Residents and tourists in New York City turned their eyes skyward Thursday to witness the annual astronomical event called Manhattanhenge.
The descending sun appeared perfectly framed within a corridor of towering buildings as it aligned with Manhattan’s organized street layout before disappearing below the skyline.
Thursday’s impressive display marks only the first occurrence this year. An even more complete view of the setting sun nestled between the city’s iconic high-rises is anticipated Friday. The celestial event will return again on July 11 and 12.
This astronomical alignment occurs approximately three weeks on either side of the summer solstice.
Through the years, the event has transformed into an essential viewing experience, drawing photography enthusiasts and curious onlookers to city sidewalks during spring and summer evenings.
Here’s what makes this distinctly New York phenomenon special:
The name was created by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in a 1997 piece for “Natural History” magazine. Tyson, who leads the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, drew inspiration from his teenage visit to Stonehenge.
The television personality, who would later host programs including PBS’ “Nova ScienceNow,” participated in a research expedition guided by Gerald Hawkins, the researcher who initially proposed that Stonehenge’s ancient stone structures functioned as an astronomical observation site.
The New York native Tyson recognized similarities between the sun setting among Manhattan’s skyscrapers and the way sunlight penetrates Stonehenge’s stone circle during the solstice.
However, unlike the ancient Stonehenge architects, Manhattan’s urban designers had no intention of creating solar alignment. The effect emerged purely by coincidence.
The phenomenon doesn’t coincide with this year’s summer solstice on June 21. Rather, it occurs roughly three weeks before and after that date, when the sun positions itself in perfect harmony with the city’s east-west running streets.
Spectators can experience two distinct variations of this event.
Thursday’s display, along with July 12’s occurrence, features exactly half the sun visible above the horizon while the other half sits below during the street alignment moment, the Hayden Planetarium explains.
Friday’s event and July 11’s showing will present the complete sun appearing suspended between structures before it descends toward the New Jersey skyline beyond the Hudson River.
Popular observation locations include the city’s wide east-west avenues: 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 57th Street.
Moving eastward provides increasingly spectacular views as sunlight illuminates building surfaces lining both sides of the roadway. The phenomenon can also be observed from Long Island City in Queens, looking across the East River.
Witnessing Manhattanhenge requires no special arrangements or organized events.
Crowds typically assemble along east-west streets roughly 30 minutes before sunset to capture photographs as evening approaches. Clear skies are essential – overcast or rainy conditions prevent any visible display.
Comparable phenomena happen in other cities featuring organized street patterns. Chicagohenge and Baltimorehenge occur when sunset aligns with those cities’ grid systems during March and September, coinciding with spring and fall equinoxes. Torontohenge takes place in February and October.
However, Manhattanhenge stands out due to the exceptional height of surrounding structures and the clear western view toward the Hudson River.
The world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer expressed strong optimism about its future expansion prospects on Friday, with leadership citing surging artificial intelligence demand as a primary driver.
Speaking at the company’s annual shareholder gathering in New Taipei, Chairman Young Liu said the Taiwan-based firm maintains tremendous confidence in its growth trajectory. The electronics giant, which serves as the primary server manufacturer for Nvidia and top iPhone assembler for Apple, recently posted impressive financial results with first-quarter profits jumping 19% compared to the previous year.
Liu highlighted the substantial investment activity among major cloud service providers, noting their capital expenditures have already surpassed $700 billion this year. “Their capital expenditure is our market. It has already reached $700 billion, and their capital expenditure next year is expected to potentially reach $1 trillion. This gives us immense confidence in our future growth momentum,” Liu stated.
The company, officially known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, announced earlier this month plans to increase its own capital spending by 30% this year from the previous year’s T$174 billion ($5.55 billion) figure. This investment will support expanded manufacturing capabilities for AI servers to meet growing market demand.
Despite the positive outlook, the company’s stock performance has lagged behind the broader market, rising 19% year-to-date compared to Taiwan’s main index gaining 54%.
