 record and failed to reach the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons.
The 44-year-old Young has compiled an impressive 49-22 record while leading BYU and secured two NCAA Tournament berths since accepting the position in April 2024, taking over after Mark Pope departed for Kentucky.
Under Young’s leadership, the Cougars advanced to the Sweet 16 and concluded his debut season ranked 13th in the final poll. The team achieved a peak ranking of seventh this past season.
Before joining BYU, Young served as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns from 2020-24, spending his final three years there as associate head coach. His NBA experience also includes four seasons as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2016-20, along with head coaching experience across several NBA G League organizations.
Thousands of Austrian residents brought traffic to a halt Saturday on the Brenner motorway, a crucial transportation route linking Germany and Italy through the Alps, demanding relief from constant truck and tourist congestion overwhelming their communities.
Karl Muehlsteiger, mayor of Gries am Brenner, spearheaded the demonstration in one of several towns affected by the major highway that winds through the narrow Wipp Valley on massive concrete supports.
Traffic volume and pollution concerns in the valley leading to the Brenner Pass have created ongoing friction between Austria and Germany for many years. Officials in Austria’s Tyrol region have implemented different strategies to reduce traffic flow, frequently drawing criticism from German authorities.
“You are making history!” Austrian news agency APA reported Muehlsteiger declared to approximately 3,000 demonstrators who assembled on the highway at 1 p.m. for a symbolic blockade, following police closure of both corridor entrances earlier that morning. Motorists encountering the barriers reversed course and departed.
The demonstration lasted eight hours beginning at 11 a.m. but avoided the widespread disruption many anticipated, as drivers mostly followed advisories to avoid the area despite school holidays in several German regions, including nearby Bavaria.
Local media noted that railway service along the parallel route experienced heavy passenger loads.
Officials also restricted the local road connecting communities alongside the motorway to resident and local traffic only.
Meanwhile in Italy, suspected arson targeting electrical infrastructure overnight caused railway disruptions between Peri and Dolce near Verona on the Verona Porta Nuova–Brenner rail line.
Authorities are examining potential connections to radical environmental or anarchist organizations.
Colombia’s foreign ministry has leveled accusations of “deliberate interference” against Ecuador regarding Colombia’s upcoming presidential election on Sunday, following Ecuador’s decision to eliminate tariffs after discussions with a Colombian candidate.
The controversy emerged after Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa announced Friday that his nation would eliminate bilateral tariffs beginning June 1, following an agreement reached with right-wing Colombian presidential hopeful Abelardo De La Espriella.
In a post on X, Noboa explained the tariff removal would occur after “confirming (De La Espreilla’s) willingness to promote a real and joint fight against narcoterrorism.” The Ecuadorean leader also mentioned they had reached an understanding regarding the transfer of Ecuadorean criminals currently in Colombia.
Colombia’s foreign ministry pushed back against what it called “the misleading presentation of the decision to remove the tariffs as a measure of good faith by the Ecuadorean government,” according to their official statement. However, the ministry indicated it would eliminate measures previously implemented to counter Ecuador’s tariffs.
Noboa’s office has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
The neighboring nations have been locked in a trade dispute for several months, with Ecuador imposing tariffs due to Colombia’s alleged inability to address drug trafficking problems along their 586-kilometer (364-mile) shared border. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has disputed these claims.
De La Espriella, running as an independent candidate, will compete against Petro ally Ivan Cepeda and right-wing Senator Paloma Valencia, along with other candidates, in Sunday’s election.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Asian nations to increase their military investments during remarks at a major security conference in Singapore on Saturday, citing concerns over China’s expanding military capabilities.
Speaking at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit, the defense secretary expressed what he described as “rightful alarm” regarding China’s military expansion efforts.
Despite his warnings about China’s military buildup, Hegseth adopted a relatively measured approach when discussing relations between the United States and China. In a notable omission, he avoided any mention of Taiwan during his address to the regional security gathering.
The defense secretary’s comments came as part of his speech to assembled leaders and officials from across the Asia-Pacific region at the annual security forum.
Economic pressures and rising prices dominated headlines this past week, making everyday purchases at supermarkets and fuel stations more expensive than a year ago. These increasing costs are influencing decisions made by both families and companies across the nation.
Below is an overview of significant economic developments from the past week and their potential impact on consumers.
An important inflation measurement closely watched by the Federal Reserve rose in April to its peak level in three years, putting financial strain on Americans and presenting political hurdles for President Trump and congressional Republicans as midterm elections approach in just five months.
The inflation rate climbed to 3.8% in April when compared to the same period last year, according to Thursday’s announcement from the Commerce Department. This represents an increase from March’s 3.5% and marks the highest reading since May 2023. Monthly price increases reached 0.4%, which was lower than March’s 0.7% surge but still exceeds what Federal Reserve officials fighting inflation would like to see.
Thursday’s inflation data revealed that beyond gasoline costs, prices for food items, apparel, and electricity are also climbing, indicating that inflation might be becoming more firmly established.
American consumer confidence dropped modestly this month due to persistent high fuel costs and continued elevated inflation, creating a stark difference with climbing stock markets that have approached record territory.
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence measurement fell 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, marking the first decrease following three consecutive months of improvements.
This measurement follows another consumer sentiment indicator released the previous week by the University of Michigan, which dropped to an all-time low this month. Increases in fuel prices along with higher grocery costs have intensified inflation, which has exceeded average wage growth, diminishing most Americans’ buying power. Polling data shows Americans have become more critical of President Trump’s economic strategies, potentially causing difficulties for Republicans as they head toward midterm elections.
The typical long-term U.S. home loan rate increased once more this week, hitting its peak level in nine months and creating another obstacle for potential home purchasers.
The standard 30-year fixed rate home loan climbed to 6.53% from the previous week’s 6.51%, according to Thursday’s report from mortgage purchaser Freddie Mac. Even with this recent rise, the average rate stays under the 6.89% level from one year ago.
Rising mortgage rates can increase monthly expenses for borrowers by hundreds of dollars, diminishing their ability to make purchases.
Interest rates have generally moved upward since the conflict with Iran started, interfering with oil tanker traffic carrying crude oil from the Persian Gulf to global customers. This disruption has driven oil prices significantly higher, serving as a major inflation contributor.
Additional Americans filed for unemployment assistance last week, though job losses remain minimal despite economic uncertainty stemming from the Iran conflict.
Thursday’s Labor Department data showed jobless claims increased to 215,000, rising from 210,000 in the prior week. The four-week average of claims, which reduces weekly fluctuations, climbed by almost 6,300 to 209,000.
The count of Americans applying for unemployment benefits, which serves as an indicator of job cuts, has remained steady within a low range of primarily 200,000 to 250,000 weekly since the U.S. economy recovered from a short but severe pandemic-related recession in 2020.
The overall count of individuals receiving unemployment assistance increased by 15,000 to 1.79 million during the week ending May 16.
The consistently low claim numbers indicate that most American businesses have avoided implementing layoffs. However, while companies aren’t eliminating positions, they also haven’t been creating many new ones. During the past year, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government entities added under 10,000 positions monthly, representing the weakest job creation outside of recession periods since 2002.
Wall Street stocks gained ground Friday, building upon the record highs established the day before.
The S&P 500 posted modest gains. The benchmark is following six consecutive increases and appears set for a ninth straight winning week, which would represent the longest such run since 2023.
All major indexes are positioned for record levels and strong May finishes, despite concerns about the U.S. conflict with Iran and its inflationary effects.
European and Asian markets generally posted gains as well.
Israeli military forces conducted airstrikes and artillery bombardments near a historic medieval fortress in southern Lebanon on Saturday, as combat continued in communities surrounding the southern city of Nabatieh.
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for more than twelve communities in southern Lebanon, occurring one day after Lebanese and Israeli military representatives conducted their first face-to-face discussions in decades at the Pentagon.
Lebanon’s president and prime minister met Saturday to address the situation in southern Lebanon, later releasing a statement saying they would increase their diplomatic efforts to halt Israeli destruction and bulldozing of residences and historic locations, as well as the evacuation orders.
According to Lebanon’s state-operated National News Agency, Israeli aircraft and artillery targeted areas surrounding the medieval Beaufort fortress, located approximately 15 kilometers from the Israeli border with commanding views over much of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces occupied this strategic fortress for 18 years before withdrawing from Lebanon in May 2000.
For several days, Israeli ground forces have been moving through communities near the fortress, including Yohmor and Zawtar al-Sharqieh close to Nabatieh, after crossing the strategic Litani River, which Israeli military has treated as an informal border.
Extensive territories to the south remain under Israeli military occupation, despite a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement from April 17.
The National News Agency documented airstrikes across various sections of southern Lebanon, including the village of Ansar where three people were killed. A drone attack on a roadway connecting Ebba village with Nabatieh injured two Lebanese soldiers, according to an army statement.
