Canada revealed its World Cup roster Friday, putting to rest concerns that injured captain Alphonso Davies wouldn’t recover in time to compete in the tournament.
The 26-player lineup announcement, broadcast on television, held few unexpected selections.
Davies from Bayern Munich made the cut as anticipated, along with other key players including Juventus forward Jonathan David.
“We really think this is our strongest group,” said coach Jesse Marsch. While injuries have affected the Canadian team, several players who are healing from ailments earned spots on the roster.
Most discussion surrounding the announcement centered on Davies, who hurt his hamstring during the Champions League semi-final match against Paris St Germain.
Marsch indicated Davies would meet up with his teammates in Edmonton on May 31, giving him additional recovery time. The rest of the squad completed training this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. Davies worked out on his own during the week, according to Marsch.
The coach has wrestled with selecting his starting goalkeeper, admitting he feels “tormented” choosing between Orlando City’s Maxime Crepeau and Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair. His decision isn’t expected for several days.
The competing goalkeepers, who are friends, made light of the pressure surrounding the selection battle.
“We’re gonna play rocks-paper-scissors,” St. Clair joked about determining the starter during the TSN television broadcast.
Davies stands out among soccer players who remain largely unknown to most Canadians, who typically prefer ice hockey, American-style football, basketball and baseball. The Bundesliga defender has gained recognition among millions, drawing crowds of supporters at the 2022 World Cup.
David has also built a significant fan base in Canada, especially among the country’s millions of residents with Italian and Haitian heritage.
One notable 2022 player missing from this squad is Junior Hoilett. The veteran team member has declined in performance during his 36th year, and Marsch is recognized for prioritizing pace.
Marsch, who is American, brings extensive coaching experience, having led Germany’s RB Leipzig in 2021 and England’s Leeds United in 2022-23, while also earning multiple achievements in MLS as both coach and player.
The coach expressed frustration that injuries dominated questions about Canada’s chances, insisting the roster represents the country’s finest ever assembled.
“Guys are getting healthy,” he stated.
Soccer has gained significant popularity as a spectator sport in Canada recently, with English and Spanish leagues attracting widespread viewership, a domestic league launching, and Major League Soccer enjoying strong fan engagement.
Canada squad:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau from Orlando City SC, Owen Goodman from Barnsley FC (on loan from Crystal Palace FC), and Dayne St. Clair from Inter Miami FC.
Defenders: Moise Bombito from OGC Nice, Derek Cornelius from Olympique de Marseille, Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich, Luc de Fougerolles from Fulham FC, Alistair Johnston from Celtic FC, Alfie Jones from Middlesbrough FC, Richie Laryea from Toronto FC, Niko Sigur from Hajduk Split and Joel Waterman from Chicago Fire FC.
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed from Norwich City FC, Tajon Buchanan from Villarreal CF, Mathieu Choiniere from LAFC, Stephen Eustaquio from FC Porto, Marcelo Flores from Tigres UANL, Ismael Kone from U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Liam Millar from Hull City FC, Jonathan Osorio from Toronto FC, Nathan Saliba from R.S.C. Anderlecht and Jacob Shaffelburg from LAFC.
Forwards: Jonathan David from Juventus FC, Promise David from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Cyle Larin from RCD Mallorca, and Tani Oluwaseyi from Villarreal CF.
The United States demanded Friday that Nicaragua immediately release Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera following the publication of hospital images showing him in critical condition.
Rivera, who leads the Miskito people and has faced decades of conflict with the ruling Sandinista government, has been held since September 29, 2023, during an extensive campaign targeting dissent. His relatives maintain his detention is politically motivated and assert authorities have not filed formal charges.
Several detainees have died while in Nicaraguan government custody in recent years as officials have jailed hundreds of media members, activists and political opponents.
Nicaraguan authorities announced in January they would free certain prisoners after facing pressure following the U.S. military action to apprehend Venezuela’s then-President Nicolás Maduro. However, the government has provided minimal transparency since making that statement.
“This repression, violence and inhumanity is abhorrent,” the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs posted on social platform X Friday. “We reiterate our call for his and all political prisoners’ unconditional release NOW.”
On Wednesday, the administration led by co-Presidents Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo issued a health report about Rivera, describing his condition as “delicate” while connected to a mechanical ventilator with multiple organ failure. The released photographs depicted a severely weakened Rivera attached to numerous tubes in his hospital bed.
A coalition of Nicaraguan Indigenous organizations issued a Thursday statement condemning the government for Rivera’s arbitrary imprisonment and “distorting the narrative” by alleging he was already in poor health when taken into custody.
“We know that who is responsible for this very grave situation that he is in, for the violations of human rights, is the Sandinista Ortega-Murillo regime,” they said in the statement sent to The Associated Press.
Currently, at least 47 individuals remain imprisoned in Nicaragua for political reasons, according to the Mechanism for Recognition of Political Prisoners, an organization monitoring these cases. Hundreds have been detained following a 2018 uprising that triggered a violent government response killing hundreds.
What began as demonstrations against social security system changes grew into demands for Ortega’s resignation. Ortega has governed the nation for nearly twenty years after constitutional modifications permitted his continued reelection. The suppression escalated before 2021 presidential elections, during which all competitive candidates were jailed before Ortega claimed victory. The United States does not recognize Ortega’s presidency.
Over 200 political prisoners were freed and transported to the U.S. in 2023, describing solitary confinement and physical and psychological abuse. Many developed ongoing health issues from detention conditions and currently face uncertain immigration status under the Trump administration. An additional 135 political prisoners were released and sent to Guatemala in 2024.
The Miskito population has been a particularly prickly thorn in the side of the Ortega regime, according to Manuel Prado, vice president of the Miskitu American Organization.
Rivera was instrumental in opposing Ortega’s Sandinista government during the late 1970s and 1980s, joining the armed U.S.-backed Contra movement and helping establish the northern coastal area as an autonomous region.
The resource-rich Miskito territory, containing gold and silver deposits, is crucial for the Ortega-Murillo administration’s efforts to attract international investment, especially from China.
Prado demanded Rivera’s release and voiced concern about his current physical condition.
“We do feel like Ortega will allow him to die,” Prado said.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday backing a January report from the Department of Health and Human Services that advocates for reducing childhood vaccine recommendations across the United States.
Trump’s directive instructs federal agencies to coordinate their policies with the report’s findings, which supports changes long advocated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The research determined that America suggests more childhood immunizations than numerous comparable countries.
Earlier efforts by the Trump administration to reduce recommended childhood vaccines based on this report were halted by a federal judge in Massachusetts. Officials are currently challenging that court ruling.
The report suggests immunizing all children against 11 specific diseases. Additional vaccines would only be suggested for high-risk populations or through what researchers call “shared decision-making” between doctors and families. These conditional recommendations include immunizations for influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, certain types of meningitis and RSV.
Trump’s directive strengthens support for the study during a period when his administration seemed to be shifting attention from Kennedy’s more controversial vaccine positions toward widely accepted topics such as nutritional wellness.
The executive order instructs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the study and “take any appropriate steps” to modify its vaccination guidance. It states the CDC should “provide maximum flexibility to parents and doctors” and requires agencies to ensure all policies, rules and funding match the study’s recommendations.
The directive also specifies that any modifications must preserve Americans’ existing vaccine access.
Individual states, rather than federal authorities, control vaccination requirements for school attendance. Although CDC guidelines frequently shape state policies, several states have started forming coalitions to resist the Trump administration’s vaccine direction.
Trump ordered HHS to conduct the study in December.
Kennedy has long opposed vaccines and has worked to incorporate his doubts about immunizations into federal recommendations. He previously announced the CDC would stop recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women, a decision questioned by public health professionals who found no new evidence supporting the change.
In June, he dismissed a 17-member CDC vaccine advisory panel and subsequently appointed his own members, including several vaccine critics.
The January analysis determined that vaccine recommendations for American children have grown significantly over recent decades. The report also noted countries where no immunizations are mandated for school enrollment.
California environmental regulators approved modifications to a major climate initiative on Friday, despite widespread opposition from green advocacy groups who argued the revisions would diminish the program’s effectiveness and hamper efforts to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming.
Oil industry representatives, however, contended that the program would continue to create obstacles for reducing energy costs in a state known for high prices.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators renewed authorization for California’s cap-and-trade initiative last year, extending it through 2045. This system establishes a decreasing ceiling on total greenhouse gas emissions from large polluting entities throughout the state. Businesses must either cut their pollution output, purchase permits from the government or other companies, or support projects designed to offset their emissions. Comparable systems operate throughout Europe and Asia, with California’s program connected to similar initiatives in Quebec, Canada and Washington state.
The modifications approved Friday will provide companies — primarily manufacturers and oil refiners — with approximately $3.5 billion in free permits if they construct projects that help decrease their emissions. State officials explained this approach aims to prevent major businesses from relocating outside California, though environmental advocates argue it contradicts the program’s fundamental purpose of encouraging companies to reduce pollution to minimize permit costs. They also contend it will reduce funding available for climate change mitigation and reduction programs.
California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez, who previously served as the governor’s top climate adviser, stated the modifications will help California maintain its position as a climate leader.
“Moving forward shows that we can be responsive to affordability concerns, new legislative direction, while also setting a clear signal for Californians, other states and global partners that we remain committed to driving long-term investments in clean energy jobs and reducing pollution in communities,” she said.
State law mandates California reduce its planet-warming emissions by 40% and 85% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2045, respectively. Program supporters believe cap and trade will help achieve these targets.
The governor signed legislation designed to better align the decreasing emissions ceiling with state climate objectives, designate program revenue for various climate, housing and transit initiatives, and potentially enhance carbon-removal projects. The legislation also renamed the program “cap and invest” to highlight its funding of climate initiatives.
However, achieving these objectives has generated months of air board discussions and intensive lobbying by both environmental organizations and the oil industry. An original proposal primarily focused on aligning the program with last year’s legislation, but was modified to emphasize reducing program costs.
California officials have encountered growing pressure to prioritize affordability in climate policy development after two oil refineries announced closure plans in recent years. The Democratic-controlled state has also confronted federal challenges to its climate agenda, including legislation Republican President Donald Trump signed last year blocking a pioneering rule prohibiting new gas-powered car sales by 2035.
The newly approved changes also boost funding from permit sales by $2 billion from 2027 through 2030 for a program offering utility bill credits to Californians and designate approximately $800 million to help cap-and-trade participating businesses limit program costs for residents.
Previously, roughly $4 billion the state collected annually from permit sales funded climate change mitigation, affordable housing and transportation projects through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
The governor and state lawmakers determine which programs receive fund money, and last year they agreed to provide $1 billion annually for the state’s delayed high-speed rail project.
The modifications will likely reduce annual fund revenues by half, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. This reduction stems largely from the new incentive program for manufacturers and refiners, said Danny Cullenward, a climate economist who opposes the changes, though board staff disputes this assessment.
This week’s regulatory deliberations extended into a second day following extensive public commentary where climate advocates, legal experts and fossil fuel industry leaders discussed the rules’ effects on pollution and consumer costs, with many requesting the board postpone its vote to better align regulations with state priorities.
Environmental groups, Democratic lawmakers and other critics argue the changes impede state efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions. Cullenward stated the new manufacturer and refiner incentive program lacks testing and adequate safeguards to prevent misuse.
“The state is not on track for its climate goals,” he said at a media briefing Wednesday. “Cutting our climate funding does not help address consumer cost concerns, and it doesn’t accelerate emission reductions.”
The board agreed Friday to postpone issuing permits from the new incentive program until the agency’s executive officer reviews the program and reports back with potential modifications.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund reductions will severely impact diverse programs serving communities statewide, said Michelle Pariset, director of legislative affairs for social justice law firm Public Advocates.
“These are investments that determine whether a student can afford to take transit to school, whether a senior can get to a doctor’s appointment, whether a family can live near reliable transportation instead of enduring long commutes and higher costs,” Pariset said at the Wednesday briefing.
Jodie Muller, president and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association, said the updates represent progress but inadequately address future energy affordability concerns.
“California refineries need long-term certainty to make the investments that keep energy reliable and affordable for consumers –- and right now, that certainty stops at 2030,” she said in a statement.
The changes will increase California’s dependence on oil imports to satisfy energy requirements, said Rock Zierman, CEO of the California Independent Petroleum Association.
“That means high GHG emissions, fewer jobs, more expensive gasoline, and lower tax revenue for schools, police, fire, and parks,” Zierman said in a statement, using an acronym for greenhouse gas.
The soccer world has seen significant transformations since the previous World Cup tournament concluded.
The global FIFA competition has expanded by 16 additional teams, bringing the total to 48 nations that will participate across the United States, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19. The tournament schedule has shifted back to its customary summer timing, unlike Qatar’s November and December 2022 matches.
On a more personal level, United States midfielder Gio Reyna exemplifies these changes. During a Friday press conference, Reyna discussed his evolution from the 20-year-old player who faced criticism from his coach regarding insufficient effort during 2022 World Cup preparations.
“Obviously, a lot has changed,” Reyna said. “(I’m) married now. Have a dog. I just like to say, I matured and grown up in many aspects of my life. It’s hard to pinpoint one.”
Questions about Reyna’s development persist due to comments made by Gregg Berhalter, who coached the USMNT during the 2022 World Cup. After that tournament ended, Berhalter revealed he had considered sending a player home.
Investigation later identified Reyna as that player, who accumulated only 53 minutes of playing time during the 2022 World Cup. This situation led to a family dispute spanning multiple generations between the Reyna and Berhalter families.
“It doesn’t really affect me anymore,” Reyna said. “… It more confuses me when I get asked the question still. It’s obviously four years removed and I think everyone is so far removed from that.”
Among the 26-player roster for this World Cup, Reyna represents one of 13 returning team members. The 2022 squad secured second place in Group B, earning advancement to the Round of 16, where they lost 3-1 to the Netherlands.
Prior to Sunday’s exhibition match against Senegal in Charlotte, N.C., the American team holds the 16th position in FIFA’s official world rankings.
Reyna’s influence on this year’s team remains uncertain. His roster spot wasn’t guaranteed due to limited Bundesliga action this season with Borussia Monchengladbach, where he started only four games and netted one goal across 137 total minutes.
“I think rhythm comes from game time, which I feel even those 30, 20-minute stints definitely help,” Reyna said.
“But in the end, it also comes down to training well every day and preparing yourself, which I feel like I try to do whether I’m playing 90 minutes in a good situation or not playing at all. So it’s just the consistent body of work every day showing up and trying to get better.”
American military forces announced Friday they conducted a fatal strike against a boat in Pacific waters, resulting in the deaths of three individuals in what officials describe as the most recent operation of its kind in recent months.
The current administration has highlighted its achievements in targeting suspected narcotics smuggling boats operating in Pacific waters and Caribbean regions.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, U.S. Southern Command described the targeted boat as being “engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”
Independent confirmation of these details was not immediately available through Reuters.
Federal prosecutors are calling for a judge to step down from a Georgia voting case following her involvement in a judicial misconduct scandal.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed the recusal request on Friday, one week after a federal judicial panel confirmed a private reprimand against an unidentified judge for engaging in sexual conduct with a senior police official in her courtroom chambers while law clerks could hear.
While the judicial misconduct orders didn’t name the judge publicly, the Justice Department referenced media reports identifying the official as U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta, who is overseeing the voter registration case.
According to a February ruling from the 11th Circuit Judicial Council, the judge conducted an extramarital relationship and engaged in sexual activity with the officer. The judge also participated in a political campaign celebration for an unspecified district attorney.
Federal prosecutors identified that district attorney as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, “who rose to nationwide fame for her failed prosecution of President Trump for alleged crimes related to the 2020 election.”
The department argued that if Ross, who was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama, is indeed the judge referenced in the misconduct proceedings, she should recuse herself because her attendance at the Willis event creates an appearance of prejudice.
“A judge who attended a party celebrating the election of a Democrat best known for prosecuting a Republican President for alleged election interference cannot then preside over a case concerning that President’s efforts to ensure election integrity,” Justice Department lawyers wrote.
The judge’s court hasn’t responded to requests for comment. Ross, who was scheduled to hear arguments in the department’s lawsuit Wednesday, has previously declined through her court to discuss the misconduct case.
Willis, whose office hasn’t commented on the misconduct proceedings, filed charges in 2023 against now-President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants for what she described as a comprehensive criminal plot to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election outcomes after Trump lost his reelection campaign to Democrat Joe Biden.
A court of appeals removed Willis, an elected Democrat in Atlanta, from the case in 2024. The court determined she had created an “appearance of impropriety” through a romantic involvement with the special prosecutor she had appointed to handle the case.
After her removal, the case was dropped in 2025 following Trump’s return to the White House by another prosecutor who assumed control.
HONOLULU — Residents of Puna, an isolated and diverse area on Hawaii’s Big Island, are grappling with the shocking murders of three elderly men who embodied the region’s unconventional, off-the-grid way of life.
Almost a full day following Jacob Baker’s arrest, community members are wrestling with understanding the events and seeking explanations for why law enforcement focused on the 36-year-old as their primary suspect in the deaths of three men who were approaching or had reached their 70s.
Baker continues to be held in custody on suspicion of murder, burglary and additional charges.
Legal documents reveal Baker has had numerous encounters with law enforcement for various violations. Local Puna residents told The Associated Press that their worries about Baker had intensified in recent times, describing him as becoming more menacing.
Baker stands accused in the deaths of three individuals: a 69-year-old discovered partly underwater in a concrete pond, a 79-year-old found mere hundreds of feet away, and a third 69-year-old whose remains were located approximately 19 miles from the other two. By Friday, formal charges had not yet been filed by prosecutors.
Authorities named the first victim as Robert Shine and the third as John Carse. While the 79-year-old’s identity awaits official confirmation, acquaintances have identified him as Chitta Morse.
Police Chief Reed Mahuna stated that investigators discovered no links between the victims beyond two living in proximity to each other.
Those who knew Shine and Morse describe how both men relocated to Puna seeking its independent, tropical and community-oriented atmosphere.
Shine found joy in moving and dancing to rhythms at drum gatherings, typically held on Sunday afternoons, according to Donald Hyatt, a drummer.
Hyatt’s final encounter with Shine occurred at a gathering the previous month where a local rock band performed and Shine danced enthusiastically.
“He was dancing like he loved life,” Hyatt remembered. “Bob had a permanent smile. Always in good spirits.”
Morse relocated from Van Nuys, California four decades ago “to live off-grid and to live in a warm tropical place, and to eat fruit,” explained friend Jezuz Cinderland. “For 40 years he only ate raw food. Since he got to the island he just went completely raw and this was just the right environment for him to do it.”
On fertile volcanic land along Papaya Farms Road, Morse cultivated what Cinderland described as a “fruit forest,” producing coconuts, avocados and durian among other crops.
“He would just share all the fruit he had,” Cinderland noted. “The most fabulous abundance that you can imagine.”
Though Morse had once belonged to the raw-food commune that Cinderland joined when moving to Puna, Morse had become more isolated in recent years, Cinderland explained.
Shine belonged to Cinderland’s commune, which county officials have closed due to multiple code infractions, Cinderland said.
Janelle Honer, who also cultivated fruit along Papaya Farms Road, appears to represent the link connecting Baker to the victims, who frequently participated in communal meals and gatherings at Honer’s land.
Baker had been residing on Honer’s property while performing coconut tree climbing and trimming services, according to her former husband, Stephen Shaffer. Exchanging labor for housing arrangements is typical in Puna.
Hyatt explained that Baker departed the cabin on Honer’s land months earlier but recently returned asserting “squatter’s rights” and made threats toward Honer. Hyatt said he encouraged her to obtain a protective order.
The murders occurred just days following two women’s requests for temporary protective orders against Baker, claiming he had made threats and harassed them at an agricultural property. One woman was residing there while the other held partial ownership. A judge rejected both requests, citing insufficient evidence of harassment.
Baker had no legal representation listed and has accumulated 20 additional court cases over two decades, primarily traffic violations. Baker typically served as his own attorney in most instances.
Honer, who Shaffer indicated was traveling internationally, could not be contacted for comment.
A remembrance ceremony for the victims was scheduled for Saturday adjacent to Honer’s property.
Puna represents one of Hawaii’s few locations offering affordable property, though the region’s infrastructure has failed to match its population growth, according to Ashley Kierkiewicz, who serves Puna on the county council.
Despite Puna’s reputation as an unconventional frontier area, it also represents a culturally rich community where residents demonstrate resilience and mutual support, she noted.
Puna’s terrain combines dense jungle with stark lava rock formations, while the area also faces challenges including substance abuse, economic hardship and insufficient resources, said long-term resident Tiffany Edwards Hunt.
“People have this mistaken impression that they can come to Hawaii and heal,” she observed. “Hawaii can either really be kind to you or it can chew you up and spit you out.”
Mark Wyatt and Richard Valdez proved instrumental in Baker’s apprehension, contacting authorities when their security camera system alerted Valdez’s phone, showing Baker on their land Thursday. Their property sits roughly half a mile from Carse’s residence, though they barely knew him.
The footage depicts Baker without shirt or shoes, accompanied by a dog, walking near a roadway and crouching when vehicles passed, seemingly attempting to remain unseen.