BUCHAREST, May 29 – Romanian defense officials announced Friday that a Russian drone violated the country’s airspace before crashing into an apartment building in the southeastern city of Galati, sparking a blaze on the structure’s rooftop.
The incident occurred when the unmanned aircraft breached Romanian territorial boundaries and struck the residential complex, according to a statement released by the nation’s defense ministry.
Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Garrett Whitlock has been sidelined with knee inflammation, landing him on the 15-day injured list as of Thursday.
The roster move dates back to Monday. To fill the spot, Boston brought up rookie left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego from their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester.
Whitlock serves as the primary setup pitcher ahead of closer Aroldis Chapman. He injured his left knee during last Sunday’s 6-5 home defeat against the Minnesota Twins, when slippery field conditions caused him to hyperextend the joint.
“First warmup pitch on Sunday, obviously, the conditions were super wet, I kind of slipped and hyperextended my knee and everything,” Whitlock explained about the moment he got hurt.
The 29-year-old pitcher gave up one run on two hits while recording just one out in that appearance.
“Honestly, I got pretty sped-up just because it was on the very first (warmup) pitch, and then I was like, ‘Man, that didn’t feel good.’ And it was just kind of in my head,” Whitlock said. “And then I saw the clock going. I was like, ‘Oh, they didn’t stop it. I need to keep throwing.’ So yeah, I probably should have taken some time to be like, ‘All right, slow things down.’ But that’s part of it. You’re just trying to compete and everything. I’m never going to make excuses.”
Whitlock has been out of action for three games through Thursday and received a pain-relieving injection on Tuesday. He also had an MRI scan performed earlier in the week.
“Luckily, no structural damage, like no ligament or anything like that,” Whitlock said. “So I’m just kind of trying to get everything out of it now.”
This season, Whitlock has compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.20 ERA, issuing six walks while striking out 25 batters across 19 2/3 innings in 20 relief outings.
Since joining Boston in 2021, Whitlock has posted a 28-15 record with 10 saves and a 3.13 ERA, walking 82 and striking out 368 in 333 1/3 innings over 185 regular-season appearances, including 23 starts.
Samaniego brings a 0-2 record with a 1.04 ERA this season for Boston, walking seven and striking out 13 in 17 1/3 innings across 18 relief appearances.
The US dollar maintained its downward trend against other major world currencies Friday, positioning itself for a weekly decline amid emerging reports of a potential ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
According to four sources who spoke with Reuters, the proposed agreement would extend the current Middle East truce by an additional 60 days and restore normal shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The deal remains subject to Trump’s approval while negotiators work to address more complex matters including Iran’s nuclear program.
Oil markets declined and investors showed less interest in the traditionally safe-haven dollar, though trading remained cautious as market participants expressed uncertainty about achieving a permanent solution. This hesitation followed contradictory messages from both Washington and Tehran throughout the week.
Currency markets showed the euro trading at $1.1653, gaining 0.03% during Asian trading hours, while the pound remained unchanged at $1.3445.
The Australian dollar held steady at $0.7164, and the New Zealand dollar climbed 0.2% to $0.5946, reaching its highest point in over two weeks.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback’s performance against multiple currencies, stayed relatively flat at 98.997 following Thursday’s 0.2% decline. The index appears ready to break a two-week winning streak and finish the week down 0.3%.
“It might well be that once this crisis in Iran, in the Middle East, is behind us, we expect the U.S. dollar to remain weak,” said Massimiliano Castelli, head of strategy in the global sovereign markets team at UBS Asset Management.
Castelli explained that while the Middle East conflict temporarily halted dollar weakness due to safe-haven demand, many investors continue seeking alternatives to U.S. dollar assets.
The Japanese yen gained strength, reaching 159.27 against the dollar amid broader greenback weakness, moving away from the psychologically important 160-per-dollar threshold that has previously triggered intervention by Japanese authorities.
