Diplomatic efforts to resolve a longstanding territorial dispute between Moldova and its breakaway Transdniestria region ended in failure Thursday, with negotiators unable to reach any agreements during talks held in the separatist territory.
The discussions took place in Tiraspol, the main city of the pro-Russian breakaway region, as Moldova pushes forward with plans to become a European Union member by 2030. Representatives from both sides pointed fingers at each other for the lack of progress.
Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Chiveri criticized Transdniestria officials for declining to approve a joint statement about restarting official settlement negotiations.
“We believe that this demonstrates just how serious Tiraspol views the process of a settlement,” he said.
However, Transdniestria’s Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev accused Moldovan representatives of undermining the diplomatic process. “We have seen no implementation from Moldova of a single issue on the agenda,” Ignatiev stated.
The unrecognized territory of Transdniestria has operated independently from Moldova for over thirty years, backed by Russia but lacking international legitimacy. The region separated from Moldova prior to the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, with only a short military confrontation in 1992 before relative peace was established.
Energy issues have complicated the situation recently, as Transdniestria lost access to heavily subsidized Russian natural gas when Ukraine stopped allowing transit through its borders last year.
Moldova escalated tensions Thursday by implementing new restrictions that prevent 1,500 Russian “peacekeeping” forces from entering the country. These troops have maintained the ceasefire between the two territories since the early 1990s.
Additional disputes center on Moldova’s proposals to apply uniform tax policies across all regions, including extending excise taxes and other fees to the separatist area.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who strongly opposes Russia and its war in Ukraine, stated last year that challenges with the separatist territory “do not mean we will put off European integration for 10 or 20 years.”
Ignatiev recently told Russian media that Moldova cannot successfully join the EU without resolving this conflict, “as the EU does not want to import a conflict.”
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re looking at a pleasant Thursday night with partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures holding steady around 66 degrees. There’s just a slight chance we could see some light rain showers between 2 and 5 AM, but most of us will stay dry with only a 20% chance of precipitation. Gentle southwest winds around 5 mph will keep things comfortable.
Friday brings warmer weather as we climb to around 80 degrees, though we’ll need to keep an eye on the sky as there’s a better chance for rain showers throughout the day. Don’t forget that umbrella if you’re heading out!
The good news is that any lingering showers should clear out Friday night, with temperatures dropping to a refreshing 57 degrees under mostly clear skies. Saturday is shaping up beautifully with mostly sunny conditions and highs around 70 – perfect weather for any weekend plans you might have.
Stay dry tonight, Delmarva, and I’ll see you tomorrow with your updated weekend forecast!
Motorists traveling on Route 113 should expect traffic delays due to ongoing construction work that requires periodic lane closures in both the northbound and southbound directions.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that lanes will be intermittently closed along the stretch of highway between Oak Avenue and Avenue of Honor. These traffic restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect until 4:30 a.m.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone. The lane closures may cause temporary backups during peak travel periods.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have temporarily shut down Airport Road at the Nonesuch Creek crossing due to flooding conditions that have made the roadway impassable.
The closure affects the section of Airport Road that spans the creek, where rising water levels have created unsafe driving conditions for motorists.
DelDOT has not provided an estimated timeline for when the road will reopen, as conditions depend on water levels receding to safe levels.
Drivers in the area are advised to seek alternate routes and avoid the flooded section until further notice from transportation officials.
Officials at the Fulton County detention facility in Georgia have deployed specialized drone technology to prevent contraband from reaching incarcerated individuals. The aerial surveillance system is designed to stop unauthorized deliveries of prohibited materials to the jail population.
The drone equipment comes from Flock, a technology firm that has faced questions regarding the extent of its surveillance operations and monitoring capabilities.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Four astronauts who completed NASA’s historic return to lunar exploration shared positive feedback Thursday about their spacecraft’s capabilities, with particular emphasis on how well the heat shield functioned during their return to Earth.
During their initial press conference following their homecoming, the crew of three American astronauts and one Canadian team member expressed confidence that their successful lunar mission positions NASA well for achieving a crewed moon landing within the next two years and establishing a permanent lunar base. The astronauts spoke from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they are based.
The diverse crew included Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen, who departed from Florida on April 1 for NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
The team achieved a new distance record for human space travel, surpassing Apollo 13’s mark as they traveled around the moon’s far side. During their journey, they witnessed lunar features never before seen by human eyes and experienced the spectacular sight of a total lunar eclipse.
Their Orion spacecraft, which they christened “Integrity,” touched down safely in the Pacific Ocean last Friday, concluding their nearly 10-day mission. The crew’s return to Houston occurred on the 56th anniversary of Apollo 13’s launch.
According to Wiseman, he and Glover observed only minimal heat shield material loss during Integrity’s passage through the most intense phase of atmospheric reentry. After boarding the recovery vessel, they examined the capsule’s underside as thoroughly as possible, discovering slight charred material loss where the heat shield connects to the main capsule.
“For four humans just looking at the heat shield, it looked wonderful to us. It looked great, and that ride in was really amazing,” Wiseman said.
However, he emphasized that comprehensive analysis remains necessary. “We are going to fine-tooth comb every single, not even every molecule, probably every atom on this heat shield,” he said.
The heat shield from the initial unmanned Artemis test mission in 2022 returned with extensive damage that delayed Artemis II for months or potentially years. Rather than redesigning the shield, NASA modified the capsule’s reentry trajectory to reduce thermal stress. Upcoming capsules will feature an updated heat shield design.
Glover described the sensation when parachutes deployed just before ocean landing as feeling like free fall, comparing it to “diving backward off a skyscraper.” “That’s what it felt like for five seconds,” he said, noting that once the descent stabilized, “It was glorious.”
Following their return, all four crew members have undergone extensive medical evaluations to assess their balance, eyesight, muscle condition, coordination, and general health status. They also participated in spacesuit exercises under simulated lunar gravity conditions to evaluate the endurance and dexterity future moon explorers might possess upon landing.
NASA has already begun preparations for Artemis III, the subsequent phase in their ambitious lunar base development program. The launch platform returned Thursday to Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building for preparation of next year’s Artemis mission.
Artemis III, which has not yet received crew assignments, will orbit Earth while astronauts practice connecting their Orion capsule with lunar landing vehicles being developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.
Artemis IV is scheduled for 2028 according to NASA’s current timeline, with plans for two astronauts to land near the moon’s south pole.
NASA’s goal this time involves establishing a permanent lunar presence, unlike the brief Apollo missions. Twelve astronauts explored the moon’s surface during the Apollo era, starting with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969 and concluding with Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt in 1972.
Koch expressed that since their return, she and her teammates are “feeling even more excited and just ready to take that on as an agency.”
“We made it happen,” she added.
Hansen noted that achieving these ambitious goals will require accepting additional risks and trusting that future challenges can be resolved as they arise. “We’re not going to be able to pound everything flat before we go. We’re going to have to trust each other,” he said.
Despite their smooth mission experience, Hansen acknowledged that “it was also very clear to us that it can get pretty bumpy.” He emphasized that future crews must “understand it can get real bumpy real fast.”
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — April 16, 2026
DELMARVA — Spring planting season is in full swing across Delmarva, bringing increased farm equipment traffic to area roads. Tractors, combines, and other large machinery are moving between fields as farmers begin spring field prep and planting operations. Motorists and agricultural workers both need extra vigilance to prevent accidents as slow-moving equipment mixes with regular traffic.
Fire
19 fire departments battled a massive poultry house blaze yesterday afternoon in Harrington. The alarm came in at 3:15 p.m., bringing crews to Hayfield Road where 2 buildings, each measuring 60 feet by 500 feet, were fully engulfed. Flames spread to a storage facility and threatened nearby propane tanks. Firefighters brought it under control in about an hour but stayed on scene until 8:30 p.m. dousing hot spots.
Markets
Grain prices retreated today as the rally from Middle East tensions continues fading. Corn at Laurel Grain Company is bringing $4.99 a bushel for May delivery. Soybeans are $11.24.
Policy
At the national level, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called foreign purchases of U.S. farmland a significant security threat, particularly pointing to Chinese acquisitions.
Forecast
The area is finishing this afternoon near 79 degrees under partly sunny skies. Tonight drops to 61 with partly cloudy conditions. Tomorrow brings a chance of rain showers with highs around 74.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, April 16, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A new international assessment released Thursday reveals that while Haiti’s hunger crisis may be stabilizing slightly, rising fuel costs tied to Middle Eastern conflicts could quickly undo any progress in the Caribbean nation.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading global authority on food crises, projects that more than 5.83 million Haitians will experience severe hunger between March and June — representing over half the nation’s population. This marks a modest decrease from the earlier projection of 5.91 million people.
The report also indicates that approximately 1.9 million individuals are anticipated to endure emergency-level food shortages, down slightly from the previously estimated 2 million.
The organization attributed the marginal improvement to several factors: inflation declining from 32% to 22%, generally favorable winter growing conditions, and better road accessibility in certain regions.
Despite these developments, the authority emphasized that these limited improvements are “insufficient” to counter the overall pattern of severe food insecurity plaguing the nation.
“The outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have caused a major disruption to the global food system with direct implications for Haiti,” the report said.
The assessment also pointed to armed groups as contributors to the food emergency, noting that “violence continues to suffocate the Haitian economy and limit the transportation of goods and the movement of people, with many of the most vulnerable people forced to join armed actors in order to feed their families.”
Food insecurity is anticipated to deteriorate further after Haiti’s administration raised fuel prices in early April — increasing kerosene costs by 40%, diesel by 37%, and gasoline by 29% due to the continuing conflict.
The analysis emphasized that elevated fuel costs would affect transportation across the board and contribute to higher food prices.
The majority of those experiencing emergency hunger levels reside in Haiti’s northwest areas, including Artibonite, where criminal organizations have conducted devastating attacks over recent years, destroying communities and agricultural land.
“Fighting hunger is essential to restoring stability in Haiti. We cannot build peace if families cannot feed their children,” said Wanja Kaaria, World Food Program’s country director and representative in Haiti, who stressed the need for emergency food assistance and the rebuilding of local food systems.
Emergency-level hunger is also prevalent in impoverished areas of Haiti’s capital, which authorities say gangs now control 72% of, down from an estimated 90%.
The worsening food situation stems from gang violence that has forced a record 1.4 million people from their homes throughout Haiti. The assessment found that 70% of those living in displacement camps face high levels of food insecurity.
At an overcrowded and unsanitary shelter that formerly served as a school, 25-year-old Feguens Jean explained he would have little to eat Thursday due to poor weather conditions.
Jean makes money selling secondhand shoes to support himself and send money to his mother and sister in rural areas “for them to survive.” However, rainy conditions kept him from working.
“If I don’t sell, I don’t eat, which means today, what I have is very little to eat,” said Jean, who was studying to be a carpenter at a technical school but was forced to become a street vendor to support himself and his family.
Antony Joassainte, 40, lives among the hundreds of people in the overcrowded shelter with Jean. Though trained as a mason and plumber, he explained that employment is extremely difficult to find currently.
“Nobody is building anything,” said Joassainte, the father of two children, ages 11 and 13. “I find myself having to feed a family with nothing.”
He explained they depend primarily on bread.
“It’s cheaper,” he said. “We have one strong meal if we can; that might be rice and beans.”
Bernadette Toussaint, a 37-year-old mother of two boys, also worries about providing food.
She operates a small business selling rice, beans and chicken sauce, but with rising oil prices, she’s been forced to reduce her family’s meals.
“I cannot provide what I used to for my kids,” she said. “I don’t have a husband, and I have to depend on my business.”
The United States Treasury Department announced new financial penalties Thursday targeting two sons of Nicaragua’s ruling couple Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, along with various officials and businesses connected to the nation’s gold mining sector for supporting what Washington describes as an oppressive regime.
These financial restrictions represent part of President Donald Trump’s intensified approach toward hostile Latin American nations, marking some of the strongest U.S. pressure on the region in decades. Though Washington has consistently criticized Nicaragua for authoritarian practices, the Central American country had previously avoided the severe sanctions imposed on nations like Cuba and Venezuela.
The Nicaraguan administration has conducted an extensive campaign against opposition voices following widespread civil unrest in 2018, which authorities suppressed through violent means.
Maurice Ortega and Daniel Edmundo Ortega, both offspring of the co-ruling pair and government employees, represented the most prominent individuals affected by Thursday’s penalties, which the Treasury Department attributed to their governmental positions.
Nicaraguan authorities have not yet issued a response regarding the newly imposed sanctions.
Veteran political figure Ortega formally designated Murillo — his spouse and former deputy leader — as co-president twelve months ago. Political analysts interpreted this decision as an effort to strengthen the family dynasty’s control over Nicaragua while establishing a succession plan for their offspring.
Treasury officials stated Thursday that the additional sanctioned entities and individuals exploited corrupt practices within the gold mining sector to enrich government accounts. The department noted that several of those penalized participated in last year’s seizure of a mining operation that included American investments.
“The United States will not allow the illicit confiscation of American-owned assets and will continue to target revenue streams that empower the corrupt Murillo-Ortega regime,” U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement.
United Nations specialists reported last month that Nicaragua’s administration employs corruption as a mechanism to fund widespread political suppression and maintain authority.
The Nicaraguan government has also detained political opponents, religious figures, media professionals and others, subsequently forcing them into exile while revoking hundreds of citizens’ nationality and property rights. Since 2018, authorities have closed over 5,000 organizations, predominantly religious institutions, and compelled thousands to leave the country.
Government officials frequently claim that critics and targeted organizations operate on behalf of the United States and other adversaries to weaken their authority.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pushing an international campaign to replace traditional foreign assistance with private sector investment, drawing sharp criticism from United Nations officials and former diplomats who warn the approach could harm the world’s most vulnerable people.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American diplomats worldwide to secure support for the “Trade Over Aid Initiative” from foreign government leaders by Monday, according to a diplomatic message obtained by The Associated Press. The proposal will be officially presented at the UN by the end of April.
The administration’s plan encourages UN member countries to implement business-friendly changes to their assistance programs by fostering dialogue between governments, private companies and international groups. The initiative promotes free-market policies designed to attract foreign investment, including minimal regulations, reduced taxes, diverse energy options, protection of private property, contract enforcement and reliable court systems.
“The idea that trade and free market capitalism is the surest path to prosperity has been proven by the facts and by history,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. “The U.S. remains the most generous country in the history of the world, but those arguing for ‘aid not trade’ are really arguing for lining the pockets of a corrupt NGO industrial complex.”
While countries wouldn’t be legally bound by signing onto the proposal, their participation would signal international sentiment on global aid challenges as major donors including the United States and United Kingdom have reduced humanitarian funding while boosting military spending.
UN officials and international organizations view this latest development as another step away from established aid systems during a time of escalating global conflicts, potentially opening doors for exploitation by profit-seeking corporations.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized the organization’s commitment to achieving its sustainable development goals by 2030, which encompass eliminating poverty, promoting gender equality and addressing climate change urgently.
“For us, trade, investment, and private sector engagement can be powerful drivers of inclusive growth and job creation,” Dujarric told AP. “They should, however, not be used to substitute international development cooperation or for principled humanitarian assistance.”
Eric Pelofsky, a former State Department official under Presidents Obama and Bush who now works at the Rockefeller Foundation, strongly condemned the initiative.
“There’s no American who looks at a picture of a starving child and sees an opportunity for companies to enrich themselves,” Pelofsky stated. “That’s because Americans have historically run to the fire to help rather than looking for ways to sell fire hoses to those suffering. This approach betrays America’s traditions, values, and national security interests — and it makes us less safe.”
This initiative continues the Trump administration’s pattern of withdrawing from international cooperative organizations since taking office in January 2025. The administration has halted support for the World Health Organization, UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO, while also eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The administration now takes a selective approach to UN funding, choosing to support only operations and agencies that align with Trump’s priorities while avoiding those deemed contrary to American interests.
In December, American officials committed $2 billion for UN humanitarian programs — significantly less than previous contributions but still maintaining the country’s position as the world’s largest humanitarian donor, according to the administration.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Four astronauts who completed NASA’s groundbreaking return to lunar exploration offered glowing reviews of their spacecraft Thursday, particularly highlighting how well the heat shield performed during their journey back to Earth.
During their initial press conference since touching down, the international crew of three Americans and one Canadian expressed confidence that their successful moon flyby significantly advances NASA’s timeline for putting astronauts on the lunar surface within two years and establishing a permanent lunar outpost. The astronauts addressed media from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Mission Commander Reid Wiseman, along with pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen, departed Florida on April 1 aboard what became NASA’s first crewed lunar expedition in more than five decades and the most diverse crew ever assembled for such a mission.
The team achieved a new human spaceflight distance record, surpassing Apollo 13’s mark as they traveled around the moon’s far side, where lighting conditions allowed them to observe lunar features never before seen by human eyes. A total lunar eclipse during their voyage added to the spectacular experience.
Their Orion spacecraft, christened “Integrity” by the crew, safely descended by parachute into Pacific waters last Friday, concluding their nearly 10-day expedition. The crew’s return to Houston the following day marked exactly 56 years since Apollo 13’s launch.
According to Wiseman, he and Glover observed “maybe saw two moments of a touch of char loss” from the heat shield during Integrity’s descent through the most intense phase of reentry. After boarding the recovery vessel, they examined the capsule’s underside as thoroughly as possible, discovering minor charred material loss where the heat shield connects to the main capsule.
“For four humans just looking at the heat shield, it looked wonderful to us. It looked great, and that ride in was really amazing,” Wiseman stated.
However, he emphasized that comprehensive analysis remains ahead. “We are going to fine-tooth comb every single, not even every molecule, probably every atom on this heat shield,” he explained.
The heat shield from the unmanned 2022 Artemis test mission returned so severely damaged that it delayed Artemis II by several months or potentially years. Rather than redesigning the shield, NASA modified the capsule’s reentry trajectory to reduce thermal stress. Upcoming capsules will feature updated heat shield technology.
Glover described the sensation when parachutes deployed just before ocean landing as feeling like freefall — comparable to “diving backward off a skyscraper.” “That’s what it felt like for five seconds,” he recalled, noting that once the descent stabilized, “It was glorious.”
Following their return, all four crew members have undergone extensive medical evaluations examining their balance, eyesight, muscle condition, coordination, and general health status. They also tested spacewalking equipment under simulated lunar gravity conditions — one-sixth of Earth’s gravity — to assess how future moon explorers might perform immediately after landing.
NASA has already begun preparations for Artemis III, the subsequent phase in its ambitious lunar base development program. The launch platform returned Thursday to Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building for preparation ahead of next year’s Artemis mission.
Artemis III, which has not yet received crew assignments, will orbit Earth while astronauts practice connecting their Orion capsule with lunar landing vehicles being developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin companies.
Artemis IV is scheduled for 2028 according to NASA’s current timeline, featuring two astronauts landing near the moon’s south polar region.
NASA seeks to establish a lasting lunar presence this time, contrasting with the brief Apollo missions. Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during the Apollo era, starting with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969 and concluding with Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt in 1972.
Koch expressed that since returning, she and her teammates are “feeling even more excited and just ready to take that on as an agency.”
“We made it happen,” she added.
Hansen noted that achieving these ambitious goals will require accepting increased risks and trusting that unexpected challenges can be resolved in real time. “We’re not going to be able to pound everything flat before we go. We’re going to have to trust each other,” he said.
Despite their smooth mission experience, “it was also very clear to us that it can get pretty bumpy,” Hansen observed. Future crews must “understand it can get real bumpy real fast.”
NEW YORK — A distinguished newspaper editor who previously led The Washington Post has delivered pointed criticism of today’s media landscape, warning that journalists are losing their shared ethical foundation.
Marty Baron, who also served as editor at The Boston Globe and The Miami Herald, delivered his concerns during a keynote speech at New York University’s journalism awards ceremony on Wednesday. Baron warned that the news industry risks adopting a “to each his own” approach to ethics rather than maintaining unified standards.
“We will be doing ourselves no favors if that turns out to be the case,” Baron stated. “All of us will likely be tainted by the worst practices of any one of us.”
During the ceremony, NYU recognized The Associated Press for its “unyielding defense of ethical standards and principles” after the news organization refused to alter its style guidelines when President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico. The AP is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the White House over restricted access, with the case pending before an appeals court.