“He was ducking from the traffic, so it was pretty obvious” that he was trying to avoid detection, Valdez explained.
Law enforcement apprehended Baker nearby after discovering him in a small cave, police reported.
Wyatt believes Baker had been concealing himself near his property at a crude campsite positioned on a cliff above the ocean. He said Baker took couch cushions from a storage container outside his residence plus some charcoal, using coconut palm fronds to camouflage the location.
Valdez hadn’t encountered Baker for approximately two years. During that earlier period, Baker lived adjacent to them, renting space from their neighbor while harvesting and selling coconuts along the area’s primary road. He remained next door for roughly six months, Valdez said.
“He told me he was from Maui and that he had just had a newborn baby and his girlfriend had left and that he was trying to get his life together,” Valdez recalled. “So he seemed pretty normal and conscientious, so it’s hard to fathom that this happened.”
Meta Platforms is reportedly developing plans to test an artificial intelligence pendant over the coming year, according to a Friday report from The Information. The initiative represents part of a comprehensive strategy for wearable technology designed to address significant financial losses within the company’s hardware operations.
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram intends to substantially broaden its artificial intelligence glasses offerings while introducing a workplace-oriented program titled “Wearables for Work,” according to the report, which referenced an internal company document.
Reuters was unable to immediately confirm the details of the report.
A school district in Kentucky has obtained roughly $27 million through settlements with major social media platforms following allegations that these companies contributed to a mental health crisis among students, according to documents obtained by Reuters that disclosed the financial details for the first time.
The Breathitt County School District reached a settlement with Meta Platforms for $9 million on May 21, just weeks ahead of a scheduled June trial. This followed previous agreements with other defendants including Snap Inc, Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company), and ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company). The terms of these agreements had remained confidential until now.
According to copies of the settlement documents that Reuters acquired through a public records request from the school district, Alphabet agreed to pay $2.01 million, while both Snap and ByteDance each paid $8 million to resolve the case.
All companies have rejected the accusations and maintain they implement comprehensive measures to protect teenagers and young users on their platforms.
Following the announcement of the settlements, Meta, Snap and YouTube stated they had amicably resolved the claims. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs indicated after the announcement that they are now concentrating on pursuing comparable claims filed by 1,200 additional school districts.
The rural Appalachian school district in Breathitt County alleged that these companies deliberately designed their platforms to create addictive experiences for young users, resulting in increased rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm among students while forcing schools to address the resulting problems.
The school district had sought more than $60 million to cover expenses related to addressing social media’s effects on student mental health and to establish a 15-year mental health initiative. They also requested a court mandate requiring the companies to alter their platforms to eliminate addictive elements.
Breathitt’s lawsuit was positioned to become the first among the school districts’ cases to reach trial, as these cases have been combined in federal court in California. Legal experts had been monitoring it closely as a test case for the school districts’ allegations in the extensive litigation. Bellwether trial outcomes are frequently used by judges and lawyers to evaluate the potential worth of remaining claims and inform settlement negotiations.
While Breathitt is a small district educating approximately 1,600 students across six schools according to federal statistics, the litigation encompasses much larger districts as well. The Tucson Unified School District in Arizona, which serves about 40,000 students and has a trial scheduled for February, is pursuing more than $1.1 billion for a 15-year mental health program, plus over $100 million in damages for time educators and staff have invested in managing social media’s impact. Both the Los Angeles Unified School District and the New York City public school system — collectively serving more than 1.2 million students — have also filed lawsuits.
Meta has cautioned investors that legal and regulatory consequences in the European Union and the United States regarding youth social media concerns “could significantly impact our business and financial results.”
Over 3,300 lawsuits involving addiction allegations are currently pending against social media companies in California state court. An additional 2,400 cases filed by individuals, municipalities, states, and school districts are pending in California federal court.
In a significant trial outcome, a Los Angeles jury determined on March 25 that Meta and Alphabet’s Google were negligent in creating social media platforms that harm young people. The jury awarded a total of $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who claimed she developed a social media addiction as a child. Snap and TikTok were also named in that lawsuit but reached settlements prior to trial.
The Philadelphia 76ers have appointed Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey to serve as their new president of basketball operations, multiple media outlets reported Friday.
The 43-year-old executive takes over for Daryl Morey, who departed Philadelphia on May 12 following six seasons as the organization’s top basketball executive.
Gansey, a former West Virginia college basketball standout who helped lead the Mountaineers to the 2005 Elite Eight, began his front office career with Cleveland during the 2011-12 campaign. He worked his way through the organization’s hierarchy before being promoted to general manager in February 2022. Under his leadership, the Cavaliers posted an average of 53.8 victories across four complete seasons and made it to the Eastern Conference finals this past year.
In his new role, Gansey will answer to Josh Harris and the team’s ownership group — Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) — along with Bob Myers, who previously served as GM and President of the Golden State Warriors and helped construct four NBA championship squads (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022). Myers joined HBSE as President of Sports last October.
Gansey inherits a team that hasn’t reached the Eastern Conference finals since 2001. Following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs due to injuries to Joel Embiid and other core players, Philadelphia bounced back with a 45-37 record this season to claim the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The team pulled off an upset victory over the Boston Celtics in a seven-game opening round matchup before falling to the New York Knicks in a four-game sweep during the conference semifinals.
Delaware State Police’s Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) has released public notifications regarding homeless and wanted sex offenders throughout the state.
Individuals Currently Being Sought
SOAR officials are actively searching for several sex offenders who have either failed to complete their initial registration or failed to update their registration with a current address. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these individuals should contact authorities at (302) 739-5882. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333. The individuals identified in this notification represent just a fraction of the sex offenders currently being sought. A comprehensive list is available on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website.
The wanted individuals include Bruce Chandler, Charles Fulton, Christopher Gartner-Hunter, Deangelo Hoskins, Tori Lied, and Michael Viscount. Complete profiles for each individual can be accessed through the state’s online registry.
Homeless Sex Offender Alert
Additionally, police are issuing notifications about sex offenders who are currently without permanent housing. These individuals are not being sought for registration violations but are part of a community awareness initiative. Citizens who have knowledge that any of these listed individuals may be staying at a residence are encouraged to call (302) 739-5882 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333. The individuals named in this alert were recently reported as homeless and represent only some of the current homeless sex offenders tracked by the state. The complete roster is accessible on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website.
The homeless sex offenders identified include Cleveland Quarles, Clifford Schuyler, and Devon Sutton. Detailed information about each individual is available through the state registry system.
The Philadelphia 76ers have selected their new basketball leadership, reaching an agreement with Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey to serve as president of basketball operations, according to a source familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday.
The source requested anonymity since the organization has not yet made the hiring official.
Gansey has been with the Cavaliers organization since 2011 and took over general manager duties in 2022.
The 43-year-old executive hails from Northeast Ohio and played college basketball at West Virginia, earning first-team All-Big East honors. His previous experience includes serving as general manager for the Cleveland Charge in the NBA’s G League.
Gansey will step into the position left vacant by Morey, who was dismissed earlier this month following the team’s playoff elimination in the Eastern Conference’s second round.
The 76ers suffered a decisive defeat to the New York Knicks, concluding Morey’s sixth year leading the organization. Team leadership quickly determined a change was needed in the basketball operations department.
During Morey’s tenure, the Sixers compiled a 270-212 record in regular season play but managed only 28-26 in playoff games, never advancing beyond the second round. The team returned to postseason play this year after missing the playoffs for the first time during Morey’s leadership in 2024-25, when they finished 24-58.
Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers conducted the search to find Morey’s successor.
Myers constructed the Golden State squads that captured NBA titles in 2015, ’17, ’18 and ’22. Following his departure from the Warriors, he worked as an ESPN analyst before taking on the role of president of sports with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment in October 2025.
Bringing Gansey into the front office represents Myers’ first significant decision with the 76ers. When the organization let Morey go, they chose to retain Nick Nurse as head coach.
During his time in Cleveland, Gansey collaborated with President Koby Altman and contributed to developing the Cavaliers into a competitive Eastern Conference playoff contender.
The highest-ranking U.S. military commander for Latin America conducted discussions with Cuban military leadership on Friday, focusing on operational security issues in the vicinity of the Guantanamo Bay naval facility. This meeting represents the most recent high-level contact with the island nation as President Donald Trump intensifies his administration’s pressure campaign against Cuban leadership.
Following the successful U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro during a January mission, Trump has indicated that Cuba “is next” on his list of targets. Recent months have seen the Trump administration implement an oil embargo against Cuba, deploy naval vessels to Caribbean waters, and bring federal criminal charges against a former Cuban official.
High-ranking Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA director John Ratcliffe, have conducted meetings with Cuban representatives to examine potential pathways for better diplomatic relations. However, American officials have expressed disappointment with the outcomes of these discussions, resulting in additional economic penalties against Cuba’s government.
During Friday’s activities, U.S. Gen. Francis L. Donovan not only engaged with Cuban military personnel but also evaluated security conditions at the naval installation and reviewed “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” according to a statement from U.S. Southern Command posted on X.
Despite ongoing tensions with Cuba’s socialist government, which Trump seeks to remove from power, the United States continues operating its military facility at Guantanamo Bay after decades of diplomatic conflict.
Currently, the U.S. military maintains several Navy vessels in Caribbean waters, including at least one amphibious assault ship, though this represents a significantly reduced presence compared to the force levels during the Maduro operation.
The Pentagon announced Friday that a fresh deployment of 1,300 sailors and Marines will soon replace the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has been stationed in the area since last summer.
Search teams on Friday found the body of another victim from Tuesday’s devastating chemical tank failure at a Washington state paper mill, bringing the confirmed death toll to 11 with two employees still missing.
The catastrophic incident occurred Tuesday morning when a massive storage tank holding over 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of wood-processing chemicals failed at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, a Columbia River community. The tank’s failure unleashed a torrent of caustic liquid known as white liquor, which has enough force to flip pickup trucks and damage facility structures. The chemical mixture causes serious burns upon contact and can damage lungs if its fumes are breathed in.
Recovery operations have proceeded carefully and systematically due to hazards from remaining chemicals and other industrial dangers, according to Matt Amos, Longview fire battalion chief.
Search teams located six bodies on Thursday.
Workers are avoiding the area immediately surrounding the failed tank while collaborating with engineers to assess which damaged structures nearby can be safely accessed.
During body recovery, teams must decontaminate remains before transferring them to the coroner’s office for identification. The search personnel also undergo decontamination procedures.
The incident’s cause remains under investigation.
Officials haven’t publicly identified the deceased, though family members and friends have started confirming identities and establishing online fundraising campaigns for the families.
Two brothers, Tyler and Brad Covington, who were employed together at the facility, were among those killed. An online fundraising effort for Tyler Covington’s family described how he “leaves behind his wife and their three beautiful children, who are now trying to navigate a future without the man who was their rock, protector, and greatest source of love and support.”
Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather who served as an electrician at the facility, was the first confirmed fatality, according to his friend Todd Cornwell.
“He was one of the most genuinely good people that you’ve ever met. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” Cornwell said.
John Forsberg, another victim of the incident, was described as witty, kind and “wicked smart,” according to friend Kole Musgrove, who runs a trivia event at Ashtown Brewing in Longview, where Forsberg was a regular participant. The establishment plans to rename its trivia award the Forsberg Cup in his memory.
“It seemed like there was never a fact he didn’t know,” Musgrove said. “He was also a tremendous sport — he was always the first to cheer for another team when they won.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help Forsberg’s two children.
CJ Doran, 26, was described as “the spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider,” in a GoFundMe posting confirmed by the crowdfunding platform.
Additional victims included Jared Ammons, who had two children with a third expected, and Braydon Finkas, a facility electrician who, together with his longtime partner, Kaitlyn Kincaid, welcomed exchange students and others needing assistance, friend Rex Czuba said.
Finkas relocated to Cathlamet approximately four years ago to construct a home and establish a farm, Czuba explained. He consistently offered help to fellow farmers with hay cutting or equipment loading, or would purchase drinks for newcomers in their small community, he noted.
“He really jumped in and became a part of the community so quickly,” Czuba said.
The tank failure also left eight people injured, including one firefighter. Several sustained burns or breathing injuries, officials reported.
The facility’s Japanese parent company, Nippon Paper Group, issued an updated statement Friday expressing “heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.”
Officials confirmed Friday that the chemical release hasn’t polluted air quality or drinking water supplies in and around Longview, a community of approximately 40,000 residents near Washington’s Oregon border.
The community, established where the Cowlitz and Columbia rivers meet by a Kansas City timber entrepreneur in the 1920s, maintains strong connections to paper and lumber manufacturing.
Multiple generations of families have been employed at the mills, and numerous residents interviewed by The Associated Press had relatives or friends working at the Nippon Dynawave facility. The extensive operation, which employs roughly 1,000 workers, produces materials for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates and cartons. The facility is located along the Columbia river adjacent to other timber, paper and chemical operations.
Workers continued efforts to flush water from drainage areas near the facility and dilute it before releasing it into the river.
While some contamination has entered the river, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported it has caused no observable impact.
Former President Donald Trump announced his support for two Republican candidates seeking their party’s gubernatorial nominations on Friday, inserting himself into competitive races in South Carolina and Iowa where multiple allies had been vying for his endorsement.
Through social media announcements, Trump threw his weight behind South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra as both states gear up for their upcoming primary contests.
Voters in Iowa head to the polls Tuesday, while South Carolina’s primary is scheduled for June 9.
Evette has worked as lieutenant governor for two terms under Gov. Henry McMaster, who was among Trump’s first supporters during his initial White House campaign. McMaster endorsed his second-in-command earlier this year, signaling to observers that Trump’s support might follow.
In his Friday announcement, Trump praised both Evette and the state she serves, highlighting that she campaigned for him in 2024. He described “A BIG added plus” for her candidacy as the possibility that Henry McMaster Jr. — the current governor’s son — could join her ticket as running mate.
The battle for the former president’s endorsement has dominated the primary campaign in the solidly Republican state of South Carolina.
In his separate statement about Feenstra, Trump called him “MAGA all the way” and predicted he would “fight tirelessly” for the state on matters including economic issues, border security and backing law enforcement.
Both candidates had actively sought Trump’s endorsement, believing it could prove decisive in states that helped secure Trump’s 2024 electoral victory. Feenstra publicly stated earlier this year that he had requested Trump’s support, while Evette’s campaign materials have prominently displayed photographs of her alongside Trump.
Feenstra faces four other Republicans in his primary race — state Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman and former conservative political director Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former director of the state Department of Administrative Services Adam Steen — as they compete to succeed outgoing Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who decided against seeking a third term.
In South Carolina, Evette is running against Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and state Attorney General Alan Wilson for the Republican nomination.
Both states are experiencing their first contested Republican gubernatorial primaries in several years, as Reynolds and McMaster have each held office for approximately ten years.
ROMULUS, Mich. — Morning travelers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport experienced a frightening scene Friday when a confused elderly man drove his SUV directly through the terminal entrance doors, according to airport officials.
The 67-year-old motorist was taken into custody immediately after his vehicle came to a stop, according to Tadarial Sturdivant, vice president of emergency and support services.
Sturdivant described the driver as appearing “very disoriented” and making strange claims about being there to meet actor Tom Cruise and “to save his dad.”
“It is hard for me to put semblance behind it,” Sturdivant said.
One woman who tried to get out of the vehicle’s path suffered a potential leg injury but refused medical attention, officials reported.
According to Sturdivant, the vehicle had been moving in the wrong direction outside the Evans Terminal before managing to fit through spaces between concrete barriers at the entrance.
Those openings in the barriers are mandated by federal rules, Sturdivant explained. He noted that the suburban Detroit airport is currently developing plans for a redesign.
“It was scary, man, like, we didn’t know what to do,” Sedeq Arshuhtpi, who works at the airport, told WDIV-TV. “We don’t know what’s inside that car. There’s a lot of people around. There could be a threat, so everybody was nervous.”
This marks the second vehicle incident at the airport this year. In January, another motorist crashed into the airport’s McNamara Terminal at high speed, then got out of his car shouting incomprehensibly before being arrested.
New York Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski may have suffered a torn Achilles tendon during Friday’s organized team activities, according to ESPN reports.
The 29-year-old veteran player went down during practice without any contact from other players and will need medical testing to determine the extent of his injury. Olszewski was seen clutching his right leg before hitting the ground in frustration as medical staff transported him from the practice field.
“That was a noncontact change in direction kind of a deal on the grass there,” coach John Harbaugh told reporters after practice. “So that was disappointing.”
The Giants brought Olszewski aboard on a one-year contract during the offseason, planning to use him primarily in the return game while also having him contribute at the receiver position. His potential absence comes as other receivers Malik Nabers (knee) and Darius Slayton (core muscle) continue recovering from their own injuries.
During his most recent healthy season, Olszewski handled 24 punt returns totaling 216 yards and managed 26 kickoff returns for 682 yards. He also contributed 10 catches for 145 yards and one touchdown as a receiver. A groin injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
Throughout his seven-year professional career with the New England Patriots (2019-21), Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23) and Giants, Olszewski has accumulated 122 punt returns for 1,386 yards and two touchdowns. His kickoff return statistics include 67 attempts for 1,586 yards.
As a receiver across 81 games with five starts, Olszewski has recorded 25 career catches for 325 yards and two touchdowns.
A devastating multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia has claimed five lives and left more than 40 people injured, with three victims in critical condition, according to state police.
The tragic accident unfolded early Friday morning when a tour bus crashed into a sport utility vehicle, setting off a deadly chain reaction that ended with one vehicle bursting into flames.
Initial findings from the investigation indicate the bus operator did not slow down while approaching backed-up traffic in a work zone along the busy Interstate 95 corridor, which serves as a major transportation route running north and south through the region.
The impact sent the bus careening into a Chevrolet Suburban, which then collided with an Acura SUV and other vehicles. The bus continued forward, striking additional cars, while the Acura became engulfed in flames, state police reported in their official statement.
The collision happened around 2:35 a.m. in the highway’s southbound direction within Stafford County, located approximately 45 miles southwest of the nation’s capital.
The motor coach, run by E&P Travel, a charter bus company based in North Carolina, was transporting roughly 34 passengers and the driver from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Among those who lost their lives, four victims were trapped in the burning Acura vehicle: a 45-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy, all residents of Greenfield, Massachusetts. The fifth fatality was a 25-year-old woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, who was traveling in the Chevrolet Suburban that was struck by the bus.
Emergency responders transported approximately 44 additional crash victims, including the bus operator, to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Three patients remain in critical condition at area hospitals.
State police spokesperson Matthew Demlein confirmed that criminal charges are being considered against the bus driver related to the incident, though he would not provide additional specifics about the potential charges.
Court filings reveal that quarterback Brendan Sorsby wagered on Indiana football at least 40 times during his tenure with the program, according to ESPN reports released Friday. The documents were submitted by his attorneys as part of efforts to secure a temporary injunction against the NCAA to preserve his college playing eligibility.
Legal paperwork shows Sorsby gambled approximately $90,000 across four years using betting accounts registered under names of relatives and acquaintances, with his wagering activity persisting even after his winter transfer from Cincinnati to Texas Tech, ESPN reported.
The quarterback was ruled ineligible following investigations that uncovered thousands of dollars in sports betting through mobile applications, breaking NCAA regulations. Current rules prohibit student-athletes from wagering on any NCAA-sanctioned or professional sporting events. Athletes face potential lifetime bans for betting on their own programs.
After the NCAA rejected Sorsby’s reinstatement appeal Tuesday, his legal challenge seeking an injunction for 2026 season eligibility has become crucial. A court hearing for that matter is set for Monday in district court in Lubbock, Texas.
Recent court filings disclosed that Sorsby admitted to making no fewer than 2,900 wagers exceeding $30,000 during his Indiana enrollment from June 2022 through December 2023. Among these were at least 40 bets valued between $1 and $114 on Indiana football and/or specific players, ESPN reported. The wagers amounted to no less than $850 during September and October 2022, when he was redshirting.
Sorsby first appeared for Indiana against Penn State on Nov. 5, 2022, with betting activity reportedly ending two weeks beforehand.
In correspondence to the NCAA, Sorsby stated he never wagered on contests in which he participated, nor did he ever bet against his team.
Tuesday brought a social media statement from Sorsby announcing his recent completion of a 35-day inpatient rehabilitation program in Arizona for “a diagnosed gambling addiction and anxiety disorder.”
“While I accept responsibility for my behavior and know that I have a lot of work ahead of me, for the first time in many years I feel more free and no longer fully at the mercy of my addiction,” Sorsby wrote in part.
“With the support of my coaches, teammates and the university, I’m looking forward to returning to campus in Lubbock. If I’m blessed and fortunate enough to have the opportunity to continue my college career at Texas Tech, I know I will get the support I need, including through the school’s Center for Students in Addiction Recovery. I am deeply sorry to everyone I’ve disappointed and am committed to the hard and necessary work ahead.”
Sorsby moved to Texas Tech from Cincinnati during the offseason and was expected to be the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback for 2026. ESPN rated Sorsby as the top overall transfer in this year’s recruiting class.
Texas Tech filed an appeal Friday regarding the NCAA’s reinstatement denial, while university officials including coach Joey McGuire and president Lawrence Schovanec maintained their support for the quarterback following news of his addiction struggles.