Economic data revealed that U.S. inflation accelerated to its fastest rate in three years during April, fueled by rising energy costs related to the Iran conflict. This development reinforces economists’ expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain current interest rates well into the following year.
An unmanned aircraft crashed into a high-rise residential building in Romania’s Galati city near the Ukrainian border on Friday, leaving two people with minor injuries, according to Romania’s General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in a Facebook announcement.
The aircraft collided with an apartment on the building’s 10th floor, sparking a blaze, emergency officials reported. Photos from the scene revealed firefighting crews responding to the incident and scattered wreckage on the ground below.
Emergency responders stated that the aircraft’s complete explosive load went off upon impact, prompting the evacuation of approximately 70 residents. Officials did not release additional information regarding the type of unmanned aircraft involved. Fire crews successfully extinguished the flames.
In another occurrence, an unmanned aircraft carrying no explosive materials was discovered near Basesti in Maramures county in Romania’s northwest region, with the location being secured, TVR broadcaster reported Thursday evening, referencing local officials.
Officials were examining where the aircraft originated and how it ended up in the region, according to TVR. The report indicated the device had a wingspan measuring approximately 3 metres (9.84 feet).
Meanwhile, local officials in southern Ukraine reported that multiple unmanned aircraft targeted the Izmail port in the Odesa region during the early morning hours Friday.
Izmail, situated near the Romanian border, houses Ukraine’s largest port facility along the Danube River and serves as a regularly attacked strategic site.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Kirkwood Highway should expect delays due to a construction-related lane closure affecting traffic flow in the area.
The right lane is currently blocked between Ogletown Road and Anna Way, with the closure expected to remain in effect until 5 AM, according to traffic officials.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the construction zone.
A federal judge issued a decision Thursday determining that executions using nitrogen gas do not breach the Constitution’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, dismissing claims from an Alabama death row prisoner that the method inflicts excessive pain.
The decision followed the nation’s first comprehensive court trial examining whether this execution technique violates constitutional protections. Eight individuals have been put to death using this method – seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana. The court’s finding allows Alabama and additional states to proceed with nitrogen gas executions and represents a defeat for opponents who anticipated a thorough review of Alabama’s procedures would end its implementation.
This execution technique, initially implemented in 2024, requires securing a breathing apparatus over the condemned person’s face and substituting regular air with pure nitrogen gas, resulting in death through oxygen deprivation. Death row prisoner Jeffery Lee filed the legal challenge last year. The 58-year-old Lee faces execution by nitrogen gas on June 11 at a prison in southern Alabama.
“While Lee establishes that death by nitrogen hypoxia involves some suffering, he fails to show that the protocol is cruel and unusual in violation of the Eighth Amendment,” U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks wrote.
Legal representatives for both the state and Lee disagreed about the duration inmates remain conscious during nitrogen gas executions. Judge Marks determined the evidence demonstrates Alabama’s procedure “likely causes severe air hunger —the most severe form of breathing discomfort — for one to three minutes” but concluded this did not constitute a constitutional breach.
Lee’s legal team has indicated through court documents they plan to appeal the ruling.
The Alabama attorney general commended the judge’s ruling.
“After the first full trial on nitrogen hypoxia in the entire country, the district court found it to be constitutional. The district court considered all the evidence and concluded that nitrogen hypoxia is not cruel and unusual, affirming that the question of capital punishment belongs to the people and their representatives, not the courts, to resolve,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said.
Condemned individuals executed through nitrogen gas have exhibited varying degrees of trembling during the procedures, with state and defense attorneys disagreeing whether these movements are involuntary responses or indicators of distress. Alabama’s most recent nitrogen gas execution required more than 30 minutes to finish.
Judge Marks observed that Lee confronted a difficult legal standard since the U.S. Supreme Court has not determined any state’s execution method constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, five states have approved nitrogen gas for executions, though only two have actually implemented it.