Hezbollah reported that its fighters launched rockets at Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel’s largest city on the Lebanese border. The organization stated the attack was retaliation for airstrikes that killed civilians in Lebanon. Hezbollah subsequently announced it also fired rockets toward the northern city of Safed.
Among Friday’s casualties in southern Lebanon was a Syrian family — Qais al-Bakir, his pregnant wife and their six children — who perished in an Israeli airstrike on the coastal village of Adloun, north of Tyre.
The family, members of Syria’s minority Alawite sect, had escaped to Lebanon from the central province of Hama following Bashar Assad’s fall in Syria in December 2024. Some Alawite sect members have faced revenge attacks from Islamist groups that ousted the former president.
The family was residing at a sheep farm and received no advance warning of the village strike, according to Ali al-Bakir, brother of the deceased man. He said the family intends to transport the bodies for burial in their Syrian hometown.
“He worked in farming and all he cared about was to feed his children,” his brother said.
The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict began March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel two days following Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran.
The war has resulted in 3,350 deaths in Lebanon and displaced over 1 million people.
In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian nurse died in an Israeli strike Saturday, hospital officials reported, marking the latest death from Israeli fire since an unstable ceasefire stopped major combat in the territory last year.
The late Saturday morning strike targeted a Hamas-operated police checkpoint in the central city of Deir al-Balah. At least three others sustained injuries, according to the city’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, which treated the victims.
Israeli military representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The deceased nurse was identified as Jamal Abu Aoun, who was employed at Yafa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. His funeral took place at noon in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital courtyard.
He represents the most recent Palestinian fatality in the coastal territory since a fragile October ceasefire agreement sought to end a more than two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Although major fighting has decreased, the unstable ceasefire has witnessed nearly daily Israeli fire. Israeli forces have conducted repeated airstrikes and regularly fire on Palestinians near military-controlled areas, killing at least 929 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The ministry, operating under the Hamas-led government, keeps detailed casualty documentation considered generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. However, it does not provide breakdowns between civilians and militants.
Militants have conducted shooting attacks on troops, and Israel claims its strikes respond to those and other violations. Four Israeli soldiers have died since the ceasefire.
ISTANBUL (AP) — Massive crowds of demonstrators filled Turkey’s capital city Saturday, rallying behind the ousted chief of the nation’s primary opposition political organization.
A court directive issued May 21 stripped Ozgur Ozel of his leadership position within the Republican People’s Party, known as CHP. Numerous observers view this judicial action as a politically driven effort to weaken opposition forces.
Demonstrators initially assembled at Guven Park in Turkey’s capital center to listen as Ozel delivered remarks criticizing his dismissal. The crowd then accompanied him on an unplanned procession to the memorial site of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
“They are attempting to replace the CHP’s elected chairman and appoint a trustee,” Ozel told supporters. “Today is the day to restart our march to power. I wish this were an internal party matter. This is not an internal matter for the CHP. This is a matter between (President) Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the nation.”
The appellate court’s decision reversed a 2023 party convention ballot that installed Ozel as CHP chief. The judicial ruling reinstated his former colleague, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, generating anger among party loyalists.
The 51-year-old Ozel took over from the 77-year-old Kilicdaroglu following 13 years of largely unsuccessful resistance to Erdogan.
Ozel has characterized the legal proceedings, which focused on supposed voting violations during the convention, as the most recent judicial assault on the CHP. Legal proceedings nationwide, primarily alleging financial misconduct in CHP-controlled local governments, have resulted in hundreds of elected representatives and party activists being arrested.
Government officials maintain that Turkey’s judicial system operates without bias and functions free from political influence.
While demonstrators assembled at Guven Park, Kilicdaroglu conducted a competing event at CHP offices in Ankara, which law enforcement officers raided the previous Sunday to eject Ozel and his allies.
Speaking to a significantly smaller audience, Kilicdaroglu criticized the former party leadership for allowing extensive financial misconduct.
The CHP currently matches the governing Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in recent polling data, and despite the next scheduled election occurring in 2028, many anticipate Erdogan will seek earlier voting.
Ozel inflicted significant damage on the AKP during 2024 local elections, consolidating the opposition’s control over major urban centers it had captured five years prior, including Istanbul and Ankara.
The CHP mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has become the most probable opponent to Erdogan, who has governed Turkey since 2003, in the upcoming presidential contest. However, he has been incarcerated since March of last year while confronting multiple criminal proceedings that could result in decades of imprisonment.
Lithuania’s capital city welcomed tens of thousands of visitors over the weekend for an extraordinary celebration dedicated to the nation’s beloved cold beet soup, transforming the entire city into a vibrant pink spectacle.
The three-day Vilnius Pink Soup Fest showcased šaltibarščiai, Lithuania’s traditional cold beet soup, with a massive coordinated “Pink Break” lunch where visitors from around the world gathered at extended tables to share the iconic dish. Event planners projected that attendees would consume over three metric tons (6,614 lbs) of kefir, a fermented milk product essential to the soup, throughout the celebration, with more than 100,000 people expected to participate.
This cooling soup serves as a summer staple for Lithuanians during the Baltic nation’s brief warm season. The traditional recipe combines beets and kefir with boiled potatoes, eggs, cucumbers and dill.
International visitors flocked to the unique celebration, including tourist Connor Holmes from the United Kingdom, who discovered the event online and believed “it was completely ridiculous in the best possible way.”
“Before I knew it, I was building a suit of pink knight armor, carrying a spoon instead of a sword, and decorating my shield with eggs, dill and potatoes,” he said. “At that point, coming to Vilnius and seeing all this craziness myself felt like the next logical step.”
The capital became an enormous pink entertainment zone as both visitors and residents donned pink attire. Additional participants celebrated wearing cucumber, egg and beet costumes while the city organized processions both on streets and along the Neris River.
Jolanta Žukienė, a teacher from Vilnius, attended the festival for the fourth consecutive year, bringing her three children and husband on Saturday.
“I can see how the number of attractions and visitors from abroad is growing, and Vilnius is becoming a real magnet for everyone who loves good food and unique experiences,” she said.
This celebration represents part of the city’s strategy to boost tourism to the Baltic nation.
“Looking at the crowds on the banks and the decorated boats, we joked that cold beet soup already dominates both land and water,” said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, director of Go Vilnius, the city’s development agency. “Perhaps the air is next.”
World number one Aryna Sabalenka dominated her way into the French Open fourth round on Saturday, defeating Daria Kasatkina of Australia 6-0, 7-5 at Roland Garros in Paris.
The victory brought stability to a tournament that has seen major surprises over the past two days, including the exits of top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Sabalenka’s dominant performance sets up an exciting fourth-round matchup against Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
Playing under sunny skies on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Sabalenka quickly took control of the match. She captured the first five games using powerful baseline shots combined with accurate net play, then battled back from a 15-40 deficit to complete a first-set shutout.
Kasatkina, who was born in Russia but started competing for Australia last year, managed to break serve and hold in the second set, prompting enthusiastic “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” cheers from supporters. However, those celebrations were short-lived.
A mistake by Kasatkina enabled Sabalenka to even the second set at 2-2. The four-time Grand Slam winner maintained her position throughout the set before increasing her aggression in the final games to close out the match.
The win marked Sabalenka’s eighth victory in their 10 career encounters.
PARIS, May 30 – Key results from Saturday’s seventh day of competition at the French Open tennis tournament (all times GMT):
1350 SABALENKA ADVANCES TO FACE OSAKA
World number one Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-0 7-5, earning a fourth-round matchup against four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.
1208 OSAKA MAKES FRENCH OPEN BREAKTHROUGH
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, advanced to the French Open’s fourth round for the first time in her career, defeating 17th-seeded American Iva Jovic 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-4.
1156 COBOLLI ADVANCES IN STRAIGHT SETS
Italy’s 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli, who made the Wimbledon quarterfinals last season, dominated American 18th seed Learner Tien with a 6-2 6-2 6-3 victory to reach his first French Open fourth round.
Cobolli’s next opponent will be Zachary Svajda in the round of 16.
0908 COMPETITION BEGINS
Saturday’s matches commenced under hot weather conditions at Roland Garros, with Paris temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius and forecasted to climb to approximately 33 degrees. The French national weather service Meteo France issued a high-temperature advisory for the capital city.
Defending women’s champion Coco Gauff was scheduled to compete against Anastasia Potapova, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faced Daria Kasatkina.
SATURDAY’S MATCH SCHEDULE (numbers indicate tournament seeding):
COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER
10-Flavio Cobolli (Italy) v 18-Learner Tien (U.S.)
Diane Parry (France) v 6-Amanda Anisimova (U.S.)
4-Coco Gauff (U.S.) v 28-Anastasia Potapova (Austria)
4-Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) v 31-Brandon Nakashima (U.S.)