Sorsby’s lawsuit criticized what he termed the NCAA’s “deeply hypocritical” positions on sports gambling, while Schovanec issued an open letter to the campus community Tuesday stating the NCAA’s decision “should be reversed or modified” considering the circumstances and “context” of Sorsby’s situation.
“As a generation of college athletes face the legalization and rapid proliferation of sports betting in our country, gambling addiction is rising to the point of epidemic among college aged men in particular,” Schovanec wrote. “The NCAA’s stated mission includes ‘fostering (student-athletes’) lifelong well-being,’ and they have claimed their goal is to promote a ‘culture of care’ for student athletes’ mental health. Gambling addiction is a clinically recognized behavioral disorder.”
Motorists traveling on northbound Interstate 95 should expect delays as construction crews have closed the right lane at the Interstate 495 northbound split.
The lane restriction will continue until 5 a.m., according to traffic officials.
Drivers are advised to plan for extra travel time and merge safely when approaching the work zone.
Traffic is being rerouted around two roadways that have been shut down following the collapse of electrical infrastructure.
Iron Branch Road has been blocked off between Firetower Road and Thorogoods Road after a utility pole fell across the roadway. Power lines are also down in the area, creating dangerous conditions for motorists.
Additionally, Bunting Road is impassable from Power Plant Road to Iron Branch Road due to the same incident involving the fallen pole and electrical wires.
Drivers are advised to find alternate routes and avoid the affected areas until utility crews can safely remove the debris and restore the roadway to normal conditions.
Motorists traveling on westbound Savannah Road should expect a lane shift in the area between Wescoats Road and Old Orchard Road.
Work crews are currently operating in the zone, causing the temporary traffic pattern change. The lane shift is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work area and to expect potential delays during their commute.
WASHINGTON — The United States has canceled the visa of a Chinese journalist employed by state news agency Xinhua, marking a direct response to Beijing’s recent expulsion of a correspondent from The New York Times.
Sources familiar with the situation confirmed the visa cancellation, speaking anonymously due to privacy restrictions surrounding visa matters. A State Department official also verified plans to revoke the journalist’s credentials.
This retaliatory action follows Beijing’s removal of Vivian Wang, who has served as a China correspondent for The New York Times. Her expulsion reportedly stems from the Taiwanese leader’s participation in a DealBook event, despite Wang having no involvement in the interview. Such direct U.S. government retaliation against China’s journalist expulsions is uncommon.
The New York Times, which initially broke news of the reciprocal visa revocation, stated the publication does not request governments to cancel media credentials or interfere with journalistic work. On Friday, the newspaper released a statement demanding Wang’s reinstatement and calling on both nations to “reverse this deterioration in journalist access.”
“The Chinese government’s decision to expel Vivian Wang is wrong,” Joseph Kahn, the paper’s executive editor, said in a statement published on the Times’ corporate website. “Her expulsion will make it even harder for our global audience to get accurate, independent and in-depth reporting about the world’s second largest economy at a critical time.”
The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Wang’s departure occurs when American media presence in China has already diminished significantly following previous credential disputes, leaving many U.S. news organizations operating with minimal staff in their Chinese bureaus.
“The number of correspondents from American media outlets allowed to work in China has now fallen to an alarmingly low level, at a time when the need for people everywhere to understand China is greater than ever,” Kahn wrote.
Beijing initiated Wang’s expulsion after The New York Times’ DealBook Summit 2025 included a recorded interview with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, conducted by host Andrew Ross Sorkin. During the interview, Sorkin referred to Taiwan as a country, while Lai discussed Beijing’s aggressive actions in the Taiwan Strait and pledged that “Taiwan will do everything necessary to protect itself.”
China maintains territorial claims over Taiwan, which separated from the mainland in 1949 following Mao Zedong’s communist victory in the civil war. During recent discussions with President Donald Trump in Beijing in mid-May, Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioned that China and the U.S. could “collide or even clash” over Taiwan without proper handling of the issue.
The action against The New York Times has raised concerns among other Western media outlets that might interview Lai, potentially risking their ability to report from China in exchange for giving the self-governed island a platform.
China requires all foreign journalists to obtain accreditation from the country’s foreign ministry for reporting activities, and Beijing has consistently used accreditation and visa policies to remove or exclude foreign journalists whose coverage has displeased Chinese leadership or to express dissatisfaction with coverage deemed unfavorable or hostile.
In 2020, Chinese authorities expelled three Wall Street Journal correspondents following the financial newspaper’s publication of an opinion piece titled “China is the Real Sick Man of Asia” after the COVID-19 pandemic emerged.
As relations between the U.S. and China deteriorated, the U.S. State Department designated several major Chinese news organizations as “foreign missions” in 2020. Xinhua, for instance, operates under direction from the ruling Chinese Communist Party to function as the party’s and government’s official voice, including distributing their authorized news content.
In response, Beijing severely restricted visa availability for journalists employed by U.S. media organizations.
During the first half of 2020, at least 18 foreign journalists from The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal faced expulsion, according to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China. Many others received abbreviated visas lasting between one and three months, the organization’s annual survey indicated.
The two nations subsequently negotiated a limited agreement permitting U.S. media to deploy a small number of correspondents to mainland China. Wang was among those journalists.
CHICAGO (AP) — A towering granite structure rises from Chicago’s South Side, its nearly windowless facade resembling something from a science fiction movie rather than housing a cutting-edge presidential museum.
Workers are completing final preparations for the Obama Presidential Center before its official opening to the public on Juneteenth, over ten years since the location was selected. However, the design of the approximately $850 million complex — especially the prominent 225-foot tower on its northern edge — continues to split opinions in the city known as the birthplace of modern high-rise construction.
Some view it as an inappropriate choice for Barack Obama’s home city following an intense fight over placing it in a waterfront park typically featuring classical architectural styles. Others see it as a daring contribution that will influence Chicago’s famous skyline for generations.
Local residents have likened it to a grain storage facility, a vessel from “Star Wars,” and a tomb.
“It doesn’t fit in at all,” said Brenda Nelms, who has lived in the area since the 1970s and leads a group that advocates for nearby Jackson Park, which spans more than 500 acres.
Obama Foundation leadership, which has secured private funding, acknowledges they’ve heard all the criticism. They even recruited “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill for playful promotional content on May the 4th, a date celebrated by the movie series’ fans.
“Part of the joy of the center is everyone is going to have their unique experience,” said Valerie Jarrett, foundation CEO and a former Obama advisor. “The design of the building was intended to be inviting and opening to people whether they live across the street or around the world.”
Chicago sets a high standard for architectural excellence, from Louis Sullivan’s modern towers following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to Helmut Jahn’s post-modern office structures.
Design discussions are so passionate in the nation’s third-largest city that Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey calls it “a spectator sport.” His first reaction to the Obama Presidential Center was that it appeared more appropriate for a graveyard.
The dramatic design features minimal windows, all strategically positioned. Foundation representatives explain this choice also helps shield interior artifacts from sunlight damage, including a replica Oval Office.
Bey noted the museum’s design becomes more logical when viewed alongside other shorter structures on the campus, which features a basketball court, children’s playground, public library branch and works by prominent artists.
Other famous Chicago buildings have received mixed initial reactions, he explained. The former John Hancock Center, a black 100-story structure marked by massive X-shaped supports, was likened to an oil rig shortly after its 1960s construction. Recently renamed 875 North Michigan Avenue for its street address, the building contains retail spaces, condominiums and offices.
“As we begin to experience buildings, we begin to imprint our own impressions,” Bey said. “The John Hancock becomes less of an oil derrick and more of the building that has your doctor’s office.”
Edward Keegan, a Chicago Tribune architecture columnist, has labeled the presidential museum “an un-Chicago building” due to its limited windows and unconventional form. Nevertheless, it provides a distinctive city perspective.
The building’s summit features a glass-walled “Sky Room” offering sweeping Chicago vistas, including northward views of downtown that are rare from such elevation.
“It doesn’t feel like any other place in Chicago,” he said. “It does feel unique and unexpected.”
The path to the museum’s completion was challenging, despite Obama maintaining strong support in the Democratic stronghold.
Legal challenges to halt construction began after the location announcement in 2015. Worries about displacing low-income and Black residents in nearby neighborhoods intensified. Community organizations pushed for housing protections, though area residents argue they remain insufficient as property values near the museum have skyrocketed.
Building the museum required removing nearly 20 acres of parkland and eliminating a portion of a major roadway, which residents claim was essential for connecting people from other city areas and suburbs to downtown.
During a recent stroll through a bird sanctuary adjacent to the center, activist Robin Kaufman, 82, explained she couldn’t fully appreciate the wildflowers near the secluded ponds as before. She observed ducks swimming in a lagoon but couldn’t overlook the center’s tower visible above the trees.
“Everywhere I go, you can see it, so you’re reminded of what’s going on and that’s distressing,” she said. “I’m very distrustful of anything they say.”
She and others worry about what additional developments might arrive in the area due to Obama’s presidential center.
“It’s a Trojan horse,” said Shannon Bennett with the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. “It’s an extreme version of a scheme to transform these communities for another population.”
Multiple design decisions were made by the former president alongside New York-based architects, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. Obama selected a stone design and desired a tall tower for city panoramas near where he raised his family and taught law at the University of Chicago.
The tower’s structure represents four hands joining together in unity. Wrapping around one side are 5-foot concrete capital letters, featuring text from Obama’s 2015 speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march. It starts with “You are America.”
The Obama Foundation reports they have expanded some streets, created a new field for local school use, and the campus includes a new public library branch, basketball gymnasium for community access, a playground and gardens landscaped to harmonize with the surrounding park.
“The benefit of having this extraordinary facility far outweighs any costs,” Jarrett said. “It’s a symbol to the community of how important they are to us.”
Adam Rubin at the Chicago Architecture Center described it as a successful project thus far, while noting lingering questions about whether trading parkland for the center was justified.
“It really does have a sense of place,” he said of the museum. “Time will tell how people utilize it.”
The White House announced Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order designed to eliminate barriers that currently limit public access to federally-owned lands.
The directive is focused on reducing existing limitations that restrict how the public can use federal property, according to the White House statement released on May 29.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivered sharp criticism Friday against the United States’ move to classify two major Brazilian criminal organizations as terrorist groups, denouncing the action as improper meddling in his nation’s domestic matters.
“We will not accept being treated like children, we will not accept being treated as if we were a banana republic,” Lula declared during a public appearance Friday, mentioning “a certain Marco Rubio, who said that our criminals are terrorists and that Americans can intervene.”
The announcement came Thursday when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed a new policy targeting Brazil’s largest criminal organizations with terrorist designations, potentially allowing for more forceful interventions. This decision followed lobbying activities in Washington conducted by the sons of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazilian officials characterized the designation as harmful to productive relations and a challenge to national sovereignty, while legal analysts cautioned about potential consequences for companies doing business in Brazil.
The U.S. embassy in Brazil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The two major organizations affected by the U.S. action, Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), originated as drug trafficking operations but have broadened their activities into additional economic sectors, including extortion and controlling local supply networks in certain regions.
Legal analysts noted that due to this extensive reach, corporations might face indirect risks if they conduct operations in areas where these groups hold sway, even without direct connections.
Legal firms distributed advisories to business leaders Friday cautioning that the U.S. classification could heighten oversight of financial institutions and corporations working in sectors including agribusiness, energy, mining and telecommunications.
“Scrutiny on financial institutions is also expected to tighten. Recent examples in Mexico show how quickly the situation can escalate, with local banks cut off from the financial system,” one report by local attorneys said.
A separate analysis by international lawyers warned that companies that operate across Brazilian territory face an even steeper challenge, particularly those in agribusiness and the energy, mining, and telecommunications sectors, where exposure to the criminal factions’ economic orbit can be difficult to map and harder to avoid.
Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) are both set to be formally listed as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), effective June 5, 2026.
Financial markets displayed a subdued initial reaction, though several banking stocks declined Friday, with Brazil’s primary Ibovespa index closing down 0.7%.
During a Washington meeting with Trump this week, Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who is organizing a presidential campaign with his father’s support, ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, revealed he had requested the U.S. designate these organizations as terrorists.
His brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, who took part in the Washington discussions, stated that the decision had been under review in Washington but was postponed due to Lula’s policies.
Speaking with Reuters, Eduardo said he was not focused on whether such measures could sway votes in the Brazilian business community. “I am concerned with the interests of the Brazilian people. I want to destroy the Comando Vermelho, the PCC, so that Brazilians don’t go out to buy bread at the bakery and end up taking a bullet to the head.”
Lula’s administration had worked to prevent such classifications, worrying they might create pathways for future U.S. military involvement or penalties against financial institutions that unknowingly conduct business with organization members.
During his comments, Lula, who is seeking re-election in October, criticized Senator Bolsonaro for “betraying our homeland and going to the U.S. to ask for intervention in Brazil.”
Lula himself had also met with Trump at the White House to discuss ways to combat organized crime, but said at the time they did not discuss the possibility of Washington designating the CV and PCC gangs as terrorist organizations.
Friday, Lula described the U.S. decision as “disappointing” and promised to maintain focus on the domestic battle against both organizations, which control the drug trade across much of Brazil and have strengthened connections throughout Latin America.
The parent company of Pizza Hut is reportedly engaged in advanced negotiations to sell the popular pizza chain to LongRange Capital, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
The talks between Yum Brands and the investment firm are progressing toward a potential agreement that could be finalized within the coming weeks, the source revealed on Friday. However, the source cautioned that reaching a final deal remains uncertain.
Representatives from both Yum Brands and LongRange declined to provide immediate comment when contacted about the reported negotiations.
Stock prices for Yum Brands, the company that also operates KFC, climbed approximately 4% during after-hours trading once news of the potential sale emerged. The development was initially reported by Bloomberg News.
The reported sale discussions occur as the quick-service restaurant sector faces ongoing challenges with weakened consumer demand. The growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications has influenced dining habits, with customers increasingly choosing healthier meal options.
Economic pressures from inflation and deteriorating consumer confidence, which hit record lows in May, have further intensified these challenges. These factors are causing customers to reconsider their dining-out frequency. Pizza chains across the United States are additionally confronting intense market competition and escalating ingredient prices.
Major League Baseball has handed down a one-game suspension and monetary penalty to Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Abner Uribe following what the league termed “inappropriate actions” during Tuesday’s matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The disciplinary measures remain on hold as Uribe has filed an appeal, allowing him to remain eligible for Friday’s game when Milwaukee begins a three-game road series against the Houston Astros.
The league’s punishment stems from vulgar gestures the Milwaukee reliever directed at the Cardinals’ bench during the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 6-0 victory.
Following a strikeout that ended the inning with two baserunners stranded, Uribe performed three crotch chops while turned toward the opposing team’s dugout.
Speaking through an interpreter after the contest, the 25-year-old offered his regrets while also placing blame on the Cardinals organization.
“Everyone here knows me and knows who I am, and knows I have a bit of a history of being emotional out there,” he said. “I think first I owe an apology to the Brewers. I owe an apology to my teammates, to my manager, all the bosses of the team. I understand that’s unacceptable, to go out there and react in a way like that.
“But at the same time, I don’t think it’s professional for their manager to be making signs towards our dugout saying that he’s going to be hitting guys,” Uribe said, apparently referencing actions he saw from Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol during Monday’s series-opening 5-1 win by the Brewers.
“There was an event that occurred during the practice (Tuesday), too, and I don’t think that was right. So, I have my teammates’ back always,” Uribe added.
When pressed for more details about Tuesday’s batting practice incident, Uribe declined to elaborate, stating “I don’t have any comments toward that.”
This season, Uribe has compiled a 2-2 record with five saves and a 4.19 ERA across 21 relief outings.
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 1 are experiencing traffic delays between Christiana and Delaware City due to heavy congestion.
According to state transportation officials, drivers can expect delays ranging from 5 to 10 minutes when traveling through this stretch of highway.
The congestion is impacting the southbound lanes, and commuters are advised to plan for additional travel time or consider alternate routes if possible.
Authorities in Dover are actively searching for a missing woman and are asking for the public’s help in locating her.
The Dover Police Department activated a Gold Alert Friday evening for Brenda Wanjiku, age 28, who was last observed walking away from the Laurel Drive area on foot around 5:09 p.m.
According to police, Wanjiku is described as a Black woman standing 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 115 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. When last seen, she was dressed in a pink or peach-colored tank top paired with brown pants.
Officials report that Wanjiku has a medical condition that could pose risks to her health and safety without proper treatment.
Anyone who has seen Wanjiku or has information about where she might be is urged to contact the Dover Police Department immediately at 302-736-7111.
The public information officer for this case is Lieutenant Mark Hoffman, who can be reached at [email protected]. The incident is being tracked under complaint number 50-26-18059.
A financial expert weighs in on President Trump’s efforts to secure his likeness on a proposed $250 denomination currency note.
NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer conducted an interview with financial historian Brendan Greeley regarding the president’s campaign to appear on this new bill design.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — May 29, 2026
DELMARVA — With hot weather approaching, cattle producers are being urged to prepare for heat stress conditions that can significantly impact herd productivity and health.
Veterinarian Ryan Royer, a consultant for Novonesis, is warning farmers about the substantial effects excessive heat can have on both dairy and beef operations. When cattle become overheated and uncomfortable, their feed intake drops substantially, leading to decreased milk production in dairy operations and lower beef yields in cattle raised for meat. Heat-stressed animals also face a higher risk of developing various health complications.
According to Royer, production losses can range anywhere from 10% or 15% up to 50%.
Markets
Livestock futures ended the week lower at the Chicago exchange. Live cattle transactions reached $256, down $4 from last week’s weighted average. Limited direct cash cattle trading occurred through the end of Friday’s session.
In grain markets, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is offering $4.92 a bushel for July corn and $11.27 for July soybeans.
Forecast
The Delmarva region finished Friday afternoon at 76° under sunny skies. Tonight drops to 59° with mostly clear conditions. Saturday looks pleasant with sunshine and highs reaching 68°.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, May 29, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Motorists traveling on N Star Road should plan for potential delays as construction crews have implemented intermittent lane restrictions along a section of the roadway.
The lane closures affect the stretch of N Star Road located between Planet Road and Venus Drive. Work crews are expected to maintain these traffic restrictions through 5 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and to exercise caution while passing through the construction zone.
A financial historian recently discussed President Trump’s efforts to secure his placement on a proposed $250 currency note.
Brendan Greeley, who specializes in financial history, spoke with NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer about the president’s campaign to appear on the new denomination bill.
The conversation explored the president’s initiative to be represented on what would be a new addition to American currency.
A newly released government survey reveals that adult cigarette smoking across America has reached an unprecedented low, with just 1 in 11 adults reporting they currently smoke cigarettes.
The habit remains linked to lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and health officials have long identified it as the top preventable cause of death in the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gathered these preliminary results through survey responses from over 24,200 adults. Researchers classified current cigarette smokers as those who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime and continue smoking either daily or occasionally.
Back in the mid-1960s, 42% of American adults used cigarettes. The numbers have steadily declined over the decades thanks to tobacco taxes, higher product costs, smoking restrictions, public awareness efforts and shifting social attitudes about smoking in public spaces.
The 2024 data shows current adult smoking dropped below 10% for the first time ever, landing at 9% in the latest survey.
Meanwhile, adult use of electronic cigarettes has been slowly rising but remained stable in 2025 at approximately 7%.
“The continued decline in smoking is a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization.
Richardson noted that current anti-smoking initiatives have suffered setbacks due to cuts made by President Donald Trump’s administration that shut down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health and ended its “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising campaign.
She referenced studies indicating that the “Tips” campaign by itself helped over 1 million Americans stop smoking and prevented more than $7.3 billion in healthcare expenses.
“This critical work must be restored and sustained to continue reducing smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs nationwide,” Richardson said.
ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Lawmakers in Ghana have approved legislation Friday that would sentence individuals to as many as 10 years behind bars for promoting LGBTQ activities, bringing back legislation that religious organizations in the West African nation have long advocated for while human rights groups have denounced it.
The legislation, anticipated to receive President John Dramani Mahama’s signature, would also sentence individuals to three years in prison for participating in LGBTQ acts.
A previous iteration of this legislation was approved in 2024 but never received the signature of former President Nana Akufo-Addo to become law, though advocacy groups and religious organizations have persistently campaigned for a version of this bill and Mahama has signaled his willingness to support it.
Ghana becomes part of an expanding number of African nations implementing legislation that outlaws homosexuality. These laws receive widespread backing in many traditional African nations despite global criticism.
The new law prohibits “promoting, sponsoring or advocating” LGBTQ acts, along with financing LGBTQ organizations and activities. The legislation also establishes a five-year prison sentence for operating a brothel for prohibited sexual activity.
Those backing the legislation claim it safeguards what they characterize as Ghanaian family values and cultural traditions, while opponents argue it breaches constitutional rights and may promote discrimination and mistreatment of sexual minorities.
Human Rights Watch criticized the legislation and called on Ghana’s government to “uphold the international legal protections that guarantee every Ghanaian the rights to equality, nondiscrimination, freedom of expression, and privacy.”