Lee received a capital murder conviction for the deaths of Ellis and Thompson on Dec. 12, 1998, close to the small community of Orrville, Alabama. Prosecutors stated Lee entered a pawn shop carrying a sawed-off shotgun and fatally shot Jimmy Ellis, the shop’s owner, and Elaine Thompson, an employee.
A jury decided 7-5 that Lee should receive life imprisonment. Nevertheless, a judge overturned that recommendation and imposed a death sentence. Alabama eliminated the judicial override practice in 2017 and no longer permits judges to reject jury sentencing decisions in capital cases.
Lee’s attorneys did not provide an immediate response to the decision.
“The real torture of the death penalty is in the decades of waiting. With what we know about each of the available methods of being killed in Alabama or in the U.S., I can’t imagine anyone choosing conscious suffocation,” said Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, a group that opposes the death penalty.
He noted that Lee would not receive the death penalty if sentenced under current law since judicial override has been eliminated.
Two top executives at KPMG Australia have resigned their positions after the accounting firm’s internal investigation into whistleblower complaints about client data sharing failed to meet company standards, the firm announced Friday.
Andrew Yates, who has been with the company since 1990 and served as chief executive since 2021, stepped down after the firm’s probe into the whistleblower’s concerns “fell short of the firm’s expectations, those of the whistleblower and the broader community,” according to a company statement.
Julian McPherson, the firm’s managing partner of audit and assurance, also resigned and will depart the company following an organized transition period, the statement said.
“It is clear that in this case we have let ourselves down and I take accountability,” Yates stated in the announcement.
McPherson acknowledged his role, saying: “Matters have arisen for which I am responsible, and I take accountability.”
The departures represent a significant setback for Australia’s professional services industry as the accounting firm grapples with the fallout from the whistleblower allegations.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson sustained a fracture to his right pinky finger during the past week, with no established timeline for his return to action, multiple sources reported Thursday.
The Knicks are set to compete in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, with their championship series beginning Wednesday against whichever team emerges from the Western Conference finals. Oklahoma City holds a 3-2 advantage over host San Antonio in their best-of-seven series, with Thursday night’s game potentially deciding the matchup.
The 28-year-old Robinson contributed eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds during 18 minutes of action in New York’s dominant 130-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at their home court in Game 4 on Monday, completing a sweep that secured the Eastern Conference title.
The circumstances and exact timing of Robinson’s injury remain unknown, according to the reports.
Serving as the primary backup to six-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, Robinson has posted averages of 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 14.2 minutes per contest while connecting on a league-best 73.7% of his field goal attempts (28 of 38) across 13 playoff appearances as a reserve player. His free-throw shooting has been problematic, however, as he has converted just 13 of 43 attempts for a 30.2% success rate.
Throughout the regular season, Robinson compiled averages of 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 19.6 minutes across 60 games with 16 starts, earning an eighth-place finish in NBA Sixth Man of the Year award voting.
Second-year player Ariel Hukporti serves as New York’s third-string center option. The 7-footer appeared in 54 regular-season contests with five starts and averaged 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 9.2 minutes.
Over his professional career, Robinson has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 23.4 minutes across 397 regular-season appearances with 215 starts.
Robinson holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured player on the Knicks roster, having been chosen by New York in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft following his time at Western Kentucky.
A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration targeting Boston’s sanctuary city immigration policies.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, based in Boston, determined the U.S. Department of Justice did not have proper legal standing to bring the case forward. This represents one of approximately twelve similar legal challenges the department has pursued against jurisdictions with sanctuary policies led by Democrats.
The September lawsuit targeted the city and Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, specifically challenging the Boston Trust Act, which was originally passed in 2014. City council members renewed their backing of the ordinance in December 2024 ahead of Trump’s return to the presidency.
Under this ordinance, the Boston Police Department and other municipal officials are prohibited from working with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, on civil immigration matters. This includes restrictions on holding migrants for possible deportation or providing their personal details.