The university also recognized The Atlantic for its transparent reporting when its editor was accidentally added to communications between Trump administration officials and military personnel, along with student journalists from NYU, Stanford, and the University of Texas at Dallas.
Baron acknowledged he might appear preachy but expressed deep concern that journalists cannot find common ground on ethical principles. He advocated for “seeking the truth with humility” as the profession’s guiding principle.
While Baron highlighted exemplary journalism, including Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Knight Ridder’s pre-Iraq War coverage from over twenty years ago, he focused primarily on troubling trends he’s observed.
He specifically targeted CBS News leadership under Paramount Global executive David Ellison and his selection of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Paramount is currently seeking Trump administration approval for its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which would also place CNN under its control. Ellison has promised editorial independence for both CBS News and potentially CNN.
Baron took issue with Ellison’s stated goal of targeting Americans who consider themselves politically center-left or center-right, describing this demographic as the country’s majority. “That is a political goal. It is not a journalistic one,” Baron declared.
He argued that news organizations following such guidelines “are fated to compromise ethics when a rock-solid story moving toward publication is deemed to fall outside the designated political comfort zone.” CBS News did not provide immediate response to requests for comment.
The perceived relationship between Ellison and the Trump administration has influenced how observers view CBS News coverage. Critics pointed to the network’s February reporting on ICE arrests during immigration enforcement actions, where initial reports emphasized that 40% of arrestees had no criminal background and only 14% faced violent crime charges or convictions — contradicting administration claims about targeting the “worst of the worst.” Later CBS Evening News coverage shifted focus to highlight that 60% of arrestees did have criminal histories.
CBS News has also drawn attention for extending invitations to Trump administration officials for its table at the upcoming White House Correspondents Association dinner. While such invitations are standard practice across news outlets at the event, they’re receiving heightened scrutiny given the administration’s media criticism.
Baron also condemned “cable networks that function as mouthpieces and bullhorns for the administration, who routinely funnel on-air personalities into its top positions and who supply them with lucrative landing spots when they exit. These outlets render themselves largely indistinguishable from the governments they are supposed to cover.”
His comments preceded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Thursday criticism of journalists from his Pentagon podium. The former Fox News Channel personality accused reporters of “only looking for the negative” in Iran war coverage, comparing them to biblical Pharisees who doubted Christ’s miracles.
“Your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors,” Hegseth declared Thursday.
Baron criticized media personalities across the political spectrum who view everything through partisan filters, consult only sources who confirm their beliefs, and use isolated facts to support broad conclusions. “This is an outrage and advocacy industry,” he stated, “not a fact-finding profession.”
He also suggested many journalists failed their professional duty regarding former President Biden’s cognitive and physical challenges during his presidency. Baron stepped down from The Washington Post in January 2021, shortly after Biden assumed office.
“Did some among us shy from aggressively exploring his intellectual and physical health for fear of aiding Donald Trump’s campaign and alienating loyal readers, viewers and listeners?” Baron questioned. “My guess is yes. If so, would that be an ethical breakdown in our profession? Again, I’d say yes.”
Drivers traveling on Churchmans Road in New Castle County should prepare for overnight lane restrictions as bridge repair work gets underway.
DelDOT officials say crews will implement intermittent closures of either the left or right lane near Iroquois Court while conducting concrete patching work on the bridge deck spanning the Christina River. Traffic control personnel will manage the flow of vehicles through the construction zone.
The repair operations are scheduled to take place during nighttime hours between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM, running Monday through Friday. Work began on Monday, April 6th and is expected to wrap up by Friday, May 1st, with DelDOT extending the original completion timeline.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when driving through the work zone during the specified hours.
Reed Hastings, the co-founder and chairman of Netflix, will step away from the streaming giant he helped create nearly three decades ago when his term expires in June.
The company announced Thursday in a letter to shareholders that Hastings will not seek re-election at the upcoming annual meeting, choosing instead to dedicate his time to charitable work and other ventures.
Netflix emphasized in its 14-page investor communication that the company’s core objective stays “ambitious and unchanged” — delivering entertainment globally through movies and series that appeal to diverse audiences, cultures, and languages.
The streaming service recently benefited from a $2.8 billion termination payment following the collapse of a major deal involving Warner Bros movie studio and HBO, though officials have not disclosed specific plans for those funds. This windfall helped boost earnings per share to $1.23 in the latest quarter, nearly doubling the 66-cent figure from the same period last year.
First-quarter revenue reached $12.25 billion, marking a 16% jump from the previous year and slightly surpassing Wall Street projections of $12.18 billion.
Having previously described the Warner Bros acquisition as a “nice to have, not need to have” opportunity to investors, Netflix outlined several areas for future expansion.
The company highlighted its growing investments in diverse entertainment formats, including video podcasts and live programming such as Japan’s World Baseball Classic coverage, which are driving increased viewer engagement. Netflix plans to leverage advanced technology to enhance user experience and boost revenue generation, with advertising income projected to double and reach $3 billion by 2026.
Motorists traveling on Moonlight Court are experiencing periodic lane restrictions today as construction crews work along the roadway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the lane closures are affecting the stretch of Moonlight Court between Abbey Road and the cul-de-sac. The construction-related traffic restrictions are expected to remain in place until 5:30 PM this evening.
Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible while the work continues.
NEW YORK — Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout delivered another thunderous blast at Yankee Stadium Thursday, launching his fifth home run across the four-game series with a towering 446-foot shot in the seventh inning.
The slugging outfielder became just the fourth player in baseball history to connect for five home runs during a single series against the Yankees, joining an exclusive group that includes Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985), and George Bell (1990), according to MLB statistics expert Sarah Langs. Trout’s power surge began Monday with two home runs, followed by additional long balls in each of the next two contests.
During Thursday’s series conclusion, the three-time Most Valuable Player launched a 2-2 slider from Yankees reliever Angel Chivilli deep into the left field bleachers, propelling the Angels to their 7-4 advantage.
Throughout the four-game stretch, Trout posted impressive numbers with six hits in 16 at-bats, collecting nine runs batted in alongside his five home runs. His hot streak at the Bronx ballpark now extends to five consecutive games with a homer.
For the season, Trout maintains a .246 batting average with seven home runs and 16 RBIs. During the Angels’ current road swing, he’s batting .333 with nine hits in 27 at-bats, driving in 13 runs with five homers after implementing a mechanical adjustment to his swing.
Trout’s personal record for consecutive games with home runs stands at seven, which he accomplished during a stretch from September 4-12 in 2022.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. returned to Capitol Hill Thursday for his first congressional appearance since September, facing intense scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over proposed budget reductions exceeding 12% for his department.
During his appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee, which marks the beginning of seven budget hearings scheduled for the coming week, Kennedy highlighted the administration’s efforts to overhaul dietary guidelines and eliminate wasteful spending.
Committee Republicans welcomed Kennedy as a “breath of fresh air” and invited him to discuss his department’s recent initiatives. However, Democrats, who have criticized Kennedy’s extensive restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pursued a more confrontational approach.
Democratic members challenged Kennedy on what they characterized as administrative inconsistencies regarding fraud prevention, questioned his rationale for program budget reductions, and criticized his decision to scale back vaccine promotion efforts, which they argued has led to preventable fatalities.
Kennedy responded forcefully, frequently elevating his voice while accusing Democratic representatives of distorting his record and previous public statements.
A particularly tense moment occurred when Rep. Linda Sanchez of California confronted Kennedy about recent measles cases nationwide and questioned his role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s decision to reduce pro-vaccination public communications.
“As a mother, this horrifies me,” Sanchez said. “Did President Trump approve your decision to end CDC’s pro-vaccine public messaging campaign?”
Kennedy consistently avoided providing a direct response, stating he first wanted to address the “misstatements that you’ve made” and subsequently defending the Trump administration’s measles prevention efforts, despite declining vaccination rates in certain regions.
“That’s not answering my question,” Sanchez said as the two talked over each other.
However, Sanchez managed to get Kennedy, who was known as an anti-vaccine advocate before entering government, to concede that vaccination might have prevented the death of a 6-year-old Texas child who died from measles last year.
“Do you agree with the majority of doctors that the measles vaccine could have saved that child’s life in Texas?” she asked.
“It’s possible, certainly,” Kennedy said.
Another confrontation developed between Kennedy and Alabama Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell when Kennedy strongly disputed making statements he had actually made in 2024.
The remarks originated during Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Speaking on the “High Level Conversations” podcast last July, he said, “Psychiatric drugs — which every Black kid is now just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence, and those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented to live in a community where there’ll be no cellphones, no screens, you’ll actually have to talk to people.”
“Have you ever re-parented, or parented, I should say, a Black child?” Sewell asked, as her staff held up a poster featuring an abbreviated version of the quote.
“I don’t even know what that phrase means,” Kennedy said. “I’m not going to answer something I didn’t say.”
“You’re making stuff up,” he later claimed.
Podcast recordings confirm he made these statements while discussing proposed free rehabilitation centers he planned to establish in rural locations nationwide.
HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard explained that Kennedy, before joining the administration, was describing environments where young people experiencing isolation, mental health issues and hopelessness could receive re-parenting, which she defined as a psychotherapy concept for “developing the emotional regulation, discipline, boundaries, and self-worth that may not have been established in childhood.”
Kennedy, who spent most of his career as a Democrat and comes from one of America’s most prominent political dynasties, found himself at odds with his former party throughout the hearing. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers opened their remarks by acknowledging their respect for Kennedy’s family members, including former President John F. Kennedy.
The deteriorating relationship between Kennedy and his previous political allies was evident as bitter exchanges continued throughout Thursday’s session.
The health secretary became increasingly defensive and visibly frustrated, repeatedly criticizing Democratic committee members for not allowing him adequate response time.
“They’ve all shut me up,” Kennedy said at one point. “They give a little speech that they can go and market, you know, for fundraising, and they don’t allow me to answer the question.”
Occasionally, interactions remained respectful. Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore employed humor to maintain civility.
“I promise to give you easy, comfortable questions if you don’t yell at me and hurt my feelings,” she told Kennedy. He promised he wouldn’t.
NEW YORK — An emerging aviation fuel crisis in Europe and Asia, triggered by the ongoing Iran conflict and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, threatens to severely disrupt international air travel in the coming weeks, potentially causing increased ticket prices and canceled flights just as summer vacation season begins.
During an exclusive interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Fatih Birol, who leads the International Energy Agency, warned that European nations have “maybe six weeks” of aviation fuel reserves remaining and described the situation as the world’s “largest energy crisis.”
Typically, various European nations maintain jet fuel stockpiles lasting several months, based on a recent IEA analysis.
Aviation fuel — a kerosene-derived petroleum product — represents airlines’ largest expense, accounting for approximately 30% of total operating costs, data from the International Air Transport Association shows. Since the conflict started, aviation fuel costs have approximately doubled, with potential shortages looming.
“Each day the Strait of Hormuz stays closed brings Europe nearer to fuel shortages,” explained Amaar Khan, who oversees European aviation fuel pricing at Argus Media. “This waterway handles roughly 40% of Europe’s jet fuel imports, yet no aviation fuel has transited the strait since hostilities began.”
Aviation industry leaders have responded cautiously, recognizing possible fuel challenges while attempting to calm passenger concerns. However, several carriers have already transferred expenses to travelers through increased baggage charges and other service fees, higher ticket costs, or additional fuel surcharges.
Some airlines have begun reducing flight schedules. Industry analysts predict other aspects of air service — including route flexibility and scheduling options — will likely face impacts.
Aviation fuel originates from crude oil processing at refineries that also produce gasoline and diesel fuel.
Airlines typically purchase jet fuel from refineries or fuel suppliers, comparable to motorists buying gas at stations, but on a vastly larger commercial scale. The fuel moves via tanker ships and pipeline systems before being stored by airlines at airport facilities.
Individual airlines handle their own fuel procurement. When regional supplies dwindle, this doesn’t automatically mean all flights will cease. Some carriers may maintain larger reserves than competitors.
However, available flights will likely carry premium pricing that reflects elevated fuel expenses.
Major airlines possess advantages during regional shortages due to their financial capacity to manage high costs, noted Jacques Rousseau, managing director at financial consultancy Clearview Energy Partners.
Currently, multiple European countries are operating with fewer than 20 days of fuel coverage, this week’s IEA analysis revealed. Reserve levels haven’t dropped below 29 days since 2020, the assessment noted.
Should supplies fall under 23 days, actual shortages may develop at certain airports, leading to flight cancellations and reduced travel demand, the report cautioned.
Asia-Pacific nations depend most heavily on Middle Eastern oil and jet fuel imports, with Europe ranking second, Rousseau stated.
While European refineries produce most of the continent’s jet fuel, approximately 20-25% of normal supply has vanished due to the war, Rousseau explained.
To address some shortfalls, America has dramatically boosted jet fuel exports to Europe, shipping roughly 150,000 barrels daily in April — six times typical volumes, Rousseau reported.
Jet fuel availability poses less concern in the United States, a significant oil producer, he noted.
“I tell my kids … we’re not so much going to run out of supply,” Rousseau stated. “It’s just going to cost more here, whereas in different parts of the world you could actually get to a point where there’s just no fuel.”
The global market is losing 10 million to 15 million oil barrels daily because of the Strait of Hormuz closure, said Pavel Molchanov, senior investment strategist at Raymond James & Associates.
“There are exactly the same refineries in exactly the same places in Asia and Europe, but if there is not enough oil for those refineries to operate, it’s going to lead to physical supply disruption,” he explained.
Despite the IEA releasing 400 million barrels from member nations’ emergency stockpiles, this won’t provide immediate relief, he added.
“It could take until the end of the year to get all of those barrels onto the market,” he said.
Christopher Anderson, who teaches operations, technology and information management at Cornell University, advised travelers to expect more than simply higher ticket prices.
“This is no longer just a fuel-price story. For airlines, it is now a network-planning story,” he explained. “Higher fuel costs matter, but so do longer routings, reduced scheduling flexibility and greater uncertainty about what demand will look like even a few weeks out.”
Passengers may encounter “a market with later booking patterns, more schedule volatility and fewer low-fare options if this disruption lasts into the core summer season,” he predicted.
Dutch carrier KLM and British budget airline easyJet informed AP they weren’t currently facing fuel shortages, declining further comment on the IEA’s alert.
Nevertheless, both carriers are among those experiencing increased costs impacting their finances.
Thursday, KLM announced plans to eliminate 160 flights next month — roughly 1% of its European route network. The carrier blamed “rising kerosene costs” and stated some flights are “no longer financially viable to operate.”
In Thursday’s financial update, EasyJet projected a pretax loss between 540 million and 560 million pounds (approximately $731 million to $758 million) for the first half of fiscal 2026. However, CEO Kenton Jarvis reported strong overall demand — highlighting that Easter travel marked easyJet’s busiest holiday period ever.
Lufthansa announced Thursday that labor conflicts and elevated fuel prices are compelling it to immediately close feeder airline CityLine ahead of schedule and retire its 27 older, less efficient aircraft. This decision accelerates a closure originally planned for next year.
American carrier Delta Air Lines — which operates frequent European routes — stated Thursday it was “aware of the potential jet fuel supply issue” on the continent and monitoring developments. Delta, which purchased a Philadelphia refinery in 2012 to control its largest expense, said it anticipates no “near-term impact to our operations.”
Additional airlines have raised concerns about climbing fuel costs, with some already transferring new expenses to travelers through ticket prices and additional fees.
American carriers Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have all raised checked baggage charges recently.
United CEO Scott Kirby warned staff in a recent communication that sustained high fuel prices could add $11 billion in yearly expenses. “For perspective,” Kirby noted, “in United’s best year ever, we made less than $5B.”
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific recently increased fuel surcharges by approximately 34% across all destinations, while Air India imposed up to $280 in additional fees on certain flights this month. Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM have similarly modified charges or fares to address price fluctuations.
A special recognition ceremony took place today at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, where three farming families were honored for their remarkable dedication to agriculture spanning more than 100 years.
These families were formally welcomed into the Delaware Century Farm Program, which was created in 1987 to recognize farming families who have maintained ownership and actively worked their land for at least a century.
The ceremony celebrated not only the agricultural achievements of these families but also their role in preserving Delaware’s rich farming traditions and heritage. Each family represents generations of commitment to working the same land, creating lasting legacies of cultivation and stewardship.
The Delaware Century Farm Program serves as an important recognition of the state’s agricultural roots and honors families who have contributed to maintaining the First State’s farming culture through multiple generations.
For the second year in a row, Goldey-Beacom College’s esports program has secured its spot in the Valorant National Esports Collegiate Conferences Tournament.
The Lightning’s qualification comes on the heels of an impressive season that saw the college claim three Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship titles across different esports competitions.
This back-to-back national tournament appearance demonstrates the continued growth and success of Goldey-Beacom’s competitive gaming program as collegiate esports continues to expand nationwide.
More than twelve years after a deadly shooting in a Wilmington neighborhood, New Castle County Police continue their search for answers in the killing of a young man.
Jalil Johnson, age 22, lost his life on April 16, 2012, in what remains an open homicide investigation. The fatal incident occurred at 33 North Cannon Drive in the Edgemoor Gardens community.
Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene around 6:50 that morning after receiving an emergency call directing them to the unit block of North Cannon Drive. The case has since been classified as a cold case homicide, with investigators still working to identify those responsible for Johnson’s death.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about this unsolved murder to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s killing in the Edgemoor Gardens area.
The University of Delaware baseball squad is set to make the journey to Middle Tennessee State University for a Conference USA weekend series matchup.
The Blue Hens will face the Blue Raiders in what promises to be a crucial conference road series for Delaware’s baseball program. The team will be looking to continue building momentum in Conference USA play during their visit to Tennessee.
This weekend series represents another opportunity for the Blue Hens to compete against conference opposition away from home as they work through their Conference USA schedule.
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo — Denis Sassou N’Guesso officially began another five-year presidential term Thursday during an inauguration ceremony held at a crowded stadium in the Central African nation.
The swearing-in event occurred in Kintélé, located north of Brazzaville, the country’s capital.
The president secured reelection in March after capturing 94.8% of votes cast, continuing his four-decade leadership of the petroleum-wealthy nation. His competition included six lesser-known challengers.
During his inauguration address, Sassou N’Guesso pledged he would not “betray the people who mobilized to honor him and reaffirm their support.”
The nation faces significant economic challenges, including an extremely high debt-to-GDP ratio — a measurement comparing national debt to total economic production — along with rising unemployment among young people, according to World Bank data.
Among African leaders, Sassou N’Guesso holds the third-longest tenure in power, trailing only Paul Biya of Cameroon and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. Constitutional changes approved through a 2015 referendum eliminated both age restrictions and term limits for the presidency, enabling Sassou N’Guesso to continue seeking office.
COTONOU, Benin (AP) — The Constitutional Court in Benin has officially validated the landslide presidential victory of Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni following the West African nation’s weekend voting.
The 49-year-old Wadagni, who served as a close ally to departing President Patrice Talon, secured an overwhelming 94.27% of ballots cast in Sunday’s election. His challenger Paul Hounkpè managed to capture just 5.73% of the vote. Court officials reported that 63.57% of eligible voters participated in the election. The losing candidate has a five-day window to submit any challenges before officials announce the final outcome.
Political observers had anticipated Wadagni’s decisive victory, largely due to backing from Talon, who is stepping down after a decade in power. Critics have alleged that Talon systematically weakened opposition forces in the lead-up to the voting.
The leader of the main opposition Democrats party, Renaud Agbodjo, found himself barred from the race after failing to obtain required legislative endorsement under recently enacted regulations that critics claim were crafted to limit competitive candidates.
The incoming president will face significant challenges, including rising militant activity in Benin’s northern territories. The previous year saw an unsuccessful military coup attempt targeting Talon’s government.
A traffic accident has forced the closure of two right lanes on westbound Delaware Route 273, creating potential delays for commuters in the area.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the crash has blocked traffic flow in the right lanes of DE-273 westbound. Emergency crews are currently working at the scene to clear the roadway.
Drivers traveling on this route should anticipate slower traffic conditions and may want to consider using alternative routes until the situation is resolved. DelDOT has not yet provided an estimated time for when the lanes will reopen.
This is a developing situation, and motorists are advised to exercise caution when traveling through the area.