COURT SUZANNE LENGLEN
17-Iva Jovic (U.S.) v 16-Naomi Osaka (Japan)
1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v Daria Kasatkina (Australia)
Moise Kouame (France) v Alejandro Tabilo (Chile)
Jaime Faria (Portugal) v 19-Frances Tiafoe (U.S.)
COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU
Maria Sakkari (Greece) v Maja Chwalinska (Poland)
Matteo Berrettini (Italy) v Francisco Comesana (Argentina)
9-Victoria Mboko (Canada) v 19-Madison Keys (U.S.)
LGBTQ+ Pride events nationwide are encountering significant financial obstacles as corporate backing continues to diminish, according to organizers and industry experts.
The reduction in business sponsorships has created budgetary constraints for Pride celebrations, forcing organizers to seek alternative funding sources or scale back their events.
A public relations expert explained that corporations now view public displays of support for the LGBTQ+ community as carrying potential political risks, leading many businesses to withdraw their financial backing from Pride events.
This shift in corporate attitudes has left Pride organizers, including Lyndsey Sickler from Pittsburgh Pride, scrambling to find new ways to fund their annual celebrations and community outreach programs.
The trend reflects broader changes in how companies approach social and political issues, with many choosing to avoid public stances that could alienate certain customer segments or stakeholder groups.
Overnight drone operations by Ukrainian forces resulted in blazes at multiple Russian petroleum installations on Saturday, according to regional Russian authorities, marking another chapter in ongoing strikes against Moscow’s crucial energy sector.
Russian officials in the Rostov region reported that debris from downed drones ignited a blaze that harmed an oil storage facility and fuel tanker at Taganrog port, while administrators in the adjacent Krasnodar region documented a fire erupting at a petroleum depot in Armavir from similar causes. “Another facility of Russia’s oil industry has been reached — Armavir,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X Saturday of the attack in the Krasnodar region, noting that Armavir is “500 kilometers from our state border.” “We are rightfully bringing the war back to where it came from,” he wrote.
Ukrainian forces have broadened their medium and long-distance attack capabilities, utilizing drone and rocket systems developed within their borders to combat Russia’s 4-year-old invasion. Strikes against Russian petroleum infrastructure that serves as a crucial funding source for the invasion have become nearly routine events.
Meanwhile, Russia has employed its extended-range ballistic weapons to target Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure and bombard urban areas. The Ukrainian capital is preparing for additional intense bombardments following what the Russian Foreign Ministry described earlier this week as forthcoming “systemic strikes” on Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Thursday that he’s being “very persistent” in pressing the United States to provide his country with more Patriot air defense missiles that can counter devastating Russian ballistic missile attacks. The strikes on Russian petroleum infrastructure occurred one day after a Russian drone participating in an assault on Ukraine veered off course and hit an apartment complex in eastern Romania, wounding two individuals in the NATO member nation. The border violation heightened worries that the conflict might extend beyond the alliance’s boundaries and prompted widespread criticism throughout Europe.
WESTFIELD, N.J. — Constituents in a competitive New Jersey congressional district are demanding answers about their representative’s mysterious absence that has now lasted nearly three months.
Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. has been missing from Washington due to what his team calls a medical emergency, leaving voters frustrated and concerned about representation in a closely-watched swing district.
During a recent community meeting in Westfield focused on affordable housing and data centers, retired attorney Steve McCabe, 80, pressed state Senator Jon Bramnick for information about the congressman’s whereabouts.
“What’s the word?” McCabe asked the GOP state senator.
Bramnick couldn’t provide details about Kean’s medical situation but shared memories of their time serving together in the state legislature, when Kean would brave severe weather to avoid missing votes.
“I said, ‘Tom, we should really turn around,’” Bramnick remembered of one snowy night.
The congressman’s extended absence has created a political puzzle with national implications. His 7th Congressional District ranks among Democrats’ priority targets as they work to regain congressional control.
Kean hasn’t cast a vote since March 5 and has been absent from both Washington and his home district during this period. He has now missed more than 100 congressional votes.
Despite the prolonged absence, Kean’s office maintains he plans to seek reelection. He faces no Republican primary opposition in Tuesday’s contest, while multiple Democrats compete for their party’s nomination.
Campaign consultant Harrison Neely described the situation as a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
“This was an emergency, you don’t get to plan these,” Neely explained. “There’s no good timing for this.”
Neely promised that Kean would provide full transparency about his condition and resume normal duties “very soon.”
The prolonged absence has surprised even political allies familiar with Kean’s dedication to his duties.
“For him not to be there, that’s a big deal,” Bramnick observed.
Kean’s district encompasses suburban communities and smaller municipalities, including the location of President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
Though redistricting in 2021 made the area more Republican-friendly, the district has changed hands in consecutive midterm elections. Democrat Tom Malinowski defeated Republican Leonard Lance in 2018, before losing to Kean in 2022.
House Speaker Mike Johnson recently addressed the situation, expressing confidence in Kean’s return.
“We’re expecting him back here soon,” the Louisiana Republican stated. “He’s going to be fully transparent.”
Kean belongs to a prominent political dynasty. His father previously held the governor’s office, while an ancestor led New Jersey following American independence.
A local political publication reported receiving a phone call from Kean this month, though he didn’t detail his medical condition.
“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” he reportedly told the New Jersey Globe.
McCabe, who initially questioned Bramnick about Kean’s status, said news reports about the absence prompted his inquiry.
“I hope he’s not sick,” he commented.
Bruce Paterson, a 75-year-old retired engineer from Garwood, described himself as a “regular Democrat, not like the crazy Democrats they have today.” Despite his party affiliation, he plans supporting Kean in November’s general election.
“I hope he comes back,” Paterson said. “I mean, will I vote for him? Probably only because we need a nice balance” in a predominantly Democratic state.
During the town hall, one attendee asked Bramnick whether he would accept the Republican nomination if Kean withdrew after Tuesday’s primary. Such a scenario would trigger a convention among county party leaders to select a replacement candidate.
Bramnick repeatedly emphasized Kean’s reelection plans while questioning his own compatibility with today’s Republican Party. Unlike Kean, who prominently displays Trump’s endorsement on social media, Bramnick has criticized the former president, including during his unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.
“I’m not considered the biggest fan of Donald Trump,” Bramnick acknowledged. “I don’t think that the Republican Party is interested in sending someone to Washington that may vote yes or no depending on how I feel about the issue.”
Democratic primary candidates have criticized Kean’s failure to communicate with constituents about his situation.
“Tom Kean disappeared from the job,” said Michael Roth, a former Small Business Administration official seeking the Democratic nomination.
Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy pilot also running for the Democratic nomination, wished Kean well while criticizing his congressional record, particularly regarding infrastructure funding.
“He was nowhere to be found when funding got cut for the Gateway Tunnel, which is a critical infrastructure project in our district,” she stated.
Other Democratic candidates Tina Shah, an intensive care unit doctor, and Brian Varela, who founded a marketing agency, have also criticized Kean during campaign debates.
Political analyst Benjamin Dworkin, who directs the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship, believes Kean still has opportunities to reconnect with voters before November, given his current financial advantages over potential Democratic opponents.
“The issue is not going to be that he was out for a hundred plus votes in the spring,” Dworkin explained. “The question is really, how effective is he going to get once he returns?”
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional efforts to find accountability in the Jeffrey Epstein case have stretched nearly a year, with survivors of sexual abuse pushing lawmakers to put partisan differences aside in their pursuit of answers.
However, despite conducting interviews with some of the most senior officials ever questioned in a congressional probe, including a former president, legislators have achieved minimal results regarding criminal responsibility for Epstein’s offenses or clear recognition of governmental shortcomings.
California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who authored legislation requiring the disclosure of Epstein case documents, expressed to The Associated Press his continued questioning: “Why there has not been a single investigation of people who have allegedly abused or committed financial crimes?”
Legislators anticipated obtaining answers during Friday’s transcribed session with Pam Bondi, President Donald Trump’s former attorney general who supervised the document release.
However, the session left Democrats frustrated with Bondi’s choice to support the Trump administration’s management of the materials and her unwillingness to address questions regarding the Republican president’s connection. Democratic representatives also criticized Republican Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, claiming he has permitted administration officials to evade difficult congressional questioning.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse, including multiple individuals who journeyed to Washington to confront Bondi, found this development disheartening during a period when many are exhausted from advocating before government officials. They contend the Department of Justice’s disorganized document release, containing nude photographs and personal details of potential victims, has compounded broader criminal justice system failures to trust or safeguard them.
“The government’s refusal to acknowledge the failures that were there have led to so much harm,” said Annie Farmer. “And I think whenever you’re thinking about things from a perspective of justice or healing, without acknowledgment, it’s really hard to move forward.”