Federal attorneys contended these restrictions interfered with immigration enforcement activities and violated both the U.S. Constitution and federal immigration statutes.
However, Judge Sorokin, who received his appointment from Democratic President Barack Obama, concluded the administration could not prove it had proper legal standing to contest the policy. He also found they failed to show how a favorable court decision would address the alleged damages the federal government claimed to experience.
The judge noted that even if Boston’s ordinance were struck down, local police still would not be permitted to provide the assistance ICE sought. This is due to a 2017 decision by Massachusetts’ top court during Trump’s initial presidency that prevented state law enforcement from holding non-citizens based exclusively on federal civil immigration detainers.
“In Massachusetts, there is simply no source of authority empowering Boston police officers to do what the United States would like them to do,” Sorokin wrote.
The Justice Department has not provided a response to requests for comment.
Judge Sorokin’s decision indicates the Justice Department has been unsuccessful in all comparable cases against municipalities and states with sanctuary policies, with courts rejecting four additional lawsuits in Colorado, Illinois and New York.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the rule of law and for local governments across the country,” Jill Habig, whose group the Public Rights Project helped defend Boston against the lawsuit, said in a statement.
The chief federal prosecutor in Chicago has publicly refuted claims that his office initiated a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll, the author who successfully sued U.S. President Donald Trump over sexual assault and defamation allegations.
On Thursday, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros issued a statement clarifying his office’s position after reports emerged suggesting the Justice Department had begun examining Carroll’s testimony.
“The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office can confirm that it has not opened – and has never opened – a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll,” Boutros stated.
The confusion arose after a source with knowledge of the situation informed Reuters on Wednesday that federal prosecutors were looking into potential perjury charges related to Carroll’s testimony in her two victorious civil cases against Trump.
Carroll’s attorney, Robbie Kaplan, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the matter.
According to the anonymous source, the alleged inquiry centered on Carroll’s statements during her successful legal battles, which concluded in 2023 and 2024. These cases involved accusations that Trump sexually assaulted her at a New York department store and subsequently defamed her by calling her a liar.
CNN was the first news outlet to report on the purported investigation.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department has initiated multiple investigations targeting the president’s critics and has filed criminal charges in several instances since taking office.
The source indicated that prosecutors were focusing on a 2022 deposition where the former Elle magazine writer stated she had not received external funding for her lawsuit. Her legal team later disclosed that Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn, had covered portions of her legal expenses.
However, an appeals court ruled in 2024 that “Ms. Carroll plausibly represented that she had forgotten about the limited outside funding counsel obtained in September 2020 when this question was first posed to her in 2022, and the additional discovery did not indicate otherwise.”
In May 2023, a jury determined that Trump had sexually assaulted Carroll and defamed her through false statements, though they did not find him guilty of rape. A separate jury in January 2024 concluded he had defamed her and ordered him to pay $83.3 million in damages.
Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing and remains engaged in ongoing legal disputes with Carroll.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has swiftly implemented Trump’s directives since replacing his predecessor, has recused himself from any department investigation due to his previous role as one of Trump’s personal lawyers in the Carroll appeals process, according to the source.
Two pitchers from Salisbury University’s baseball program received prestigious national honors Thursday night during the opening ceremony of the Division III College World Series in Eastlake, Ohio.
Right-handed hurlers Aidan Brinsfield and Cole Williams were both named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-America Second Team for the 2026 season. The recognition marks the 26th and 27th time Sea Gulls players have earned ABCA All-American status.
The honors were presented during Thursday evening’s ceremony as part of the College World Series festivities. Both players earned spots on the prestigious Second Team through voting by the coaching association.
New York Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson is dealing with a fractured right pinkie finger, with no clear timeline established for his recovery, a source with knowledge of the situation has revealed.
The source provided this information to The Associated Press anonymously on Thursday, as the organization has not yet made an official announcement regarding the injury.
The development comes as New York prepares for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, scheduled for next Wednesday as they travel to face either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.