Minnesota prosecutors have filed criminal assault charges against a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in connection with incidents that occurred during a massive immigration enforcement operation earlier this year.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the charges during a press conference on April 16, 2026, in Minneapolis. According to county officials, this marks the first time criminal charges have been brought against a federal immigration agent related to the large-scale crackdown that brought thousands of federal officers into Minnesota.
The enforcement operation, which took place in February, has drawn significant scrutiny after resulting in the fatal shootings of two American citizens during the widespread immigration raids.
County officials did not immediately release additional details about the specific assault allegations or the identity of the charged ICE agent. The case represents a rare instance of state prosecutors pursuing criminal charges against federal law enforcement personnel.
The Delaware State Housing Authority announced Tuesday a comprehensive overhaul of its home mortgage assistance program, introducing new loan options and expanded financial support for prospective homeowners.
Officials revealed the updated Delaware Mortgage Program will maintain its competitive interest rates while broadening assistance opportunities for down payments and closing costs, specifically targeting households with low to moderate incomes.
The housing authority’s announcement, made on April 16, 2026, from Dover, highlighted the program’s rebrand alongside the introduction of additional loan products designed to provide increased flexibility for first-time homebuyers.
The enhanced mortgage lending initiative represents DSHA’s effort to make homeownership more accessible across Delaware by expanding the range of financial assistance available to qualifying families.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Following a devastating electoral defeat that terminated his decade-and-a-half grip on power, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Thursday that his Fidesz party must undergo thorough restructuring.
The shocking Sunday election results granted Orbán’s center-right challenger, Péter Magyar of the Tisza party, a commanding two-thirds parliamentary majority. The magnitude of this defeat has sparked questions about whether Orbán might step down from his party leadership role, which he has maintained almost continuously since the early 1990s.
Speaking during a Thursday interview on a pro-Orbán YouTube program, the embattled leader acknowledged that “a political era has ended,” while indicating he plans to remain involved in rebuilding his party’s foundation.
“It is more than having to change one position or two. We are in a situation where, in its former form, the right-wing community cannot continue to exist. A complete renewal is required,” he said.
The election outcome represents a dramatic setback for Orbán, who maintains close relationships with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He acknowledged the defeat following what he described as a “painful” electoral outcome.
Magyar, once a loyal Orbán supporter who focused his campaign on anti-corruption measures and practical concerns including healthcare and transportation infrastructure, has committed to restoring Hungary’s damaged relationships with the European Union and NATO.
The incoming leader is pushing for a swift transition of authority. After meeting privately with Hungary’s president Wednesday, Magyar informed journalists that the new Parliament’s opening session, where his prime ministerial election appears likely, will probably occur on May 6 or 7.
During Thursday’s interview, Orbán described election night as an “emotional roller coaster,” revealing he experienced “pain and emptiness” following the loss.
“I too thought that we were going to win. There were so many of us everywhere,” he said.
Despite the defeat, Orbán emphasized that his party maintains significant support, noting that approximately 2.4 million Hungarians voted for Fidesz in the nation of 9.5 million residents.
“Let’s not act like the whole country rejected our government,” he said.
SEATTLE — The Chinese government is warning its citizens to stay away from Seattle’s main airport, claiming U.S. border officials are systematically harassing Chinese travelers.
China Consular Affairs reported on social media that approximately 20 Chinese academics holding valid visas were recently turned away at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport despite traveling to participate in an educational conference. The officials described the border inspection process as “unreasonable” and said the scholars were unjustly denied entry into the country.
Representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., and the Chinese consulate in San Francisco were contacted Thursday for additional details and responses to the allegations.
Due to what they describe as ongoing harassment of Chinese academics at the facility, China’s foreign ministry and embassy are now advising their citizens to prioritize safety when considering U.S. travel and to bypass the Seattle airport entirely, according to their social media statement.
Chinese officials also recommended that their nationals familiarize themselves thoroughly with American entry requirements before traveling.
“If you encounter questioning from U.S. enforcement personnel, you should deal with it calmly and rationally,” the translated social media post advised.
According to 2019 data from the Pew Research Center, the Seattle metropolitan region housed approximately 166,000 Chinese residents, making it the nation’s sixth-largest Chinese population center.
WASHINGTON — Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, is expected to encounter intense scrutiny regarding his extensive financial portfolio during his upcoming Senate Banking Committee hearing next week.
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the committee, revealed to reporters following a Thursday meeting with Warsh that she had pressed him to reveal additional details about his assets beyond what appeared in this week’s financial disclosure documents. The former Fed official and wealthy investor reported financial holdings exceeding $100 million, though exact amounts remain unclear due to range-based reporting requirements.
The nominee maintains significant positions in multiple investment funds and operates his own financial advisory business, Vicarage LLC. While Warsh has committed in ethics documents to divest these holdings and cease advisory work upon confirmation as Fed chair, he has not revealed the complete value of his fund investments or identified certain clients.
“This is a real problem,” Warren stated. “No one has gone forward in the Trump administration without disclosing fully their financial holdings.”
This represents another obstacle for the 55-year-old Warsh, who already confronts an unusually challenging confirmation process for the Fed chairmanship he has pursued for over ten years. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also a Banking Committee member, announced this week his opposition to Warsh’s nomination until a Justice Department probe involving current Fed Chair Jerome Powell concludes. This impasse could push back Warsh’s confirmation beyond Powell’s May 15 term expiration.
Should Warsh gain confirmation, he will likely encounter continued pressure from Trump to lower the Fed’s benchmark interest rate, even as the Iran conflict drives inflation upward and fellow policymakers question rate reductions. He might also serve alongside Powell, who would remain on the Fed’s governing board—an awkward situation not seen since the 1940s.
Warsh served on the Fed’s governing board between 2006 and 2011 and is wed to Jane Lauder, whose father is billionaire cosmetics magnate Ronald Lauder, a prominent Republican contributor. His financial background includes earning approximately $10 million as an advisor to billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller’s family office, his disclosure documents show.
Warren reported that Warsh refused during their discussion to provide additional information about his holdings, “which, frankly, raises more concerns.” She characterized his extensive investment portfolio as “a red flag surrounded by fireworks and sparklers.”
In his disclosures, Warsh cited “pre-existing confidentiality” agreements as preventing him from specifying individual holding sizes or, in some instances, their nature. He owns a position in Polymarket, the prediction betting platform, without indicating its size. He pledged to meet all ethics requirements by divesting these investments if confirmed.
Also Thursday, all eleven Banking Committee Democrats requested postponing next week’s hearing until the Justice Department ends its investigation into cost overruns for a $2.5 billion Fed building renovation project and Powell’s involvement, plus Trump’s attempt to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook.
Both actions “appear to be part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to take control of the Fed,” their letter stated.
The federal government has pulled more than $73.5 million in funding from New York State after officials there declined to cancel approximately 33,000 problematic commercial driving permits held by immigrants, the Transportation Department announced Thursday.
Federal auditors discovered that over half of 200 licenses they examined contained serious issues, including permits that stayed active well beyond the time when immigrants had legal permission to remain in the United States. Following these findings, New York was directed to examine all similar licenses and eliminate those issued illegally.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a nationwide examination of these specialized non-domiciled commercial licenses following a deadly August collision in Florida that claimed three lives. While most states have either followed federal directives or entered into discussions with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, California has forfeited $200 million in funding. Pennsylvania, Minnesota and North Carolina have received warnings about potential funding cuts.
“I promised the American people I would hold any state leader accountable for failing to keep them safe from unvetted, unqualified foreign drivers. I’m delivering on that promise today,” Duffy said.
According to Duffy, immigrants make up roughly 20% of the nation’s truck drivers, though these special non-domiciled permits represent only about 5% of all commercial driving licenses nationwide, totaling around 200,000 drivers. New York had issued 32,606 such licenses.
New York state leaders have stood by their licensing procedures, arguing they follow federal regulations and pointing to audits conducted during the previous Trump presidency that validated their practices. This licensing dispute represents the most recent clash between federal authorities and New York and New Jersey officials regarding transportation funding. Duffy previously froze $18 billion designated for a subway expansion and Hudson River tunnel project in August. He has also warned of funding cuts if New York maintains its congestion pricing program in New York City or fails to address subway crime.
Sean Butler, a spokesman for Governor Kathy Hochul, characterized the commercial license action as part of a broader campaign targeting Democratic-led states.
“This continues a yearlong pattern of Secretary Duffy threatening to withhold money that keeps our roads, subways, and other infrastructure safe for New Yorkers. We will fight back, and once again we will win,” Butler said.
Transportation industry organizations have applauded the department’s initiatives to remove unqualified drivers from highways, shut down questionable driving schools, and pursue trucking companies that break regulations and then simply rebrand themselves to continue operations. Industry representatives argue that too many drivers lacking proper qualifications or English language skills have been permitted to operate 80,000-pound commercial vehicles.
However, immigrant advocacy organizations contend that some drivers are facing unfair targeting. Sikh truckers have faced particular scrutiny following the Florida incident and another fatal crash in California in October, both involving Sikh drivers.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday his selection of Erica Schwartz, who previously served as deputy surgeon general, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump praised his nominee in a social media announcement, calling Schwartz “incredibly talented” and declaring, “She is a STAR!”
The federal health agency, headquartered in Atlanta and responsible for safeguarding Americans against preventable health risks, has experienced significant leadership instability since Trump’s return to the presidency over a year ago, cycling through multiple temporary directors.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. oversees the agency and had initially pledged to maintain current vaccination schedules. However, after assuming his role, Kennedy announced plans to examine childhood vaccination protocols and attempted major changes to pediatric vaccine guidelines. A federal judge recently halted some of these initiatives.
The administration’s initial choice for CDC leadership was former Florida Representative Dr. David Weldon, but his scheduled March 2025 Senate confirmation hearing was abruptly cancelled just one hour beforehand. Weldon explained he was informed that insufficient senators supported his nomination.
The White House subsequently turned to Susan Monarez, who had been fulfilling the role as acting director. While the Senate confirmed Monarez, she was removed from the position within a month. Administration officials stated her removal was due to misalignment with their policy objectives.
Multiple senior CDC scientists stepped down in objection, explaining that Monarez’s firing destroyed their confidence that a CDC director could protect the agency’s scientific work and health guidance from political interference.
Following this period, the agency has experienced constant leadership changes, with various Washington-based Health and Human Services officials temporarily filling the acting director position. National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya has supervised the CDC in recent weeks.
During Thursday’s House Appropriations Committee session, Kennedy praised the incoming CDC team as “extraordinary.”
“I think this new team is really going to be able to revolutionize CDC and get it back on track,” he said.
This nomination announcement coincides with confirmation challenges facing Dr. Casey Means, Trump’s selection for U.S. surgeon general, another significant health leadership position.
Means’ stalled confirmation process following her February hearing demonstrates the bipartisan congressional concerns regarding Kennedy’s departmental direction.
WASHINGTON – Following Thursday’s announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, President Donald Trump revealed that he may host leaders from both nations at the White House in the coming weeks.
The president confirmed he had conversations with officials from both countries as the temporary truce was declared, while also indicating his administration is pursuing a more comprehensive agreement.
“It’s very exciting. I think we’re going to have a deal where we’re going to have a meeting, first time in 44 years, and Lebanon will be meeting with Israel, and they’re probably going to do it at the White House over the next week or two,” Trump stated.
The potential diplomatic gathering would represent the first face-to-face meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leadership in more than four decades, marking a significant development in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
WASHINGTON, April 16 – American defense officials have notified their European allies that military equipment shipments are expected to face significant delays due to ongoing conflicts involving Iran that have strained weapons inventories, according to three individuals with knowledge of the discussions.
The confidential briefings, shared by sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the communications, indicate that multiple European nations will experience postponed deliveries, with countries in the Baltic and Scandinavian areas particularly affected.
The delayed military hardware includes equipment that European governments had already purchased through the Foreign Military Sales program, though the actual delivery dates will now be pushed back, the sources confirmed.
Representatives from the White House, Pentagon, and State Department have not yet provided responses to inquiries seeking official comment on the matter.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has selected former Deputy Surgeon General Erica Schwartz to serve as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, following a series of leadership changes at the federal health agency.
The nomination, announced Thursday, taps Schwartz who previously worked in Trump’s administration and played a key role in the government’s COVID-19 response efforts, managing national emergency preparedness and public health coordination initiatives.
Through a Truth Social post, Trump also revealed his intentions to appoint healthcare executive Sean Slovenski, Texas health commissioner Jen Shuford, and senior FDA official Sara Brenner to key positions within the CDC.
The agency has experienced significant turnover since Trump dismissed Director Susan Monarez in August following her resistance to vaccine policy modifications proposed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since Monarez’s departure, the CDC has operated under interim leadership, first with Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill, followed by Jay Bhattacharya, who currently directs the National Institutes of Health, taking over the role in February.
WASHINGTON – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that his department is working to restore its workforce following major reductions implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Kennedy revealed that the health agency currently employs 72,000 people and plans to recruit an additional 12,000 workers to rebuild its operations.
The department previously operated with 82,000 employees before DOGE-led efficiency measures slashed the workforce to 62,000 positions last year, according to Kennedy’s statement.
The hiring initiative represents an effort to restore capacity to the nation’s primary health agency after the significant downsizing period.
President Donald Trump defended his stance on Iran’s nuclear capabilities Thursday, emphasizing that Pope Leo needs to recognize the global threat posed by the Middle Eastern nation.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump addressed recent tensions with the religious leader, who has become a vocal opponent of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran in recent weeks.
“The Pope has to understand – it’s very simple – Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The world would be in great danger,” Trump declared during the press briefing.
The President has previously labeled Pope Leo as “weak” regarding foreign policy matters and claims responsibility for the Pope’s appointment to his position.
Pope Leo, a Chicago native, made headlines Saturday when he condemned what he called the “madness of war” in a public peace statement.
The current conflict began when U.S. and Israeli forces launched attacks against Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel and Gulf nations hosting American military installations. The escalating violence, including continued U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon, has resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions of people.
Despite Trump’s public disagreement, Pope Leo told Reuters Monday that he plans to continue speaking out against the military actions.
Trump attempted to clarify his position, stating: “The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
The President’s public criticism of the Pope has sparked significant opposition from Christian communities throughout the United States, spanning various political affiliations.
OpenAI unveiled a specialized artificial intelligence system Thursday aimed at advancing biological research and accelerating medical breakthroughs.
The new technology, called GPT-Rosalind in honor of renowned 20th-century British scientist Rosalind Franklin, focuses specifically on supporting scientific work in biochemistry, pharmaceutical development, and medical research translation.
Pharmaceutical companies, universities, and biotechnology firms have increasingly sought AI-powered solutions to speed up research processes and drug development timelines.
“By supporting evidence synthesis, hypothesis generation, experimental planning, and other multi-step research tasks, this model is designed to help researchers accelerate the early stages of discovery,” OpenAI said in a blog.
According to company officials during a press briefing, scientists can use the system to search scientific databases, analyze current research publications, integrate additional scientific tools, and receive recommendations for new experimental approaches. The technology builds upon OpenAI’s most advanced internal systems.
The research tool is currently accessible through ChatGPT, Codex, and the company’s API for approved users via OpenAI’s secure access program. Additionally, the company has released a complimentary Life Sciences research plugin for Codex that connects researchers to more than 50 scientific tools and data repositories.
OpenAI reports partnerships with major companies including Amgen, Moderna, and Thermo Fisher Scientific to integrate GPT-Rosalind into their research operations.
This announcement follows Tuesday’s release of GPT-5.4-Cyber, another specialized version of OpenAI’s technology focused on cybersecurity defense, which came after competitor Anthropic introduced its own advanced AI system called Mythos.
The United States announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities starting Thursday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, creating a 10-day window for peace negotiations that could potentially be lengthened if both nations consent.
According to the State Department, this cessation of fighting represents a crucial step toward resolving the conflict that has become a significant barrier to President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative aimed at ending the war with Iran that began in late February alongside Israel. The ongoing conflict has caused major disruptions to worldwide energy markets, driving up oil costs and threatening additional economic consequences.
Under the terms of the agreement released by U.S. officials, Lebanon’s government must ensure that Hezbollah and other armed non-governmental organizations within its borders refrain from launching attacks against Israel once the truce begins.
The ceasefire document states: “All parties recognize Lebanon’s security forces as having exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s sovereignty and national defense; no other country or group has claim to be the guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
While Israel retains the right to defend itself against planned or active threats during this period, the nation has committed to avoiding any offensive military actions within Lebanese territory throughout the 10-day timeframe.
Both countries have asked the United States to help mediate ongoing discussions to address outstanding concerns, including establishing clear borders between the two nations, as outlined in the ceasefire terms.
The State Department’s released text indicates: “Israel and Lebanon affirm that the two countries are not at war and commit to engaging in good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace between the two countries.”
President Donald Trump expressed optimism Thursday about ongoing negotiations with Iran, telling reporters he would consider traveling to Pakistan’s capital if a peace agreement is finalized there.
Speaking to media on the White House lawn before departing for Nevada and Arizona, Trump conveyed a positive outlook regarding diplomatic progress with Tehran. The president indicated he has the option to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran that is scheduled to end next week, though he suggested such an extension might not be necessary.
“If a deal is signed in Islamabad I may go,” the president told reporters. “They want me.”
Trump claimed that Iranian officials have accepted nearly all proposed terms, though he offered no supporting documentation for this assertion. He also stated that Iran has committed to surrendering enriched uranium materials that are believed to have been concealed following joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes conducted last year.
The president continues advocating for a comprehensive agreement that would require Tehran to abandon its nuclear development activities entirely.
Drivers on northbound Interstate 495 are facing significant delays this morning after a vehicle accident forced the closure of two left lanes near Exit 1.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the crash has created a traffic bottleneck in the area, with vehicles being directed around the incident scene. Transportation officials are on site managing the situation and working to restore normal traffic flow.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes if possible while crews work to clear the accident and reopen the affected lanes.
No additional details about the crash or potential injuries have been released at this time.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse team secured their spot atop the Atlantic Sun Conference standings Thursday with a dominant 19-7 victory over Queens at Delaware Stadium.
Leading the charge for the Fightin’ Blue Hens was Jaclyn Marszal, who delivered a standout performance by recording career-best numbers in both assists and total points. Marszal distributed eight assists while accumulating 10 points overall in the conference matchup.
The decisive victory guarantees Delaware will claim at least a portion of the ASUN regular season championship while also locking up the number one seed position for the 2026 ASUN Championship tournament.
The Blue Hens controlled the game from start to finish, outscoring their opponents by 12 goals in what proved to be a comfortable afternoon on their home field.
For the past month, the Golden State Warriors accepted their destiny. Before officially qualifying for the play-in tournament, they understood their path would require winning two consecutive games to secure an improbable playoff berth.
They’ve been treating this as a two-game championship.
In their view, they’re only halfway to completing their objective.
The Warriors, Charlotte, Orlando, and Phoenix face elimination games Friday night as the play-in tournament concludes, determining which two franchises will claim the remaining playoff positions.
Charlotte travels to face Orlando, while Golden State heads to Phoenix. The victors will earn Game 1 matchups Friday evening — against Detroit in the Eastern Conference and Oklahoma City in the Western Conference.
“This is literally it,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “This is it.”
Golden State orchestrated a dramatic 41-23 surge during the final 9:49 minutes to complete a stunning road victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, erasing a 13-point disadvantage for a 126-121 triumph that extended their season. The Warriors connected on six more three-point shots than the Clippers during that crucial period, with those 18 additional points accounting for precisely their margin of victory in the closing stretch.
“That was fun,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “That’s what you live for, right there.”
Charlotte advanced to Friday’s action with a triumph over Miami, though LaMelo Ball’s uncalled flagrant foul against Bam Adebayo dominated postgame discussions. The Magic fell in Philadelphia, handing the 76ers the seventh seed in the East and a first-round series against Boston. Phoenix suffered a home defeat to Portland, giving the Trail Blazers the seventh seed in the West and a playoff date with San Antonio.
Everything is now on the line. Miami and the Clippers have already been eliminated, and two additional franchises will begin their offseason Friday evening.
“We’ve got to be ready,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “I’ve got to be ready.”