Same-sex relationships are currently illegal in Ghana under existing colonial-era legislation that bans what it terms “unnatural carnal knowledge.” The new law, however, greatly broadens these limitations by making advocacy, support and related activities connected to LGBTQ acts illegal.
When the earlier version was approved in 2024, Ghana’s Finance Ministry cautioned that implementing it might threaten billions of dollars in international funding and assistance from development partners.
Over 30 of Africa’s 54 nations have legislation criminalizing same-sex relationships. Some laws include lengthy prison sentences exceeding 10 years, while countries such as Somalia, Uganda and Mauritania impose the death penalty.
New Jersey’s governor is deploying state police to restore order at a Newark immigration detention facility where violent confrontations and arrests have occurred over several days.
The Democrat made the announcement Friday that officers will establish designated demonstration areas and implement vehicle checkpoints to control traffic flow around Delaney Hall. The governor explained that confrontations between demonstrators and federal immigration enforcement agents have escalated.
“It has grown unsafe, and that’s completely unacceptable,” Sherrill said at a news conference along with the state attorney general and state police leaders. “Our top priority is public safety, and we need to take this opportunity to lower the temperature.”
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the GEO Group, the private company operating the facility under contract, did not immediately return requests for comment.
The demonstrations started last Friday following reports from immigrant advocacy groups that detainees had begun a hunger strike protesting substandard living conditions at the 1,000-bed facility, which began operations last May.
Protesters have worked to prevent people and vehicles from accessing the building entrance in recent days. They have formed human chains by linking arms and constructed makeshift barriers using trash containers, umbrellas and other items.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers wearing helmets and tactical gear have deployed pepper spray and batons in efforts to scatter protesters and keep roadways clear for vehicle access.
DHS reported that at least six demonstrators faced arrest for assaulting law enforcement officers Wednesday night, with additional arrests occurring during other protest nights.
With state police assuming public safety duties outside Delaney Hall, ICE officers currently positioned at the entrance have agreed to step back, according to Sherril and state officials.
Along with establishing protest zones, the governor said officers will implement vehicle checkpoints to manage traffic flow and ensure safe passage.
Sherril emphasized her concern about providing ICE with justification to expand operations in the state by allowing the situation to spiral out of control.
“We know what ICE has done in other states, and we know American citizens lost their lives, and I refuse to let that happen in New Jersey,” the governor said. “We all need to do everything we can to cool things down now.”
Sherrill was part of a group of Democratic officials who attempted to visit detainees on Monday but were refused access.
Democratic members of Congress from New York City, however, were able to tour Delaney Hall Tuesday and described dire conditions where detainees are fed small portions of often spoiled food and their varied medical needs are ignored.
The families of detainees and their supporters, meanwhile, say their loved ones have been subjected to pepper spray and physical force in retaliation for their hunger strike and the protests outside.
The newly appointed president of Jackson State University will undergo a full year of specialized leadership coaching as she steps into a position that has experienced significant instability in recent years.
Denise Jones Gregory officially assumed the presidency on May 1 following a year in an interim capacity. She now leads an institution that has cycled through four different presidents over the past six years and faces multiple operational challenges, including insufficient student housing and damaged relationships with graduates stemming from the frequent leadership changes and concerns about the presidential selection process.
The executive coaching Gregory will receive was included in a $97,500 agreement that the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board executed with AGB Search last September, according to documents obtained by Mississippi Today. The company specializes in executive recruitment for higher education institutions.
This represents the first instance of a Jackson State president receiving such specialized training upon taking office.
According to Kim Bobby, a principal with AGB Search, the coaching program helps new presidents understand their institution and surrounding region while developing key relationships with board members, faculty, and community stakeholders. The firm customized the training to acknowledge Jackson State’s important role as a historically Black university, she explained.
“It’s not a generic process,” Bobby said. “It’s really designed looking to initiate a close relationship and establish communication expectations and protocols around the transition.”
Gregory, who graduated from Jackson State, assumes permanent leadership during a challenging period for higher education nationwide, with state legislators increasingly questioning universities’ effectiveness in student preparation and the current presidential administration pressuring institutions to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs while threatening research funding.
University presidents nationwide are serving briefer terms than previously — 5.9 years compared to 8.5 years twenty years ago — according to the American Council on Education.
In an email statement to Mississippi Today, Gregory acknowledged that like all universities, JSU “faces challenges that require steady attention and measurable progress.” She identified key issues including student retention support and providing academic assistance and practical opportunities.
Gregory also highlighted infrastructure concerns that need addressing. The university has difficulty maintaining adequate housing and completing building renovations on time, she noted. However, she pointed to a recent achievement: the university began construction Tuesday on a new dining facility with capacity for 550 people. Multiple housing projects are underway and scheduled for completion next year, she added.
Gregory is also focused on expanding scholarship opportunities and maintaining donor contributions to the university.
“Students and families want to invest in institutions where they can clearly see momentum, opportunity, support and long-term vision, and that is exactly what we are working to build,” she said.
The presidential position at JSU has historically been characterized by instability and leadership controversies.
Carolyn Meyers stepped down from JSU in 2016, leaving behind unresolved financial problems. Her replacement, William B. Bynum Jr., resigned in 2020 following his arrest in a prostitution operation.
The subsequent two presidents, Thomas Hudson and Marcus Thompson, both departed abruptly without providing explanations.
Gregory expressed her intention to provide stability. Moving from interim to permanent status helps “to ensure continuity with strong governance support and an effective transition,” she stated in an email.
University presidents are leaving their positions earlier than in the past due to job pressures and sometimes insufficient preparation, explained Judith Wilde, a George Mason University professor who researches college presidential searches. Training programs like AGB Search provides can assist presidents in managing an increasingly complicated role, she noted.
“I don’t think any president, even if they’ve been president before, is ready to become a president right now,” Wilde said. “Things are so different with the current administration. It has also become a job that is not Monday through Friday, nine to five.”
Presidential search companies engage with graduates, faculty, students and board members throughout the selection process. This provides them with valuable insights that help identify institutional needs, said Felecia Commodore, an education policy professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who studies HBCUs.
Female presidents, especially at HBCUs, often face greater scrutiny regarding their leadership capabilities than their male colleagues, Commodore observed. Gregory is the second woman in ten years to hold the permanent position at JSU.
“We see it happen more so with women, especially black women, that after there have been some challenges and sometimes crises at an institution, women are either put in as interim president or president and expected to fix everything,” Commodore said.
Gregory’s nearly year-long experience as JSU’s interim president may facilitate her transition to the permanent role, Wilde suggested.
Gregory informed Mississippi Today in an email that she used the past year building relationships with staff, faculty and leaders throughout the university community.
“If she showed that she is serious and does position herself with the knowledge, skills and expertise to lead a university, that shows her commitment to the institution and serving the community,” Wilde said.
Earlexia Norwood, incoming JSU National Alumni Association president, believes Gregory merits this type of coaching. Alumni have recently disagreed with JSU and IHL regarding presidents not receiving adequate support to lead Mississippi’s largest historically Black university.
“All the support possible should be given to her just like support is given to all Mississippi university presidents,” Norwood said. “That support is well overdue.”
WASHINGTON — Federal financial regulators announced Friday their intention to eliminate regulations requiring certain publicly traded companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks, marking another step in dismantling environmental policies from the previous administration.
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s climate reporting regulation has remained suspended since last year, when the Republican-controlled commission halted its legal defense amid court challenges from business organizations and Republican state attorneys general.
In an official statement, the SEC declared its intention to eliminate the disclosure regulations “in their entirety because they exceed the scope of the agency’s statutory authority.” The agency argued that the regulations, which became final in 2024, “impose substantial costs on public companies and their shareholders that are not justified by the informational benefits they may provide to some investors.”
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins stated that removing the regulation would “avoid the practical effect of dictating corporate behavior” and ensure agency rules would “be imposed only when the expected benefits justify the likely costs and burdens.”
Environmental advocacy organizations criticized the move, arguing it would deprive investors of crucial information needed to evaluate financial risks and other climate-related dangers.
“The SEC’s mission is to protect investors and the public by ensuring they have access to material information,” said Kathy Fallon, director of land systems at the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force. “While imperfect, the rule was an important step toward giving investors consistent information about financially material climate risks, including the use of carbon offsets.”
Fallon called on the commission to maintain the regulation and enforce disclosure requirements “that give both investors and the public the transparency they need.”
The elimination of the climate disclosure regulation represents one of numerous environmental policy reversals during President Donald Trump’s second administration. The Environmental Protection Agency has dismantled significant climate change initiatives, advanced deregulatory measures that Trump describes as the most extensive in American history, and terminated billions of dollars in environmental justice funding from the previous administration.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has concentrated on weakening or removing regulations considered climate-friendly, including withdrawing a scientific determination that has served as the foundation for U.S. greenhouse gas regulation and climate change action.
Zeldin has stated his actions will put a “dagger through the heart of climate change religion.”
The SEC, an independent agency with presidential appointees, approved the climate regulation in March 2024 in a partisan decision. Three Democratic commissioners voted in favor while two Republicans voted against.
The commission now consists of three Republican members, including Atkins, with no Democratic representation.
The 2024 regulation was among the most closely watched recent proposals from the nation’s primary financial regulatory body, generating over 24,000 public comments from corporations, auditors, lawmakers and industry organizations during a two-year development process. The approval moved the United States toward alignment with the European Union and states like California, which have established comparable corporate disclosure requirements.
A 60-day public comment period will begin once the proposal appears in the Federal Register, anticipated within days.
WASHINGTON — A federal court delivered a significant legal blow to President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape Washington landmarks, ruling Friday that his administration illegally placed his name on the Kennedy Center and preventing planned facility closures for major construction work.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper determined that the Kennedy Center board’s March 16 decision to shut down the venue was “ill-informed and seemingly preordained” without proper consideration of legal requirements. The planned construction was set to start in July and continue for roughly two years, but Cooper’s decision stops those efforts immediately.
“The trustees might have assessed the propriety of closure in a number of prudent ways. This was not one,” he wrote.
The judge further determined that board members “overstepped its statutory bounds” when they independently decided to attach Trump’s name to the facility. Since Congress originally designated the Kennedy Center’s name, only Congress has authority to alter it, Cooper stated.
Cooper, who received his judicial appointment from Democratic President Barack Obama, directed defendants to strip Trump’s name from the building’s exterior and all “official materials,” including digital and physical signage, within a two-week timeframe.
“May the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts be renamed absent Congressional authorization? The answer, plain from the face of the statute, is no. Nor can any other individual be memorialized on the front portico of the building,” Cooper wrote.
The White House had no immediate comment.
During his current presidential term, Trump has prioritized placing his personal influence on Washington’s most significant historical locations. He tore down the White House East Wing for ballroom construction. His name or likeness now appear on various government facilities, including the U.S. Institute of Peace and Justice Department headquarters. He’s also advocating for a triumphal arch with views of the Potomac River.
Legal challenges to other Trump building initiatives have emerged in courts — with favorable outcomes for opponents. However, district court decisions may not be final as the administration pursues appeals.
Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, stated Friday that the organization remains “confident that on appeal the court will uphold the Board’s will to recognize President Trump’s historic contributions to our nation’s cultural center.” She indicated the ruling would receive “careful” review.
“Though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration – a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges,” Daravi said. “With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy.”
Cooper conducted hearings in late April for two separate lawsuits challenging the construction plans. Cultural and historic preservation organizations filed one case. The other came from Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat serving as an ex officio Kennedy Center board member. He sided with Beatty’s petition while dismissing the alternative challenge.
Beatty described the ruling as a victory for the Kennedy Center and performing arts community. “Now hopefully people can come back to work, we can continue to be the Kennedy Center that we were intended to be,” she told The Associated Press.
Justice Department lawyers argued that building renovation plans remain limited in scope and fall entirely within board authority without requiring external approvals.
Plaintiffs expressed concerns that the president and his board supporters would ignore preservation regulations meant to protect the building’s historical integrity. During previous court proceedings, lawyers representing Beatty and preservation organizations questioned the project’s claimed limited scope, citing Trump’s comments about “fully exposing” the building’s steel framework.
Beatty expressed being “very fearful that we’ll see what happened with the East Wing and what happened with the Rose Garden” if the center closes and renovations proceed without oversight, referencing substantial modifications the president implemented at the White House.
Mike Floca, the Kennedy Center’s executive director and chief operating officer, dedicated several spring weeks guiding bipartisan congressional members and staff, plus journalists and Washington municipal officials, through the massive building spanning 1.5 million square feet.
These tours aimed to demonstrate that the Kennedy Center, with construction beginning in 1965, genuinely required comprehensive updates. The guided visits revealed extensive water damage, visible through discoloration and standing water in certain areas. Various equipment pieces, including multiple 800-ton cooling chillers, are decades old and need replacement.
Floca informed reporters in April that he evaluated completing repairs separately but maintained it was his recommendation to Trump to close the facility and proceed with comprehensive renovation work simultaneously.
Trump, a Republican, has shown strong interest in Kennedy Center management since returning to the White House last year. He established a personally selected board that designated him as chairman. His name was placed on the exterior of a building regarded as a living memorial to Kennedy.
The Kennedy Center has continued hosting performances before the planned closure, though at a significantly reduced schedule compared to previous years. Trump attended the “Chicago” musical premiere in March, and additional productions, including “Moulin Rouge,” are scheduled for June.
Bill Maher, the comedian with a complicated relationship with Trump, is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on June 28, an occasion expected to serve as one of the Kennedy Center’s final major events before the planned closure.
New York Giants defensive player Abdul Carter spoke openly Friday about his previously deleted social media post that criticized teammate Jaxson Dart for his role introducing President Donald Trump at a campaign event this month.
Following Friday’s practice session, Carter expressed no regret for his original comments while emphasizing that the incident hasn’t damaged his friendship with Dart.
“First off, I’m going to say that some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things. Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, but he represents all of us, and that goes for anybody who wears a Giants uniform,” Carter said.
“But if he chooses to align himself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility based on what I believe and what I stand on to not only show my teammates that I’m against that, but to show the world.
“That doesn’t mean that we have to spread hate. It doesn’t mean that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. I sit next to Jaxson every day, every team meeting. We’re close. We talk. As long as we make sure we’ve got the same goal as a team and our goals align, which they do, I feel like that’s all that matters. I just want to move past this.”
The controversy began when Dart appeared at a campaign event supporting Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents New York’s Hudson Valley in Congress and is seeking a third term. Dart served as the person introducing Trump at the rally.
Carter, who was the third overall selection in the 2025 draft, reacted to video of Dart’s appearance with a now-deleted social media post. Both players were drafted by the Giants in the same year, with Dart chosen 25th overall.
“Thought this (s-) was AI,” Carter wrote in his deleted post on X, which included the video of Dart’s presidential introduction. “What we doing, man?”
When Dart addressed reporters Friday, he began by explaining his decision to participate in the political event.
“This was a unique opportunity, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States,” Dart said. “My thinking was pretty simple, in the fact of, I’ve always loved this country. I have extended family members who have fought in wars. I have two uncles who have retired from the Air Force Academy and served themselves. And I even have a great-grandfather who served as the Secretary of the Treasury at some point.
“The president position has always been a position that I have a lot of respect in, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of political party. My intentions were just that.”
According to Dart, the situation has led to meaningful discussions among Giants teammates.
“We have a real brotherhood. We’ve had a lot of honest conversations with each other, as a team, and I’d like to keep those things private between me and my teammates.”
Carter, who was observed embracing Dart during Friday’s practice, stated he doesn’t expect an apology from his teammate.
“I don’t want him to say he’s sorry. Stand on what you believe in,” Carter said. “But it can’t be a problem when I stand on what I believe in. That’s all that matters to me. As long as we have that understanding, it’s all good.”
Veteran backup quarterback Jameis Winston, who has 12 years of NFL experience, offered his perspective on how the two second-year players have handled the situation.
“I think these two young guys being resilient and showing that uncomfortable situations and coming to a, not a compromise, but coming to a position of strength, of authority, of the impact that they have, that we have as athletes with this platform to the world, is so good for them to experience,” Winston said.
“Because guys, they were drafted together. You don’t have a tighter bond than that. They sit next to each other in the team meeting room. That’s what we see in this world. Sometimes we try to normalize just opinions, people’s opinions. Everybody wants to jump on, oh, he said this, she did that, but we don’t normalize togetherness. We don’t normalize perspective. Everyone has that.”
BUNIA, May 29 – Health officials in Congo are tracking a growing outbreak of Ebola after suspected infections jumped to 1,028 cases, according to the country’s health minister Samuel Roger Kamba, who briefed the media Friday evening. The figure represents an increase from 906 suspected cases reported just one day earlier.
Among the total suspected cases, 225 have received laboratory confirmation, Kamba stated.
Drivers on northbound Interstate 95 are facing delays this morning due to heavy traffic congestion between the Maryland state line and the Biden Welcome Center.
According to DelDOT traffic reports, motorists can expect delays of 5 to 10 minutes while traveling through this stretch of highway.
The backup appears to be caused by congestion rather than any specific incident or accident.
The crawfish processing sector in Louisiana is facing serious challenges due to difficulties obtaining guest-worker visas for seasonal employees. Processing facilities throughout the state are struggling to maintain operations without access to their traditional migrant workforce.
The visa complications have created widespread disruption across Louisiana’s crawfish processing operations, leaving many facilities unable to handle the seasonal demands of the industry.
A financial historian recently discussed President Trump’s efforts to have his likeness featured on a proposed new $250 bill during a radio conversation.
Brendan Greeley, who specializes in financial history, spoke with NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer about the president’s campaign to secure a spot on the potential new currency denomination.
The discussion covered Trump’s advocacy for being included on what would be a new addition to American paper money if the $250 bill moves forward.
A traffic accident has resulted in the closure of the right lane on Bay Road northbound at the Transportation Circle, creating potential delays for commuters.
The lane restriction is currently in effect as emergency crews and transportation officials work to clear the collision scene and restore normal traffic flow.
Drivers traveling through the area should anticipate slower moving traffic and may want to consider using alternative routes until the roadway fully reopens.
No additional details about the crash or timeline for reopening have been provided at this time.
A federal judge has issued a comprehensive court order requiring the removal of the former president’s name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, according to a detailed 94-page judicial decision.
In the extensive ruling, the judge stated it was “crystal clear” that the performing arts venue was originally designated in honor of the late president John F. Kennedy. The judicial decision emphasized the historical significance of the center’s original naming.
The court order also blocks the arts facility from shutting down its cultural programs and proceeding with a planned two-year closure for renovation work, at least temporarily.
The former president’s name had been incorporated into the Kennedy Center’s official designation in December of 2025, but this recent court ruling now requires its removal from the Washington D.C. cultural landmark.
HOUSTON (AP) — Major League Baseball issued a one-game suspension and undisclosed financial penalty to Milwaukee relief pitcher Abner Uribe on Friday for his improper conduct directed at the St. Louis dugout during this week’s game.
Since Uribe is contesting the disciplinary action, he remains eligible to play Friday evening as the Brewers begin a three-game series in Houston.
The penalty stems from Uribe’s conduct on Tuesday evening after completing an inning with a strikeout during Milwaukee’s 6-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals.
After getting Alec Burleson out on a called third strike with two outs and baserunners on first and second during the eighth inning — his only inning of work — Uribe performed three wrestling-style crotch chops while looking toward the Cardinals bench.
St. Louis requested a review of the close pitch call, but replay officials confirmed the strike was just inside the bottom edge of the strike zone.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy expressed his displeasure with Uribe’s conduct following the contest, stating he felt embarrassed by the display and calling it unacceptable behavior.
Speaking through a translator on Tuesday, Uribe issued an apology.
“Everyone here knows me and knows who I am, and knows I have a bit of a history of being emotional out there,” Uribe said. “I think first I owe an apology to the Brewers. I owe an apology to my teammates, to my manager, all the bosses of the team. I understand that’s unacceptable, to go out there and react in a way like that.”
This marks Uribe’s second disciplinary action in recent months, following a six-game suspension and fine he received after a bench-clearing incident involving the Tampa Bay Rays in April 2024.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter explained Friday why he chose to publicly oppose his teammate quarterback Jaxson Dart’s appearance at a President Donald Trump rally last week.
“Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things,” Carter explained. “Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, but he represents all of us and that goes for anybody who wears a Giants uniform. But if he chooses to align himself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility based on what I believe and what I stand on to not only show my teammates that I’m against that — but to show the world.”
After discovering that footage of Dart appearing on stage with Trump was authentic, Carter posted criticism on social media Saturday. The linebacker reported that he and Dart had a conversation hours afterward and resolved their differences, statements he reiterated following an offseason practice session.
“That doesn’t mean that we have to spread hate,” Carter explained. “It doesn’t mean that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. I sit next to Jaxson every day, every team meeting. We’re close. We talk. As long as we make sure we’ve got the same goal as a team and our goals align, which they do, then I feel like that’s all that matters.”
Through a prepared statement, Dart addressed the matter with his teammates without mentioning Trump by name, expressing his respect for the presidential office.
Coach John Harbaugh believes the Giants organization will emerge stronger from this experience.
CONCORD, N.H. — A federal court has ordered New Hampshire to ease its voter registration process by permitting applicants to use sworn statements declaring their U.S. citizenship when they cannot provide required documentation.