The committee’s probe has demonstrated notable bipartisan cooperation, with Democrats and Republicans collaborating to issue subpoenas and compel witness testimony. Beyond Bondi, legislators have questioned former Democratic President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick.
This collaboration demonstrates lawmakers’ readiness to transcend political boundaries when facing substantial public pressure. Numerous women have alleged sexual abuse and rape by Epstein, a wealthy and well-connected financier, including incidents occurring after his 2008 agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve a federal investigation by pleading guilty to state-level sex offense charges in Florida.
Epstein, discovered deceased in a New York detention facility in 2019 while facing sex trafficking allegations, was accused of compensating underage girls hundreds of dollars for massages before sexually assaulting them.
His situation has fascinated the public as an illustration of how wealthy and influential individuals avoid consequences for misconduct. Lawmakers addressed the matter last year following the administration’s failure to fulfill transparency commitments regarding the case.
Although the investigation began in the United States, the Epstein reckoning has been comparatively restrained domestically versus Europe. Overseas, senior government officials in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway and Slovakia have all resigned due to their Epstein connections.
During its investigation, the House committee interviewed some of Epstein’s closest associates, including his former financial client Les Wexner, his lawyer Darren Indyke and his accountant Richard Kahn. The Clintons, Lutnick and others were also summoned to testify.
All provided essentially identical responses: They claimed no knowledge of Epstein abusing underage girls.
Nevertheless, the Epstein file disclosure has produced consequences. At least eight American academic and business leaders have been removed from powerful positions, including former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers from Harvard University teaching and Kathy Ruemmler from her Goldman Sachs chief legal officer role.
Bank of America and Epstein’s estate have reached multimillion-dollar agreements with women who accused the institutions of enabling Epstein’s sex-trafficking activities.
Comer, R-Ky., announced last week that three individuals allegedly involved in abuse were identified during an interview with Epstein’s former personal assistant, Sarah Kellen. The congresswoman intends to question six additional people connected to Epstein in upcoming weeks, including billionaire Bill Gates, private equity investor Leon Black, former Barclays Bank CEO Jes Staley and Ruemmler.
“The government has failed the survivors. There’s no doubt about that,” Comer said, adding, “What we’re trying to do is connect all the dots and see if there is a way to hold people accountable.”
However, lawmakers have been troubled witnessing accountability for Epstein-connected figures like Britain’s former Prince Andrew while the administration has repeatedly attempted to move beyond the matter.
“A prince has been taken down and here in the United States, our Department of Justice, which is sitting on millions of files, is refusing to act,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., referencing unreleased case documents the Justice Department is withholding citing duplication or legal publication restrictions.
“That is not a failure, that is a choice,” Stansbury said.
Survivors and Democratic lawmakers have also objected to the administration’s decision to transfer Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidant and former girlfriend, to a minimum-security prison facility. She is serving a 20-year sentence for recruiting teenage girls for Epstein to abuse.
Distributed nationwide and occupied with their personal lives, Epstein abuse survivors have made multiple Washington trips to advocate for government action. Following years of court battles and privately sharing traumatic experiences, they have become increasingly vocal in seeking accountability.
“It is very taxing to be continually focused on this case,” Farmer said. She noted that despite the government’s response falling short of her expectations, she has observed a broader cultural movement addressing sexual predation.
For Marina Lacerda, another survivor, “Accountability is kind of hard right now. But we are looking for saving the next generation.”
However, they also seek the administration’s attention to their experiences. Seeking the president’s consideration, several victims testified this month at a hearing near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida organized by House committee Democrats.
For some survivors, returning to South Florida provided an opportunity to finally receive a hearing. Jena-Lisa Jones informed the panel she was 14 years old when Epstein abused her in Palm Beach.
She urged the lawmakers: “Find a way to bring closure to the story of Jeffrey Epstein to allow survivors and this country to finally begin to move forward so that one day, and I pray soon, Jeffrey Epstein’s name is no longer something we are forced to hear every single day.”
A former South Carolina lawyer who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol alongside supporters of President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, is now positioning himself to assist other participants in seeking compensation from the administration’s newly created $1.776 billion settlement fund for those claiming government persecution.
David Johnston plans to charge a 10% fee for his services, with a maximum of $5,000 per case.
“I think the narrative is changing” about how the history of that day is being told, Johnston said in a video he posted to social media. “I think good things are happening for us.”
Numerous Trump supporters who admitted guilt for their involvement in the Capitol breach are now seeking financial benefits through the settlement fund, which was established to compensate the Republican president’s supporters who claim they faced politically motivated prosecution. Many of these individuals have received presidential pardons.
Despite opposition from both political parties and current legal obstacles that have temporarily halted the fund’s implementation, many January 6 participants remain optimistic about receiving taxpayer-funded compensation. Some are already preparing claims even though no formal application procedure exists and a judge has temporarily blocked the fund’s creation.
Those opposing the fund view it as an attempt by Trump and his supporters to revise the narrative of January 6 events, retroactively legitimize the assault on democratic institutions, and provide financial rewards to Trump’s most devoted followers.
Jason Riddle, a New Hampshire military veteran who served 90 days in prison after admitting to riot-related charges, declined Trump’s pardon offer. He also expressed strong opposition to government compensation for January 6 participants.
“I’d love money, but I can’t accept that. That would bother me for the rest of my life,” he said. “We weren’t innocently persecuted just because of who we are or who we vote for. We were persecuted for committing criminal behavior in the Capitol of the United States.”
However, many other participants do not share Riddle’s position.
Among those expressing interest in compensation are a Florida individual who photographed himself with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium, a New Jersey participant whom prosecutors described as having Nazi sympathies, and a Texas man who received seven years in prison for entering the Capitol while carrying a metal tomahawk.
Pamela Hemphill of Oregon, who received a 60-day jail sentence, declined Trump’s pardon but has prepared a compensation claim seeking $5 million. Unlike many participants who blame Democrats for their legal troubles, Hemphill holds Trump responsible for her situation.
“I wouldn’t have been through all of this if Trump hadn’t lied about the election being stolen,” she said during a telephone interview. “It’s a direct result of his lies that I was even there that day.”
Whether individuals convicted of Capitol-related crimes qualify for payments from the fund, which originated from Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS regarding leaked tax returns, remains uncertain.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not eliminated that possibility. Blanche stated that while anyone can apply, five commissioners who have yet to be appointed will determine eligibility based on factors including the applicant’s actions, sentence, and time served.
“That’s up to the commissioners,” Blanche told The Associated Press on Thursday when asked about his position on whether violent Jan. 6 defendants should be eligible for payments.
“You have to define something and then stick to it. That’s something I’ve been hesitant to try to do, because it’s very fact-intensive,” Blanche said. “Me sitting here and talking in hypotheticals is something that I don’t think is fair to the process.”
Congressional intervention regarding payments to January 6 participants remains unclear. Frustrated Senate Republicans have indicated they want to establish fund restrictions through Department of Homeland Security spending legislation. They departed abruptly earlier this month following a contentious meeting with Blanche and are scheduled to return Monday with the matter still unresolved.
A Virginia federal judge has temporarily halted the fund’s establishment and blocked claim processing or payments. This ruling came Friday as part of at least three legal challenges to the fund.
Brendan Ballou, a former prosecutor who handled multiple January 6 cases before departing the Department of Justice last year, filed suit representing two police officers who defended the Capitol. Ballou considers the fund’s creation part of Trump’s broader effort to undermine democratic institutions and alter January 6’s historical record.
“And if the president is successful in that effort, if he’s able to get people to either forget or condone that day, he knows that he can get people to accept any attack on democracy,” Ballou said.
Approximately 1,600 individuals faced federal charges related to the Capitol breach. Over 1,200 received convictions and sentences before Trump issued widespread pardons and ordered dismissal of all remaining January 6 cases. Trump also released far-right extremist group members who had been imprisoned for planning the Capitol attack to maintain Trump’s presidency after his 2020 election loss to Biden.
The January 6 community is not the only pro-Trump group seeking fund compensation.
Meshawn Maddock, who faced charges as an alleged fake elector for Trump in Michigan before a judge dismissed her case last year, confirmed that she and her husband, state Rep. Matt Maddock, plan to file claims. She justifies using taxpayer funds because they “paid for the prosecution and investigation of the years that I was being hunted down.”
“I want vengeance and I want retribution,” Maddock said.
Trump’s efforts to reframe January 6 as a peaceful demonstration appear to have encouraged many convicted participants.
Johnston’s current willingness to assist other Capitol participants contrasts sharply with his remorseful attitude during his 2022 sentencing. He apologized for his “terrible lapse in judgment” before receiving three weeks in jail and three months of home detention after pleading guilty to misdemeanor trespassing.
“It was a dumb, dumb thing to do,” Johnston told the judge. “I am 100% responsible for what I did that day.”