This marks Phoenix’s inaugural appearance in the play-in tournament format. The remaining three teams have all participated previously.
Golden State enters their fourth play-in appearance, Charlotte their third, and Orlando their second. Philadelphia and Portland, who have already advanced, were making their second play-in appearances.
Golden State holds a 2-3 play-in record. Orlando stands at 1-1, Charlotte at 1-2, and Phoenix at 0-1.
Regular season matchups: Charlotte won the series 3-1.
Vegas odds: Charlotte favored by 3.5 points.
What’s at stake: The victor advances to face top-seeded Detroit in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals beginning Sunday. The defeated team’s season ends.
Game preview: Multiple storylines converge here. LaMelo Ball delivered the game-winning shot in their previous contest, injured Bam Adebayo, and learned a day later from league officials that he should have been ejected. Orlando dropped their last three encounters against Charlotte by a total of 61 points and has struggled with consistency throughout the campaign. Charlotte captured both previous games in Orlando this season; no visiting team has achieved three or more victories against the Magic in a single season — excluding the bubble year — since Detroit in 2006-07. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges has appeared in more regular-season contests (501) than any other active player without playoff experience. Friday could end that streak.
Regular season matchups: Golden State won the series 3-1.
Vegas odds: Phoenix favored by 2.5 points.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to face top-seeded Oklahoma City in the Western Conference quarterfinals beginning Sunday. The losing team’s season concludes.
Game preview: Golden State captured their initial meeting by 11 points, with Phoenix trailing by 25 before possessing the ball with an opportunity to cut the deficit to single digits with three minutes remaining. The remaining contests were decided by margins of one, three, and four points. The Warriors approach this game with a fearless mentality, understandably so after an injury-riddled campaign that produced a 37-45 record and a month-long preparation for an expected play-in run. Phoenix exceeded most preseason projections by winning 45 games but must now defeat Stephen Curry, arguably basketball’s greatest shooter, to avoid becoming the first franchise to lose twice at home during a play-in tournament.
LONDON — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is confronting mounting pressure to step down following Thursday’s disclosure that Peter Mandelson was originally rejected for security approval before being named ambassador to the United States, a position he ultimately lost due to his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
After The Guardian broke the story, government officials acknowledged that Starmer remained unaware the Foreign Office had bypassed standard security protocols for Mandelson’s Washington ambassadorship “until earlier this week.”
The prime minister had previously maintained that proper procedures were adhered to during the selection process and claimed Mandelson, dismissed in September 2025, had been dishonest regarding his Epstein connections.
Upon learning of the situation, a government representative stated Starmer “immediately instructed officials to establish the facts about why the developed vetting was granted, in order to enact plans to update the House of Commons.”
Political opponents are demanding Starmer’s resignation if parliamentary deception occurred.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch declared Starmer is “definitely in resigning territory,” while Liberal Democrat chief Ed Davey stated Starmer “must go” if he deceived Parliament and the British people.
Starmer’s leadership encountered its most severe challenge in February when the US Justice Department released extensive Epstein-related documentation revealing the depth of Mandelson’s association with the financier.
Questions surrounding Starmer’s decision-making intensified after correspondence within the Epstein Files indicated Mandelson may have shared confidential government intelligence with the disgraced businessman in 2009 during his Labour government tenure.
The prime minister has issued multiple public apologies to citizens and Epstein’s trafficking victims for trusting what he called “Mandelson’s lies.” During these statements, he consistently maintained that appropriate screening procedures for the prestigious US ambassador role were properly executed.
Law enforcement subsequently initiated a criminal investigation, conducting searches of Mandelson’s London and western England residences. Authorities arrested Mandelson on February 23 for suspected misconduct in public office, releasing him on bail after over nine hours of interrogation.
Mandelson maintains his innocence and faces no formal charges at this time.
Prior to Mandelson’s arrest, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously Prince Andrew, was detained on identical charges. King Charles III’s brother also maintained close connections with Epstein.
Despite awareness of the Epstein relationship, Starmer selected Mandelson for the ambassadorial position in late 2024. Officials valued Mandelson’s trade knowledge as crucial for convincing the Trump administration to avoid imposing substantial tariffs on British exports, a strategy that appeared successful when both nations reached a trade agreement months later.
Starmer terminated Mandelson’s appointment in September following earlier Epstein connection revelations.
Recently released British documentation, including vetting materials, confirmed Starmer proceeded with Mandelson’s selection despite advisories about potential “reputational risk.” Officials have committed to releasing additional documents concerning Mandelson’s appointment following parliamentary pressure.
American military personnel finished evacuating the Qasrak air base on Thursday as the final group of soldiers and equipment left the facility located in Syria’s Hasakah province, according to officials from both nations.
Syrian forces have now assumed complete authority over nearly all military installations throughout the nation that previously housed American troops.
Damascus issued a statement through Syria’s foreign ministry declaring that “the Syrian state’s restoration of sovereignty over areas that were outside its control, including the northeast and border regions, is the result of the Syrian government’s continuous efforts to unify the country within the framework of a single state.”
The ministry attributed the American pullout to successful negotiations between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which had previously maintained authority over much of northeastern Syria, along with victories against remaining Islamic State fighters.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, chief spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, verified the evacuation.
“U.S. forces have completed turning over all of our major bases in Syria, as part of a deliberate and conditions-based transition,” Hawkins stated, noting that American military operations will “continue to support partner-led counterterrorism efforts, which are essential to ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS and strengthening regional security.”
Military vehicles and equipment could be observed departing the installation Thursday aboard truck convoys.
American personnel started evacuating Qasrak in late February as part of what seemed to be a broader reduction of U.S. military presence in Syria. Earlier in February, Central Command and Syria’s defense ministry revealed that American forces had also departed the al-Tanf installation in eastern Syria near Jordan’s border.
The military evacuation followed the completion of transferring approximately 5,700 suspected Islamic State fighters from detention facilities in northeastern Syria to Iraqi prisons, where they await trial.
The primary objective of American troops in Syria has been preventing an Islamic State comeback. While the terrorist organization lost its final territorial holdings in Syria in 2019, dormant cells continue launching sporadic attacks across Syria, Iraq and internationally.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Colombian national who served as a Drug Enforcement Administration informant for over two decades escaped prison time this week despite admitting he never paid taxes on almost $4 million in government payments.
Andres Zapata, 48, received a sentence of time served Wednesday in an Austin federal court after agreeing to assist in an extensive corruption probe that has ensnared multiple DEA agents, according to two sources familiar with the ongoing investigation who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press.
Authorities extradited Zapata from Colombia last year, where he had maintained close ties with José Irizarry, a disgraced former DEA agent now serving 12 years in prison for stealing millions from money laundering operations to bankroll lavish trips, high-end vehicles and wild parties.
Court documents reveal the DEA compensated Zapata $3.8 million between 2015 and 2020 for his services as a confidential source. The professional money launderer entered a guilty plea last July to one count of tax evasion. While DEA policy requires informants to declare such payments to the Internal Revenue Service, prosecutions for non-compliance are uncommon.
Neither the Justice Department’s criminal division, which handled the prosecution, nor the DEA provided statements when contacted for comment.
Defense attorney Don Bailey contended during the sentencing that pursuing someone who endangered his life assisting American law enforcement against dangerous cartels for a violation he was unaware of committing was unprecedented.
Bailey explained that Zapata and similar informants “don’t get 1099s or W-9s,” referencing standard tax forms for independent contractors. “You don’t know what you owe. You sign a piece of paper for money. You don’t get receipts.”
During the proceedings, Zapata expressed his desire to rebuild his life after spending more than a year in harsh conditions at a Medellin-area detention facility while awaiting extradition.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” Zapata stated, according to court transcripts.
U.S. District Judge David Ezra praised Zapata’s cooperation with federal authorities during the hearing. The judge rejected an Associated Press motion to make sentencing documents public. Along with the time-served ruling, Ezra mandated Zapata pay $1.2 million in restitution to cover the government’s tax losses.
DEA internal documents obtained by the AP reveal Zapata’s recruitment as an informant began in 1998, when the agency enlisted the former vacuum cleaner salesman after his brother-in-law faced drug trafficking charges.
Throughout the following twenty years, he emerged as one of the agency’s most productive sources, facilitating undercover cash collections and supporting investigations spanning from Peru to Los Angeles, accumulating over $4.6 million in DEA payments.
However, Zapata provided more than intelligence gathering services.
Using his DEA assignment as cover, the dual Colombian-American citizen traveled internationally with agents and Miami-based prosecutors in what Irizarry characterized as a “world debauchery tour” that violated strict regulations against inappropriate relationships with informants.
A confidential WhatsApp group chat used by agents to document their international escapades reveals Zapata’s involvement in arranging prostitutes and assisting what Irizarry dubbed “Team America” in avoiding consequences. During a 2018 Madrid assignment, Zapata was present when an agent was temporarily held and accused of sexual assault while drinking.
Irizarry informed investigators that Zapata shared portions of his informant payments as kickbacks. He described one incident where Zapata arrived at his Colombian residence carrying $40,000 in cash, which Irizarry used to buy his wife a Tiffany ring.
Zapata allegedly also facilitated payments that Irizarry acknowledged receiving from Diego Marin, Colombia’s “Contraband Czar” — a former DEA informant apprehended in Spain in 2024 during a Colombian corruption investigation. Video footage obtained by the AP shows Marin and Zapata celebrating with agents at a Madrid establishment.
Worcester County officials have announced an upcoming Technical Review Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM.
The session will be held in the Commissioners Meeting Room, located on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center at 1 West Market Street in Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
An agenda for the meeting has been made available to the public through the county’s website. Residents interested in attending or reviewing the agenda items can access the documentation online.
The meeting represents part of the county’s ongoing technical review processes and regular governmental operations.
Federal agencies could soon receive access to a cutting-edge artificial intelligence system designed to strengthen cybersecurity defenses, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday.
The Biden administration is exploring plans to distribute a specialized version of Anthropic’s advanced AI model, known as Mythos, to key government departments. However, officials are proceeding cautiously due to concerns that the powerful technology could potentially create new security risks.
Mythos was unveiled on April 7 as part of Anthropic’s controlled program called “Project Glasswing.” Under this limited rollout, selected organizations can access the unreleased Claude Mythos Preview model specifically for protecting against cyber threats.
The AI system has demonstrated remarkable capabilities, discovering “thousands” of significant security flaws in operating systems, internet browsers, and various software applications. Technology experts note that Mythos possesses advanced programming skills that give it extraordinary abilities to detect cybersecurity weaknesses and understand how they might be exploited.
Gregory Barbaccia, who serves as federal chief information officer at the White House Office of Management and Budget, sent an email to Cabinet department leaders on Tuesday outlining plans to establish security measures for agency use of Mythos, Bloomberg reported.
“We’re working closely with model providers, other industry partners, and the intelligence community to ensure the appropriate guardrails and safeguards are in place before potentially releasing a modified version of the model to agencies,” Barbaccia wrote in the message titled “Mythos Model Access,” according to the report.
Bloomberg noted that Barbaccia’s communication did not guarantee that agencies would ultimately receive Mythos access, nor did it specify when such access might be granted or how the technology would be implemented.
Neither the White House nor Anthropic provided immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.
Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark revealed on Monday that the company has been in discussions about Mythos with the Trump administration. These talks continue despite the Pentagon recently ending its business relationship with the AI company following a contractual disagreement.
Chile’s newly elected President Jose Antonio Kast has begun delivering on his tough immigration campaign promises, with officials announcing Thursday that the country conducted its first deportation flight since he took office.
According to Deputy Interior Minister Maximo Pavez, the aircraft departed from Iquique in northern Chile carrying 40 foreign nationals who were returned to Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Officials refused to disclose how frequently these deportation operations will occur going forward.
“This flight, the first of many, is part of a commitment and an immigration reform plan that we have been working on since this government took office on March 11,” Pavez told the media. “From now on, we will intensify these measures through a planned approach.”
Government records show that among those removed from the country, 15 individuals had been ordered deported by courts due to criminal convictions for offenses such as theft and narcotics violations, while the remaining 25 faced administrative immigration violations.
During his presidential campaign, Kast frequently connected unauthorized immigration with increasing criminal activity and has since called on undocumented immigrants to depart voluntarily or face forced removal.
Chile’s immigration service director Frank Sauerbaum reported that 2,180 Venezuelan nationals have chosen to leave Chile voluntarily since Kast won the election.
WASHINGTON – In an unusual challenge to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would extend deportation protections for approximately 350,000 Haitians currently residing in America.
The chamber approved the measure by a vote of 224-204, with some Republicans crossing party lines to support the bill alongside Democrats. The legislation would grant Haitians an additional three years of eligibility for Temporary Protected Status, even after the Department of Homeland Security moved to end these humanitarian safeguards.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republican leadership makes its prospects unclear.
Thursday’s vote demonstrates growing Republican willingness to oppose the White House on immigration matters, particularly as the Supreme Court considers whether the Trump administration can legally eliminate the deportation protections currently shielding Haitians.
Eleven lawmakers broke ranks with their party – ten Republicans and one independent – to support the Democratic-backed legislation.
Temporary Protected Status serves as a safety net for individuals from countries facing natural disasters, military conflicts, or other exceptional circumstances. The designation grants qualifying immigrants permission to work legally in the United States while protecting them from removal proceedings.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball program has made adjustments to their upcoming contest versus Maryland, moving the matchup to an earlier date and different start time.
The game was initially set for Wednesday, April 22 at 3:00 p.m., but will now take place one day earlier on Tuesday, April 21 with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch.
The scheduling modification affects the Blue Hens’ weekly slate as they continue their season. No additional details were provided regarding the reason for the timing adjustment.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The University of Delaware women’s tennis squad made program history Thursday by claiming their inaugural victory at the Conference USA Championships, defeating Jacksonville State by a score of 4-2.
This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone for the Blue Hens tennis program as they secured their first-ever win in the prestigious conference tournament.
With this quarterfinal victory now behind them, Delaware will advance to compete against Louisiana Tech in the semifinal round of the championship tournament.
The historic win represents a breakthrough moment for the program as they continue their pursuit of conference championship glory in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The United States industrial hemp market has reached a substantial $739 million in value for 2025, according to newly released federal agricultural data.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service has documented this milestone for the hemp industry, which has experienced remarkable expansion since federal legalization removed previous restrictions on cultivation.
This valuation reflects the growing acceptance and commercial viability of hemp products across various industries, from textiles and construction materials to food products and wellness items.
The hemp sector’s growth represents a significant development in American agriculture, providing farmers with new crop opportunities and contributing to rural economic development nationwide.
Federal agencies continue to monitor and report on this emerging agricultural market as it establishes itself within the broader farming economy.
A federal jury has reached a verdict that Live Nation and Ticketmaster function as a monopoly, determining that the entertainment giants have been suppressing competitive practices and inflating costs for consumers attending live events.
The companies, which joined forces through a merger in 2010, now face the next phase of legal proceedings as Washington D.C. and 33 states must present arguments supporting specific penalties and corrective measures.
However, music fans hoping for immediate ticket price relief may need to wait. The implementation of any remedies could face delays if Live Nation chooses to challenge the decision through an appeals process.
Industry analysts indicate that predicting the long-term effects on ticket pricing remains difficult, even with this legal victory against the entertainment conglomerate.
Three educational institutions across Delaware have been awarded Purple Star School status in recognition of their exceptional support for students from military families.
The 2026 honorees include J. Ralph McIlvaine Early Childhood Center in the Caesar Rodney School District, Lake Forest High School within the Lake Forest School District, and the charter institution Providence Creek Academy.
This prestigious designation acknowledges schools that demonstrate outstanding dedication to addressing the specialized academic and emotional requirements of military-connected students and their families.
NEW YORK — Former professional basketball player and assistant coach Damon Jones will likely become the initial defendant to enter a guilty plea in a sweeping gambling investigation that resulted in more than 30 arrests, including alleged organized crime members and other basketball personalities.
Court documents filed Thursday reveal that Jones has a plea change hearing set for May 6 in federal court in Brooklyn.
The 49-year-old Jones had initially entered not guilty pleas to two separate indictments. The charges accuse him of benefiting from manipulated poker games and sharing confidential injury information about NBA superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis with sports gamblers.
Both cases include charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy against Jones.
His attorney Kenneth Montgomery could not be reached for comment immediately. During Jones’ November court appearances, Montgomery informed the judge that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”
The arrest of Jones occurred in October alongside Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Fame member Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, and several others, including a gambler accused of profiting from insider injury details.
Among all defendants, Jones faces charges in both the poker manipulation and sports betting conspiracies. He continues to remain out of custody on bond.
Born in Galveston, Texas, Jones accumulated over $20 million during his professional career, playing for 10 different franchises across 11 seasons between 1999 and 2009. He was teammates with James in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and worked as an unofficial assistant coach with James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 campaign.
Federal prosecutors allege that Jones sold or tried to sell confidential information to gamblers regarding James’ injury status before a February 9, 2023, matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. He allegedly texted an unidentified accomplice: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”
At the time Jones sent the message, James wasn’t included on the Lakers’ official injury report. However, the NBA’s career scoring champion was subsequently ruled out due to a lower body ailment, and Milwaukee defeated Los Angeles 115-106.
On January 15, 2024, authorities claim sports gambler Marves Fairley compensated Jones roughly $2,500 for inside information that Davis, then the Lakers’ forward-center, would have restricted playing time against Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury.
Fairley subsequently wagered $100,000 on the Thunder to win, but the information proved inaccurate. Davis played his typical minutes, recording 27 points and 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers victory, leading Fairley to request a $2,500 refund, according to prosecutors.
Regarding the poker conspiracy, authorities say Jones was among former NBA athletes recruited to attract unsuspecting players into rigged games using modified shuffling devices, concealed cameras, specialized eyewear, and even X-ray technology embedded in tables.
The indictment states Jones received $2,500 for participating in a Hamptons game where he was directed to cheat by carefully observing other scheme participants. His instructor compared those individuals to James and NBA All-Star Stephen Curry. When uncertain, Jones was advised to fold, prosecutors stated.
Jones allegedly responded via text: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”
The poker operation frequently utilized illegal games controlled by New York organized crime families, requiring operators to share profits with the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno crime families.
These crime family members also participated in violent activities, including assault, extortion, and robbery, to ensure debt collection and maintain operational success, court documents indicate.
Known for his three-point shooting ability, Jones once declared himself in an insidehoops.com interview as “the best shooter in the world.” He appeared in every regular season contest for three straight seasons from 2003 to 2006.
Following his playing career, he served as a “shooting consultant” for the Cavaliers and worked as an assistant coach when the James-led team captured the NBA championship in 2016.
LIMA, Peru — Thursday’s election results from Peru revealed an extremely close contest for second and third positions, potentially requiring several weeks to determine which two candidates will advance to the mandatory June runoff election.
A nationalist representative with ties to a jailed former president and an ultraconservative political figure advocating for capital punishment restoration are the leading contenders to challenge Keiko Fujimori, who appears certain to claim first place among the 35 presidential hopefuls from Sunday’s voting.
Official tallies covering 93% of cast ballots showed Fujimori, the conservative offspring of discredited ex-President Alberto Fujimori, commanding 17.06% of votes — well short of the 50% threshold required to prevent a runoff.
In second position, Roberto Sánchez, a nationalist representative and former cabinet member under jailed ex-President Pedro Castillo, captured 11.97% of votes. Following closely in third was Rafael López Aliaga, the ultraconservative ex-mayor of Peru’s capital city, Lima, with 11.91%.
Uncertainty grew regarding which candidate would proceed to the June 7 runoff, as fewer than 8,000 votes separated Sánchez and López Aliaga according to the latest tallies.
The two politicians represent completely opposite political philosophies.
Sánchez, regularly appearing in his signature wide-brimmed peasant hat, has pledged significant economic reforms, including substantial increases in government expenditures, comprehensive tax system overhauls, and partial state control of Peru’s natural resources.
López Aliaga, the ultraconservative former Lima mayor, emphasizes strict security measures, proposing Amazon region prison construction, allowing judicial anonymity, and deporting undocumented foreign residents.
The slim vote difference is complicated by roughly 1,600 outstanding ballot counts from isolated communities and overseas locations. Furthermore, another 5,000 ballot sheets face disputes, creating an appeals procedure that may require weeks to complete.