The legal challenge marked the first significant court test of voting reforms championed nationally by President Donald Trump and embraced by numerous Republicans. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliot clarified she wasn’t ruling on whether citizenship proof requirements are constitutional overall. However, her Thursday night decision on specific New Hampshire statutes highlighted potential problems with implementing rigid documentation demands for voters to verify their U.S. citizenship before casting ballots.
Elliot determined that 2024 modifications to the state’s voter registration statute unconstitutionally eliminated one verification method — specifically, sworn affidavits where voters attest to their citizenship status.
“The evidence shows that this is the only method of proof available to a significant number of New Hampshire voters,” she wrote.
The modifications became effective last year after former Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, signed the legislation two years prior. The attorney general’s office announced plans to challenge the judge’s decision, describing the citizenship requirements as a “common-sense approach to voter registration and election administration designed to protect the integrity of our elections.”
The decision represented a victory for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and additional plaintiffs who contended the modifications that became effective last year created unnecessary obstacles.
“New Hampshire’s elections have always been safe, secure, and accurate — and this law could have unconstitutionally and needlessly prevented thousands of eligible voters from casting a ballot,” said Henry Klementowicz, deputy legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire.
The legal action, brought on behalf of the Coalition for Open Democracy, the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the Forward Foundation and five voters, characterized the state’s voter registration statute as among the nation’s most restrictive. During municipal elections last fall, some voters encountered difficulties obtaining passports, birth certificates or alternative citizenship documentation.
New Hampshire joins other states with citizenship verification laws for voters. Arizona, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming have comparable statutes currently in place, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Florida enacted legislation this year mandating documentary citizenship proof for voting, though implementation is delayed until next year.
A comparable Kansas statute requiring citizenship proof for state and federal elections was determined in 2018 to violate both the U.S. Constitution and the National Voter Registration Act after blocking more than 31,000 citizens from voter registration.
Arizona created a dual-tier system following a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision preventing the state from mandating citizenship documentation for federal elections. In August 2024, the court permitted certain portions of the state’s citizenship proof statute to remain enforced while legal challenges continued in lower courts.
The decision arrives as Trump promotes a citizenship proof measure, the SAVE America Act, through Congress. Voting rights advocates warn such federal mandates could disenfranchise millions of people. A 2025 University of Maryland study calculated that 21.3 million Americans eligible to vote lack or cannot easily access documents proving their citizenship, including nearly 10% of Democrats, 7% of Republicans and 14% of people unaffiliated with either major party.
Three members of a Latvian climbing expedition have perished after falling on Alaska’s Mount McKinley near a dangerous area known for multiple fatalities, officials announced Friday.
The mountaineers were part of a seven-person team from the Latvian Mountaineering Association when they fell Wednesday while crossing an area notorious for its hazardous exposed terrain where numerous accidents have previously occurred, according to the National Park Service.
Recovery of the victims’ remains has not yet been possible, park officials stated.
A fourth member of the climbing party who also fell was airlifted off the mountain and remains in critical condition, the Latvian Mountaineering Association confirmed in their announcement.
Weather conditions prevented Denali National Park and Preserve rangers from immediately reaching the accident site where the climbers had fallen.
The accident occurred close to Denali Pass, located approximately 18,200 feet above sea level on North America’s highest peak, which reaches 20,310 feet in elevation.
The remaining three climbers in the expedition provided assistance to their fallen teammates before making their way back to their base camp, park officials reported.
The team was ascending via the West Buttress route, which represents the most frequently used path to reach the summit. This route presents significant challenges including deep crevasses, steep icy terrain, and dangerous exposed ridge lines.
The mountain has claimed more than 130 lives throughout the park’s recorded history.
The section between Denali Pass and the high camp area at approximately 17,000 feet has been the site of numerous climbing accidents and fatalities over the decades, primarily due to unprotected falls, park data shows. The majority of fatal incidents along this pass occur during descent.
To enhance safety, park rangers and experienced mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets in this area, which climbers use to create anchor points for additional protection on steep terrain.
Mount McKinley attracts between 1,000 and 1,200 climbers annually, with most attempts occurring during May and June. A typical expedition requires approximately 17 days, and fewer than half of all climbers successfully reached the summit during the previous year, based on park records.
Last year’s climbing season resulted in two deaths on the mountain, both involving skiers, while rangers conducted 16 medical evacuations, according to park data.
As of Thursday, 516 climbers were currently on the mountain, according to Scott Carr, a park service spokesperson.
In a separate incident Wednesday, two additional climbers not associated with the Latvian group were also evacuated by helicopter, park officials noted.
Atlanta law enforcement officials have launched an internal investigation to identify whether a “high-ranking law enforcement officer” who engaged in sexual conduct with a federal judge in courthouse chambers belongs to their police force.
A federal judge serving in the 11th Judicial Circuit, covering Alabama, Florida and Georgia, was issued a “private reprimand” following a judicial inquiry that determined the judge engaged in “sexual intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff” with a senior uniformed police officer.
The investigative findings did not reveal the identities of either the judge or the law enforcement officer, nor did it specify which courthouse within the 11th Circuit served as the location. The Associated Press has not been able to verify the names independently.
When contacted by telephone, William Pryor, the chief judge of the 11th Circuit, who established a committee to examine the accusations that emerged from a complaint filed by one of the judge’s law clerks, refused to provide comment or verify the judge’s identity.
Beyond the extramarital sexual relationship, investigators also determined the judge participated in a partisan political gathering. When initially confronted with these accusations last fall, the judge’s first response was to provide false denials, characterizing the claims as “outrageous” and “baseless.”
Regardless of the severe nature of the violations, the Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit decided in a February ruling to issue a private reprimand that maintained the judge’s anonymity. The Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States upheld that decision last week.
“We need a lot of reform on who judges the judges when they act badly,” Georgia State University law school professor Eric Segall said. “Judges will protect judges.”
Federal judges enjoy protection from significant penalties due to their lifetime tenure and can only face removal through congressional impeachment, which supports the argument for publicly identifying them during disciplinary proceedings, he explained.
“I’m not one who likes to publicly embarrass people, but what else can we do?” Segall said.
Following the initial denials, the judge subsequently acknowledged the wrongdoing and provided honest testimony about the incidents, according to the investigative committee’s findings. The judge also terminated the relationship with the officer, making future similar conduct unlikely, investigators concluded. These circumstances, combined with the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service to the court,” led the committee to suggest a private rather than public reprimand, according to the report.
The judge also consented to compose apology letters to six former law clerks, decline the chief judge position when eligible and avoid serving on any Judicial Conference committee.
However, this misconduct will remain an “elephant in the room” until the judge makes a public acknowledgment of poor judgment, Segall stated.
“When you have a public position of deciding cases and controversies between adverse parties, your judgment and your character are very much in play,” he said. “The very first thing I tell my students is all of you will make mistakes in practice. You own it, you admit to it, you try your best to fix it and only then is it possible to move on.”
Leaders from four major international organizations issued a warning Friday that ongoing warfare in the Middle East is placing significant pressure on worldwide energy markets and causing the greatest harm to developing nations.
The conflict between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran has caused disruptions to international commerce, created volatility in financial markets, and sparked worries about global energy security, especially regarding shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for petroleum and natural gas transport.
While the worldwide economy has shown strength, the fighting is having an outsized impact on less wealthy nations through rising costs for fuel and fertilizer, greater economic uncertainty, and employment risks, according to the international organizations.
Leaders from these groups convened Thursday to discuss their response to the economic consequences of the conflict, according to their joint announcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would make a decision Friday regarding a possible agreement with Iran to extend their current ceasefire, which would require reopening the shipping route and eliminating Tehran’s nuclear weapons development capabilities.
The organizations stated: “If shipping flows do not return to normal, continued rapid depletion of global oil inventories ahead of peak summer oil demand in the Northern Hemisphere would present increasing risks for fuel security, market conditions, and broader economic resilience.”
Food service employees at SoFi Stadium are preparing to vote on whether to strike, creating potential disruption just days before the venue is set to host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, according to a report from The Athletic published Friday.
Unite Here Local 11, which represents more than 2,000 stadium employees, has called off contract talks and approved a strike authorization vote after reaching an impasse with facility management.
The balloting is scheduled for the final days of next week — only seven days before the Inglewood, California venue welcomes the tournament’s first game on June 12, when the United States faces Paraguay.
The affected employees work in food service operations, handling both preparation and service of meals and drinks throughout the facility.
SoFi Stadium, which serves as home field for both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers NFL teams, will host eight total World Cup games. The facility is also planned to accommodate major competitions during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Contract talks between Legends Global, the stadium’s operating company, and Unite Here Local 11 have broken down following the expiration of their previous labor deal.
Kurt Petersen, who serves as the union’s co-president, informed The Athletic that his organization terminated discussions on Tuesday.
“We felt the company (Legends) were not taking the concerns and demands seriously enough,” Petersen said. “At midday (Tuesday), the workers told the company that we intend to proceed with a strike vote. The vote is scheduled for next week over two days on Thursday and Friday.”
A spokesperson for Legends Global responded to The Athletic regarding the possible work stoppage: “Legends Global has enjoyed a strong relationship with Unite Here Local 11 for more than a decade and remains committed to reaching a fair agreement through good faith negotiations. We look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium.”
Officials with the World Cup organizing committee in Los Angeles refused to provide comment about how a potential strike might affect the tournament games planned for SoFi.
According to The Athletic, the union’s requests include:
—Assurance that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be prohibited from entering stadium property during World Cup events, citing worker safety concerns. Federal authorities have indicated ICE personnel would focus on security rather than immigration enforcement.
—Limitations on the hiring of subcontracted workers.
—Prohibition of automation or artificial intelligence technology that might eliminate union positions.
—Access to workplace data including scheduling information and details about tip and service charge distribution.
“Our members are clear,” Petersen told The Athletic. “They are angry about this. We recognize the World Cup is an extraordinary event but the lack of transparency and movement is raising concerns and this could impact the 2,000 food service workers at the stadium.
“If we were to strike, then FIFA has a significant problem because other workers may not be accredited, which is a whole process for them requiring background checks a while in advance and would not be straightforward to rush through.”
A mobile marketing company supported by Blackstone is making a second attempt to go public, aiming for a market value of as much as $3.66 billion in its U.S. stock market debut.
Liftoff Mobile’s decision to move forward with its public offering follows an earlier cancellation when the stock market experienced widespread skepticism toward software companies viewed as vulnerable to disruption from emerging artificial intelligence technology.
Following Liftoff’s initial withdrawal, the new stock listings market faced additional uncertainty as volatile trading linked to Middle East conflicts dampened investor risk appetite. However, expectations of a brief conflict have since helped stock markets recover.
The company plans to generate as much as $418 million by selling 19 million shares at a price range of $20 to $22 per share. This represents a significant reduction from its earlier goal of raising up to $762 million.
Based in Redwood City, California, the business was created in 2021 when Blackstone merged two of its investment holdings, Liftoff and Vungle. The combined entity offers marketing and revenue-generating solutions for mobile application developers, helping them attract users and boost user interaction.
The company’s public offering follows the recent successful market debut of SoftBank-supported PayPay, where the Japanese digital payments platform secured approximately $880 million in funding.
Investment firms are pushing forward with plans to take their portfolio companies public, particularly as excitement builds around major anticipated stock offerings from companies like SpaceX and OpenAI expected later this year.
Goldman Sachs, Jefferies and Morgan Stanley will serve as the primary underwriters for the stock sale, after which Liftoff plans to trade on the Nasdaq exchange using the symbol “LFTO.”
The U.S. Space Force announced Friday that it has granted Elon Musk’s SpaceX a massive $4.16 billion contract to develop a program that will detect and monitor airborne threats from orbit.
Known as the Space-Based Advanced Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI), the system will function as an integrated network combining orbital sensors, protected communication channels, and terrestrial data processing to enhance collaboration throughout the government’s space industry partners.
According to the Space Force, multiple companies are part of the SB-AMTI contractor group, with SpaceX among them, and additional contracts will be distributed over the next twelve months.
“This initial award is projected to field a constellation of satellites by 2028, providing the Joint Force with an early capability to eliminate operational blind spots,” the agency stated in its announcement.
SpaceX, which announced its initial public offering plans earlier this month, is seeking a valuation exceeding $1.75 trillion.
Just days ago, the Space Force granted SpaceX another major contract worth $2.29 billion to construct a protected, high-speed satellite communication system that will link military sensors and weapons platforms worldwide.
Delaware’s highest-ranking officials have responded to a federal appeals court ruling that mandates the state labor department hand over employment records to federal immigration authorities.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order on Wednesday, directing the Delaware Department of Labor to provide employment records to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Following the court’s decision, Governor Matt Meyer and Attorney General Kathy Jennings each released public statements addressing the ruling.
Governor Matt Meyer commented on the situation, saying: “Federal overreach into state governments and immigrant communities needs…”
Drivers heading north on Route 1 are facing traffic delays this evening between DE 1A at Rehoboth Beach and U.S. 9.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that heavy congestion in the area is causing delays of 5 to 10 minutes for motorists traveling through this stretch of highway.
Drivers are advised to plan for additional travel time or consider alternate routes if possible.
The tennis world was rocked Friday when Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca delivered a stunning upset victory over Novak Djokovic at the French Open, crushing the Serbian star’s hopes of capturing a historic 25th Grand Slam championship.
Fonseca defeated the 39-year-old tennis legend 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-5 in their third-round match in Paris, marking a dramatic end to Djokovic’s quest to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time Grand Slam record.
The shocking elimination extends Djokovic’s pursuit of the milestone as his illustrious career enters its final chapters. The upset also creates additional opportunities in the tournament bracket, coming just one day after top-ranked player Jannik Sinner was surprisingly knocked out of the competition.
Authorities in Smyrna are investigating the death of a 10-year-old girl discovered in her home early Tuesday morning.
Delaware State Police officers were called to a home on Oakwynn Circle around 2:00 a.m. on May 28, 2026, after the young girl was discovered dead in her bedroom. Following their initial response, officers called in the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, which has now taken charge of the case.
The child’s body has been transferred to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, where experts will work to establish how and why she died.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Those who have been affected by crime or sudden loss can reach out to the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center for support and assistance around the clock. Help is available through their toll-free number at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or by sending an email to [email protected].
A federal judge has mandated the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, determining that the renowned Washington performing arts venue cannot undergo a name change without congressional authorization.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued the ruling on Friday, instructing the Trump administration to remove all physical signs displaying Trump’s name and eliminate any mention of a “Trump Kennedy Center” from official documents within a two-week timeframe.
The decision comes after the administration attempted to rename the famous Washington cultural institution.
British financial institutions continue to face barriers in obtaining access to Anthropic’s Mythos artificial intelligence system for cybersecurity assessment purposes, more than six weeks after initial concerns surfaced, according to Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey’s statements on Friday.
During an interview with Bloomberg TV, Bailey explained that while Anthropic has expressed willingness to provide the models for testing purposes, political complications appear to be creating obstacles.
“It hasn’t happened yet and I think this has been somewhat caught up in the process with the U.S. administration,” Bailey commented during the interview conducted at a central banking conference in Reykjavik.
“Quite why the process is a bit different from one company to another, I’m afraid I can’t explain to you. Obviously, from our point of view, given our concern about the risks involved in this, it’s very important that there is access,” he stated.
The AI company has been engaged in disputes with the U.S. administration regarding safety measures for potential military applications of its artificial intelligence technology.
In previous statements last month, Bailey warned that “Anthropic may have found a way to crack the whole cyber risk world open.”
However, cybersecurity professionals have since informed Reuters that concerns about unlimited hacking capabilities using this model may be exaggerated.
President Donald Trump recently delayed the signing of a comprehensive AI executive order that would have established voluntary guidelines for AI companies to collaborate with federal authorities before releasing advanced AI systems to the public.
Bailey, who serves as head of the international Financial Stability Board, emphasized the need for worldwide coordination in addressing hacking vulnerabilities.
“Spillovers from this sort of cyber risk are so big that we can’t just have a single sort of national approach,” he explained.
“Anybody who thought, ‘Well, I’ve dealt with my banks, that’s okay’, I’m afraid that won’t work, because they’re all so heavily interconnected.”
Delaware State Police have taken three people into custody following a drug bust that began with surveillance at a Dover gas station Tuesday evening.
Louis Tolson, 60, of Magnolia, Delaware; Keara Harrington, 36, of Dover, Delaware; and Stanley Baynard, 32, of Greenwood, Delaware, were arrested on various drug-related charges after authorities witnessed what they say was a narcotics transaction.
According to police, members of the Special Investigations Unit were monitoring activity at a gas station located in the 2600 block of State Street in Dover around 10:00 p.m. on May 26, 2026. Officers spotted a blue pickup truck in the parking lot with Baynard behind the wheel. Shortly afterward, authorities say they watched a red sedan pull up and park close by.
Police report that Tolson, who was driving the sedan, got out and walked over to the pickup truck where he conducted what appeared to be a hand-to-hand exchange of drugs with Baynard. Following this exchange, Harrington, who was riding as a passenger in the sedan, also approached the pickup for a brief conversation with Baynard before both vehicles departed the location.
Officers then initiated traffic stops on both vehicles. Baynard was apprehended peacefully, and a search turned up roughly 1.44 grams of cocaine in his possession. Similarly, Tolson and Harrington were detained without resistance during their traffic stop, and investigators found a digital scale inside their vehicle.
The investigation expanded when detectives discovered that Tolson, who was serving probation for a previous conviction, shared a home with Harrington on the 4000 block of Rhode Island Drive in Dover. Probation and Parole officers went to the residence and discovered what appeared to be illegal drugs in Tolson’s bedroom, prompting investigators to secure and carry out a search warrant for the property.
The search of the residence yielded significant evidence, including approximately 2.14 grams of suspected crack cocaine, roughly 103 bags of suspected heroin, and additional drug-related equipment.
Baynard received a criminal summons for possession of a controlled substance and was released at the scene.
Tolson was transported to Troop 3, where he faced multiple charges including Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and is being held at Sussex Correctional Institution on $44,200 cash bond.
Harrington was also taken to Troop 3 and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. After appearing before Justice of the Peace Court 11, she was released on $9,200 unsecured bond.
A North Miami kosher restaurant has made culinary history by becoming the first kosher establishment ever to receive a Michelin star, achieving one of the food industry’s most prestigious accolades in under two years of operation.
Mutra, owned by Israelis and helmed by Jerusalem-born chef Raz Shabtai, launched in February 2025 and has now earned recognition from Michelin inspectors for its innovative approach to kosher cuisine.
The Michelin Guide noted that this selection was unexpected, given that kosher dietary laws inherently limit certain ingredients typically used in high-end restaurants. Despite these constraints, Michelin praised Mutra for its kosher food interpretation, commending the establishment’s success in developing diverse, rich, and unique flavors while maintaining strict farm-to-table principles.
The restaurant’s unique dining format also caught inspectors’ attention, who emphasized the communal setting where diners sit around a bar and sample various dishes together.
Chef Shabtai celebrated this historic moment through an Instagram post featuring video footage from the announcement ceremony.
“First, thank you, God. For every blessing, every challenge, and for giving me the strength to keep going when the road seemed impossible,” he wrote.
The chef also recognized his restaurant team’s contributions.
“To my team – this honor belongs to you. Every long day, every late night, every sacrifice, every detail, every plate. Your passion and dedication turned a dream into reality. I am forever grateful to walk this journey beside you,” Shabtai stated.
In his message to patrons and supporters, he expressed: “To our guests, friends, and supporters – thank you for believing in us and allowing us to share our story through food.”
Chef Shabtai also revealed the personal significance behind his restaurant’s name in another social media post, explaining that Mutra honors his grandmother.
“The woman who raised me. The woman whose love, strength, and values shaped the person I am today. I named this restaurant after you so that your spirit would live on through every guest we welcome and every dish we serve. This moment carries your name, your legacy, and your love,” he shared.
This recognition represents a groundbreaking achievement for kosher restaurants in Michelin Guide history.
Syrian officials have taken 18 people into custody who are believed to have played key roles in the Assad government’s chemical weapons operations, as newly uncovered evidence may strengthen international war crimes prosecutions.
The arrests come alongside the discovery of chemical weapons materials and munitions that could help investigators build cases against those who oversaw the deadly program during Syria’s civil war.
Retired Brig. Gen. Mustafa al-Sheikh, a military affairs expert, explained to The Media Line that finding munitions matching those from the Ghouta and Al-Latamenah attacks represents a major breakthrough for international investigators. “Any technical match between the newly discovered materials and previously documented evidence could provide additional grounds for legal accountability and strengthen efforts to prosecute those responsible for the use of chemical weapons,” he stated.
A United Nations investigation from September 2013 found “clear and convincing evidence” that Sarin gas was used in the Ghouta area near Damascus, an assault that reportedly caused hundreds of deaths.
Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the investigation results “deeply disturbing.” The UN team concluded that “chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in [Syria], also against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale.”
The UN investigation revealed that 85% of blood samples collected from Ghouta locations showed positive results for Sarin, while most rocket debris also contained traces of the lethal nerve agent.
“This is a war crime,” Ki-moon declared to the UN Security Council in 2013 following the report’s release. “The international community has a responsibility to hold the perpetrators accountable and to ensure that chemical weapons never re-emerge as an instrument of warfare.”