Throughout the postseason’s first three rounds, Robinson has participated in 13 of the team’s initial 16 contests, contributing over 17 minutes as a substitute during the Eastern Conference finals-deciding win in Cleveland. The squad resumed practice activities at their home facility Thursday.
New York has compiled a remarkable 12-2 postseason record, outscoring opponents by an average of 19.4 points per contest while riding an 11-game winning streak. This current run matches the third-longest consecutive victory streak recorded within a single postseason.
The 28-year-old big man has contributed 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game during the playoffs, serving primarily as a backup whose court time increases when Karl-Anthony Towns encounters foul difficulties. Offensively, Robinson has become a target for intentional fouling due to his struggles from the charity stripe, converting just 13 of 43 attempts for a 30.2% success rate.
ESPN initially broke the news of Robinson’s finger fracture.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The reigning MVP quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford, expressed his acceptance of the team’s decision to select Ty Simpson in last month’s draft, despite having the league’s top performer locked in for a minimum of two more seasons.
“Listen, I’m not 25 years old, and I get that,” Stafford commented on Thursday following organized team activities at the Rams’ training facility. “So we’re doing everything we can to be as good a football team as we can for now, for the future, for all of it.”
The veteran signal-caller, now 38, revealed he maintains “constant dialogue and a great relationship” with head coach Sean McVay, who contacted him last month before the Rams shocked the league by selecting Simpson with the 13th overall selection. The Alabama quarterback wasn’t anticipated to be chosen so early in the draft or land with the Rams, who had already confirmed Stafford’s return for 2026.
Following his record-breaking season, the NFL’s sixth all-time leading passer secured a substantial contract extension for 2027 just last week, solidifying his position that was already secure. McVay has consistently affirmed that Stafford remains the Rams’ starter for however long he chooses to continue playing, even following the team’s investment of their highest draft selection in a decade on a quarterback.
However, Stafford also clarified the reasoning behind the Rams’ quarterback selection when he confirmed Thursday that he continues to evaluate his future on an annual basis, even with his two-year contractual obligation.
“Happy to have next year taken care of if I decide to play — and they still want me back,” Stafford remarked with a smile. “Excited to get that behind me, because I just want to come out here and play, and not think about the extra stuff. It’s good to get it done sooner rather than later.”
During this month’s workouts, Stafford and Simpson have been training together with returning backup Stetson Bennett and undrafted rookie Matthew Caldwell. Bennett and Simpson are anticipated to battle for the backup position behind Stafford, who enters his 18th professional season.
The veteran quarterback and the 23-year-old Simpson seem to be developing a positive relationship early on, though Stafford remains primarily concentrated on his own preparation rather than mentoring, as he pursues a legitimate opportunity to claim his second championship ring this season.
“He’s a guy that asks questions,” Stafford noted. “I’ve been trying to answer those as honestly and as thoroughly as I possibly can. He’s a smart kid. He’s got talent, obviously. Happy to add good players to our team. He’s one of them. But my job is to go out there and get myself and our team as ready to play as we possibly can.”
Stafford is fresh off one of his finest campaigns, earning his inaugural MVP recognition. He threw for a league-leading 4,707 yards and a personal-best 46 touchdown passes against only eight interceptions while guiding the Rams to 12 victories, two playoff road wins, and an appearance in the NFC championship contest.
Although Stafford plans to delay his decision about returning for 2027 until next offseason, it appears increasingly evident that he has no desire to play elsewhere. He rejected interest from other franchises a year ago and promptly secured his future with the Rams this year after his MVP campaign.
When questioned about whether he plans to conclude his career with the Rams, Stafford responded: “That would probably be a ‘Yes,’ but … this is life, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I do love playing here. I love playing for this organization. Love my teammates, and my family loves it here.”
A woman from Ghana who is expecting a baby has been confined with her young son for over a week in a room without windows at Washington Dulles International Airport, despite entering the country legally, according to her legal representatives.