“In Peru, a percentage of tally sheets are always ‘challenged’ due to potential mathematical errors,” explained Álvaro Henzler, president of Transparencia, a democracy-watchdog group that deployed 4,000 observers. “When this occurs, they are sent to 60 special electoral boards for review.”
During 2021, Peru’s electoral tribunal announced first-round outcomes 37 days following the April 11 election. However, the gap between second-place competitors exceeded 238,000 votes initially, eliminating uncertainty.
“In this case, since the race is so tight, the contested tally sheets could end up altering the standings; that is why it is taking longer,” Henzler noted.
Presidential candidates require over 50% of votes for immediate victory. The two highest vote-getters in the initial round proceed to the June 7 runoff.
The victor will become Peru’s ninth president within a decade and will succeed José María Balcázar, who gained the interim presidency in February. He followed another temporary leader who was removed due to corruption charges just four months after taking office.
In her fourth presidential campaign, Fujimori has pledged to combat crime while supporting legislation that analysts claim hinders criminal prosecutions. These laws, endorsed by her political party recently, eliminated pretrial detention in specific situations and increased requirements for confiscating criminal proceeds.
MANILA, Philippines — A former Philippine legislator at the center of a massive corruption investigation has been taken into custody in Prague, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who announced Thursday evening that his administration is working to bring the suspect back to the Philippines.
Zaldy Co, who stepped down from his position in the House of Representatives this past September following accusations of financial misconduct related to flood control infrastructure projects, was apprehended by Czech authorities after entering the country with inadequate documentation, the president stated without providing additional details.
“We are in close coordination with the Czech government to ensure that all legal processes are followed and to arrange for his return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time,” Marcos said in a statement.
The absence of an extradition agreement between the Philippines and the Czech Republic complicates efforts to secure Co’s return, though Marcos did not specify the legal strategy his administration plans to pursue. Philippine authorities have already revoked Co’s passport and requested assistance from Interpol to track down and apprehend the affluent former representative.
Co is among multiple high-ranking legislators, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Francis Escudero, who face allegations of receiving substantial illegal payments from flood control infrastructure contracts in a nation frequently devastated by flooding and tropical storms.
While Co, Romualdez, Escudero and other officials have rejected the accusations, they remain under official investigation. Multiple former government engineers, public works administrators, construction company leaders and a former senator are currently in custody awaiting trial on corruption-related charges.
Investigators have examined no fewer than 9,855 flood control infrastructure projects valued at over 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) that were scheduled for completion since Marcos assumed the presidency in mid-2022. Audits revealed that numerous projects were poorly constructed, inflated in cost, or never actually built.
During a September congressional hearing, then-Finance Secretary Ralph Recto testified that approximately 118.5 billion pesos (nearly $2 billion) earmarked for flood control infrastructure may have been stolen through corruption since 2023.
The enormous scope of the financial irregularities, combined with media coverage exposing the extravagant lifestyles and collections of luxury European vehicles owned by some defendants, triggered widespread anti-corruption demonstrations throughout the previous year in a nation where countless citizens continue to endure severe poverty.
Court documents reveal that Jay Bryant, one of three defendants accused in the 2002 murder of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay, is preparing to enter a guilty plea, marking what would be the first courtroom confession of involvement in the hip-hop legend’s death.
Following his 2023 indictment, Bryant initially entered a not guilty plea to murder charges. However, recent correspondence between his defense attorney and federal prosecutors indicates ongoing negotiations for a plea deal.
Thursday’s court filing showed Bryant’s intention to modify his plea, though details about specific charges he may admit to or potential sentencing remain undisclosed. No scheduling has been announced for the plea change, and prosecutors have not provided comment. Bryant’s legal representative has not yet responded to inquiries.
Legal experts note that such notices don’t guarantee finality, as defendants retain the right to withdraw from plea agreements even during court proceedings.
Should Bryant proceed with the guilty plea, it would add both resolution and additional complexity to an already intricate case. His co-defendants Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington faced jury trial, resulting in convictions that were later overturned for Jordan by a judge. Bryant’s case has remained distinct from the others.
Authorities indicted Bryant nearly three years after his co-defendants when investigators allegedly discovered his DNA on headwear found at the recording studio where the shooting occurred. The victim, born Jason Mizell, served as the DJ for Run-DMC and helped create the distinctive beats and scratches that brought rap music into mainstream popularity during the 1980s. The group’s notable tracks included “It’s Tricky” and their collaboration with Aerosmith on “Walk This Way.”
When investigators allegedly connected Bryant’s DNA to evidence, prosecutors had already established their theory that Jordan and Washington targeted Mizell due to disputes over a botched narcotics transaction. Trial testimony and prosecutor statements indicated that Jordan fired the fatal shots while Washington prevented escape by blocking the entrance and commanding one of Mizell’s associates to lie down. Both defendants maintained their innocence throughout proceedings.
The relationships between the parties varied significantly. Jordan was Mizell’s grandson, while Washington had maintained a friendship with the DJ since childhood. Bryant, however, appeared to have minimal or no direct relationship with the rap icon. Trial testimony suggested Bryant shared mutual acquaintances with Jordan and Washington, but evidence of any personal interaction with Mizell remained unclear.
Following the alleged DNA discovery, prosecutors theorized that Bryant entered the studio facility and unlocked a rear emergency exit, allowing Washington and Jordan to bypass the building’s security system and launch their surprise attack on the DJ.
Conflicting accounts emerged when Bryant’s uncle testified that his nephew confessed to shooting Mizell in self-defense when the musician allegedly reached for a weapon. However, no additional witnesses confirmed Bryant’s presence in the studio during the incident, and prosecutors disputed the uncle’s version of events despite calling him as their own witness. Instead, they proposed that Bryant had contact with the hat before Jordan or Washington transported it into the studio and left it behind.
Court documents indicate that neither Washington’s nor Jordan’s DNA appeared on the recovered headwear.
Michael Hueston, representing Jordan, contended that the charges against Bryant created reasonable doubt regarding his client’s guilt. Jordan’s conviction was subsequently reversed due to separate legal issues.
Bryant, currently 52 years old, was already in federal custody on narcotics and weapons violations when charged in Mizell’s death. He has since entered guilty pleas in the drug and firearm matter and awaits sentencing in that case.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have temporarily shut down southbound traffic on Power Mill Road, also known as Route 141, at the intersection with Children’s Drive following a traffic incident.
The closure affects southbound lanes only, with no timeline provided for when the roadway will reopen to normal traffic flow.
DelDOT is advising drivers to plan alternate routes and expect delays in the area while emergency responders and transportation crews work to address the situation and clear the roadway.
This is a developing situation and motorists should check DelDOT’s traffic incident updates for the latest information on road conditions.
The Trump administration is reportedly evaluating attorney Michael Murray for a senior antitrust enforcement role at the Department of Justice, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday that cited sources with knowledge of the discussions.
Murray previously held multiple positions within the Justice Department during Trump’s first term in office.
WASHINGTON – Federal officials announced Thursday they have broadened travel restrictions throughout the Americas, blocking visas for 26 people accused of working against U.S. interests.
The State Department’s expanded policy focuses on individuals who officials say have been collaborating with nations hostile to the United States to damage American objectives across the region.
“We have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities,” department officials stated in their announcement.
The department characterized the move as part of ongoing efforts to counter foreign influence operations targeting American interests throughout the Western Hemisphere.
A growing number of American businesses are making dramatic shifts toward artificial intelligence and technology sectors, hoping to capture investor enthusiasm for these hot markets.
The latest example came when footwear manufacturer Allbirds announced its transformation into NewBird AI, focusing on AI computing instead of shoes. The company’s stock price skyrocketed more than 600% following the announcement. Social media company Myseum followed suit, seeing its shares climb nearly 150% after incorporating “AI” into its corporate name.
This pattern of corporate reinvention has become increasingly common as Wall Street’s appetite for technology investments continues growing. Several notable American companies have made similar strategic pivots in recent years.
Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy began as a financial data analysis software company before becoming one of the largest corporate bitcoin holders in 2021, eventually shortening its name to Strategy. The company experienced massive stock gains exceeding 300% in both 2023 and 2024 as bitcoin values doubled, though shares have since fallen more than 70% from their November 2024 peak.
The cryptocurrency mining sector has seen particularly dramatic transformations. CoreWeave started as an ethereum mining operation in 2017 but closed that business and relaunched as a cloud infrastructure provider. The company went public on Nasdaq in April 2025 with a $23 billion valuation, surging over 85% in its first year and gaining 64% in 2026.
Other former crypto miners have followed similar paths. Applied Blockchain rebranded as Applied Digital in early 2023, shifting focus to data center hosting. HUT 8 has also expanded into data center operations while maintaining some mining activities. Applied Digital’s stock performance has remained relatively flat, but Hut 8 has posted annual gains since 2023 due to both rising bitcoin prices and increased data center demand.
Core Scientific emerged from bankruptcy in January 2024 and quickly embraced the AI trend, partnering with CoreWeave to repurpose its bitcoin mining infrastructure. The company’s shareholders rejected a CoreWeave acquisition offer last year.
President Donald Trump’s media company, Trump Media & Technology, originally operated as the parent company of the Truth Social platform. The firm expanded into digital finance last year by establishing a bitcoin treasury and creating a partnership with Crypto.com through a blank-check acquisition. Despite considering spinning off the platform as a separate public company in December 2025, which triggered significant daily stock gains, the company’s value dropped by more than half in 2025.
Dominari Holdings began life as Alkido Pharma before restructuring in December 2022 to move from healthcare into finance. The company later established American Data Centers, which included Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump among its members, capitalizing on demand for high-performance computing infrastructure.
The Singing Machine Company, known for karaoke products, acquired AI logistics firm SemiCab in September 2024 and transformed into Algorhythm Holdings. While the stock dropped over 37% that month, it had gained more than 42% in August 2024. The company completed the sale of its karaoke business for $4.5 million in August 2025, though it recorded losses in both 2024 and 2025.
JanOne divested its Arca recycling operations in March 2023 to concentrate on biopharmaceuticals but later acquired ALT 5 Sigma in 2024 to enter the cryptocurrency market. This move drove the stock up more than 800% that year, marking the company’s best performance on record. ALT 5 Sigma has been purchasing tokens from Trump’s World Liberty Financial but faces challenges from volatile investor interest in cryptocurrency investments.
Some transformations date back to earlier technology booms. Diagnostic equipment manufacturer Bioptix announced its rebranding to Riot Blockchain in October 2017 during cryptocurrency’s emergence. The stock surged over 500% in the following three months and closed 2017 with gains exceeding 730%, the company’s second-largest annual increase ever. The firm now operates under the name Riot Platforms.
Long Island Iced Tea became Long Blockchain Corp in December 2017, nearly tripling its share price by shifting from beverage production to blockchain technology. The company sold its drink-related assets in 2019, months after receiving a Nasdaq delisting notice.
Even established companies joined the trend. Photography giant Eastman Kodak launched “KODAKCoin” cryptocurrency for photographers in January 2018 while maintaining its core imaging business. The announcement sent shares soaring 156% that month, representing the second-largest monthly gain in company history.
BEIRUT, April 16 – The militant group Hezbollah issued its initial response Thursday regarding proposed ceasefire negotiations, declaring that any peace agreement must restrict Israeli military operations within Lebanese borders.
The organization warned that continued deployment of Israeli forces on Lebanese soil would provide Lebanon and its citizens “the right to resist,” marking the group’s first public position on the potential truce discussions.
Meanwhile, Nabih Berri, who serves as Lebanon’s Parliament speaker and maintains ties with Hezbollah, issued guidance to displaced Lebanese citizens in a written statement. Berri advised residents to “postpone their return to their towns and villages until the situation becomes clearer, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.”
The statements come as diplomatic efforts continue to establish terms for ending hostilities between the two sides.
Delaware officials will formally dedicate a new historical marker celebrating Fort Delaware’s important role in the state’s military and cultural heritage. The ceremonial unveiling is set for Saturday, April 25, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The dedication will be held at Battery Park, situated at 55 Clinton Street in Delaware City. This new State of Delaware Historical Marker represents an effort to preserve and highlight a crucial piece of the First State’s past.
Fort Delaware holds special significance in Delaware’s history, serving as both a military installation and cultural landmark that shaped the region’s development over the years.
Drivers using Route 12 southbound should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have closed one lane between David Street and Market Street.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports the lane restriction will affect traffic flow until 4 PM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone.
The construction activity is taking place along the Frederica Road corridor, which serves as a key transportation route for the area.
Dallas Stars netminder Jake Oettinger is welcoming the challenge ahead. The veteran goaltender is fully embracing what promises to be one of the most difficult playoff paths in recent memory.
The route through the Central Division to reach the Western Conference Final presents an incredibly demanding gauntlet for both Dallas and Minnesota. Despite ranking third and seventh respectively in NHL points this season, the Stars and Wild will clash in the opening round, with the victor potentially meeting the league-leading Colorado Avalanche in round two.
“If you can get through that and win it all, I think it just makes it that much better,” Oettinger said. “It just makes it more fulfilling.”
The Stanley Cup championship never comes without a fight, and even the Pacific Division bracket offers no relief. Edmonton, fresh off back-to-back Cup Final appearances, joins the Vegas Golden Knights, who surged with seven victories in their last eight contests after bringing in John Tortorella as head coach.
“It’s the most exciting time because everybody’s playing at a different level, and it’s a good test to see how high you can get as a team,” Tortorella told reporters in Las Vegas after the regular season finale. “Everything’s going to be amped up. As each game goes by in the series, it’s going to be harder and harder, and so it’s a great challenge.”
Colorado enters as the clear Western Conference favorite after capturing the Presidents’ Trophy. The Avalanche have dominated since October, boasting elite talents Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, while addressing their center position by reacquiring 2022 Cup winner Nazem Kadri before the trade deadline.
While home-ice advantage helps, carrying the top seed brings added expectations. Colorado players say they’re ready for that responsibility.
“Pressure is a privilege — it’s the old cliche, but it truly is,” forward Logan O’Connor said. “You just have to be dialed in the whole time, and I think that’s the challenge for any team. There can’t be any lapses. You can’t have any passengers. Everyone all in, all the time. I think we obviously have the capability to do that.”
Vegas claimed the Pacific Division title following their coaching change from Bruce Cassidy to Tortorella, who brings extensive postseason experience with 13 playoff appearances across four different franchises.
Dallas has reached three straight Western Conference Finals and possesses all the necessary pieces, particularly if star defenseman Miro Heiskanen returns to full health.
“It’s never a straight line to win all these things,” said first-year coach Glen Gulutzan, who was an Edmonton assistant when the Oilers made back-to-back trips to the Cup final. “You keep getting yourself back in the dance and win a round and win two rounds, and then finally you break through. Hopefully that experience is going to allow us to do it.”
Minnesota features superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who will soon begin the most lucrative contract in hockey history. Matt Boldy has emerged as another offensive threat on a roster that needs only center depth to become a legitimate Western Conference Final contender.
Labeling Connor McDavid and Edmonton as underdogs seems questionable given their recent Cup Final runs against Florida, but the team has logged significant playoff minutes. Strong goaltending and Leon Draisaitl’s return from his season-ending injury will be crucial factors.
The Utah Mammoth represent the West’s inspiring success story, reaching the playoffs in just their second season since relocating from Arizona. Playing without pressure could benefit a franchise simply celebrating their postseason berth in Salt Lake City.
Los Angeles dismissed coach Jim Hiller and found stability under interim leader D.J. Smith. The February acquisition of Artemi Panarin has transformed the Kings into a legitimate threat.
Could an LA-area team surprise everyone? Joe Quenneville’s championship pedigree has guided Anaheim into playoff contention, and his experience combined with young talent and Lukas Dostal’s goaltending could produce some upsets.
McDavid’s two-year, $25 million extension without a salary increase essentially gave Edmonton a two-season window to prove their championship credentials. The superstar could very well elevate his team to a third consecutive Cup Final appearance.
Colorado’s championship opportunity remains wide open, with captain Gabriel Landeskog returning from his chronic knee problems to support MacKinnon and Makar. Another title run like their 2022 championship seems possible.
Can Minnesota finally advance past the first round for the first time since 2015? The Wild have dropped eight straight opening-round matchups, but this season marked their first without being shut out, while adding Quinn Hughes on defense provides offensive confidence.
“There’s a lot of pushback with our team,” coach John Hynes said. “We have guys that can score. One of the things we talk about is trying to create offense in multiple ways.”
MIAMI — The NBA’s determination that LaMelo Ball’s grab of Bam Adebayo constituted a flagrant foul worthy of ejection generated little response in Miami.
In Charlotte, however, the fact that the league’s ruling stopped short of a suspension provided significant relief.
Ball remains available for Friday’s crucial play-in elimination matchup when the Hornets face Orlando — exactly the outcome Charlotte head coach Charles Lee was hoping for, and a decision that Miami’s Erik Spoelstra appeared comfortable with.
“I didn’t believe he should face additional penalties going forward. That wouldn’t have made sense to me,” Spoelstra commented Thursday during the Heat’s season-ending discussions — occurring two days following their postseason elimination in a 127-126 defeat at Charlotte, a contest where Adebayo sat out significant time after sustaining injury when Ball grabbed his ankle during a fall.
“I don’t believe he’s a dirty player. I just think, in that moment, all things can be true,” Spoelstra explained. “It was a dirty play and a dangerous play. It should have been caught at that moment. But it wasn’t and then, you know, you move on.”
The NBA determined Ball committed “unnecessary and reckless contact” against Adebayo. Ball received a $35,000 fine for the incident, along with an additional $25,000 penalty for using profanity during a postgame court-side interview.
Had the flagrant foul from Tuesday’s contest been assessed as a Category 2 violation during live action, Miami would have received two free throws and ball possession — while Ball would have faced immediate ejection.
League investigations following such incidents are routine procedure; official Zach Zarba informed a pool reporter Tuesday evening that the NBA would conduct additional review of the sequence. The league’s decision arrived late Wednesday evening, finally allowing Lee to feel relieved.
“I believe the league issued what they considered appropriate,” Lee stated in Charlotte Thursday prior to the team’s departure for Orlando. “And we’re pleased that we still have him available for the upcoming game. I know he never intends to injure anyone on the basketball court. But I’m relieved everything’s resolved now.”
According to NBA regulations, Miami could not contest the play’s ruling since no foul was initially called. Action continued without pause, preventing any replay review opportunity. Adebayo received a lower-back contusion diagnosis resulting from the fall.
This marks at least the second occasion Ball has been involved in such an incident with Adebayo. During a January 2024 game in Miami, Ball grabbed Adebayo’s leg while the Heat player was running downcourt. Adebayo stumbled but remained upright.
NEW YORK (AP) — The search for the next 007 is gaining momentum in Hollywood.
Director Denis Villeneuve has been attached to helm the upcoming James Bond film for nearly twelve months, marking the franchise’s first installment following Daniel Craig’s departure from the iconic role. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman came aboard the project in March 2025. The major question remaining: Which actor will don the famous tuxedo?
The selection process represents a significant shift, as it’s the first time the Broccoli family won’t oversee casting decisions after transferring creative authority to Amazon MGM last year. Despite the typical secrecy surrounding the process, widespread conjecture continues about Craig’s successor.
Betting establishments currently favor several contenders, including Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. However, entertainment analysts suggest this presents an opportunity to explore unconventional possibilities, given that this marks the first new Bond casting in over twenty years.
Some industry observers are proposing unexpected alternatives, ranging from highly unlikely to surprisingly feasible options.
One suggestion involves Steve Buscemi taking on the spy role, which proponents argue would generate unprecedented audience interest and instantly become a must-see film. They note that if leadership roles can transcend traditional expectations, so too could this legendary character.
Another unconventional proposal features Sandra Hüller, whose versatility spans serious dramatic work in films like “The Zone of Interest” and “Anatomy of a Fall” to comedic performances in “Project Hail Mary” and “Toni Erdmann.” Supporters argue she possesses the compelling, dangerous sophistication that defines Bond, while potentially delivering memorable musical sequences.
Hugh Laurie emerges as another candidate, with advocates noting that while studios reportedly seek a younger actor, an older Bond could offer fresh storytelling opportunities. The 60-something performer has experience in espionage entertainment through “The Night Manager,” demonstrated crisis management skills in “House,” and combines comedic talent with sophisticated style.