French courts have issued international arrest warrants for Bashar Assad regarding the 2013 Ghouta chemical attacks, determining that such crimes are not covered by head-of-state immunity. Additional legal actions in Germany and Sweden use universal jurisdiction principles, while the International Criminal Court cannot automatically intervene since Syria has not signed the Rome Statute.
Mohamed Katoub, Syria’s permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, revealed that officials detained 18 people suspected of running and operating the previous government’s chemical weapons operations. Katoub stated that those in custody include high-ranking military, political, and technical personnel, though their names and exact positions remain undisclosed.
These detentions mark the start of what may become an extended legal and security investigation, especially as international demands persist for accountability regarding banned weapons used against civilians throughout the conflict.
Syrian officials announced a major step forward in dismantling the chemical weapons infrastructure created under former President Bashar Assad, following reports from the OPCW and Syrian authorities about discovering munitions, chemical substances, and specialized equipment connected to the program. The discoveries also included documentation that may help explain the extent of activities that stayed hidden despite years of international oversight and disarmament work.
A source within Syria’s Ministry of Defense informed The Media Line that specialized government units found raw materials, munitions, and missiles linked to the chemical weapons program used during the Syrian conflict, including weapons similar to those used in poison gas attacks throughout the war.
Search operations resulted in recovering more than 70 missiles and bombs designed for the former government’s chemical weapons program, though the OPCW indicated the materials are still being analyzed technically, according to the anonymous source.
The OPCW verified that recent inspection missions discovered dozens of munitions, chemical materials, and associated equipment across multiple Syrian locations, along with thousands of documents connected to the former government’s chemical weapons program. OPCW experts are currently conducting technical analysis of the materials.
This discovery occurs as Syria’s new leadership attempts to resolve one of the war’s most sensitive and complicated issues, while facing continued international pressure to fully reveal the status of undeclared chemical weapons supplies and ensure accountability for their use.
In the first comprehensive official statement about the findings, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said national teams successfully located “munitions, precursor materials, as well as mixing and storage equipment,” noting that the materials were secured and moved to specialized facilities for destruction. He described the accomplishment as resulting from “months of national, intelligence, and technical work,” including gathering and analyzing information, accessing dangerous sites, and enabling OPCW inspection visits to dozens of locations connected to the former program.
Al-Shaibani also mentioned that Syrian authorities made progress in pursuing people involved in the former government’s chemical weapons program, describing these efforts as demonstrating cooperation between Damascus and the OPCW within what he termed a “new Syria” founded on transparency and international collaboration.
Syria’s mission to the OPCW reported that search operations identified sites connected to the former chemical weapons program and found munitions and materials linked to previous chemical attacks during the war. The mission stated that investigators discovered 54 aerial bombs similar to those used in the 2017 Al-Latamenah attacks and 25 ground-to-ground munitions resembling those used in the 2013 Eastern Ghouta attack, plus sarin precursor materials and equipment for mixing and storage.
Emphasizing growing international attention to the matter, US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack called the discoveries “an important milestone” in building a new Syria and strengthening international security. Barrack said uncovering remnants of the chemical weapons program represented another step toward ending what he termed the “brutal legacy” of chemical weapons in Syria. He attributed the progress to cooperation between Syrian authorities and the OPCW, with support from the United States and international partners.
“A safer, more sovereign, and more accountable Syria is in the interest of the Syrian people and the world as a whole,” Barrack stated.
The chemical weapons matter remains among the most controversial and sensitive elements of the Syrian conflict, connected to multiple attacks that prompted widespread international criticism and became central to efforts holding the former government accountable. While Syria agreed in 2013 to eliminate its chemical weapons arsenal under international supervision, the OPCW has continued finding gaps, inconsistencies, and unresolved questions about Syria’s declarations.
Observers think the recent discoveries, combined with unprecedented cooperation between Syrian authorities and international organizations, may mark a crucial moment in international accountability efforts, especially if ongoing investigations confirm previously undeclared stockpiles, equipment, or operational networks outside earlier disarmament agreements. Such findings could begin a new phase in legal investigations into one of the Syrian war’s most disputed legacies.
Military representatives from Israel and Lebanon will participate in US-facilitated discussions at the Pentagon on Friday, concentrating on border security matters, Hezbollah’s disarmament, and establishing a schedule for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Washington is advancing these operational conversations through military channels.
The Friday session will address military matters such as border arrangements, security coordination, and the practical aspects of implementing future measures. Additional political conversations are planned to resume next week at the State Department.
These discussions occur while fighting continues and ceasefire violations persist along the Israel-Lebanon border.
The Lebanese Armed Forces are emphasizing the need for a definitive ceasefire structure and a schedule for Israel’s pullback from southern Lebanon. Israel is insisting on measures to disarm Hezbollah and protect the mutual border, pointing to ongoing drone and rocket attacks.
These military-to-military conversations aim to advance the 45-day ceasefire extension that was agreed upon in mid-May.
On Thursday, Israel conducted a targeted attack in Beirut against Ali al-Husni, described as the missile commander in the Imam Hussein Division, a unit connected to Iran’s Quds Force. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has not confirmed whether al-Husni was eliminated.
The attack came after the IDF expanded military operations in Lebanon past the Yellow Line and represented a shift in Israeli tactics following earlier signals that Israel would refrain from military action in Beirut.
Israel’s military response came after multiple Hezbollah attacks in recent weeks that resulted in several IDF casualties, along with drone strikes into Israel.
Iranian naval forces discharged warning shots at four commercial vessels attempting unauthorized passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from an Iranian military-linked social media account, while diplomatic talks continue regarding a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
According to the social media posting, the ships tried to navigate through the waterway “without prior coordination or authorization.” No identification of the vessels or further specifics about the confrontation were provided in the report.
The maritime confrontation happened while American and Iranian officials achieved initial agreements Thursday evening on a potential 60-day agreement aimed at prolonging the current ceasefire and initiating discussions about Iran’s nuclear program, CNN reported. The news outlet noted that President Donald Trump has not yet given his approval to the deal.
CNN reported the proposed agreement would temporarily maintain the ceasefire, restore unrestricted maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and create a framework for negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
Axios reported the plan would also feature an Iranian statement pledging not to develop nuclear weapons, with subsequent talks addressing sanctions removal and access to frozen Iranian funds.
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency announced Friday that Iranian military forces fired missiles from southern Iran at “designated targets.” Fars reported the targets remained unidentified and offered no further information about the military action.
The connection between the missile strikes reported by Fars and the maritime incident described by the Iranian military-affiliated account remained uncertain.
These events unfolded during heightened focus on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Thursday that the Treasury Department might take measures against Oman if that nation assisted Iran in collecting fees from ships using the waterway. Oman shares a border with the Strait of Hormuz.
Bessent’s statements came after President Trump’s Wednesday remarks cautioning Oman against disrupting shipping traffic through the strait.
“Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up,” President Trump said.
South Africa finds itself walking a diplomatic tightrope as it desperately seeks billions in Gulf investment to rescue its faltering economy while maintaining controversial ties with Iran that are making investors nervous.
The nation’s ministers spent this year traveling across the Middle East asking for financial help from oil-rich monarchies, even as South African naval forces conducted joint military exercises with Iranian ships.
The country is attempting to juggle relationships with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar while strengthening bonds with BRICS alliance members Russia and China. This balancing act includes pursuing a legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and defending its engagement with Iran under a policy of non-alignment.
“Our foreign policy of non-alignment is not anti-West or anti anyone,” International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said at a Pretoria foreign policy event on Monday, calling it a “sovereign choice grounded in the constitution and international law.”
As Africa’s most developed industrial nation, South Africa faces severe economic challenges. Manufacturing’s contribution to the economy has dropped dramatically from approximately 23% in the early 1980s to just over 11% today. Factory output declined again recently, with steel, machinery, and automotive plants reducing both production and workforce.
Rising oil prices have worsened the situation. While the International Monetary Fund predicted in February that inflation would decrease and growth would slowly return, conflicts affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed Brent crude over $100 per barrel. The South African Reserve Bank now cautions that inflation could approach 5% later this year if oil costs stay high, with the rand becoming increasingly vulnerable to Gulf region developments.
The government’s debt burden has reached 77% of economic output and keeps growing. Unemployment exceeds 32%. Electrical outages and deteriorating rail and port infrastructure have forced factories to operate at roughly two-thirds capacity, hampering the export growth South Africa desperately needs.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson traveled through the Middle East earlier this year seeking investment from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE for infrastructure, logistics, and real estate projects. Government officials described the trip as part of efforts to attract external funding that the state can no longer secure independently.
Gulf nations have shown interest and possess substantial financial resources. The UAE has emerged as Africa’s biggest foreign investor, directing over $110 billion to the continent from 2019 to 2023 according to government figures. In South Africa specifically, Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holding established a strategic partnership with the Public Investment Corporation covering mining, rail, logistics, and green energy sectors.
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power has investigated multibillion-dollar hydrogen and renewable energy projects with South African companies. The UAE reports its investments in the country exceeded $1.3 billion in 2024 alone.
However, South Africa’s military cooperation with Iran has created complications. Early this year, the country hosted naval exercises called Will for Peace with China, Russia, and Iran off its eastern coastline, near Indian Ocean shipping routes connecting the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
These drills attracted significant attention in Washington, particularly since Iran participated while South Africa was simultaneously courting Gulf states that view Tehran as their primary regional adversary.
The exercises also revealed divisions within South Africa’s government. After the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority in 2024, it now governs alongside the Democratic Alliance (DA), which supports stronger Western relationships. The DA’s defense spokesman, Chris Hattingh, argued that hosting and training with heavily sanctioned forces involved in active conflicts cannot be considered neutral. “It is a political choice, whether the government admits it or not,” he said.
Domestic and international critics have questioned whether South Africa remains truly non-aligned or is shifting toward an anti-Western stance. In January, the country abstained from a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning Iran’s violent suppression of protesters, refusing to criticize a government it has historically supported.
“I don’t think anyone still regards South Africa as truly non-aligned,” Darren Olivier, director of the African Defence Review, told The Media Line. “It has virtually ceased military exercises with Western countries and now primarily conducts them with fellow BRICS states, while investing far more heavily in military relationships with Russia, Iran, Cuba, and China over the past decade.”
“At this point, it’s less of a complete realignment and more a case of testing the waters,” he added.
Olivier noted that consequences are already emerging. “South Africa’s closeness with Iran and Russia has already affected investment, international partnerships, and confidence in the country,” he said. “It frequently comes up in investor discussions, creates friction around trade relationships with Western countries, and has become an issue the current US administration increasingly uses against Pretoria.”
Tensions are most pronounced with Washington, South Africa’s second-largest trading partner after China. South Africa primarily exports platinum-group metals, vehicles, steel, aluminum, and agricultural products like citrus and wine to the United States. Automotive and agricultural exports depend heavily on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access to US markets; vehicles alone represented about two-thirds of South Africa’s AGOA exports last year.
This preferential access has deteriorated as the administration of President Donald Trump allowed AGOA to expire on September 30, renewing it only in February and only through the end of 2026. The month before expiration, Washington imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods, the highest rate on the continent. Vehicle shipments to the United States dropped by approximately three-quarters in 2025, though stronger mineral exports prevented overall totals from declining.
The US Supreme Court overturned the broad reciprocal tariffs in February, and the administration replaced them with a flat rate of roughly 10% to 15%, placing South Africa on equal footing with most other exporters but far below its previous duty-free status.
Despite political tensions, Trade Minister Parks Tau informed parliament on Tuesday that exports to the United States increased from 238 billion rand ($13 billion) in 2024 to 260 billion rand ($14 billion) in 2025.
President Trump boycotted the 2025 G20 summit South Africa hosted in Johannesburg, repeating unsubstantiated claims, rejected by Pretoria, that “white farmers are being killed” and their land seized.
In January, South Africa announced it would temporarily withdraw from the group as Washington assumed the presidency for 2026. At the same Johannesburg summit that the United States avoided, the UAE committed $1 billion to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure across Africa. The most widely referenced South African government land audit determined that whites—who comprise less than 8-10% of the population—still control roughly 72% of individually held agricultural and farmland. Black South Africans, who represent more than 80% of the population, own about 4% in that category.
Siphamandla Zondi, a politics professor at the University of Johannesburg, described the ANC’s approach as principled rather than opportunistic. “South Africa’s approach to BRICS and non-alignment is rooted in long-held traditions of South-South cooperation,” he said, tracing it to the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.
The party frames its Israel case as both a legal matter concerning Gaza and an issue of national identity, with President Cyril Ramaphosa stating in March that South Africa “would keep defending international law under the Genocide Convention.” This position has enhanced its standing throughout the Arab world and much of the Global South, even as it concerns Western governments and investors focused on geopolitical risk.
Nigeria, Africa’s other major economy, demonstrates the limitations of a more accommodating approach. It maintained its embassy in Tel Aviv and full diplomatic relations with Israel throughout the Gaza conflict, filed no genocide case at the ICJ, and like South Africa, seeks Emirati investment; the UAE lifted a visa restriction on Nigerians in 2023 and promised billions in new investment.
However, this warmer relationship provided Abuja little benefit in Washington. The Trump administration designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over the killing of Christians, threatened military intervention, and had already imposed a 10% tariff.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are rapidly expanding across Africa in ports, logistics, renewable energy, food security, and critical minerals, seeking influence beyond oil and positioning in future supply chains. However, their largest recent commitments have gone elsewhere, with tens of billions allocated to projects in Egypt and Mauritania over two years, far exceeding what the UAE has invested in South Africa.
South Africa remains one of the continent’s largest economies. It produces more platinum than any nation and supplies much of the world’s manganese and chromium, minerals that both Gulf and Western supply chains require.
The greater risk for South Africa may be less the loss of Gulf funding than developing a reputation for unpredictability among risk-conscious investors. The country is attempting to maintain positions that don’t align easily: depending on Western markets, aligning with America’s adversaries, staying close to Russia and China, and courting Gulf states that fear Iran.
“Investors want certainty and long-term predictability,” said Darren Bergman, the DA’s former shadow minister for international relations. “There is still uncertainty about where South Africa actually stands internationally, and investors dislike uncertainty.”
“The danger is antagonizing major trade partners such as the United States and possibly the European Union,” Bergman said. “South Africa has to balance both sides carefully.”
A long-awaited opportunity is finally coming to fruition for Sean Sweeney, who is on the verge of landing his first NBA head coaching position with the Orlando Magic.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously on Friday, Sweeney is completing final arrangements to become Orlando’s next head coach. The team has not yet made the hiring official and declined to provide comment when contacted. ESPN was first to report the impending agreement.
The 41-year-old associate head coach from San Antonio beat out several other contenders for the position, including veteran coaches Billy Donovan and Jeff Van Gundy. Sweeney will take over from Jamahl Mosley, who was dismissed following five years with the team and three consecutive first-round playoff eliminations. Mosley has since joined the New Orleans Pelicans as their head coach.
The timing allows Sweeney to finish the current campaign with San Antonio. The Spurs face Oklahoma City in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals Saturday evening, with the winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in next week’s NBA Finals.
Known for his defensive expertise, Sweeney has earned recognition as one of the league’s most promising young minds on that end of the court. During his first year in San Antonio, he transformed what had been a struggling defense into one of the NBA’s most effective units, building his system around Victor Wembanyama, who earned unanimous selection as this season’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Both Wembanyama and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson have praised Sweeney throughout the season. Johnson valued Sweeney’s contributions so highly that he elevated him to associate head coach when assembling his inaugural San Antonio staff.
“I just took a liking to his ability to articulate his basketball philosophy and what he thought about the game and NBA coaching in general, in terms of competitiveness and how hard you should coach and holding guys accountable,” Johnson said earlier during this postseason, in comments published by the San Antonio Express-News. “But also the modern, creative part and thinking outside the box.”
While technically a first-time head coach, Sweeney’s situation mirrors that of Mosley when Orlando brought him aboard in 2021. Sweeney enters at 41 after 13 seasons as an assistant, while Mosley was 42 with 15 years of assistant experience when hired.
Sweeney does bring some head coaching experience to the role. He temporarily stepped in for former Dallas coach Jason Kidd on two occasions due to illness and COVID-19 health protocols. He has also mentioned previously that he may have coached more Summer League contests than any other person in NBA history.
When Orlando begins their season this fall, Sweeney will be leading a team for the first time in a full-time capacity.
His NBA journey began as a video coordinator with the then-New Jersey Nets, followed by assistant coaching roles with the Nets, Milwaukee, Detroit, Dallas and San Antonio. Despite being regularly considered for head coaching vacancies in recent years, Sweeney had never received an offer until now.
His international experience includes working with Luka Doncic as part of Slovenia’s coaching staff during the 2024 Paris Games. The Minnesota native began his coaching career with stops at Northern Iowa, Evansville, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and the Academy of Art University.
Sweeney will become the franchise’s 15th head coach, or 16th if counting Billy Donovan, who initially accepted Orlando’s offer in 2007 to leave the University of Florida before reversing his decision approximately one week later.
Donovan recently parted ways with the Chicago Bulls this spring. Jeff Van Gundy also interviewed for the Orlando position and is the brother of former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.
Orlando dismissed Mosley one day after the team’s playoff elimination by the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference’s opening round, following a collapse from a 3-1 series advantage. During Game 6 of that series, Magic supporters booed the team off the court after they squandered a 24-point second-half lead by missing 23 straight shots.
The roster features considerable talent, anchored by forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Under Mosley’s leadership, Orlando won 22 games in his debut season, improved to 34-48 in year two, and maintained .500 or better records in the three seasons that followed: 47-35 in 2023-24, 41-41 last season, and 45-37 this season.
Worcester County has made available the official meeting records from its Solid Waste Advisory Board gathering that took place on January 14, 2026.
The meeting documentation, which occurred at 9:00 a.m., has been posted to the county’s website in PDF format for public access. Citizens can now review the proceedings and discussions that took place during the advisory board session.
The minutes document covers the board’s January 15, 2026 meeting and is available for download through the county’s events calendar page. This transparency measure allows residents to stay informed about waste management decisions and policies being considered in Worcester County.
During a historic diplomatic meeting in Ottawa on Friday, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Canadian counterpart that the nation could potentially exceed its ambitious trade expansion goals with China by 2030.
Speaking with Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Wang Yi suggested that Canadian exports to China might grow by 100%, surpassing the country’s current objective of a 50% increase by the end of the decade. He pointed to growing momentum in bilateral relations as the foundation for this optimistic projection.
“Canada is focused on growing our economy and diversifying our trading relationships,” Anand stated during their discussions. “The Canada-China economic relationship is significant,” she added.
Wang Yi’s three-day diplomatic mission marks the first time a Chinese foreign minister has visited Canada in a decade, representing a significant step toward improving relations between the two nations. On Friday afternoon, he met privately with Prime Minister Mark Carney following a handshake ceremony.
The countries established an initial trade agreement in January that reduces tariffs on electric vehicles and canola products. This deal came during Carney’s groundbreaking trip to China, making him the first Canadian prime minister to visit the country since 2017.
As Canada’s second-largest trading partner, China plays a crucial role in Carney’s strategy to decrease his nation’s heavy dependence on the United States. Following tariff impositions by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canada, a traditional ally, Carney has pledged to double Canadian exports to alternative markets within the next ten years. His administration has negotiated over 20 economic and security agreements in the past year alone.
During a Thursday speech in New York, Carney advocated for a “new partnership” with the U.S., arguing that a stronger Canada would “help make America great again.”
The Chinese foreign minister’s Ottawa visit follows the Canadian warship HMCS Charlottetown’s routine passage through the Taiwan Strait on May 23. China expressed strong opposition on Friday to any nation’s attempts to challenge its sovereignty and security “under the pretext of freedom of navigation.”
Earlier this month, Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong traveled to Taiwan for meetings with Taiwanese President Dr. Lai Ching-te and other high-ranking officials.
In his official statement, Chong explained that his visit aimed to “show solidarity with a democracy at the front lines of intimidation from the People’s Republic of China” and to defend Canada’s sovereignty. His trip came after the Chinese ambassador to Canada issued warnings regarding politicians visiting Taiwan.
A digital asset company backed by Nomura has received preliminary approval to operate as a national trust bank, marking another milestone in the cryptocurrency industry’s push into traditional banking.
Laser Digital, which operates as Nomura’s cryptocurrency subsidiary, announced it has obtained conditional approval for a national trust bank charter. The approval would permit the company to manage and oversee tokenized assets, digital currencies, and traditional investments within the United States under federal regulatory oversight once it receives final authorization from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
To receive complete approval, the company must meet specific requirements, including establishing adequate capital reserves. The firm has stated it will not offer deposit accounts or lending products to customers.
Based in Zurich, Laser Digital separated from Nomura in 2022 and focuses on serving institutional clients through cryptocurrency trading services and investment opportunities in digital assets, overseeing more than $250 million in client funds.
The planned U.S. operation, called Laser Digital National Trust Bank, intends to assist customers with transferring funds between traditional currencies, stablecoins, and other digital assets, while also processing international payments and managing collateral across both cryptocurrency and conventional financial markets.