Annabella Gyasi, 38, and her four-year-old child arrived at the airport last Tuesday with plans to travel to Ohio for medical treatment. The boy, who was born with hand deformities, had a scheduled May 30 appointment at Akron Children’s Hospital to determine if he was ready for surgical intervention, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia stated in emergency court filings.
The family had previously visited the United States in 2024 seeking medical treatment but returned home when doctors determined the child was not yet old enough for the procedure.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained both mother and child after Gyasi, who is more than four months into her pregnancy, expressed fears about returning to Ghana due to persecution they had experienced there, her attorneys stated.
“Ms. Gyasi legally traveled to the U.S. to get necessary medical care for her son, but the illegal detention and inhumane treatment that she’s experiencing at Dulles is endangering her son’s health as well as her own,” said Sophia Gregg, senior immigrants’ rights attorney at the ACLU of Virginia.
Federal immigration authorities disputed claims of mistreatment.
“These allegations are false,” the Department of Homeland Security responded. “Everyone in CBP custody, including this individual, has access to appropriate care, including medical evaluation by a doctor, medication, and food.”
During her time in custody, Gyasi has required emergency hospital care on two occasions due to pregnancy-related complications, including bleeding and dizziness, but was brought back to the detention facility each time, her legal team reported. Medical staff during one hospital visit “expressed concern that she was not eating enough in detention and was over-stressed,” according to the civil liberties organization.
The mother repeatedly requested additional food for herself and her child from detention officers but was refused, her lawyers stated.
Concerned about her unborn child’s welfare, Gyasi told officials she would prefer deportation rather than continue without adequate nutrition. Food was provided only after she signed deportation paperwork, her attorneys said.
Her legal team subsequently informed Customs and Border Protection personnel that she had agreed to deportation only due to desperate circumstances.
Court documents from U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema revealed that immigration authorities claimed Gyasi could not legally enter using tourist visas and was being prepared for expedited removal because she had “admitted under oath that she came to the United States in order to seek asylum and her intent was not to leave the United States to return to Ghana.”
Judge Brinkema has scheduled oral arguments for Friday.
NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — For the first time in over 15 years of monitoring, the United Nations has added Israeli military forces to its annual blacklist documenting sexual violence in global conflict areas, citing their handling of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials reject these claims.
The comprehensive 35-page document — obtained by Israel’s UN mission late Thursday before Friday’s anticipated publication — identifies 77 governmental and non-governmental entities across 12 nations accused of perpetrating or enabling sexual violence during armed conflicts. The report indicates a significant increase in documented incidents from 2024 to 2025.
This year’s listing also marks the first inclusion of Russian military and security personnel for alleged sexual violence against war prisoners and detained civilians throughout the Ukraine conflict.
The 2025 blacklist features both Israel’s military and security apparatus alongside Hamas fighters, who were previously included following their October 7, 2023 assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict.
Last year’s report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had cautioned both Israel and Russia about potential blacklisting.
Representatives from both nations responded with fury to their inclusion and condemned Guterres directly.
“We will write a letter to the secretary-general saying that these are unsubstantiated lies and alleged things which again portray Russia as a villain, like they do all the time,” stated Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia. He indicated Russia is compiling documentation and preparing its own assessment of Ukrainian treatment of Russian war prisoners.
“We are done with this UN Secretary-General,” declared Danny Danon, Israel’s UN representative, in a social media post. “Guterres has put Israel on the same blacklist along with Hamas, ISIS and the most depraved terrorist organizations in the world.” Guterres’ second five-year tenure concludes December 31.
Danon emphasized that Israel had supplied documentation, evidence and comprehensive responses addressing the report’s allegations.
The document states that in 2025, UN investigators successfully recorded “patterns of sexual violence” targeting Palestinians held in Israel and occupied Palestinian areas, confirming numerous instances of conflict-related sexual abuse, including torture, affecting 14 males, seven females, nine boys and one girl from Gaza and the West Bank. The report notes 13 incidents in 2025 and 18 during 2023 and 2024.