Tony Hale also receives mention, with supporters drawing connections between his diverse roles and the potential for an unexpected Bond interpretation.
Dominic West, age 56, represents a more traditional choice, having previously auditioned when Craig was selected. Proponents highlight his charismatic appeal and roguish charm as qualities reminiscent of Sean Connery, plus his prior spy work in “Johnny English Reborn” and association with law enforcement through “The Wire.”
The most serious consideration goes to Aaron Pierre, the 31-year-old British performer, whom many view as an exceptionally suitable candidate. His sophisticated presence and natural charisma, particularly evident in “Rebel Ridge,” position him as an ideal choice for the legendary character, with many believing he possesses all necessary qualities for the role.
The parent company of television shopping networks QVC and HSN is preparing to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as traditional home shopping channels struggle against modern digital competitors.
QVC Group disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing this week that it plans to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas following negotiations with creditors on a restructuring deal.
The West Chester, Pennsylvania-based company hopes to complete the bankruptcy process by late summer, though officials acknowledge uncertainty about securing adequate funding. The company cited substantial expenses related to bankruptcy preparations.
“We cannot assure that cash on hand, cash flow from operations will be sufficient to continue to fund our operations,” company officials stated in the filing.
QVC Group has battled declining revenue for several years, with 2024 sales falling nearly 30% from the company’s 2020 peak of over $14 billion. Stock prices have plummeted from more than $900 per share ten years ago to under $3 this week.
Joseph Myron Segel established QVC in 1986, with the acronym representing Quality Value Convenience. The network developed a loyal customer base primarily consisting of women over 50, according to Lawrence Duke, a clinical marketing professor at LeBow College of Business. Duke explained that QVC thrived on repeat purchases from dedicated viewers, but this demographic is aging and declining.
Meanwhile, competition has intensified dramatically. Consumers are canceling cable subscriptions and moving away from scheduled television programming, Duke observed. Traditional TV shopping has been displaced by live shopping platforms like TikTok Shop, where social media influencers with massive followings promote products to their audiences on Instagram and YouTube. Budget-friendly online retailers such as Shein and Temu are also capturing increased market share.
Despite QVC’s efforts to boost digital sales and strengthen its social media presence, these initiatives have proven insufficient to reverse the company’s fortunes.
“QVC competes in a crowded marketplace where attention is fragmented and switching costs are low,” Duke explained.
WASHINGTON — By a razor-thin margin of just one vote, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated a measure Thursday that would have forced President Donald Trump to pull American troops from the Iran conflict without congressional approval for military operations.
The 213-214 vote demonstrated the narrow divide in Congress over Trump’s military strategy, with GOP lawmakers continuing to back the president’s approach while Democrats expressed alarm about America getting mired in another prolonged Middle Eastern war.
Democratic leaders warned they will continue pushing for more war powers votes in upcoming weeks, raising persistent questions about the military engagement that began when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. A tenuous ceasefire has held for two weeks.
New York Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, painted a dire picture of the current trajectory. “We’re standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” Meeks stated. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.”
GOP members countered by accusing Democrats of applying double standards. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast of Florida pointed to the lack of war powers resolutions when President Biden ordered attacks on Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen throughout 2024.
“When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast argued. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. … That’s the hypocrisy.”
The 1973 War Powers Act establishes a 60-day window for Congress to either declare war or authorize force, with that deadline approaching at April’s end for the Iran situation. While lawmakers could grant a 30-day extension, they have signaled they want the Trump administration to present a clear exit strategy soon.
Despite the failed vote, Democrats seized the chance to spotlight the conflict’s mounting costs: billions in spending, at least 13 military deaths, skyrocketing fuel prices, and strained relationships with allies opposing Trump’s actions.
Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal highlighted the domestic impact, saying “Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting. Another 10,000 U.S. troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.”
Republicans rallied around Trump’s firm stance against what they described as Iran’s long history of regional terrorism and oppression of its citizens.
“President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable,” declared South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson.
The voting breakdown showed minimal party defections, with Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie as the sole GOP member supporting troop withdrawal, while Maine Democrat Jared Golden was the only Democrat opposing the measure.
This marked the second unsuccessful attempt by House Democrats to limit Trump’s Iran military operations, following an earlier March vote that failed 212-219. Wednesday saw a similar effort fall short in the Senate.
HAVANA — Cuba’s leader Miguel Díaz-Canel delivered a defiant message Thursday, declaring his nation stands ready to defend itself against potential U.S. military action while emphasizing Cuba has no desire for armed conflict.
Speaking to hundreds gathered for a rally marking the 65th anniversary of when the Cuban Revolution declared its socialist principles, Díaz-Canel addressed mounting tensions between the two nations.
“The moment is extremely challenging and calls upon us once again, as on April 16, 1961, to be ready to confront serious threats, including military aggression. We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel said.
His remarks come as relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated, with Cuba facing severe hardships due to what officials call a U.S. energy embargo.
President Trump recently suggested his administration might turn its attention to Cuba following the conclusion of military operations in Iran.
“We may stop by Cuba after we finish with this,” he said.
Trump characterized the island as a “failing nation” and claimed it has “been a terribly run country for a long time.”
The former president has previously issued threats regarding Cuba, similar to his actions in early January when U.S. forces struck Venezuela and disrupted crucial oil deliveries from that nation.
Subsequently, Trump warned of imposing tariffs on any nation that sells or supplies oil to Cuba.
Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose family left Cuba in the 1950s prior to the revolution — have both criticized the island’s leadership as incompetent and oppressive.
Díaz-Canel dismissed their statements as attempts to create a false “narrative” without basis.
“Cuba is not a failed state. Cuba is a besieged state. Cuba is a state facing multidimensional aggression: economic warfare, an intensified blockade and an energy blockade,” said Díaz-Canel, who served as the primary speaker at Thursday’s event.
“Cuba is a threatened state that does not surrender. And despite everything. And thanks to socialism. Cuba is a state that resists, creates, and make no mistake, a state that will prevail,” Díaz-Canel added.
Officials from both nations have confirmed discussions are underway to address the escalating tensions, though specific details remain confidential.
The Cuban leader highlighted accomplishments stemming from the revolution and its social programs, including universal education that has produced thousands of skilled professionals, many of whom have been compelled to leave the country due to current difficulties.
Trump’s oil restrictions have intensified already severe conditions caused by a five-year economic downturn that began with the COVID-19 pandemic and increased U.S. sanctions designed to force political changes on the island.
Analysts have raised concerns about a potential humanitarian emergency.
Policies preventing Cuba from obtaining petroleum from Venezuelan, Mexican and Russian sources are worsening the population’s difficult circumstances, including extended power outages and fuel shortages.
Thursday’s gathering honored the 65th anniversary of a significant address by former leader Fidel Castro during a previous standoff with the United States. That pivotal moment established the ideological direction the Caribbean island would follow and its resistance to Washington’s regional influence.
NEW CASTLE – State officials have unveiled an enhanced online platform designed to streamline how Delaware employers report their new hires to government agencies.
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Child Support Services worked with technology partner YoungWilliams to create the upgraded State Directory of New Hire Reporting website.
The refreshed platform offers employers a more user-friendly interface that meets full accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Officials say the improvements will make the process of reporting both new hires and rehired workers simpler and faster for businesses statewide.
The modernized system represents part of ongoing efforts by state agencies to digitize services and improve the experience for Delaware employers who must comply with federal reporting requirements.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used religious scripture during a Pentagon press briefing Thursday to launch an attack on news media, drawing parallels between reporters and the Pharisees who conspired against Jesus Christ.
Speaking to assembled journalists, Hegseth referenced a recent Sunday sermon about how religious leaders sought to undermine Jesus despite witnessing his miracles. The Defense Secretary’s remarks appeared aimed at pushing back against what he viewed as unfavorable media coverage of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran.
“Their hearts were hardened against Jesus,” Hegseth stated, quoting scripture, “and the Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel against him, how to destroy him.”
“I sat there in church and I thought, our press are just like these Pharisees,” Hegseth told the briefing room, clarifying he wasn’t targeting all journalists, just “the legacy, Trump-hating press.”
“The Pharisees scrutinized every good act in order to find a violation. Only looking for the negative. The hardened hearts of our press are calibrated only to impugn,” he continued.
The comments occurred as tensions escalate between President Trump and Pope Leo, the first American-born Catholic Church leader who has criticized the Iranian conflict. This week, Trump posted social media images showing Jesus embracing him and depicting himself in Christ-like imagery.
Both Hegseth and Trump have increasingly incorporated Christian terminology when discussing the war, describing the Easter Sunday rescue of a downed American pilot in Iran as miraculous. At a prayer gathering last month, Hegseth asked for troops to deliver “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
According to John Fea, a Messiah University history professor specializing in evangelical politics, while American leaders have historically referenced Christian faith during wartime, the Trump administration stands out for its “stark, unequivocal religious language.”
The approach has deepened divisions with Pope Leo, who posted on social media shortly after Hegseth’s briefing: “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”
Hegseth regularly criticizes American news organizations, claiming bias against Trump. The Pentagon is currently appealing a federal court ruling that found its media credentialing restrictions unconstitutional after an extensive legal fight with news outlets.
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2026 – Armed with fresh retail and federal agriculture data that highlights California Proposition 12’s harmful effects on both farmers and shoppers, 105 American pork farmers representing 23 states traveled to Capitol Hill this week to lobby federal legislators about protecting their operations.
Analysis conducted by researchers at North Dakota State University’s Agricultural Risk Policy Center reveals that price hikes linked to Prop. 12 have continued, even two full years since the regulation went into complete effect. When comparing California’s price jumps to those across the rest of the nation, covered pork products cost consumers 20% more on average because of Prop. 12. The most recent data shows the law has pushed pork loin prices up by 32%, rib prices by 22%, shoulder prices by 16%, and bacon prices by 16%.
Additionally, California shoppers have spent an extra $350 million on pork items while their overall pork purchases have dropped substantially because of Prop. 12. With food costs becoming increasingly burdensome, Prop. 12 keeps generating instability for agricultural operations and is creating an unworkable maze of differing state animal housing regulations.
The NPPC supports the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (also known as Farm Bill 2.0) which provides security to family farming operations nationwide by preventing any single state from dictating agricultural methods for farmers operating beyond its boundaries.
“We’re all singing from the same songbook – real pork producers of all sizes. We need relief from a patchwork of state animal housing laws, which will surely be the nail in the coffin for a number of farms across the country,” said NPPC President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington, Iowa. “The mission is clear: We need Congress to exercise their authority and fix Prop. 12.”
A coalition representing millions of agricultural producers and members has urged Congress to prevent one state from imposing its regulations on farming operations throughout the country.
Veterinary professionals also oppose Prop. 12. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that Prop. 12 does “not objectively improve animal welfare and may unintentionally cause harm.”
The National Pork Producers Council and the more than 60,000 farming operations it represents will keep spearheading efforts for producers to operate their enterprises without interference from regulations imposed by other states.
SALISBURY, Md. – A standout athlete from Salisbury University’s volleyball program has earned recognition on the international stage after being selected for a coveted academic opportunity overseas.
Beitris Boyreau-Millar, who plays setter for the Sea Gulls volleyball squad, has been chosen to receive the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Award, according to a university announcement made this week.
The prestigious scholarship will allow Boyreau-Millar to pursue academic studies at King’s College London during the upcoming summer session. The Fulbright program represents one of the most competitive and respected international educational exchange initiatives available to students.
This marks another achievement for Salisbury University’s athletic program, as Boyreau-Millar becomes the latest Sea Gull to earn this distinguished academic honor.
Delaware State Auditor Lydia E. York has released her comprehensive review of federal funding distributed to the state, examining how Delaware handled $4.17 billion in federal awards during the 2025 fiscal year.
The report, known as a Uniform Guidance Single Audit, was made public today from Dover. This type of audit is required for states that receive significant federal funding and provides oversight on how those taxpayer dollars are managed and spent.
The $4.17 billion figure represents the total amount of federal money that flowed to Delaware state government during the fiscal year under review. Such audits help ensure compliance with federal regulations and proper stewardship of public funds.
ARLINGTON, Va. — Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin jokingly suggested he wants a two-year contract extension from the team.
While he was likely kidding, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer’s future remains uncertain following the conclusion of his 21st professional season on Tuesday. Recent games felt like potential farewell moments to fans and even rival players, though Ovechkin hasn’t ruled out a comeback.
With his current deal now expired, the veteran forward met with media Thursday for an extended interview where he discussed upcoming conversations with head coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Chris Patrick. When reporters asked what he hoped to hear from Patrick regarding the franchise’s direction, Ovechkin responded with humor.
“Two more years,” he said, prompting laughter. “This is the contract. Sign it.”
Such a lengthy agreement would shock most observers given Ovechkin’s age of 40. The more pressing question centers on whether he’ll continue his NHL career at all. The Russian captain indicated his choice will hinge on his physical condition, family circumstances, and Washington’s competitive prospects.
Washington concluded their campaign with a victory over Columbus on Tuesday, finishing with 95 points. While that total would have topped the Pacific Division, it left them three points shy of an Eastern Conference playoff berth. Promising young talents like Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson have shown development for the organization, leaving the team in reasonable shape regardless of Ovechkin’s decision.
Should he return, his salary negotiations would be fascinating after earning $9.5 million annually on his previous contract. This season, he led Washington with 32 goals while appearing in all 82 contests — impressive statistics for someone his age. However, his signature one-timer from the left wing wasn’t as dominant as in previous years, managing just five power-play goals on 86 attempts, and his defensive play showed signs of decline.
When asked about potentially joining another NHL franchise, Ovechkin noted his free agent status.
“I’m a free agent,” he stated.
Pressed further about playing elsewhere after spending his entire career in Washington, he responded: “Probably not, no.”
Speculation has surrounded a possible return to Russia, but Ovechkin emphasized he must first resolve his NHL situation.
“I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game — I hope it’s not my last game, against Columbus. I have to make a decision to see where we’re at — the team, family,” Ovechkin explained. “Obviously, family are going to support me, like my wife and kids. Kids are already asking, ‘Dad, are you staying or not?’”
His response to his children?
“I tell them, ‘We’ll see,’” he said. “They want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys.”
Two NBA stars will remain in contention for major league honors this season after successfully appealing the league’s 65-game participation requirement, officials announced Thursday.
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association jointly decided that Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham can compete for awards including Most Valuable Player and All-NBA team selections, even though neither met the standard game threshold.
Dončić appeared in 64 contests while Cunningham participated in 63 games during the regular season. However, both organizations determined that exceptional circumstances warranted their inclusion under a special provision within the collective bargaining agreement.
The scoring champion and MVP contender Dončić was absent for two games while traveling to Slovenia for his daughter’s birth. Meanwhile, Cunningham sat out 12 games following a collapsed lung diagnosis on March 17.
“The NBA and NBPA agreed that, taking into account the totality of the circumstances for Cunningham and Dončić, each player qualified for awards,” the league and union stated jointly.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, who participated in 60 qualifying games, also challenged the rule through an independent arbitrator but received a denial for his appeal.
The eligibility question became a significant storyline as the season concluded. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, considered an MVP finalist and probable Defensive Player of the Year winner, reached the 65-game threshold during the Spurs’ second-to-last contest. Denver’s three-time MVP Nikola Jokic secured his qualification on the regular season’s final day, extending his streak of finishing first or second in MVP voting over five consecutive seasons while capturing this year’s rebounding and assist championships.
Denver head coach David Adelman expressed hope last week that the 65-game requirement will face modification this summer, arguing that dedicated players like Jokic who compete in 64 games without wanting rest shouldn’t face award disqualification.
“That’s not the spirit of what that rule is,” Adelman commented.
Several prominent players will lose award eligibility this season due to the game minimum, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, whose remarkable 21-season All-NBA team streak will conclude. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State’s Stephen Curry also missed excessive games to qualify.
Following the completion of appeals for Dončić, Cunningham, and Edwards, the NBA will distribute award ballots to its voting panel of league reporters and broadcasters within days. The timing for announcing award recipients remains undetermined.
Home loan rates have fallen for the second consecutive week, providing some relief for potential buyers during the traditionally active spring housing period.
Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year fixed mortgage rates decreased to 6.3% from the previous week’s 6.37%. This represents a significant improvement from the 6.83% rate recorded one year ago.
The current rate marks the lowest point since March 19, when it stood at 6.22%.
Homeowners looking to refinance also saw improved conditions, as 15-year fixed mortgage rates fell to 5.65% from 5.74% the previous week. Freddie Mac noted this compares favorably to the 6.03% rate from the same period last year.
Home loan rates fluctuate based on multiple economic factors, including Federal Reserve policy decisions and bond market expectations regarding economic growth and inflation trends.
Earlier this year in late February, 30-year mortgage rates briefly dipped below 6% for the first time since late 2022. However, rates began rising last month when conflict with Iran caused energy costs to spike, raising inflation concerns. This development increased yields on 10-year Treasury bonds, which lenders reference when setting home loan prices.
Thursday’s midday bond trading showed the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.29%, up slightly from 4.28% one week prior. This contrasts with the 3.97% yield recorded in late February, before the Iranian conflict began.
Bond yields started declining last week following a two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Pakistan’s military leadership met with Iranian parliamentary officials Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to extend the temporary truce.
The conflict has intensified concerns about inflation and economic direction while consumer confidence in employment markets weakens. Combined with mortgage rate increases over the past seven weeks, these factors have cooled the traditional spring homebuying period.
“The ceasefire announcement earlier this month may have temporarily eased mortgage rates; however, right now, the outlook for the spring market is still unclear,” Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, said in an email. “Mortgage rates are probably going to remain volatile as there is still significant uncertainty about a long-term resolution of the conflict with Iran.”
The housing market has struggled since 2022, when mortgage rates started climbing from pandemic-era lows. Previously owned home sales remained virtually unchanged last year, hitting a three-decade low. Sales have continued to lag this year, with January, February, and March all showing declines compared to the same months in the previous year.
Cecil County’s Board of Elections has called an emergency session to address changes needed for the upcoming 2026 primary election polling arrangements.
The special meeting has been organized specifically to give official approval for a substitute polling location that will be used during the 2026 primary voting process.
Election officials in the Maryland county determined the emergency session was necessary to ensure proper authorization for the alternate voting site before the primary election takes place.
The board meeting represents standard procedure when polling place modifications are required, ensuring voters will have access to approved voting locations during the election.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — A controversial South African opposition leader who recently compared Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler received a five-year prison sentence Thursday for discharging a rifle during a 2018 political gathering.
Julius Malema, head of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party, has sparked controversy across South Africa for years through inflammatory statements that critics say fuel racial divisions with anti-white language. His supporters view him as a champion for South Africa’s impoverished Black population.
The politician has drawn scrutiny from U.S. officials and was highlighted in footage shown during a tense Oval Office encounter last year between Trump and South Africa’s president.
In recent statements, Malema characterized Trump as an “Adolf Hitler of (the) modern day.”
Malema’s controversial history began during his time leading the African National Congress youth wing from 2008 to 2012. His behavior frequently frustrated party leadership, particularly when he started openly attacking then-President Jacob Zuma, despite previously declaring his loyalty. He once stated “we are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma.”
In 2010, he verbally attacked a BBC reporter, labeled him a British “agent,” and ejected him from a news conference, drawing condemnation from the ANC. Malema consistently portrays the United States and Britain as having “imperialist” and racist policies toward South Africa.
After numerous inflammatory statements and criticism of Botswana’s leadership as a puppet government, the ANC removed him from the party in 2012.
The following year, Malema established the Economic Freedom Fighters as a radical left-wing, anti-capitalist organization.
His new party advocates for dramatic reforms in South Africa, including seizing land owned by white citizens and redistributing it to Black South Africans who suffered under apartheid’s racial segregation system.
As “Commander in Chief” of the EFF, Malema’s rhetoric has been condemned for inflaming racial tensions in the diverse nation that achieved reconciliation after apartheid ended.
“We are not calling for the slaughter of white people — at least for now,” Malema declared in one of numerous speeches targeting South Africa’s white minority population.
He has also made derogatory comments about South Africans of Indian descent.