Technology companies Nvidia and Microsoft are reportedly planning to introduce the first Windows operating system computers powered by Nvidia processors as their central processing units next week, according to a Saturday report from Axios that cited industry sources.
The Nvidia-based computers are anticipated to come from Microsoft’s Surface product line along with additional manufacturers such as Dell.
Reuters was unable to immediately confirm the information in the report. Both Microsoft and Nvidia declined to provide comments when contacted for a response.
PARIS, May 30 – Key results from Saturday’s seventh day of competition at the French Open tennis tournament (all times in GMT):
1208 OSAKA MAKES HISTORIC FRENCH OPEN BREAKTHROUGH
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, achieved a career milestone by advancing to the French Open’s round of 16 for the first time. The Japanese player, seeded 16th, defeated American 17th seed Iva Jovic in a three-set match with scores of 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4.
Osaka’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the match between top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Daria Kasatkina.
1156 COBOLLI ADVANCES WITH STRAIGHT-SET VICTORY
Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli secured his first-ever spot in the French Open’s fourth round by defeating American 18th seed Learner Tien. The Italian, who made the Wimbledon quarter-finals last season, won convincingly 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Cobolli’s round of 16 opponent will be Zachary Svajda.
0908 HOT CONDITIONS MARK START OF PLAY
Competition commenced at Roland Garros under sweltering weather conditions, with temperatures reaching approximately 28 degrees Celsius in the French capital and forecasted to climb to around 33 degrees. The public weather service Meteo France issued a high-temperature alert for Paris.
Saturday’s featured matches included defending women’s champion Coco Gauff facing Anastasia Potapova, and world number one Aryna Sabalenka meeting Daria Kasatkina.
PARIS – Italian tennis player Flavio Cobolli dominated American Learner Tien on Saturday at the French Open, winning in straight sets with scores of 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to move forward to the tournament’s fourth round.
The 10th-seeded Italian, who has only reached a Grand Slam fourth round once before, quickly jumped ahead 3-0 in the opening set. Tien appeared tired after his grueling five-set victory over Facundo Diaz Acosta in the prior round.
The 18th-ranked American entered Saturday’s match riding a six-game winning streak following his first clay court championship in Geneva the previous week. However, once he fell behind 4-1 in the second set, it became evident his winning streak was nearing its conclusion.
Cobolli secured the second set with an ace and benefited from a backhand mistake by Tien. The Italian maintained his aggressive play to take a 3-1 advantage in the third set after breaking serve early once again.
The 24-year-old Cobolli will face American Zachary Svajda in his next match.
PARIS, May 30 – Naomi Osaka battled through a challenging three-set match to defeat American teenager Iva Jovic 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-4 on Saturday, advancing to her first French Open fourth round appearance.
The former world number one made headlines not just for her tennis but also for her eye-catching gold sequined ensemble, marking another bold fashion choice during her Paris campaign. However, the 18-year-old Jovic proved she wouldn’t be distracted by the glamour, delivering an impressive performance in her debut Grand Slam third-round match.
Despite being in uncharted tournament waters, Jovic appeared comfortable competing on Court Suzanne Lenglen, forcing the 16th-seeded Osaka into a first-set tiebreaker. Osaka had squandered two opportunities to close out the set at 6-5 before finally securing it 7-5 in the tiebreak after needing three set points.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players exchanging breaks before Jovic claimed the tiebreaker to even the match at one set apiece.
The deciding set remained tightly contested as Jovic continued to stand her ground, matching Osaka’s powerful shots throughout the battle. However, Osaka managed to create a match point opportunity while leading 5-4 with Jovic serving, successfully converting the chance to secure her spot in the next round.
Osaka’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the match between top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Australian Daria Kasatkina.
PARIS, May 30 – Key moments from Saturday’s action at the French Open tennis tournament (all times in GMT):
1156 COBOLLI ADVANCES WITH COMMANDING VICTORY OVER TIEN
Flavio Cobolli, the 10th-seeded player from Italy who made it to the Wimbledon quarter-finals last season, defeated 18th-seeded American Learner Tien with scores of 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. This victory marks Cobolli’s first advancement to the fourth round at Roland Garros.
0908 MATCHES BEGIN DESPITE SCORCHING CONDITIONS
Tournament action commenced under sweltering weather conditions at the Roland Garros complex, with thermometers registering around 28 degrees Celsius in the French capital and forecasts calling for peaks near 33 degrees. France’s national weather agency, Meteo France, has issued an elevated temperature alert for Paris.
Saturday’s schedule features defending women’s titleholder Coco Gauff facing off against Anastasia Potapova, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka squares off with Daria Kasatkina.
SATURDAY’S MATCH SCHEDULE AT FRENCH OPEN (numbers indicate tournament seeding):
COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER
10-Flavio Cobolli (Italy) v 18-Learner Tien (U.S.)
Diane Parry (France) v 6-Amanda Anisimova (U.S.)
4-Coco Gauff (U.S.) v 28-Anastasia Potapova (Austria)
4-Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) v 31-Brandon Nakashima (U.S.)
COURT SUZANNE LENGLEN
17-Iva Jovic (U.S.) v 16-Naomi Osaka (Japan)
1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v Daria Kasatkina (Australia)
Moise Kouame (France) v Alejandro Tabilo (Chile)
Jaime Faria (Portugal) v 19-Frances Tiafoe (U.S.)
COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU
Maria Sakkari (Greece) v Maja Chwalinska (Poland)
Matteo Berrettini (Italy) v Francisco Comesana (Argentina)
9-Victoria Mboko (Canada) v 19-Madison Keys (U.S.)
Motorists traveling westbound on W Newport Pike should expect delays due to ongoing construction work affecting traffic flow in the area.
The right lane is currently blocked between Petro Drive and Stanton Road as crews continue their work. The lane closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 4 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and allow extra time for their commute. Traffic is being directed around the work area using the remaining open lanes.
When Jenna Carberg’s newborn daughter was placed on her chest immediately following delivery, something felt wrong.
“I felt a disconnect right away,” she remembered.
Back at her Orlando, Florida home, Carberg found herself crying daily while battling overwhelming exhaustion and anxiety. Medical professionals later determined she was suffering from postpartum depression — a serious mental health condition that can transform what should be a happy period into one filled with overwhelming sadness.
This mental health challenge is becoming increasingly common. Research published in 2024 in JAMA Network Open revealed that rates in the United States have more than doubled over approximately ten years, rising from 9.4% in 2010 to 19% in 2021. This increase is attributed in part to better screening methods and improved diagnostic practices.
Distinguishing this condition from the much less severe and more widespread “baby blues” caused by dropping hormone levels can be challenging. However, identifying and addressing postpartum depression is essential, according to OB-GYN Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.
Women who don’t receive treatment may struggle to form bonds with their infants and have difficulty providing proper care. Additionally, they face a heightened risk of taking their own lives.
“A healthy you will ultimately be important for a healthy baby,” Moore Simas explained.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
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Approximately 8 out of 10 new mothers experience baby blues, which typically begins soon after giving birth.
“Moms will feel kind of more emotional than normal,” explained Dr. Jennifer Payne, a reproductive psychiatry specialist at the University of Virginia.
However, the emotional outbursts and sad feelings aren’t intense enough to disrupt daily functioning. Mothers should remain capable of taking care of both themselves and their newborns.
Assessment tools can help determine whether the situation is more concerning. A frequently used 10-question survey, typically administered during a postpartum visit, evaluates how frequently a mother has experienced emotions like sadness, panic, or anxiety. An elevated score suggests the need for additional assessment.
Medical professionals say postpartum depression doesn’t have a single root cause. Hereditary factors, bodily changes, and psychological stress may all play a role.
“We’re pretty sure that having a case of the baby blues doesn’t increase your risk of postpartum depression,” Payne noted. “But it does seem that both conditions can develop in the same person.”
When sadness persists beyond two weeks, that serves as one warning sign.
Additional symptoms include overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, lack of interest, guilt and worthlessness, fatigue, and reduced focus and appetite. Mothers might constantly fret about their infants, experience insomnia, or go without bathing for extended periods.
They “feel negatively and badly about themselves. They’ll feel that they’re a bad mother. They might not feel attached to the baby very much,” Payne described.
Some may even consider harming themselves.
Carberg, whose daughter was born in 2016, experienced such thoughts on multiple occasions — including once while driving with her child. She spent several days at a psychiatric treatment center and showed improvement temporarily.
However, she later experienced a serious mental health crisis. She sent apologetic text messages to her husband, Chris, before shutting off her phone. Chris frantically attempted to contact her, fearing she might harm herself.
“She luckily went to the hospital ER,” he recalled.
Eventually, discovering the appropriate medication became crucial for Jenna Carberg’s healing process.
“I felt like myself again,” she shared after beginning treatment with the stimulant Vyvanse.