Recent legislative developments, including policies like the GENIUS Act, have provided clearer guidance on cryptocurrency regulations, boosting institutional investor confidence in stablecoins and tokenized assets by establishing a more defined regulatory structure in the United States.
This regulatory clarity has become apparent as digital currencies have entered mainstream finance, attracting significant investment in related technology from established financial institutions across the industry.
Earlier this year, BNY, recognized as the world’s largest custodian bank, introduced a tokenized deposit platform that attracted attention from Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, and trading company Citadel Securities.
The growing interest has prompted numerous companies to pursue national trust bank charters. According to information gathered by S&P Global, digital asset companies have filed at least 15 applications for banking charters under OCC supervision since early 2025.
Farmers across the country saw commodity prices climb by 2.3 percent in April, according to the latest federal pricing data released this week.
The monthly agricultural pricing index measures what producers receive for their crops and livestock, providing a key economic indicator for the farming sector.
The April increase reflects ongoing market conditions affecting agricultural commodities nationwide, though specific details about which crops or livestock drove the price gains were not immediately available in the preliminary report.
Agricultural producers across the nation saw their earnings from peanut sales decrease during the week that ended May 23, according to new pricing data.
Farmers received an average of 22.9 cents per pound for all farmer stock peanuts during that week, representing a decline of 0.8 cent from the previous reporting period.
The pricing information reflects what producers earned for their raw peanut inventory sold to processors and other buyers in the agricultural marketplace.
Motorists should expect potential delays on Indiantown Road today as mobile striping crews conduct road work in the area.
The striping operations are taking place along the stretch of Indiantown Road that runs between Revel Road and the intersection of Hickory Hill Road and Delaware Avenue.
Officials say the road work is expected to wrap up by 5 PM this evening. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes if possible or allow extra travel time when passing through the work zone.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware’s Department of Athletics revealed Friday that Fred P. Rullo Stadium will receive a new playing surface this year.
The facility, which serves as the home venue for the Fightin’ Blue Hens field hockey team, has not had its turf replaced since 2017, making this the first such upgrade in nearly a decade.
The athletics department made the announcement about the upcoming renovation project on Friday.
VIENNA, May 29 – Tehran and Washington are engaged in talks about prolonging their current ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations covering Iran’s nuclear activities, with the United States demanding assurances that Iran cannot develop atomic weapons.
Although most of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities were either demolished or severely compromised during Israeli and U.S. bombing campaigns in June, intelligence suggests a significant portion of the nation’s stockpiled highly enriched uranium remains intact. This surviving nuclear material represents Washington’s primary worry as nuclear discussions approach.
Trump stated on Friday through social media that Iran must consent to having enriched uranium that was buried following previous U.S. attacks be “unearthed” and eliminated under supervision from Iran and the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency.
UNDERSTANDING HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM
This material represents one of two substances, alongside plutonium, capable of forming a nuclear weapon’s core.
Unlike plutonium, which requires extraction from reactor spent fuel using large, easily detectable facilities, uranium enrichment can occur through centrifuges with considerably smaller physical presence.
Among Iran’s three known operating enrichment facilities during the June Israeli and U.S. strikes, two were located below ground. The surface facility suffered complete destruction.
Uranium reaches highly enriched status at 20% purity, becoming weapons-grade at approximately 90%.
Contemporary reactors typically utilize fuel enriched up to 5%, though some require higher enrichment levels. U.S. nuclear submarine reactors allegedly operate on fuel exceeding 90% enrichment.
IRAN’S CURRENT STOCKPILE
Iran has not updated the U.N. nuclear monitoring body regarding its enriched uranium status following the June strikes, nor permitted inspectors to return to storage locations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency calculated Iran possessed these quantities when Israeli bombing commenced on June 13:
– 440.9 kg enriched up to 60%
– 184.1 kg enriched up to 20%
– 6,024.4 kg enriched up to 5%
– 2,391.1 kg enriched up to 2%
Using IAEA calculations, the 60% stockpile could produce 10 nuclear weapons if further enriched. The 20% supply would yield one weapon, while the 5% material could create 12.
Survival rates remain uncertain. IAEA director Rafael Grossi indicated his organization believes “a bit more than 200 kg” of the 60% inventory sits within an Isfahan tunnel system that seemingly escaped major damage during June attacks. Additional material was housed at the Natanz nuclear facility, according to his statements.
REASONS FOR ALARM
U.S. officials focus primarily on the 60% material due to its potential for rapid weapons development. Washington seeks its complete elimination, while Iran maintains it has no weapons ambitions.
Higher uranium enrichment levels create exponentially easier pathways for further processing. Advancing from 60% to 90% proves simpler than progressing from natural uranium to 5%.
President Donald Trump withdrew America from a nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers that previously maintained Tehran at much greater distance from bomb-making capability than currently exists. The 2018 U.S. exit triggered the deal’s collapse, prompting Iran to rapidly expand its atomic activities.
The 2015 agreement limited Iranian enrichment to 3.67%.
However, even 90% enriched uranium requires additional processing for weapons cores. Enriched uranium exists in gaseous form and must convert to metal for weaponization.
TRANSPORTATION POSSIBILITIES
Yes. Iran previously transferred enriched materials between facilities under IAEA supervision before June attacks.
During the 2015 deal and its predecessor, Iran’s uranium stocks enriched to 20% underwent dilution or conversion to reactor fuel plates before international shipment.
International transportation of nuclear materials like highly enriched uranium involves sensitive but standard procedures.
“It requires some precaution but it can be moved,” Grossi explained to PBS in March regarding the 60% material.
IRAN’S WILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE
Iran’s supreme leader has directed that the 60% material should remain within the country, according to two senior Iranian sources last week.
Iranian officials suggest Tehran might consider sending half the stockpile to a third nation in exchange for 5% enriched uranium, while diluting the remainder domestically.
Louisiana’s Republican lawmakers have given final approval to a congressional redistricting plan that eliminates a Democratic-controlled district where Black voters make up the majority, potentially helping the GOP maintain control of the U.S. House in this year’s November elections.
The state has become part of a broader trend among Republican-controlled Southern states that have moved quickly to dismantle Democratic districts with substantial Black voter populations following an April U.S. Supreme Court ruling that significantly reduced legal safeguards for such constituencies.
After clearing the state House of Representatives on Thursday, the redistricting plan received Senate approval Friday by a 28-10 margin, with voting following party affiliations. The legislation will now head to Republican Governor Jeff Landry’s desk, where he is anticipated to sign it into law.
Currently, Republicans control four out of the state’s six congressional districts under a redistricting plan created in 2024 following a court mandate that required establishing a second district with either a Black majority or near-majority population, as required by federal Voting Rights Act provisions. Black Democratic representatives currently serve both districts that contain substantial Black voter populations.
However, the Supreme Court invalidated the 2024 redistricting plan, declaring it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. This decision created opportunities for Louisiana and other states to challenge majority-minority districts that had previously been protected by stronger legal safeguards.
Governor Landry delayed the May 16 U.S. House primary elections to allow legislators sufficient time to create the new redistricting plan, which dismantles Democratic U.S. Representative Cleo Fields’ district centered in Baton Rouge. When Landry issued his postponement order, thousands of mail-in ballots had already been submitted, prompting voting rights advocates to express concerns about voter confusion and electoral disruption.
Democratic legislators have condemned the redistricting plan as an attempt to suppress Black voting power, while Republican supporters maintain they drew district boundaries based purely on partisan considerations rather than racial factors.
This surge of Southern redistricting initiatives represents the most recent battleground in a nationwide redistricting conflict that began last summer when President Donald Trump encouraged Texas Republicans to redraw their state’s congressional boundaries to challenge sitting Democratic representatives.
Republicans have gained the upper hand in redistricting battles, securing advantages in potentially 10 seats while legal challenges remain pending.
However, Democrats continue to be well-positioned to win a U.S. House majority this November given Trump’s declining approval numbers and voter dissatisfaction with increasing living costs.
Motorists heading south on Route 1 between Smyrna and Dover are facing delays this morning due to traffic backups.
Delaware Department of Transportation reports that drivers should expect an additional 5 to 10 minutes added to their travel time along this stretch of highway.
The delays are attributed to heavy congestion affecting the southbound lanes in this corridor.
Dover Police have initiated their Enhanced Visibility Patrols program, a citywide initiative focused on crime reduction, tackling community quality of life issues, and boosting officer presence across Dover throughout the summer season.
During this initiative, both residents and visitors will notice increased police activity in locations determined by crime statistics, service calls, traffic complaints, and neighborhood concerns. The focus areas will encompass downtown Dover, shopping and retail districts, residential areas with ongoing problems, and specific locations for traffic enforcement.
This evidence-driven program will employ various departmental resources, including the temporary redeployment of specific staff members, to enhance focused patrols and enforcement activities throughout the active summer period.
Dover Police continue to urge community members and business operators to report suspicious activities, traffic problems, disorderly conduct, and other community issues when they happen. Timely reporting allows officers to respond appropriately and helps the department identify areas requiring additional attention and resources.
Chief Thomas Johnson stated, “Our goal is simple — maintain a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment throughout Dover during the summer months. High visibility policing, community engagement, and proactive enforcement remain important tools in preventing crime and addressing ongoing concerns before they escalate into more serious issues.”
Residents should continue calling 911 for emergencies. Non-urgent incidents and ongoing issues can be reported using Dover Police Department’s non-emergency line at 302-736-7111.
Leaders from a Russian-dominated economic alliance issued a stern warning to Armenia on Friday, threatening potential suspension from the trade bloc due to the nation’s pursuit of European Union membership, as ongoing tensions between Moscow and Armenian officials continue to escalate.
During a summit held in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin joined with leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to express concerns that Armenia’s European Union membership pursuit poses “significant risks” to their economic security. The four officials directed their staff to compile a December report examining “possible consequences of suspending” Armenia from the alliance.
The leaders additionally called for Armenia to conduct a referendum allowing citizens to choose between pursuing EU membership or remaining within the Eurasian Economic Union, a trade partnership established in 2015 that facilitates unrestricted movement of goods, capital and workers. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously dismissed calls for such a vote.
This threat emerges just over one week prior to Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections, where Pashinyan, who has held power since 2018, aims to maintain his position.
Following a U.S.-mediated agreement last year that concluded decades of conflict with Azerbaijan, Armenia has progressively worked to strengthen relationships with both the United States and European Union. Pashinyan has announced plans to pursue EU membership while his administration has halted the nation’s involvement in the Moscow-controlled security alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Armenia’s pivot toward Western nations has frustrated the Kremlin. Putin has cautioned Pashinyan that his nation would experience severe economic harm if it continues pursuing EU membership. Recently, Moscow threatened to halt deliveries of discounted natural gas to Armenia and prohibited imports of Armenian brandy, fruits and vegetables, representing part of the Kremlin’s strategy to influence Armenia’s election results.
Putin has stated that Armenia cannot simultaneously belong to both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union. During Friday’s meeting, he cautioned that Armenia might lose as much as 14% of its Gross Domestic Product if it withdraws from the Moscow-controlled alliance.
Pashinyan has responded to Putin’s threats by maintaining that Armenia can currently balance its Eurasian Economic Union membership while building cooperation with the EU.
During Friday’s remarks, Putin also drew parallels between the current disagreements with Armenia and events in Ukraine, where attempts to establish an association agreement with the EU resulted in the removal of its pro-Moscow president, Russia’s takeover of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, and Moscow’s backing of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine that began that same year. In February 2022, Putin launched military operations in Ukraine, initiating Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II.
A judicial ruling in Brazil’s northern Pará state has mandated that government authorities at both federal and municipal levels take action to restore and safeguard Fordlandia, an abandoned settlement that U.S. automotive pioneer Henry Ford created in the Amazon rainforest almost 100 years ago.
Legal officials announced Friday that this ruling represents a major achievement for cultural preservation efforts.
The ghost town of Fordlandia, which currently serves as a district within Aveiro city, was constructed in 1927 by Ford Motor Co. in Pará state as an ambitious rubber production center aimed at providing a reliable source of natural rubber for automobile tires.
The settlement was planned to mirror an ideal American suburban community and at its peak became the Amazon’s third-most populous area. But plant diseases destroyed the rubber tree farms, forcing residents to abandon the community. The Brazilian government took control of the property in 1945.
Brazil’s federal prosecution office in Pará filed suit in 2015 against the nation’s Iphan architectural heritage agency and Aveiro city officials for neglecting to maintain Fordlandia. The lawsuit also sought official protected designation for the settlement.
“Fordlandia is a landmark chapter in the history of Brazil and of global industry. The project was an American effort to challenge the British monopoly on rubber, bringing cutting-edge infrastructure—including a hospital, running water, electricity and a movie theater — to the heart of the Amazon in the 1920s,” the prosecutors’ office in Pará said in a statement.
Even though the business operation failed, authorities stressed that the district continues to hold importance in Brazil’s collective heritage and deserves protection for coming generations.
A Pará judge issued orders two weeks ago requiring federal and municipal governments to rehabilitate Fordlandia. This judgment followed more than ten years of court battles.
While the district lacks formal heritage site designation, the court determined it holds historical, cultural, and architectural value that Brazil’s Constitution requires the government to safeguard.
The court order also mandates that government officials create and execute a restoration strategy for the district, with possible monetary sanctions for failure to comply.
President Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social platform Wednesday that he is “MAKING FOOD AFFORDABLE,” highlighting price decreases for various grocery items including avocados, fresh berries, and pantry essentials. However, the Labor Department had reported just two weeks prior that grocery prices climbed nearly 3% in April compared to the previous year.
While the president’s graphic may accurately reflect the specific products he mentioned, verification proves difficult since he referenced non-public data without specifying the timeframe used.
Individual grocery items regularly fluctuate in price, but the president’s message overlooks the wider situation shoppers encounter: Food costs have generally increased since his inauguration at a rate exceeding pre-pandemic norms. Economic experts anticipate continued price growth in upcoming months as rising diesel fuel costs drive up grocery transportation expenses nationwide.
April’s grocery price increases marked the steepest climb in two and a half years. The 2.9% rise slightly exceeds the 20-year average of 2.6%, though grocery prices averaged only 1.1% annual increases in the decade preceding the pandemic.
These increases follow much more dramatic price surges during 2021-22 under former president Joe Biden. Grocery expenses jumped nearly 28% from February 2020, just before the pandemic, through Trump’s January 2025 inauguration.
The president’s social media message concentrated on nine particular products rather than examining comprehensive grocery expenses. He reported avocado prices dropping 19%, cheese declining 5.6%, fresh berries and butter falling 13%, olive oil decreasing 16%, chicken breasts down 2.4%, and eggs plummeting 90%.
The president’s data came from Circana, a private firm, as published through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Neither Circana nor USDA had responded to Associated Press inquiries by deadline. The White House similarly did not reply to requests for comment regarding the post.
Many of the president’s numbers align roughly with the government’s consumer price index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the primary inflation measurement tool. That data indicates cheese prices fell 3.1% in April year-over-year. Egg prices dropped 39% from the previous year and 60% from their March 2025 peak, falling short of the president’s 90% assertion.
Several items the president mentioned became cheaper due to factors largely unrelated to broader economic patterns. Egg prices declined because chicken populations rebounded after avian flu devastation, partly aided by the Trump administration permitting nearly 1 billion egg imports last year.
Olive oil costs decreased recently as production recovered following a two-year drought period.
According to the consumer price index, chicken breasts cost an average $4.17 per pound in April, up from $3.97 at the president’s inauguration. Nevertheless, chicken breast prices have dropped 0.3% from the previous year. Butter prices have fallen 5.8% over the past year, according to BLS data.
However, the president omitted all items experiencing price increases that keep grocery costs high. Multiple factors drive up food expenses, including the president’s own policies: His tariffs have increased costs for many imported goods, while droughts also elevate prices. Rising oil prices from the Iran conflict have made fertilizer more expensive, though this impact will take months to reach grocery shelves. Higher diesel fuel costs are increasing shipping expenses, affecting virtually everything in stores.
Shoppers paid 6.5% more for fresh fruits and vegetables last month compared to April 2025, and 8.8% more for meat, Labor Department data shows.
Tomato prices surged 40% over the past year after the Trump administration imposed a 17% duty on fresh tomatoes from Mexico in July 2025.
Dry conditions in the Western U.S. have elevated beef prices, which stood 15% higher year-over-year in April. Coffee prices increased 18.5%, partially due to drought and weather conditions damaging global coffee production.
Consumer confidence surveys show Americans continue citing high prices as a primary concern. These surveys reveal consumers generally maintain pessimistic economic outlooks, despite low unemployment and modest continued economic growth.
Polling also indicates most Americans have grown critical of the president’s economic policies, with Democrats gaining electoral advantages by emphasizing “affordability” issues, a topic likely to influence this year’s midterm elections.
Federal immigration officials have given roughly 11,000 Lebanese residents living in the United States an additional six months of protection from deportation, the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday.
This extension represents an uncommon instance of relief under a program that has faced significant Republican opposition. The move occurs while military conflict continues in southern Lebanon involving Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.
The protection extension occurred automatically because federal officials failed to meet their required deadline for determining whether to continue the program known as Temporary Protected Status for Lebanese individuals. Under federal law, when the department misses this deadline, the status continues for an additional six months.
This outcome stands out for an administration that has terminated similar protections previously covering individuals from 13 nations, including Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and Syria.
Congress established TPS in 1990 to halt deportations to nations experiencing natural disasters or civil conflict, providing work authorization in periods lasting up to 18 months. Over 1 million immigrants from 17 nations had TPS protection when the Trump administration began, following significant expansion under the Biden administration.
According to the DHS announcement, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and current Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who has overseen the department for two months, “were unable to make an informed determination on Lebanon’s TPS designation” before the March 28 deadline.
Current beneficiaries may maintain their protections until Nov. 27, 2026, “if they still meet the eligibility requirements for TPS,” the announcement stated. Work authorization documents previously issued to Lebanese TPS recipients remain valid through that date.
The Trump administration announced new proposed regulations Friday that would expand political appointees’ authority over billions of dollars in federal grant funding, drawing sharp criticism from scientists who warn the changes threaten independent research.
The sweeping regulatory proposal represents what could be the most significant overhaul of federal grant distribution in recent years, mandating that senior political appointees evaluate funding decisions for compliance with legal requirements and presidential priorities.
Under the proposed changes, administration officials would gain expanded authority to cancel previously approved grants, potentially putting millions of dollars in active research projects at risk.
The Office of Management and Budget released the extensive 400-plus page proposal, arguing that the previous Biden administration permitted insufficient transparency and oversight in grant distribution, resulting in federal funding for what they termed “woke” initiatives.
“Collectively, these policies wasted a great amount of taxpayer resources and caused great harm to public trust in government,” the document reads. “The proposed reforms are necessary to ensure greater accountability for use of public funds.”
Following a period for public input, OMB and federal departments will determine whether to modify the proposal before implementing final rules, potentially as early as this summer.
Research advocates argue the changes would damage America’s position as a global leader in scientific innovation by placing research funding under political influence rather than scientific merit. They express concern that the modifications will create delays in grant processing and approval, hampering scientific advancement and medical discoveries.
The proposal implements an executive directive issued by President Donald Trump during the previous summer. Since beginning his second term, the administration has been canceling research funding for subjects the president considers unsuitable for study, including transgender health research and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, criticized the administration’s proposed regulations, stating they would eliminate funding from any initiative that recognizes diversity, abortion access, or transgender and nonbinary individuals.
“Withholding public grants from programs that depend on them because you refuse to acknowledge the humanity of certain communities is not good government – it’s fascism,” said spokesperson Laurel Powell. “We will fight back.”
Universal Music Group’s board rejected a massive buyout attempt on Friday, turning down an unsolicited acquisition offer from Bill Ackman’s investment firm Pershing Square.
The investment company had put forward a combined cash-and-stock deal in April through its acquisition arm, pricing Universal Music shares at approximately €30.40 each in a transaction valued at €55.75 billion ($65.03 billion), based on Reuters analysis.
The music company dismissed Pershing’s offer, declaring that the proposal “fundamentally and materially undervalues UMG and will not deliver superior value creation.”
Universal Music Group represents some of the world’s biggest recording artists, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar. The company plans to relocate its stock listing from Amsterdam to New York, which should open doors for additional investors such as index funds to purchase shares and potentially boost earnings while increasing the company’s market value.
California’s capital region has officially launched its campaign to secure a Major League Baseball expansion franchise.
Area officials announced their formal proposal on Thursday, presenting what they’ve called “The Sacramento Pitch” through the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. The proposal highlights a “fully entitled 50-acre stadium site” backed by approximately $2 billion in combined public and private financing, plus land assets.
“When MLB moves forward on expansion, Sacramento will be impossible to ignore,” said Mark Friedman, founder and chairman of Fulcrum Property and board chair of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
“We have the market, the site, the capital, and the community. Sacramento is ready to compete — and Sacramento is ready to win,” Friedman said.
The Sacramento region ranks as the nation’s 20th largest media market. Among all markets larger than Sacramento, Orlando-Daytona Beach stands as the only area without a Major League Baseball franchise.
Currently, the Athletics are using West Sacramento, California as their home base for the second consecutive year. The team plays at Sutter Health Park, a minor-league facility serving as their interim venue while their new Las Vegas ballpark undergoes construction, scheduled for completion in 2028.