Malema attracted international attention by reviving the apartheid-era slogan “Kill the Boer,” chanting it at rallies both as ANC youth leader and with the EFF. The term “Boer” refers to white farmers, and white minority advocacy groups condemn the chant as hate speech.
Trump and his allies, including South African-born Elon Musk, have pointed to Malema’s party and the chant to support their unfounded assertions about systematic violence targeting white South African farmers.
Video footage featuring Malema and the EFF was displayed in the Oval Office during Trump’s confrontational meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, when Trump challenged Ramaphosa on the farmer issue.
The Trump administration’s claims that South Africa’s Black-majority government pursues anti-white policies has created a significant diplomatic rift between the nations.
Although Malema and fellow EFF members hold parliamentary seats, their party has never achieved national governing power and captured 10% of votes in the most recent 2024 national election. The EFF remains outside the coalition government.
Malema and his party have also targeted criticism at Ramaphosa and the ANC, resulting in multiple ejections from Parliament for disrupting sessions.
In 2023, Malema and other EFF legislators wearing their signature red work uniforms rushed the stage during a presidential address, resulting in physical confrontations with security personnel.
Malema’s firearm conviction in October came seven years after he discharged a rifle into the air at a political event.
An organization representing South Africa’s Afrikaner white minority filed legal action that ultimately forced prosecutors to pursue charges against Malema.
While sentenced to five years imprisonment Thursday, Malema filed an appeal and was released on bail pending the appeal process. Should the sentence stand, he would be barred from legislative service for five years following his prison term.
A dangerous weather system moving through America’s heartland claimed at least one life Thursday as severe conditions continue threatening communities with tornadoes, flooding, and deadly lightning strikes.
The fatality occurred Wednesday evening in Waukesha, located west of Milwaukee, where authorities say a man was apparently killed by lightning while walking through a parking lot during intense storms. According to local police, the “area was experiencing heavy rainfall accompanied by significant thunder and lightning” when someone spotted the victim on the ground.
“Preliminary information indicates the individual was struck by lightning while walking through the parking lot during the storm,” police said.
The widespread severe weather outbreak has been fueled by an atmospheric setup combining extremely humid conditions with a powerful jet stream, creating a dangerous corridor stretching from central Texas northward into the Midwest and eastward across the Great Lakes region. Between Monday and Wednesday alone, the National Weather Service documented more than 1,100 incidents of damaging weather including large hail, winds exceeding 60 mph, and tornado touchdowns, according to Bill Bunting, a meteorologist with the Storm Prediction Center.
These dangerous conditions have persisted across numerous states throughout the week and may extend into the weekend.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of lightning with these storms over the last few days,” said Mark Gehring, a meteorologist with the weather service in Milwaukee.
“We’ve had the temperature and humidity of summer and it’s lasting an entire week — in mid-April,” he added. “In addition to a very stormy pattern, nearly every day we’re having heavy rain. We’ve had tornadoes nearly every day, very large hail.”
Weather officials have confirmed five tornado touchdowns across southern and central portions of Wisconsin, though Gehring expects that number to grow as damage surveys continue. He warned that Friday evening could bring another round of severe weather to the region.
Beyond the tornado and lightning threats, the storm system has delivered torrential rainfall, prompting weather officials to issue numerous flood warnings and watches spanning multiple states.
Emergency crews in Cheboygan, Michigan worked frantically this week to pump water from a threatened dam, even removing floodgates to reduce pressure buildup. City officials warned residents and businesses Monday to prepare emergency bags with essential medications, documents, and supplies while staying alert for evacuation orders due to rising flood risks.
The small northern Michigan community of Bellaire, home to about 1,000 residents, announced Thursday that excessive rainfall has overwhelmed its sewage treatment facilities, forcing officials to discharge partially treated wastewater into nearby wetlands. Village leaders asked residents to minimize household water usage to help reduce the burden on the failing system.
Carl Johnson, 59, owns property along the rapidly swelling Muskegon River in western Michigan and has offered to help neighbors with his boats as waters continue rising.
“It’s out of the banks everywhere. It’s really bad,” he told The Associated Press. “It’s not supposed to crest until Saturday.”
In Portage, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin River has reached major flood stage and forecasters predict it could meet or exceed the record level of 20.7 feet sometime Friday morning, meteorologist Gehring reported.
“Right now, it’s at 19.9 feet, not that far off,” he said. “In Portage, there’s a large area of low-land flooding. Many roads are flooded. There’s a levee there. It’s important that the levee holds.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a state emergency declaration earlier this week as conditions worsened.
Motorists became stranded Wednesday night when floodwaters overtook a Milwaukee-area highway, prompting the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to post urgent warnings advising residents to avoid driving in southeastern Wisconsin.
However, relief may be approaching for Wisconsin residents dealing with the relentless weather pattern.
“We have one more severe, heavy rain event coming this way before we get a good break,” Gehring said. “That’s going to be on Friday evening. That’s going to be the last gasp of severe rain.”
Friday’s weather system will still pose risks for additional tornadoes, heavy downpours, and flooding concerns.
“It just keeps coming, but that will be the last one,” Gehring said.
ORLANDO, Fla. — The defense team representing professional golfer Tiger Woods is mounting a legal challenge against prosecutors who want access to his medical prescription records as part of a driving under the influence case in Florida.
Defense attorney Doug Duncan filed court documents this week arguing that Woods maintains constitutional privacy protections regarding his medication history. Duncan has requested that the Martin County judge presiding over the case schedule a hearing to evaluate whether obtaining these medical records is essential to the prosecution’s case.
Should the court rule that the prescription information is required for the investigation, Duncan has petitioned for strict limitations on who can access the records, requesting they be restricted to prosecutors, investigating officers, state forensic specialists, and Woods’ legal representatives.
The golf legend has entered a not guilty plea to the DUI charges. According to law enforcement documentation, officers discovered two pain medication pills on Woods during the incident and observed indicators of impairment after his vehicle struck a truck’s trailer and overturned.
The crash occurred on Jupiter Island, where Woods was driving at excessive speeds on a coastal residential street with a posted limit of 30 mph. His Land Rover caused approximately $5,000 in damages to the truck, investigation records show. While Woods consented to breath testing that revealed no alcohol presence, he declined to provide a urine sample, officials reported.
Court filings reveal that prosecutors plan to subpoena prescription medication records for the championship golfer from Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach, Florida, covering the period from January through the end of last month.
Additionally, prosecution attorneys filed a Wednesday court motion requiring Woods to disclose the identity and whereabouts of any defense witnesses he intends to call during proceedings.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Washington has clarified that underground security construction may move forward at the White House, despite his earlier decision to block President Donald Trump’s proposed $400 million ballroom project.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued the updated ruling Thursday, specifying that work on below-ground bunker facilities and other security infrastructure can continue at the location. His decision came after a federal appeals court directed him to reassess how national security concerns factor into his construction ban.
The appeals court had asked Leon to reconsider whether stopping all work at the site could compromise security interests. Administration attorneys had contended that the project incorporates essential protective elements designed to defend against various potential dangers, including drone attacks, missile strikes, and biological hazards.
Leon’s original order required congressional authorization before any construction could begin, though he temporarily paused enforcement of that directive for a two-week period. The appeals court then extended that suspension through Friday.
Republican lawmakers in Congress have successfully passed a measure aimed at eliminating federal restrictions on mining operations near Minnesota’s protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, potentially opening the door for a Chilean-owned company to extract valuable metals from the environmentally sensitive region.
Following House approval last month, Senate Republicans secured a narrow 50-49 victory Thursday to advance the resolution to President Trump’s desk, despite strong opposition from environmental advocates who fear irreversible damage to one of America’s most pristine wilderness areas.
Democratic senators argued during floor debate that removing these protections would establish a troubling precedent that could threaten conservation efforts on federal lands nationwide. Minnesota’s Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith particularly criticized their Republican colleagues for undermining their state’s natural heritage.
Klobuchar, who previously backed iron mining but is currently seeking the Minnesota governor’s office, described the Boundary Waters as a place where visitors experience “mist over meadows” and “sunlight on leaves.” Smith accused the GOP of disregarding Minnesotans who oppose destroying the wilderness.
“You can support mining, but that does not mean you support every mine in every place,” Smith stated during the debate.
Notably, no Republican senators offered remarks defending the ban’s removal.
The protected wilderness spans approximately 150 miles through the Superior National Forest along the Minnesota-Canada border, featuring crystal-clear lakes, expansive forests of pine, spruce and birch trees, spectacular sunsets and starlit skies. Visitors who venture beyond popular routes can experience profound solitude interrupted only by loon calls and occasional wolf howls.
Current regulations prohibit logging activities, restrict aircraft to altitudes above 4,000 feet except during emergencies, and limit motorized boats to designated areas. Forest Service records show tens of thousands of paddlers and campers visit annually.
The surrounding national forest sits atop the Duluth Complex, a geological formation rich in copper, nickel, lead, zinc, iron, silver and gold deposits, according to Forest Service documentation.
Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, owned by Chilean mining giant Antofagasta Minerals, presented a proposal to the Interior Department in 2019 seeking permission to extract copper, nickel and other valuable metals from the national forest. Company representatives claimed their operation would generate hundreds of union positions, over a thousand additional jobs, and significant tax revenue for economically challenged northeastern Minnesota communities.
“With this Project, Minnesota can be a model for modern, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible mining,” their operational proposal stated.
While the initial Trump administration renewed the company’s mineral rights in 2019, Biden administration officials canceled those agreements in early 2022. The following year, a 20-year prohibition was established covering 400 square miles of forest land, with officials citing watershed and wilderness protection as justification.
Twin Metals responded with federal litigation claiming their leases remained legally binding, but a judge dismissed their case in 2023. The company’s appeal remains under review.
President Trump has emphasized increasing domestic energy and mineral production, declaring an energy emergency shortly after returning to office in January 2025. His administration restored a 2017 legal interpretation last fall that permitted Twin Metals to renew Superior National Forest leases, and Minnesota regulators approved the company’s exploratory activities in December.
Duluth Republican Representative Pete Stauber introduced the moratorium-lifting resolution in January, arguing the prohibition has eliminated Minnesota jobs and compromised national mineral security. During House floor remarks, he emphasized the benefits of domestic mining over dependence on China or Russia for essential minerals.
While the moratorium’s removal would permit mining in national forest areas bordering the Boundary Waters rather than within the wilderness itself, the proposal has generated significant opposition from environmental groups and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Critics warn that mining-related contamination could spread through the wilderness watershed, introducing mercury and sulfide compounds that would harm fish, wildlife and vegetation, including wild rice crucial to Minnesota’s Chippewa tribal traditions.
Descendants of President Theodore Roosevelt, including his great-grandson, sent correspondence to Republican senators requesting they maintain the current moratorium. The Friends of the Boundary Waters organization has coordinated protests outside Stauber’s Hermantown office and organized a demonstration at Minnesota’s state capitol in St. Paul. This controversy adds to existing tensions between Minnesota and the Trump administration following fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by federal immigration agents in January.
Twin Metals defended their 2019 proposal by highlighting northeastern Minnesota’s mining heritage, noting eleven previous mining operations in the area. Company officials also emphasized that emerging low-carbon technologies require precious metals – copper for wind turbines, cobalt for electric vehicle batteries, and nickel for corrosion-resistant materials in desalination facilities.
The proposed $1.7 billion operation would function continuously year-round, according to company documents. Their plan included environmental safeguards such as underground extraction, above-ground waste elimination to prevent acid drainage, and post-closure site restoration.
Trump is anticipated to approve the resolution, though mine development could still require years even without the moratorium. Twin Metals estimated two to three years for construction in their 2019 filing, though this timeline may prove optimistic.
While Trump could expedite federal lease renewal and pressure agencies like the Forest Service and Army Corps of Engineers for rapid permitting, Twin Metals must still obtain up to 18 state permits according to their proposal. The company would face additional obstacles if voters elect Klobuchar as governor this November.
Environmental organizations retain the option to challenge permits through litigation, potentially delaying construction for years during court proceedings.
DENVER — When playoff season arrives, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic finds his relaxation in an unexpected place: his backyard swimming pool.
The versatile big man traditionally opens his pool around this time each year, weather allowing, creating a peaceful retreat where he and his children can unwind. For Jokic, these quiet moments floating in the water provide the perfect mental break from the intense pressure of championship aspirations.
The Nuggets secured the third playoff position after winning 54 games this season and will square off against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in their opening playoff round beginning Saturday.
This campaign has been extraordinary for Jokic in terms of both performance and physical challenges.
From a statistical standpoint, Jokic accomplished something not seen in over five decades, becoming the first player since 1969-70 to top the league in both rebounds and assists per game. The only other player to achieve this feat was Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68, though that was based on total numbers rather than averages.
From a health perspective, the three-time Most Valuable Player faced his first significant NBA injury when he hyperextended his left knee, forcing him to sit out 16 contests between late December and January. Denver managed a 10-6 record during his absence.
“It’s not a difficult year, but an inconsistent year, with the injuries, with the lineups, with everything,” Jokic said, having averaged a triple-double for the second consecutive season with 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists. “We still managed to be one of the top teams. That’s something telling about this team, and the group that we have in the locker room. We definitely show ourselves that we can answer to anything, and hopefully we’re going find a way and in the playoffs when the moment is big.”
Denver approaches the postseason with tremendous momentum, having won 12 straight games. When asked about the streak, Jokic displayed his characteristic wit.
“It’s definitely better than a 12-game losing streak,” Jokic remarked. “When you’re playing well, everybody’s feeling good.”
The Serbian center recorded 34 triple-doubles across 65 games this season, including an unforgettable Christmas Day showcase against Minnesota when he exploded for 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a 142-138 overtime victory.
“It’ll probably take a little bit of everything,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said regarding the challenge of defending Jokic. “Probably got to call God and talk to him for a little bit and ask him for a few favors. … He’s an incredible player. He does so much on the floor for that team.”
Standing 6-foot-11 and weighing 284 pounds, Jokic possesses the court vision of a point guard combined with unstoppable post moves and three-point shooting ability.
“He’s a joy to watch,” said San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson, whose squad could potentially meet Denver in the second round. “He’s just so unique in so many ways.”
Denver teammates emphasize they never take Jokic’s nightly excellence for granted. His 198 career triple-doubles rank second only to former teammate Russell Westbrook’s 209, while his 21 playoff triple-doubles trail just Magic Johnson (30) and LeBron James (28).
“Nothing has shocked me this year,” said teammate Christian Braun, who was a rookie during Denver’s 2023 championship run. “But that’s probably not the right way to say it. Everything (Jokic) does shocks me. Every time I watch him, he shocks me.”
The organization breathed a collective sigh of relief when doctors determined Jokic would miss only several weeks after his December 29 injury in Miami. The incident looked frightening as Jokic collapsed and clutched his knee after stepping on Spencer Jones’ foot.
Following his January 30 return, he’s missed just one additional game. This healthy stretch allowed him to reach the 65-game minimum required for major awards consideration.
“He’s in a great place,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said, “physically and mentally.”
Jokic’s signature trait remains his ability to elevate teammates’ performance, whether delivering passes to Cam Johnson on the perimeter, creating screens to free Jamal Murray for drives, or finding Aaron Gordon for open shots.
“We need everybody,” Jokic explained. “Everybody needs to step up.”
Coach Adelman remains baffled by the lack of MVP discussion surrounding his star player, with current betting favorites pointing toward Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I would say what stands out to me is how much he has not been talked about,” Adelman said. “I think it’s absolutely insane. I have no idea what the narrative is and why.”
Minnesota center Rudy Gobert has developed deep admiration for Jokic’s approach to the game.
“Whatever he does, he plays to win. He’s selfless,” Gobert said. “He’s just here to show up, help his team win and go home. I like that. I respect that.”
Young learners from Rehoboth Elementary School joined Mayor Stan Mills and city officials for a community Arbor Day celebration that combined education with environmental stewardship.
Elementary students in grades four and five participated in multiple activities designed to highlight the importance of trees and environmental conservation. The festivities began with both students and Mayor Mills delivering a special city proclamation recognizing the significance of Arbor Day.
The celebration also honored young artists who earned recognition in the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s annual poster competition. Winners received awards for their creative work promoting tree conservation and environmental awareness.
Musical entertainment came from the students themselves, who performed the “Tree Song” as part of the educational programming. The highlight of the day was a hands-on tree planting ceremony held at Stockley Street Park, where students worked alongside city officials to add new trees to the community green space.
Photos from the community celebration capture students actively participating in each aspect of the environmental education event.
Workers at a CVS Health distribution facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia are preparing for a potential work stoppage next month after voting to authorize strike action.
Over 500 drivers and warehouse employees represented by Teamsters Local 592 approved the strike authorization for May 1st, according to union officials who announced the decision Thursday.
The labor dispute centers around contract negotiations, with workers rejecting what they describe as the company’s demands for benefit reductions. Union representatives say CVS is seeking to cut affordable healthcare coverage and other essential benefits.
“If CVS keeps pushing concessions and refusing to take bargaining seriously, we will be forced on the picket line May 1,” stated Chris Donald, a 38-year-old warehouse employee and Local 592 member.
Jim Smith, who serves as president of Teamsters Local 592, expressed strong opposition to the company’s negotiating position. “CVS is choosing greed over its workforce. We will not accept a concessionary contract and we will fight to protect every benefit our members have earned,” Smith declared.
The Fredericksburg facility serves CVS locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic area, including stores in Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Union officials warn that a work stoppage could significantly impact supply chains across the region.
CVS responded to the strike threat by telling Reuters that no walkout is immediately expected and that negotiations with the union remain ongoing. The healthcare giant expressed optimism about reaching a resolution.
Company representatives said they believe an agreement can be achieved that addresses “workplace safety and competitive wages and benefits.”
CVS also indicated it has backup plans ready to maintain product deliveries to stores and pharmacies, stating the company can rapidly restock any items affected by potential supply disruptions.
The Teamsters union had not provided additional comment when contacted by Reuters.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men’s basketball program has welcomed David ‘Tee’ Johnson to its coaching ranks, with head coach Martin Ingelsby making the announcement on Thursday.
Johnson will take on dual responsibilities as an assistant coach and director of player development for the Blue Hens. Prior to his arrival in Newark, he worked as an assistant coach with the University of Massachusetts Lowell basketball program.
The addition of Johnson represents another step in Coach Ingelsby’s efforts to strengthen the Blue Hens’ coaching staff and enhance player development within the program.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball squad is set to take on Kennesaw State University as part of their ongoing series of home games.
The team will look to build momentum during this stretch of contests played on their home field. Among the players featured on the roster is Ellie Mulligan, who will be part of the Blue Hens’ effort in the upcoming matchup.
The game represents another opportunity for Delaware fans to support their team during this extended period of home competition at the university’s softball facility.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Paramount Pictures showcased its future film projects to cinema operators Thursday during CinemaCon in Las Vegas, as the studio navigates controversy surrounding its massive acquisition deal with Warner Bros.
David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance finalized an agreement in late February worth $111 billion to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, creating significant buzz at the industry gathering as attendees speculate about potential impacts on the struggling theater exhibition sector.
During Warner Bros.’ extensive Tuesday presentation lasting more than two hours, no speakers addressed the Paramount situation directly. However, multiple filmmakers who appeared at the event were among thousands of industry professionals who signed a public letter condemning the merger, including Denis Villeneuve and J.J. Abrams. Amazon MGM was the sole studio to acknowledge the deal at all, making a lighthearted reference in a promotional video for the upcoming “Spaceballs” sequel.
Director James Cameron stands as one of the rare filmmakers endorsing the transaction, expressing confidence in a Paramount-controlled Warner Bros. Cameron is co-directing Paramount’s forthcoming concert documentary “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D).” Speaking with The Associated Press recently, Cameron described Ellison as a “natural born storyteller” who “really cares about movies.”
“He’s the right man for the job to run a major studio, and now it looks like he’s going to have two of them, you know, swept under his leadership, which doesn’t bother me at all,” Cameron stated.
Following Paramount’s recent $8 billion Skydance merger completed just months earlier, the company committed to distributing 15 theatrical releases during 2026. Ellison has announced plans for 30 annual theater releases once the Warner Bros. and Paramount combination is complete. The transaction requires shareholder approval later this month plus government oversight at both state and federal levels. The U.S. Justice Department must still evaluate this major consolidation that could grant Paramount enhanced pricing control over films and additional services, potentially harming consumers.
In Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Paramount stated, “Our priority is to build a vibrant, healthy business and industry — one that supports Hollywood and creative, benefits consumers, encourages competition, and strengthens the overall job market.”
Company officials have indicated plans to achieve approximately $6 billion in savings through workforce reductions in “duplicative operations.”
Paramount leadership contends that joining forces with Warner will enable competition with larger competitors, especially in streaming services, while providing expanded content collections for subscribers. The century-old Warner Bros. possesses an extensive film catalog featuring “Harry Potter,” “Superman” and “Barbie.”
Democratic Senator Cory Booker conducted a focused hearing Wednesday in Washington, D.C., examining possible anti-competitive consequences of combining two major Hollywood studios.
Actor Mark Ruffalo, among the merger’s most vocal opponents, warned that “tens of thousands of workers will be left poorer, along with the audiences we serve.”
Oscar winner David Borenstein, who recently received recognition for his documentary “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” expressed concern about diminished documentary filmmaking opportunities, “because a small number of distributors have consolidated power and decided to feed audiences a narrow and politically safe diet of content.” Although neither Paramount nor Warner Bros. are recognized primarily for documentary distribution, WBD properties CNN and HBO maintain strong non-fiction programming.
At CinemaCon, Paramount will likely focus attention on upcoming film releases. The studio has already achieved success this year with “Scream 7,” which has earned more than $212 million globally.
NAIROBI, Kenya — A Kenyan High Court delivered a significant ruling Thursday, allowing a major class action lawsuit against oil giant BP to move forward over claims of environmental contamination dating back decades.
Nearly 300 residents filed the legal action in February through the Land and Environment Court in Isiolo, claiming BP’s oil exploration activities resulted in widespread toxic contamination that poisoned drinking water supplies across northern Kenya.
According to the legal filing, the contamination included dangerous radioactive substances that infiltrated groundwater systems, leading to illness and death among hundreds of local residents and their livestock.
“During operations at the sites, hazardous and toxic contaminants were improperly disposed, discharged and released into the environment,” the petition states.
The controversial drilling operations took place during the 1980s under Amoco Corporation, which BP purchased in 1998. During that era, Amoco conducted unsuccessful drilling attempts at multiple locations near Kargi and Kalacha communities within the Chalbi Desert region of northern Kenya.
The legal complaint claims that over 500 people residing close to the drilling locations succumbed to cancer and related diseases after consuming water tainted with dangerous heavy metals and cancer-causing substances. Legal documents identify specific pollutants including radium isotopes, arsenic, lead and nitrates that were allegedly placed in unprotected disposal sites or abandoned in the open.
The lawsuit additionally targets several Kenyan government departments and agencies overseeing environmental protection, water resources, mining operations and public health, accusing them of inaction despite clear evidence of environmental damage.
Court proceedings are set to continue in May.
BP has remained silent on the matter and did not provide a response to requests for comment.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — At a zoo in western Mexico, a tiny patas monkey named Yuji starts each morning wrapped around his most treasured possession: a stuffed dog that serves as his substitute mother.
The 6-week-old primate, weighing just 1.4 pounds, depends on his plush friend for emotional support after his biological mother Kamaria abandoned him shortly after birth. The first-time parent was unable to develop the necessary maternal connection with her offspring.
Yuji’s touching story has resonated throughout Mexico, reminding many of Punch, a Japanese macaque who became an internet sensation for his attachment to a stuffed orangutan after facing similar maternal rejection.
However, Yuji’s situation differs from Punch’s case. The young monkey remains isolated from other primates, spending his days in a specialized enclosure at the Guadalajara Zoo’s Comprehensive Center for Animal Medicine and Welfare, known as CIMBA. A team of 12 veterinarians and biologists oversees his daily care.
Zoo officials have not established a timeline for introducing Yuji to the facility’s colony of 12 adult patas monkeys and three other young primates. According to veterinarian Iván Reynoso Ruiz, who leads the zoo’s primate department, this transition will occur once Yuji graduates from his current milk-only nutrition to a mature diet including fruits and vegetables, likely around 6 months of age.
The crisis began just hours after Yuji’s birth on March 3, when Kamaria displayed troubling maternal behaviors. She appeared unable to properly support her newborn, preventing the infant from maintaining the crucial grip needed for survival.
Recognizing the emergency, zoo staff quickly intervened by removing the 443-gram newborn from his mother’s care. The fragile infant required immediate incubator treatment at CIMBA to regulate his body temperature and ensure his survival, Reynoso Ruiz explained.
This marked the beginning of Yuji’s human-assisted upbringing, a common zoo practice designed to protect vulnerable young animals. Staff members chose his name as a tribute to a beloved Japanese manga character.
Throughout his initial weeks, Yuji received continuous monitoring and regular bottle feedings with enriched formula.
Zoo staff provided Yuji with stuffed companions from day one. Reynoso Ruiz noted that these toys function as maternal substitutes, offering him essential emotional security. To ensure cleanliness, caregivers cycle between three different plush animals — the original dog, plus a bear and monkey — guaranteeing Yuji always has a sanitary comfort object.
Staff members have enhanced Yuji’s living space with developmental tools including a miniature hammock and climbing ropes. As the young monkey has gained weight and extended his sleep periods, his care team has modified his feeding routine. Yuji now begins his day with the first of four daily bottles at 7:00 a.m.
Although both Punch and Yuji have gained social media fame, certain animal welfare advocates question the ethics of human-raised wildlife programs.
Animal rights campaigner Diana Valencia contends that natural environments cannot be replicated artificially, stating that creatures “have the right to be born, grow, develop, and die where they belong.”
Addressing such concerns, the Guadalajara Zoo’s primate specialist stressed that contemporary zoological facilities offer crucial protection for species facing worldwide dangers. He characterized the intervention as essential for survival, noting that Yuji would likely have died in natural conditions without this “second chance” at life.
Accomack County employees in Virginia now have the opportunity to enroll in their workplace benefits for the upcoming 2026 year.
The county has launched its annual benefits enrollment process, allowing staff members to review and choose from available healthcare plans and other employee benefit options.
During this enrollment window, county workers can make changes to their current benefit selections or sign up for new coverage that will take effect in 2026.
Employees are encouraged to carefully review all available options to ensure they select the benefits package that best meets their individual and family needs for the coming year.
Delaware State Police have taken a 30-year-old Wilmington resident into custody following an extensive investigation into retail theft operations and banking fraud that spanned several months.
Nyejierra Drummond faces multiple felony charges after authorities say she orchestrated a series of shoplifting schemes from September through December 2025, targeting stores in Newark’s Christiana Mall and Fashion Center areas. According to investigators, Drummond collaborated with various partners to steal substantial amounts of clothing items and fragrances during this three-month timeframe.
The investigation expanded when Drummond allegedly attempted to deposit a fake check worth more than $4,000 at a Wilmington banking institution on March 17, 2026. Banking staff grew suspicious during the transaction and reached out to the legitimate account holder, who verified the check was counterfeit.
Through ongoing detective work, authorities identified Drummond as the main perpetrator and calculated that she was responsible for stealing merchandise valued at more than $24,800 from various retail establishments. Police continue working to identify her co-conspirators in the operation.
Officers apprehended Drummond in Wilmington on April 9, 2026. Following her arrest, she was transported to Troop 6 headquarters where she faced formal charges. After appearing before Justice of the Peace Court 11, she was sent to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution under a $25,000 cash bond plus an additional $1,000 unsecured bond.
The charges against Drummond include: Attempted to Commit Theft $1500 or Greater Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony), Forgery Second Degree (Felony), Theft Organized Retail Crime Over $1500 (Felony) – 4 counts, Shoplifting Over $1500 (Felony), Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) – 5 counts, and Shoplifting Under $1500.
TOKYO (AP) — China’s diplomatic mission in Japan issued complaints Thursday about what it calls inadequate security response from local authorities, following a series of threatening incidents that have targeted the embassy.
According to acting Chinese ambassador Shi Yong, the diplomatic facility received threatening correspondence on March 5 from individuals identifying themselves as former law enforcement and military personnel. The letter contained threats of attacks against Chinese diplomatic facilities throughout Japan and mentioned “wiping out all Chinese” residents in the nation.
Embassy officials posted on X that they promptly notified Japanese law enforcement about the threats but criticized authorities for not treating the situation with appropriate seriousness or implementing adequate protective measures.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry has refused to provide comment on the allegations.
Diplomatic relations between the nations have deteriorated following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November statement suggesting Japan might respond militarily to any Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. China responded with diplomatic and economic sanctions against Japan.
Late in March, Japanese authorities arrested a military officer who illegally entered the Chinese Embassy grounds while carrying a blade. China formally protested the incident, prompting Japanese police to increase security measures around the diplomatic compound.
Shi revealed that one week following the knife incident, the embassy received bomb threats through social media from someone claiming military reserve status. The threat prompted a two-hour explosive device search, though Shi did not indicate whether any devices were discovered.
While Shi recognized that Japanese police have enhanced security around the embassy facility, he maintained that the diplomatic mission continues to face ongoing security risks.
A troubling pattern has emerged in colon cancer deaths among younger Americans, with new research showing the increase is heavily concentrated among individuals who didn’t complete a four-year college education.
The study, published Thursday in JAMA Oncology, marks the first national research to identify which groups are most impacted by the concerning uptick in colorectal cancer fatalities among young adults. High-profile cases like actor Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020 and James Van Der Beek’s recent diagnosis have brought attention to this growing health crisis.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society analyzed government records of more than 101,000 adults between ages 25 and 49 who succumbed to colorectal cancer between 1994 and 2023. Their findings revealed that virtually all increases in young adult deaths from this disease occurred among people lacking bachelor’s degrees.
The data shows colorectal cancer death rates in this age group climbed from approximately 3 per 100,000 to about 4 per 100,000 over the study period. However, among those with only high school education, rates jumped from 4 to 5.2 per 100,000, while rates for college graduates remained steady at 2.7 per 100,000.
Education level itself doesn’t determine cancer risk, but serves as an indicator of broader socioeconomic challenges. Individuals without degrees typically face lower incomes, limited access to healthcare, poor nutrition, and reduced physical activity levels.
Dr. Paolo Boffetta from Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, who wasn’t part of the research team, noted the significance of the findings. “It’s not totally unexpected that the death risk is concentrated in the less advantaged, but the paper published Thursday in JAMA Oncology is the first national study to actually show the connection,” Boffetta said.
Lead researcher Ahmedin Jemal emphasized that these results highlight the importance of public education about colorectal cancer and adherence to screening guidelines for younger adults. Warning signs include bloody stools, persistent changes in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, and ongoing abdominal discomfort.
The American Cancer Society projects over 158,000 new colorectal cancer diagnoses nationwide this year. As the country’s second-deadliest cancer after lung cancer, it’s anticipated to cause more than 55,000 deaths in 2026.
While deaths among adults under 50 represent roughly 7% of total colorectal cancer fatalities—approximately 3,900 cases—this demographic now faces the highest cancer mortality rate in their age group. Since 2005, colorectal cancer deaths in Americans under 50 have increased by 1.1% annually.
The underlying causes of this increase remain unclear to scientists. Known risk factors include excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, diets heavy in red and processed meats but low in produce, and family cancer history. In response to rising cases, the American Cancer Society updated its screening recommendations in 2021, lowering the suggested starting age from 50 to 45.
Researchers focused on education levels because death certificates routinely record educational attainment but lack details about income or other lifestyle factors. Previous studies have shown education data often correlates with information about earnings, insurance coverage, exercise habits, and chronic health conditions.
“The focus on education is really (due to) something which was available in the data,” Boffetta observed.
Whether it’s a fake miracle cure advertisement or a video featuring a celebrity’s cloned voice, deceptive online content has become increasingly common—and artificial intelligence is making it worse.
The widespread availability of AI technology has intensified the longstanding problem of digital fraud and spam that has plagued the internet since its early days. However, as criminals gain access to these powerful tools, major technology companies are also strengthening their own AI defenses to combat the growing threat.
“It’s not that this is a new problem. It is an old problem, supercharged,” said Nate Elliott, a principal analyst at Emarketer. “The biggest difference is the speed and the scale that AI offers both the good actors and the bad actors.”
In its annual advertising safety report released Thursday, Google acknowledged that fraudsters are launching increasingly complex malicious campaigns while highlighting how its AI-driven systems serve as powerful protection tools.
The tech giant’s AI platform called Gemini successfully identified and stopped more than 99% of rule-breaking advertisements before users ever saw them during the past year.
Throughout 2025, Google eliminated or blocked over 8.3 billion advertisements, which included 602 million ads containing violations typically linked to fraudulent schemes. The company also shut down more than 4 million advertiser accounts due to scam-related activities.
Google maintains its position as a leading player in online advertising. According to Emarketer data, the company generated over $200 billion in global advertising revenue last year, though researchers predict Meta will surpass Google’s performance by 2026.
The company employs thousands of workers dedicated to developing and implementing its advertising standards on a massive scale. Keerat Sharma, Google’s vice president and general manager of ads privacy and safety, explained that incorporating advanced AI into their protection framework has produced more effective outcomes against harmful content.
Gemini now enables the team to examine hundreds of billions of data points—such as account history, user behavior patterns, and advertising campaign characteristics—to better understand the “nuance of what an advertisers intent actually is,” Sharma said. This capability allows them to accurately assess legitimacy or identify potentially harmful advertiser motives. Achieving this sophisticated analysis has also helped legitimate businesses keep their advertisements active, with the report showing that wrongful advertiser account suspensions decreased by 80% last year.
Gemini has also dramatically improved processing speed, according to Sharma. Previously, examining digital elements within an advertisement could require several seconds to minutes or longer, but now this analysis occurs within milliseconds. This speed “allows us to stop things right at the front door,” he said. Google also utilizes various other protective measures, including a comprehensive advertiser verification system, that work collectively to strengthen security.
The types of content Google targets for removal span a wide range. Problematic advertisements could appear as “all the forms of spam and scam that have always existed, just people are able to produce them faster and at higher volume,” Elliott said.
Specialists who discussed the issue with The Associated Press indicated that the ongoing battle between AI-driven fraud and AI-powered protection systems will continue as technology evolves.
“We’re already close, but it’s going to be heading even more to (where) it’s just AI versus AI,” said Matt Seitz, the director of the AI Hub at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “The volume of this problem is so large that it can’t be managed directly through humans.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Prior to receiving her autism diagnosis, Megan Pilatzke couldn’t understand why she returned home from work feeling completely exhausted every day.
Throughout her workdays, she struggled to figure out the right moments to contribute to discussions or when to remain quiet during meetings. She would mentally review workplace conversations afterward, concerned she had misinterpreted something or responded inappropriately. Loud workplace settings caused her distress. She observed colleagues advancing in their careers while she remained in the same position.
“I would come home burnt-out, anxious,” Pilatzke said of her days working as an insurance claim specialist. “That just kept going, week after week, day after day.”
Following her diagnosis, her workplace struggles with communication, noise sensitivity and other challenges finally made sense, she explained.
Today, the 36-year-old dedicates her career to educating employers about creating more supportive work environments for individuals with autism. She serves as an inclusion specialist with Specialisterne Canada, a nonprofit organization that assists companies in better supporting neurodivergent employees.
She has also changed her perspective on characteristics commonly linked to autism, now recognizing her capacity for intense concentration and providing straightforward, honest feedback as valuable assets.
Here are several strategies to make meetings and workplace practices more accessible for people with autism, based on insights from autistic adults and neurodiversity professionals.
Autism spectrum disorder affects approximately 1 in 45 adults across the United States, according to data from Autism Speaks, a nonprofit that supports individuals with autism and their families through research funding, resource provision and advocacy efforts.
The condition manifests differently in each person but can create difficulties with social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication. Typical traits may include repetitive behaviors and heightened sensitivity to sounds.
“Start by learning about different communication styles and being open-minded,” Subodh Garg, who appeared in the first season of the Netflix reality TV show “Love on the Spectrum,” said. “Inclusion begins with giving people a chance and making space for diverse ways of thinking and working. Employers can start with small intentional steps.”
Garg works part-time at a Southern California deli, where he handles invoices and restocks pastries. He also is studying to earn a bachelors degree and is a “champion of change” advocate at Autism Speaks.
Companies may hold misconceptions about autism, when “the reality is, it is a massive spectrum,” said Rita Ramakrishnan, who is autistic and founded a consulting company that provides leadership coaching for neurodivergent executives. “There’s a community of people with much higher support needs, and then there are folks who are twice exceptional or otherwise extraordinarily high functioning. Their support needs are not as high, and their production capabilities are different. But they’re all valid autistic experiences.”
Companies should involve autistic staff members when developing policies aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces, Ramakrishnan emphasized.
“No one’s expecting you to be an expert in this, but we are expecting a level of curiosity, not judgment, and we would love the ability to have a conversation around our needs,” she said. “It doesn’t mean you have to accommodate all of them or redesign for all of them, but at least listening is the first step.”
Direct, in-person communication can present challenges for some autistic individuals, making virtual meeting participation or written communication valuable alternatives, according to specialists.
“Changing the expectations for social engagement during a meeting is really important,” Ramakrishnan said. “In a neurotypical normative situation, things like eye contact are highly prized. I trust someone who makes eye contact with me. But for an autistic person, that is a scary thing.”
Allowing participants to turn off their cameras during virtual meetings provides helpful accommodation since autistic individuals often experience pressure to “mask” their authentic behaviors by copying the facial expressions of neurotypical coworkers, Pilatzke explained.
“Things like that can actually cause a lot of anxiety for individuals that are neurodivergent,” she said. “So having that pressure removed can be helpful.”
Some autistic people concentrate better during virtual or face-to-face meetings while doodling or moving around, said Natalie Longmire, a professor of organizational behavior at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business. Supervisors can explicitly communicate that these behaviors are acceptable, she noted.
Workers can also request and normalize these accommodations by explaining something like, “Hey if I get up and walk around, I’m doing that so I can be more engaged in what you’re saying,” Longmire suggested.
Keith Wargo, president & CEO of Autism Speaks, said that before holding meetings, his organization sends out agendas broken into five-minute chunks. “Having that kind of structure, it’s good practice for everyone,” he said.
Permitting written contributions before and after meetings — rather than only valuing verbal participation during scheduled time — helps organizations benefit from autistic employees’ insights, Ramakrishnan noted.
“Be explicit about, for each agenda item, is this a discussion? Is this a brainstorm? Are we making a decision here?” Ramakrishnan added. “That gives an autistic person the chance to prepare what they need to.”
“These are the folks that are going to come up with the ideas that nobody else thinks about,” she added.
Offer various ways for people to engage in meetings, including chat features where attendees can type their thoughts, said Abigayle Jayroe, senior vice president for strategic operations at NEXT for Autism. “There may be people who just don’t feel comfortable speaking,” Jayroe said. Activating captions can assist people who prefer processing information through reading, she added.
Making noise-canceling headphones and written communication standard practice can provide relief, specialists recommend. To minimize sensory overload, an autistic meeting participant might say, “I might ask a question over chat instead of raising my hand because it’s easier for me,” Longmire suggested.
Garg, who received his autism diagnosis at age 3, was initially non-verbal but developed communication and social connection skills over time.
“One of the biggest challenges has been interviews because they focus a lot on social skills instead of the actual work,” he said. “Sometimes people misunderstand my communication style or underestimate what I can do. Even small things like clear instructions or written feedback really help me do my best.”
A common workplace challenge for autistic individuals involves having their direct communication style misunderstood as insensitivity, Ramakrishnan observed. Coworkers can clarify whether straightforward communication is appropriate or if they prefer softer language, she suggested.
From Pilatzke’s perspective, many autistic people have a strong moral compass and feel compelled to address perceived unfairness. “I describe myself as a blunt person. I’m very honest. I’m going to say what I think,” she added.
Companies can harness employees’ directness by fostering a culture where universal agreement isn’t expected. Consider appointing a designated contrarian or devil’s advocate during brainstorming sessions, Jayroe recommended.
“The best ideas are built off of poking holes in what everyone agrees on. So it lays the groundwork longer term for a company to have their employees feel comfortable raising red flags or building on ideas,” she said.