Additional treatment options include antidepressant medications like Zoloft or Prozac, or Zurzuvae, the first oral medication specifically approved for postpartum depression. Counseling represents another standard approach, and medical professionals emphasize the significance of adequate rest and support from loved ones.
To assist others facing similar challenges, the Carbergs created an online resource — postpartumdepression.org — designed to offer support and connect patients with professional assistance.
Medical professionals recommend that anyone suspecting they or someone they care about might have postpartum depression should contact their OB-GYN, primary care physician, or mental health specialist.
When needed, be assertive, advised Dr. Kerry Hudson, an OB-GYN at Newport Women’s Health Services in Rhode Island. When she experienced postpartum depression twenty years ago, her physician dismissed her concerns, claiming she was simply an overwhelmed medical resident. She eventually received help after having an emotional breakdown during a professional presentation in front of coworkers.
Following therapy and medication treatment, Hudson went on to have another child. The Carbergs also had a second baby. Everyone is thriving now.
“When we get people help, I think they can have a good future ahead of them,” Hudson stated. “You don’t have to suffer in silence.”
MECCA (AP) — More than 1.5 million Muslim worshippers wrapped up their sacred Hajj journey in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, performing the traditional ritual of walking around the Kaaba, the black cube-shaped structure that serves as Islam’s most sacred shrine, located within the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
The pilgrimage this year brought together over 1.5 million faithful Muslims who endured sweltering heat that at times climbed above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
As one of Islam’s Five Pillars, the Hajj represents a religious duty that every Muslim must fulfill at least once during their lifetime, provided they have the financial means and physical capability to make the journey.
The religious gathering at Islam’s most sacred locations in Saudi Arabia occurred against a backdrop of increased regional instability related to ongoing conflict involving Iran, which added tension to this year’s pilgrimage.
A pharmaceutical company’s cancer drug combination has demonstrated effectiveness in treating an aggressive form of blood cancer, though it comes with increased risks of adverse reactions.
The drug combination featuring the company’s Monjuvi medication, along with a Bristol Myers Squibb treatment called Revlimid and a standard chemotherapy protocol known as R-CHOP, lowered the chances of disease advancement, return, or patient death by 25% when compared to the standard treatment by itself.
The pharmaceutical firm initially shared these findings in January and indicated that comprehensive survival statistics for the drug mixture would be available at a future time. The company’s research chief, Pablo Cagnoni, described the survival analysis as being in its “early” stages while noting it demonstrated a distinct pattern of enhancement.
The clinical study examined the effectiveness of combining Monjuvi, Bristol Myers Squibb’s Revlimid, and R-CHOP against R-CHOP treatment alone. The trial involved approximately 900 patients who had recently been diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which represents the most prevalent form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Medical experts and financial stakeholders had been eagerly awaiting additional information about side effects and treatment discontinuation rates from this intensive multi-medication approach.
Serious negative reactions occurred more frequently among patients receiving the Monjuvi combination, affecting nearly 87% compared to 76% of those who received only R-CHOP, a treatment involving five different medications.
Treatment cessation due to therapy-related complications was also elevated at 25.7%, in contrast to 18% for the standard approach. Fatalities attributed to adverse reactions reached 6% in the group receiving the company’s drug combination, while the standard care group experienced 3.8%.
Despite these concerns, the overall mortality rate was actually lower for the combination therapy at 18.5%, compared to 21.7% for R-CHOP alone.
“Sometimes when you add another drug, you obviously see a little bit more side effects, which is why it’s so important to report the survival data, because all of this gets integrated into survival,” explained the company’s Cagnoni.
These comprehensive findings were shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference held in Chicago.
Cagnoni noted that more than half of high-risk patients currently receiving R-CHOP treatment could qualify for this new treatment approach as their initial therapy once regulatory approval is obtained.
Government statistics indicate that between 18,000 and 25,000 Americans receive this cancer diagnosis annually.
The medication Monjuvi, scientifically known as tafasitamab, has already received expedited approval in the United States when used alongside Revlimid for patients whose condition has returned or failed to respond to previous treatments, particularly those ineligible for stem cell transplantation.
The company plans to pursue broader approval in both the United States and Europe for using this combination therapy as an initial treatment for newly diagnosed patients.
“This doubles the potential eligible population,” Cagnoni stated.
The head of the World Health Organization urged local communities on Saturday to take a leading role in battling Congo’s current Ebola crisis.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday to help organize efforts against the Ebola emergency, which had reached 1,028 suspected cases as of Friday, Congolese officials reported.
“The communities understand the problems better and they know the solution as well,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said to media representatives following his arrival in Bunia, Ituri province’s capital city and a center of the current Ebola crisis.
“Yes, the international community is involved, under the leadership of the government of DRC. At the same time, community ownership is important. That’s why we are here to discuss with the community to see how the response is running and, if there are challenges, to help,” Tedros said.
Upon reaching Congo’s capital city Kinshasa on Thursday, Tedros appealed for increased global assistance for combating Ebola, noting the WHO had received just one-third of its required funding.
French humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) issued a warning Saturday that the current Ebola emergency — the 17th occurrence since 1976 — was advancing at an unparalleled rate.
“Never before has an Ebola outbreak recorded so many cases so soon after its declaration,” Alan Gonzalez, MSF deputy director of operations, said in a statement.
The quantity of specialized medical organizations working on-site to address the crisis, along with the assistance level being offered to combat the emergency, remains significantly below what is necessary, Gonzalez stated.
Financial institutions worldwide are experiencing mounting political pressure as they implement unpopular policies to combat rising prices, potentially undermining their independence and worsening economic conditions, according to current and former officials.
Price increases have accelerated globally following the conflict in Iran that drove up oil costs, compelling financial institutions to increase borrowing costs or postpone previously announced reductions to prevent temporary economic disruption from becoming permanent.
“It’s easy to be an independent central banker member when inflation is low … and it’s much more complicated when inflation is up and you have to do things that people do not like,” Helge Berger, deputy director at the IMF’s European Department, told a conference on Saturday.
“It’s hand to hand combat,” he said. “We need to get the current situation right.”
The most prominent challenge to autonomy has come from U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for lower interest rates, though political interference has been widespread and often more subtle elsewhere, officials noted.
Various financial institutions face requests to adjust policies supporting industrial objectives, while others encounter demands to transfer earnings to government budgets or receive contradictory directives.
Elevated government borrowing levels also create practical limitations on independence, restricting the ability to implement tighter policies since higher borrowing costs – the standard remedy for inflation – could spark a debt emergency.
When markets question whether a financial institution operates independently to combat inflation, they start anticipating accommodative policies, making price control even more challenging.
“Independence is often taken for granted when it works, but difficult to rebuild once it has been damaged,” Bundesbank board member Burkhard Balz said. “Monetary policy needs protection from short-term political incentives if it is to deliver price stability.”
Some participants argued that financial institutions’ delayed reaction to the 2021-22 inflation surge also damaged their reputation.
Officials characterized the economic disruption as temporary for months before understanding its magnitude and initiating one of the most rapid policy tightening periods in history.
“Why did they come from behind? One of the reasons, I think, is our inclination and fixation to be what is called data dependent,” former Bank of Israel Governor Jacob Frenkel said.
“Data dependence is saying, until I see this happening, I’m not going to respond. By definition, when things are already there, you’re coming from behind.”
Officials in the Georgian capital have opened a historic wine vault for the first time this week, revealing approximately 40,000 bottles that once belonged to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
The collection, now owned by the Georgian government, contains French and Georgian wine rarities stored in a repository where cobwebs hang from the ceiling and a sweet, musky aroma fills the dimly lit space.
Government officials intend to sell the collection at auction, with some bottles dating back to the early 1800s, and will direct proceeds toward establishing a wine education school within the country.
Irakli Gilauri, owner of Gilauri Wines who collaborated with the nation’s agriculture ministry on this initiative, stated the auction would help to “put Georgia on the collectors’ map.”
The South Caucasus nation promotes itself as wine’s birthplace, citing archaeological findings that show an unbroken winemaking heritage spanning 8,000 years.
Stalin, a Georgian native who ruled the Soviet Union from 1924 until 1953, had a passion for drinking and collecting wine.
His collection features bottles from Bordeaux’s premier estates that previously belonged to Russian Tsar Alexander III and his son Nicholas II. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, Soviet forces confiscated the Imperial Romanov wine collection, with Stalin serving as its custodian while gradually incorporating his preferred Georgian wine varieties.
Wine collector Victor Chen, who made the journey from Dallas, Texas to view the collection, expressed enthusiasm while examining the dust-laden bottles containing amber-colored wine.
“I feel like you’re Indiana Jones opening up a cave: it could be nothing, it could be something,” Chen commented, making reference to the adventurous movie character.
“There’s not many things that are still historical moments at this point. And this could be one of them.”