“This is a defining moment for West Sacramento, and we’re ready,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said in a news release. “Major League Baseball is already seeing firsthand the passion, energy, and civic pride that exists here. This region offers a practical and achievable path for long-term MLB success, and we have the financial capacity, community support, and clear vision needed to bring Major League Baseball permanently to West Sacramento. We’re built for this. We’re ready. Bring it on.”
Initial development plans suggest building the new stadium at or adjacent to the current Sutter Health Park location.
The campaign features support from notable baseball figures, including former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and former MLB player and Sacramento native Derrek Lee, alongside political leaders.
“I have always believed Sacramento is a major league city. Throughout my career, I’ve traveled across the country, and there’s something different about the people here. This community truly loves baseball,” Baker said in a news release. “For more than a century, this region has built a proud baseball legacy and developed generations of Major League Baseball players. I could not be more excited for the prospect of bringing a permanent MLB team here.”
Major League Baseball hasn’t added new teams since 1998, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay (then-Devil) Rays joined the league.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated his goal to select two expansion locations by 2029, with one franchise planned for the western United States and another for the eastern region.
Ghana’s legislative body voted Friday to enact new legislation that makes promoting LGBTQ activities a criminal offense, marking another step in West Africa’s increasing restrictions on sexual minorities.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, received approval through a voice vote following a unanimous endorsement from the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, according to first deputy speaker Bernard Ahiafor.
The legislation was brought forward last year after President John Dramani Mahama assumed office. Religious leaders and other advocates had pressed lawmakers from Mahama’s National Democratic Congress party to move forward with the vote, creating pressure for the president to approve the measure.
Parliament had previously passed a similar version of this legislation in 2024 during the administration of Mahama’s predecessor, President Nana Akufo-Addo, though legal challenges prevented Akufo-Addo from signing it into law.
Friday’s approved legislation keeps current penalties of up to three years imprisonment for same-sex intimate acts. The measure also prohibits “funding, sponsorship or promotion” of LGBTQ activities, carrying sentences from three to five years in prison. Additionally, it establishes a “duty to report” requirement for prohibited LGBTQ activities to law enforcement or other officials, with violations punishable by up to three years incarceration.
The legislation also modifies Ghana’s Extradition Act of 1960 to classify violations under the new law as extraditable crimes.
Multiple West African nations have enacted similar anti-LGBTQ measures in recent months.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye approved legislation in March that doubles maximum prison sentences for same-sex intimate acts to 10 years while also criminalizing efforts to promote homosexuality.
Last September, Burkina Faso’s lawmakers voted to criminalize same-sex intimate acts for the first time and banned “behaviour likely to promote homosexual practices and similar practices.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned Friday that his country’s intelligence agencies have detected preparations for a significant Russian offensive, according to his announcement on the Telegram messaging platform.
During his evening video briefing, Zelenskiy stated: “We have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new large-scale strike.”
“Our services are responding promptly and are prepared. The Air Force and other defenders of the sky will work 24/7, as they always do,” he added.
Earlier this week on Monday, Russian officials announced plans for “systematic strikes” targeting locations in Kyiv while advising foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel to evacuate the area.
Russian authorities justified this planned action as retaliation for a drone attack that occurred last week at a dormitory facility in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled Luhansk region, resulting in 21 fatalities. Ukrainian officials have rejected responsibility for that incident.
Previous Russian bombardments targeting Kyiv and surrounding Ukrainian territories last Sunday resulted in two deaths and injured multiple civilians.
Through his Telegram message, Zelenskiy urged the international community to impose additional sanctions against Russia and emphasized the urgent need to implement previously agreed-upon air defense partnerships without delay.
State officials have awarded more than $700,000 in funding to 28 Delaware businesses and organizations working to address food access challenges across the state.
The Delaware Division of Small Business distributed the grants through two programs – the Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program. Both initiatives focus on bringing healthy, affordable food options to communities that have been designated as food deserts or are at risk of losing access to grocery stores.
The funding will help expand food access in areas where residents currently struggle to find fresh, nutritious groceries within a reasonable distance from their homes.
SALISBURY, Md. – Officials with the City of Salisbury have released details about upcoming road construction projects targeting Sleepy Hollow and portions of Dagsboro Road.
City crews plan to begin the work in late May 2026, with scheduling dependent on favorable weather conditions:
Sleepy Hollow
• Milling Operations: May 27 – May 28, 2026
• Paving Operations: May 29 – June 1, 2026
Dagsboro Road
(City-maintained sections near Wawa and Aldi)
• Construction will occur on Dagsboro Road, stretching from the north side of Wawa to roughly the intersection with Dickerson Lane.
• Milling and Paving Operations: June 2 – June 4, 2026
Drivers can anticipate brief lane restrictions, some traffic slowdowns, and construction vehicles in work zones during active hours. Officials are advising residents and travelers to drive carefully, observe all posted warnings, and plan for extra travel time when passing through construction areas. Traffic will continue to flow on all roadways throughout the project, with flaggers stationed on-site to help manage vehicle movement.
City officials expressed gratitude for public understanding and cooperation while these infrastructure upgrades are underway.
Those seeking project updates and further details can check the City of Salisbury’s official communication platforms.
A website posting issue has been identified on the City of Rehoboth Beach’s official website regarding an article called ‘Lines in the Sand’ with a future date of May 29, 2026.
The post appears to contain only basic web formatting and linking information rather than actual article content. The issue involves a link that references the city’s website but does not display the intended news or information.
No additional details about the content or purpose of the ‘Lines in the Sand’ article were available from the posting.
A tennis player from Paraguay will face monetary penalties after making controversial statements about women’s ability to handle unruly spectators during tennis matches, tournament officials announced Friday.
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo made the disputed comments following his grueling five-hour second-round defeat to French teenager Moise Kouame at the French Open. The match ended 6-3 7-5 3-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) on the packed Court Suzanne Lenglen, with Vallejo criticizing Brazilian referee Ana Carvalho’s handling of the enthusiastic home crowd.
Speaking to Clay magazine, Vallejo stated his belief that men should officiate such intense matches.
“I think this sort of matches should be umpired by a man,” Vallejo said. “It’s very difficult for a woman to do it because the crowd is very annoying. You need to have a lot of courage to go against the crowd.”
The 17-year-old Kouame received vocal support from French fans throughout the nearly five-hour contest. Vallejo acknowledged the crowd’s impact favored his opponent but maintained his position about officiating.
“I knew it was going to be like that. It didn’t harm me, it only strengthened him,” he explained, insisting that male officiating would have “absolutely” handled the “disrespectful” spectators differently.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) quickly denounced Vallejo’s statements and announced the financial penalty.
“The competence of an umpire is not determined by their gender, but by their professionalism and ability to officiate at the highest level,” the FFT declared in their response.
“The outcome of a sporting event, whether positive or negative, can never justify or excuse such remarks. The tournament organisers will impose a significant sanction on Adolfo Vallejo in the form of a fine.”
“The Roland Garros tournament strongly condemns all sexist remarks, regardless of who makes them, and offers its support to the match umpire and, more broadly, to all the tournament’s umpiring officials,” the organization added.
Following the backlash, Vallejo took to social media platform X to clarify his position, claiming his words were misinterpreted.
“I never spoke about women in general, I was referring specifically to the referee, who failed to manage the crowd at any point during the match,” he wrote in his defense.
“That said, I didn’t say I lost because of her either. I congratulated the opponent and it’s only natural for the crowd to support the home player,” Vallejo concluded in his social media statement.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — This postseason has become defined by decisive seventh games.
Saturday night’s Western Conference finals between San Antonio and Oklahoma City will mark the fifth time this playoff year that a series has reached its final possible contest.
The previous Game 7 matchups this year included Philadelphia’s road victory over Boston in the opening round, Cleveland defeating Toronto in Round 1, Detroit topping Orlando in Round 1, and Cleveland beating Detroit away from home in the second round.
This year’s total of five seventh games matches the highest number ever recorded in a single postseason. The NBA previously saw this many in 1994, 2014, and 2016. Additionally, no postseason has ever featured three road victories in Game 7 situations; San Antonio has the opportunity to create that historic milestone on Saturday.
Throughout NBA playoff history, home teams have dominated Game 7 contests with a 117-42 record across 159 such matchups.
Here’s how both franchises have performed in Game 7 situations, noting that Oklahoma City and San Antonio have never faced each other in a decisive seventh game:
— Thunder performance since relocating to Oklahoma City: 4-2 overall record, perfect 4-0 at home.
Their four home victories — including last season’s NBA Finals Game 7 — were all decisive double-digit wins with an average margin of 17.5 points. Both defeats came in “road” games, though one was technically classified as such only because Oklahoma City had a lower seed than Houston during the 2020 bubble playoffs.
— Spurs record: 4-7 overall, 1-5 in road Game 7s.
San Antonio’s only road Game 7 victory came against New Orleans in 2008. The franchise has never played a Western Conference finals Game 7 away from home, though they did lose on the road in the 1979 Eastern Conference finals against Washington.
Saturday brings special significance for Spurs forward Harrison Barnes, who celebrates his 34th birthday. History suggests this timing could favor San Antonio.
No NBA player has ever lost a Game 7 played on his birthday. Paul George celebrated his 36th birthday on May 2 when Philadelphia defeated Boston. Barnes experienced this unique situation before, turning 24 on May 30, 2016, when his Golden State team beat Oklahoma City.
Previous birthday winners in Game 7 situations include:
— Pablo Prigoni, who turned 35 on May 17, 2015, when Houston defeated the Los Angeles Clippers.
— Udonis Haslem, celebrating his 32nd birthday on June 9, 2012, as Miami beat Boston.
— Kevin Garnett, turning 28 on May 19, 2004, when Minnesota defeated Sacramento.
— Scott Hastings, who turned 30 on June 3, 1990, as Detroit beat Chicago.
— Walt Hazzard, celebrating his 24th birthday on April 15, 1966, when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated St. Louis.
Saturday’s contest will represent the 12th meeting between these teams this season. San Antonio holds a 7-4 advantage in their previous 11 encounters.
The only recent comparison came last season when Golden State and Houston met 12 times through four regular-season games, an NBA Cup contest, and a seven-game first-round playoff series.
Before this season, the last time two teams faced each other 12 times in one season was 1994-95, when San Antonio and Houston had that many meetings.
For three decades, the league’s scheduling format limited teams to four regular-season meetings maximum, capping total head-to-head contests at 11 even with a full seven-game playoff series. However, the NBA Cup’s addition now allows for 12-game season series.
Theoretically, teams could meet as many as 13 times in one season.
This would require four regular-season games, one NBA Cup meeting, a play-in tournament matchup between the seventh and eighth seeds, followed by a complete seven-game playoff series.
Still, the all-time record for head-to-head meetings will likely remain untouchable. During 1959-60, the Minneapolis Lakers and St. Louis Hawks played 20 times, and in 1960-61, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Hawks 20 more times. The league operated with only eight teams then and used a 75-game schedule.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder last participated in a Game 7, it was the decisive contest that determined last season’s NBA championship.
So it might come as a surprise that the NBA’s two-time Most Valuable Player described Saturday night’s upcoming Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference championship with these words: “Biggest game of my career.”
“It’s the next game,” he explained further. “And if I lose, my season’s over.”
The stakes are clear. Game 7. Thunder versus Spurs. The victorious team advances to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning Wednesday night, while the losing squad heads home with championship dreams unfulfilled. Oklahoma City posted a perfect 2-0 record in Game 7 situations during last season’s championship run, whereas Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama will experience his first Game 7 appearance.
“I know there’ll be a lot of added attention, a lot of eyes watching,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’ll be a hostile environment, but we’ve been saying this for a long time: We’ve had a lot of firsts. This one will be a little bit more important or higher-stakes than all the others. That’s the goal as you keep playing and the season gets longer.”
This marks just the second occasion in NBA history where two franchises that each captured 62 or more regular season victories clash in a Game 7. The previous instance occurred in 1981, when Boston defeated Philadelphia 91-90 for the Eastern Conference championship.
While one could argue that Wembanyama faces the most significant contest of his professional life, the French superstar might disagree with that assessment.
The 7-foot-4 star, who recorded 28 points in 28 minutes during San Antonio’s dominant Game 6 victory that prevented elimination and forced Game 7, approaches every contest with Game 7 intensity. This mindset has guided his play throughout his basketball journey and likely contributed to reaching this pivotal moment.
“For me, winning in the NBA today isn’t any more important than winning a regional championship back when I was playing in the U-13 division,” Wembanyama said in his native French after the Game 6 win on Thursday night. “The competitive drive feels exactly the same.”
Game 1 featured a double-overtime thriller where neither squad held more than a 10-point advantage before San Antonio ultimately triumphed. In Game 2, Oklahoma City’s largest margin reached 13 points before the Thunder secured a nine-point victory.
The scoring margins have expanded throughout the series. Both clubs held leads of at least 15 points during Game 3 (a 15-point Thunder victory), the Spurs commanded a 25-point advantage before claiming Game 4 by 21, the Thunder built a 20-point cushion before winning Game 5 by 13, and the Spurs established a 28-point lead before capturing Game 6 by 27.
While individual games may not have all reached classic status, the overall series appears destined for that distinction. Following all the momentum swings for both organizations, everything comes down to a single contest — the 12th meeting between these teams this season, with San Antonio holding a 7-4 advantage in the previous 11 encounters.
“The one thing that we’ve learned more than anything is every game has a new life,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “Every game is earned if you want to win it. Game 7 will be no different. This is obviously a quality opponent. We have to play a lot better than we did (in Game 6) and we understand that from a number of experiences. … We’ll get some rest and recovery, learn from the tape, take the lessons from (Game 6) that are relevant for Game 7 and be ready to go out there and throw our best punch.”
Historical data demonstrates that Oklahoma City understands how to deliver that decisive blow.
Since the 2025 playoffs began, the Thunder have compiled a perfect 9-0 record in games immediately following playoff defeats — capturing those victories by an average margin of 15.4 points.
“We’re just a motivated group and we accept the challenge ahead,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Every game is going to present a different challenge and obviously when you lose, it hurts a little more and there’s a little extra motivation and we tend to fight a little bit harder.”
With Game 7 on the horizon, both sides will bring maximum intensity to the court.
Gilgeous-Alexander enters his fourth Game 7 appearance, while Wembanyama makes his debut on this stage. Most players in San Antonio’s rotation will experience this pressure for just the first or second time. However, everyone understands what’s at stake.
“I think there’s been a lot of legendary Game 7s and I feel like we’re a group that wants to be a part of that,” said Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, whose father — five-time champion Ron Harper — played in a pair of Game 7s. “We want to be a part of that kind of history of Game 7. We’re going to go out there swinging. No matter what, we just going to leave it all on the table.”
A federal immigration enforcement officer has been captured in Texas after being wanted for shooting a Venezuelan man during immigration operations in Minneapolis, officials announced.
Christian Castro, who works for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, was taken into custody on Friday, nearly two weeks after Minneapolis prosecutors filed assault and false reporting charges against him for the January 14 nonfatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.
Minnesota’s Hennepin County prosecutors reported that the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tracked down Castro, 52, in Texas and coordinated with Department of Homeland Security Inspector General agents and Texas Rangers for his arrest.
“Today’s arrest is a critical step forward in our prosecution of Mr. Castro,” stated Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.
Court records show no attorney listed for Castro, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation. Requests for comment were sent to ICE, the Homeland Security Inspector General’s Office and the Texas Rangers.
Castro becomes the second federal agent facing charges related to their actions during the Minnesota enforcement operation, called Operation Metro Surge. ICE Director Todd Lyons has identified him as one of two agents who provided false information about what transpired during the incident.
Prosecutors allege Castro discharged his weapon through the front door of a residence, striking Sosa-Celis in the thigh after Castro and a colleague pursued a different individual, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, to the Minneapolis duplex where both men resided. Both Sosa-Celis and Aljorna had legal status in the United States, according to Moriarty.
Federal officials originally claimed Sosa-Celis and Aljorna attacked an officer using a broom handle and snow shovel. Those charges were later thrown out by a federal judge, prompting ICE and the Justice Department to investigate potential officer misconduct.
Following the announcement of charges, ICE released a statement saying federal prosecutors were examining officer statements and that personnel could face consequences including termination and criminal prosecution. ICE characterized the Hennepin County attorney’s actions as “unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt.” The DHS Inspector General’s Office, which Moriarty acknowledged for helping with the arrest, operates independently from ICE as an oversight body for DHS agencies.
Minneapolis authorities released surveillance footage last month showing the moments leading up to Sosa-Celis’s shooting, recorded by a municipal security camera from a distance.
The footage appears to capture someone holding a snow shovel outside the residence near the street, then moving back toward the house and throwing the shovel into the yard. This occurs as someone being pursued runs up from the street, falls on the sidewalk, gets back up, and continues toward the house.
The three individuals appear to struggle near the front steps for approximately 10 seconds. The precise moment of the shooting is not visible. A vehicle with emergency lights arrives, and another person approaches the scene.
The previous administration deployed thousands of officers to the Minneapolis and St. Paul region as part of President Donald Trump’s nationwide deportation initiative, viewing Operation Metro Surge as successful.
However, the extended operation created growing tensions, and the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers led to widespread civil unrest and scrutiny of officer behavior.
Minnesota officials and the previous administration have disagreed over jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute federal officers for actions taken while on duty.
Moriarty’s office filed assault charges last month against immigration agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. for allegedly pointing his weapon at occupants of a vehicle on a highway. He surrendered to authorities last week while his attorney contests the charges.
The county is also examining Good’s and Pretti’s deaths and filed a lawsuit against the previous administration in March seeking access to evidence from those cases and the Sosa-Celis shooting.
Emergency teams continued their search Friday for additional victims following a devastating gas explosion that leveled a Dallas apartment complex and claimed at least three lives, including one child.
The blast occurred Thursday afternoon in the Oak Cliff neighborhood south of downtown Dallas as fire crews were responding to reports of a gas leak. Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans confirmed that a child and two adults died in the incident, while at least five other people sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.
The powerful explosion sent shockwaves through surrounding homes before igniting a massive blaze that completely destroyed the two-story residential building. A towering column of black smoke could be seen from miles away following the blast.
Officials have cordoned off multiple blocks around the destruction site with police vehicles and tape. Workers wearing bright yellow safety vests could be observed Friday morning picking through the charred debris while the smell of smoke still lingered in the air. Multiple fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles remained stationed at the scene.
The exact number of residents who lived in the apartment complex remains unknown, and authorities have not ruled out finding more casualties as the search progresses.
Evans indicated that by Thursday evening, firefighters had manually examined less than half the disaster area, noting that some sections would need excavation equipment to properly investigate.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry explained that emergency responders were already en route to address the gas leak when the explosion occurred.
“We had the cavalry coming,” Berry said. “But the explosion had already taken place.”
Atmos Energy, the local natural gas utility, issued a statement saying fire officials informed them that an unaffiliated construction crew had damaged a gas pipeline near the fire location. The company declined to elaborate further but confirmed they had shut off gas service to the area and were cooperating with investigators.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Friday it would dispatch an investigation team to examine the incident, as the agency handles gas pipeline accident investigations.
Local resident Sherry Woods, whose apartment sits across an alley from the blast site, described smelling gas while sitting outside her front door with her boyfriend moments before the explosion nearly knocked her over.
“All you heard was ‘boom.’ I shook like something was hitting me. It was scary to hear something like that. I felt the building shake,” Woods said.
Emergency officials established a family reunification center at a nearby high school to help locate missing residents. Hours after the fire, Frances Rizo was still attempting to reach her friend who lived in the destroyed building.
“She’s not answering her phone,” Rizo said.
Nearby resident Trish Thompson observed the scene Friday morning from across a grassy field, noting the empty space where the apartment complex had stood just one day earlier. She recalled hearing a “loud rumble, something more like a train to me” and seeing smoke and flames.
Federal authorities in Switzerland announced Friday they are investigating Thursday’s stabbing incident at a Winterthur railway station as a possible act of terrorism, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
The federal prosecutor has initiated criminal charges against the suspected attacker for alleged multiple attempted murder and potential involvement with or support of a terrorist organization.
The Thursday morning assault in Winterthur, located north of Zurich, left three Swiss men wounded. One victim sustained a leg wound, another suffered a neck injury, and the third was stabbed in the thigh. Medical teams transported all three to area hospitals, with one requiring emergency surgical treatment.
Law enforcement apprehended the alleged assailant, identified as a 31-year-old individual holding both Swiss and Turkish citizenship, at the station within minutes of receiving the initial emergency report.
Authorities are currently examining the attacker’s motivations through a comprehensive investigation of the suspect’s history.
Officials stated their “main hypothesis” centers on the incident being suspected terrorism.
Law enforcement revealed Thursday that the suspect had come to police attention in 2015 for allegedly distributing propaganda materials from the extremist organization Islamic State.
A Swiss publication, Blick, reported obtaining footage that appears to show an individual fleeing the station’s main area while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is greatest” in Arabic. Reuters has not confirmed the authenticity of this video.
Federal prosecutors emphasized Friday that the event demonstrates jihadist-inspired terrorism continues to pose a significant threat within Switzerland.