Motorists should expect delays on W Newport Pike eastbound near Stanton Road where construction activities have forced the closure of one travel lane.
Traffic signals at the intersection are operating in flash mode for both eastbound and westbound directions while work continues. A Delaware State Police trooper has been stationed at the location to help manage traffic flow.
The lane restriction and signal disruption are scheduled to remain in effect until 4 PM today. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes to avoid potential backups in the area.
Though today’s generation requires less physical paper than previous ones, vintage paper collectibles continue to attract enthusiasts. At a Pennsylvania paper show, younger collectors who grew up in the digital era are discovering the appeal of antique postcards and comic books.
These digital natives represent an interesting contrast – individuals raised with technology who find value in tangible, historical paper items from decades past.
During a recent NPR interview, Scott Simon spoke with Ivo Daalder, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, regarding his latest critique of how America handles military conflicts.
The conversation centered on Daalder’s recent public comments questioning the United States’ current strategy and approach to armed conflicts around the world.
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — The World Health Organization’s top official touched down Saturday in Bunia, located in eastern Congo, where a dangerous strain of Ebola continues to spread more rapidly than containment efforts can manage, even with improved medical facilities and increased international assistance.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus plans to tour a medical treatment facility and hold meetings with regional officials, healthcare personnel and families impacted by the disease outbreak in Bunia.
“The best way to address this is to provide all the necessary support to fight the disease at its epicenter and to continue offering every assistance needed,” Tedros stated to media representatives on Friday evening.
Health officials reported Friday that 906 potential cases and 223 suspected fatalities have been documented, according to WHO data. In neighboring Uganda, nine confirmed cases and one death have been recorded, the Ugandan health ministry announced Friday.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola, which lacks any authorized treatment options or preventive vaccines.
“This is a difficult situation, and we recognize that. But the Democratic Republic of Congo has faced the Ebola virus many times before. We are confident that it can once again bring this outbreak under control,” Tedros informed reporters Friday following discussions with Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.
European Union medical supplies reached Ituri province, the center of Congo’s Ebola crisis, on Thursday, with additional deliveries scheduled over the coming eight days. The United States pledged an extra $80 million in assistance the same day, raising its overall financial commitment beyond $112 million.
Medical response activities at Bunia’s Rwampara and General hospitals show improved coordination, featuring additional personnel, safety equipment and medical resources, although new patients arrive continuously throughout each day, an AP journalist noted Friday.
However, containment measures have failed to match the pace of what ranks among the most rapidly expanding outbreaks in recorded history, Doctors Without Borders, known as MSF, cautioned Saturday.
“Never before has an Ebola outbreak recorded so many cases so soon after its declaration,” Dr. Alan Gonzalez, MSF’s deputy director of operations, stated in a released announcement.
“Nobody knows the true scale and severity of this outbreak,” Gonzalez added, demanding urgent expansion of diagnostic testing, accelerated deployment of medical personnel and reliable access for essential supplies.
Healthcare workers face increased risks due to community frustration over strict medical procedures for managing deceased victims’ remains, which conflict with traditional funeral customs. Community members have conducted at least three assaults on medical facilities.
Violence in Ituri by the Allied Democratic Force, a militant organization connected to the Islamic State group, and a coalition of ethnic militias have further complicated response activities.
The disease has also appeared in the Congolese regions of North Kivu and South Kivu, located south of Ituri, where the Rwanda-supported M23 rebel faction controls numerous important cities, including Goma and Bukavu. The militants have documented two infections.
Uganda and Rwanda have sealed their frontiers, while the Trump administration implemented restrictions last week prohibiting entry of non-U.S. passport holders who recently traveled to Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.
Tedros criticized border shutdowns and travel restrictions Friday as “not effective at all” for preventing the outbreak’s expansion.
“Closing borders, as some countries have done, only discourages transparency. The Democratic Republic of Congo is reporting the situation openly and transparently,” he stated, encouraging nations to reconsider these policies.
ANHOLT, Denmark — Officials in Denmark have pulled the remains of a humpback whale onto shore after the animal’s body spent two weeks floating in shallow coastal waters following its death.
The marine mammal had become a media sensation across Germany, earning the affectionate names “Timmy” and “Hope” as news organizations provided continuous coverage of its condition after it was initially discovered near the German coastline on March 3.
Authorities discovered the whale’s body on May 14, washed up near the tiny island of Anholt in the Kattegat strait, which runs between Denmark and Sweden and links the Baltic Sea with the North Sea.
The animal’s death brought to a close several months of dramatic and sometimes controversial rescue attempts, which reached their peak on May 2 when crews loaded the whale onto a barge and attempted to transport it toward the North Sea, hoping to guide it back to its natural Atlantic Ocean environment.
Officials with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency say they plan to conduct an examination of the remains in the coming week to identify what caused the whale’s death.
On Saturday, the Danish media outlet “News5” broadcast live footage showing the carcass being pulled up onto the beach using cables connected to a truck positioned on shore.
Marine biologists remain uncertain about why the whale entered the Baltic Sea waters, which are located far from its typical living area and provide unsuitable conditions for the species. Some specialists have suggested the animal may have become disoriented while pursuing a school of herring or during its seasonal migration journey.
Motorists traveling on Walnut Shade Road should plan for delays this afternoon as construction crews continue work that requires alternating lane restrictions.
The lane closures are affecting the stretch of roadway between Millchop Lane and Barney Jenkins Road, with traffic expected to be impacted until 5 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone.
A rocket explosion at Blue Origin’s facility has caused significant damage to the company’s launch pad, leading to months-long delays that will impact Amazon’s satellite deployment plans and strengthen SpaceX’s position in the commercial space industry, according to company and industry sources.
The incident happened during engine testing for the New Glenn rocket, which was scheduled to launch next week. The timing couldn’t be worse for Jeff Bezos’ space ventures, as both Blue Origin and Amazon are working to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the heavy-lift rocket and satellite internet markets.
The explosion on Thursday also threatens NASA’s moon exploration goals.
The Blue Origin booster named “No, It’s Necessary” – referencing a line from the movie Interstellar – was destroyed in Thursday’s incident. An unnamed source familiar with the situation, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly, said the launch pad was “practically destroyed” and engineers anticipate at least six months of delays, possibly longer.
“It’s only been a year since the SpaceX Starship also exploded on the launch pad and Blue Origin can also recover. But it will take months to rebuild,” said Antoine Grenier, partner and head of space consulting at Analysys Mason.
LENGTHY RECONSTRUCTION ANTICIPATED
When SpaceX’s Falcon 9 exploded on its launch pad in 2016, the company needed more than a year to fix the damaged infrastructure, though it managed to resume launches in 4-1/2 months by using a different Florida facility.
Although Amazon has diversified its launch partnerships, including working with SpaceX, this gives Musk’s company additional influence over his longtime competitor Bezos.
“Sorry to see this, I hope you recover quickly,” Musk wrote on X, later responding to Bezos with “Ad astra per aspera,” a Latin expression about achieving difficult objectives.
Amazon LEO had been counting on New Glenn’s frequent launch schedule to put half of its 3,200-plus satellite broadband network into orbit by July 2026 to satisfy regulatory requirements. A prolonged grounding by the FAA will seriously jeopardize this timeline.
SATELLITE NETWORK PLANS AT RISK
Grenier from Analysys Mason noted that Amazon has already secured much of the available capacity from other heavy-lift launch providers in the near future. While SpaceX might handle some additional demand, its Falcon 9 can transport roughly half the number of Amazon LEO satellites per mission compared to New Glenn, meaning any major shift would require substantially more launches, he explained.
Additionally, lunar cargo is designed for specific launch vehicles, making switches to different rockets complex.
The rocket was also set to carry Blue Origin’s inaugural Blue Moon lunar lander this year. NASA recently awarded the company a contract to transport two lunar rovers before the Artemis 4 mission in 2028.
NASA announced Thursday it would evaluate immediate effects on its Artemis and Moon Base initiatives, though it’s uncertain whether any missions will need reassignment.
However, it remains unclear how significantly this incident will affect Blue Origin’s future prospects and benefit SpaceX, whose schedule is already packed with its own Starlink satellite deployments plus commercial and government contracts.
The U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office reaffirmed their support for Blue Origin on Friday, maintaining their newly awarded national security launch contract from Thursday despite the devastating launch pad explosion that occurred hours afterward.
“Long term, the market still needs viable alternatives, so this strengthens SpaceX’s position at the margin, but doesn’t change the broader trajectory toward a multi-provider ecosystem,” said Mark Boggett, CEO of British space investor Seraphim Space.
Recent changes to Canadian citizenship regulations have triggered a significant spike in applications from Americans seeking to obtain status through family heritage, according to new government statistics.
The revised regulations, which expanded eligibility beyond just first-generation descendants to include more distant family connections, have led to dramatic increases in monthly citizenship approvals. Government records show monthly approvals have climbed from just 275 when the updated law took effect in December 2025 to more than 1,000 additional cases each month this year.
Statistics reveal that approximately 48% of these new approvals through February came from applicants in the United States, highlighting the strong interest among Americans in securing Canadian status.
Legal experts attribute the high American participation to the longstanding connections between the neighboring nations, while also noting that many Americans view Canada as an appealing destination for living or education, particularly given recent political turbulence in the U.S.
William Hunnewell, a 41-year-old Seattle resident who submitted his application this year and anticipates a decision within nine to twelve months, explained his motivation. His great-grandfather homesteaded in Saskatchewan prior to World War One, and his grandfather was born in Canada.
“The biggest thing is it gives our family options,” Hunnewell explained. “If my kid wants to study or live in Canada, she can just go — there’s no visa, no deadlines.”
Immigration attorney Nick Berning, who practices in the United States, believes most newly approved citizens will continue residing abroad but want to maintain flexibility for the future.
“Current interest in Canadian citizenship is definitely influenced by U.S. politics,” Berning stated. “They want to stay in the U.S., but if things become untenable, they want a way out.”
Political divisions have intensified across America, with polling indicating growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. Relations between the two countries have also become strained following the imposition of heavy tariffs on Canadian products and discussions about annexing Canada as the 51st state.
Monthly approval figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show steady growth: 1,140 approvals in January, 1,255 in February, and 1,405 in March under the new citizenship category.
The updated citizenship legislation came in response to a 2023 court decision that ruled restricting citizenship to only the first generation born outside Canada violated constitutional principles.
Individuals who have lived outside Canada for multiple generations can now qualify for citizenship by demonstrating ancestral connections. This expansion contrasts sharply with recent Canadian government initiatives to reduce immigration quotas.
However, Berning pointed out that new citizens who have never resided in Canada cannot automatically transfer citizenship rights to their children born in foreign countries.
A devastating highway accident in Afghanistan’s eastern region has claimed the lives of at least 22 people, including 10 children, when a transport vehicle carrying Afghan refugees overturned on Saturday. Approximately 36 others sustained injuries in the crash, with women and children comprising the majority of casualties, according to local authorities.
The fatal incident took place in Laghman province along the primary roadway connecting Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, to Nangarhar province, according to Abdul Malik Niazai, the spokesperson for the provincial governor.
Among those who perished were 10 children and five women, while the wounded victims were transported to medical facilities in Nangarhar for treatment, Niazai reported.
Aminullah Sharif, the provincial director of public health, confirmed the death toll of 22 individuals and stated that roughly 36 people were hurt in the incident. According to Sharif, the crash happened when the transport vehicle veered into a roadside ditch after its operator dozed off while driving.
The victims were part of the large population of Afghans who have recently come back from Pakistan, following that country’s enforcement campaign against migrants that began in 2023, resulting in deportations and pressure on many to depart. Iran similarly stepped up removal efforts for Afghan migrants during this period. Millions of Afghans have since returned from both nations, including numerous individuals who were born in Pakistan and had lived and worked there for many years.
In another incident in eastern Nuristan province, a vehicle plunged from the roadway into a river on Friday evening, injuring the operator and leaving four occupants unaccounted for, provincial officials announced Saturday. Search and rescue teams were actively looking for the four missing individuals, the governor’s office reported.
Such transportation incidents occur frequently throughout Afghanistan, where roadway infrastructure is in poor condition and motorists commonly disregard safety rules.
Federal aviation safety investigators have temporarily disabled their public records database after discovering that artificial intelligence technology was being used to recreate confidential pilot communications from crash investigations.
The National Transportation Safety Board shut down its document access system when officials learned that digital images from their files were being utilized to reconstruct cockpit voice recordings from pilots involved in a recent aviation accident.
The agency’s action highlights growing concerns about how advancing AI capabilities are challenging traditional methods of protecting sensitive investigation materials that have historically remained confidential.
Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, works in one of the specialized listening facilities at the agency’s Washington, D.C. headquarters, where investigators typically review audio evidence from aircraft incidents.
The temporary shutdown demonstrates the unexpected ways that emerging technology is complicating efforts by federal investigators to maintain privacy protections around sensitive crash investigation materials.
WASHINGTON, May 30 – Republican senators return from recess next week confronting a difficult decision: support President Donald Trump’s disputed $1.8 billion fund designed to compensate victims of alleged political targeting, or oppose a leader who recently contributed to ending two GOP senators’ careers.
Approximately half of the 53 Republican senators in the majority expressed reservations during an intense two-hour session with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche before the Memorial Day recess, compelling leadership to postpone voting on a $72 billion bill funding Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts through his term’s conclusion.
As GOP leaders prepare to vote on legislation supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations, the party is urging Trump’s Justice Department to establish protective measures that might neutralize Democratic strategies to force multiple amendment votes aimed at blocking the fund and embarrassing the administration.
“I would hope that Senate leadership is working with the administration and the Department of Justice to design something that’s going to work,” stated Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin conservative who expresses full support for the fund. “My suggestion was, come up with an overriding amendment that will render all their amendments moot.”
The compensation program, designed to reimburse alleged political targeting victims using public funds, originated from a legal agreement between Trump’s Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service to settle an extraordinary lawsuit where the president sought $10 billion regarding alleged mismanagement of his tax documents.
The proposal sparked intense backlash, with legislators expressing worries about possible conflicts of interest involving Trump and the potential for payments to violent supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol and assaulted officers on January 6, 2021.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday preventing the administration from proceeding with the fund.
Blanche assured lawmakers privately that the program would exclude Trump family members and anyone with violent crime convictions, according to meeting attendees. However, senators demand written guarantees, along with eligibility criteria, enhanced congressional authority in choosing fund administrators, and judicial supervision.
“What will dictate the next step is whether or not there are 51 Republican senators who believe that it is a satisfactory outcome,” explained a senior Republican aide. “I don’t think every member necessarily is going to find equal satisfaction.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has requested the Justice Department and White House clarify acceptable safeguards for members. Staff report receiving no response thus far.
“The administration appreciated last week’s conversation and feedback,” commented a White House official Friday. “We look forward to additional conversations as needed.” The Justice Department declined to respond to inquiries.
Republican political consultants warn the fund could become a liability approaching November midterm elections, where the party already confronts challenges from rising consumer costs, an unpopular conflict with Iran, and Trump’s diminishing approval numbers among Republicans.
“No one thinks this is a winning issue, even those in safe Republican House and Senate seats that don’t usually have to worry about an election. Even those folks want no part of this,” said a Republican strategist requesting anonymity due to involvement in important congressional campaigns.
Legislators have shown reluctance to challenge the matter following Trump’s involvement in primary losses for Republican Senators John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy.
Johnson criticized the Justice Department for publicly announcing the fund while the Senate prepared to review the ICE funding legislation.
“To me, this whole thing was completely blown by announcing it. These things are better just done using the authority that Congress has given,” Johnson commented. “The timing was atrocious.”
The dispute has reignited 2020 election grievances.
James Troupis, a former Trump campaign lawyer facing felony charges for his alleged involvement in a fraudulent 2020 elector scheme in Wisconsin, filed this week for $3.2 million compensation, claiming reputation damage and $1.7 million in expenses from representing Trump.
Vice President JD Vance indicated former Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters might qualify for compensation after her conviction for illegally accessing voting equipment while pursuing false 2020 election fraud claims.
Several Republicans in both chambers have demanded congressional supervision, reflecting remarks to media by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley.
“Congress needs to have an oversight role in this before I can sign off or support this,” Republican Representative Mike Flood told constituents during a Norfolk, Nebraska town hall.
“I have concerns about the weaponization fund,” Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, among the most vulnerable House Republicans, told the Des Moines Register.
“We need to know more information. We need to have oversight. We need to know who determines it, where it goes,” the Iowa Republican explained. “Right now, I have more questions than I have answers.”
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re kicking off your Saturday with absolutely gorgeous weather across the peninsula. Expect wall-to-wall sunshine today with comfortable temperatures reaching 72 degrees – perfect for any outdoor plans you might have!
The only thing to keep in mind is our breezy conditions. We’ve got a north wind running 10 to 15 mph with gusts potentially reaching 30 mph, so secure any lightweight outdoor items and maybe hold off on that barbecue until the wind calms down this evening.
Tonight looks pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a nice cool-down to 51 degrees – ideal sleeping weather with the windows open!
Looking ahead to Sunday, we’re in for another beautiful day with sunny skies and temperatures climbing to a delightful 75 degrees. Sunday night stays comfortable with mostly clear conditions and lows around 57.
This is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend to get outside and enjoy everything our beautiful peninsula has to offer. Have a wonderful Saturday, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow!