“Violations consisted of rape, including with objects, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence to the genitals, instances of targeted shooting of the genitals, touching of breasts and genitals, strip and cavity searches conducted without apparent security justification, forced nudity and threats of rape,” the document detailed.
It described at least nine victims, primarily from Gaza, who experienced rape or gang rape, sometimes repeatedly, by members of the Israel Defense Forces, Israel’s correctional system, special operations units and law enforcement.
Israel’s foreign ministry stated Thursday it has “comprehensively, thoroughly, and unequivocally refuted these allegations.”
“This decision is yet another example of the UN’s long-standing, institutionalized hostility toward Israel,” the ministry posted on X.
The assessment continues to feature allegations against Hamas regarding sexual violence, though notes many specifics remain unverified due to the Israeli government’s ongoing refusal to grant UN officials necessary investigative access.
The report indicates Russian officials similarly maintain consistent denial of access to UN human rights investigators, yet investigators still confirmed 310 instances of conflict-related sexual violence in Russia and Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories against war prisoners and civilian detainees. Most victims were male, according to the findings.
Ukrainian human rights observers recorded 31 instances of conflict-related sexual violence against prisoners and civilian detainees, with most incidents occurring before 2025, the report noted. Ukraine remains absent from the UN blacklist.
The head coach at Texas Tech has responded to criticism about his team’s schedule with a bold financial proposal aimed at Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
Coach Joey Maguire announced that Texas Tech has already secured agreements from Texas State and Abilene Christian to accept buyout payments and face each other instead of their currently scheduled Week 1 opponents. This would clear the way for Texas Tech and Texas to meet in the season opener, either at AT&T Stadium or in Lubbock, Texas.
“We would love to play the University of Texas in Week 1,” Maguire stated Thursday during the Big 12 Conference spring meetings.
The Red Raiders captured the conference title with a 12-1 record last season and advanced to the College Football Playoff, where they fell to Oregon in the quarterfinal round after receiving a first-round bye.
Sarkisian sparked controversy when he commented that “there’s a team in our state that plays in another conference that has a schedule that I would argue if I played with our twos and our threes, we could go undefeated, and they’ll probably make the CFP this year.”
Texas Tech chairman of the Board of Regents Cody Campbell backed up the proposal Thursday on social media, confirming the university’s willingness to cover buyout costs for both the Abilene Christian and Texas State matchups. He directly addressed Sarkisian and Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte in his post.
“Upping the ante: @TechAthletics will pay the buyout for both the ACU and Texas State games. Let’s go!!! @CoachSark @_delconte,” Campbell wrote.
Maguire initially doubted that Sarkisian’s remarks were directed at his program, but after considering the details, he decided to issue the challenge.
“I said there’s no way they’re talking about us because Sark’s a pretty tough guy,” Maguire explained. “I would think if he was talking about us, he’d call us out.”
“… They can come to Lubbock Week 1, and we can figure out if their 2’s and 3’s can win this conference,” he added.
Electrical workers at BHP’s Port Hedland bulk port terminal are preparing to vote on potential work stoppages after half a year of unsuccessful contract negotiations with company management, according to a Friday statement from the Electrical Trades Union.
The union characterized the six-month negotiation period as involving company representatives who either lacked authority to reach agreements or showed unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussions.
According to the union, workers are attempting to address major inequalities in their employment terms, as they were brought on under vastly different common-law contracts through two distinct legal entities that are both controlled by BHP.
The Electrical Trades Union represents over 70,000 electricians, apprentices and electrical workers throughout Australia, based on information from the organization’s website.
Workers are also pursuing clear job classifications and advancement criteria, along with equal compensation for employees doing identical work.
“Union members are left to resort to protected industrial action as the only way forward when BHP managers fail to negotiate after multiple meetings,” stated Electrical Trades Union WA Secretary Adam Woodage.
Woodage further noted that BHP workers throughout the Pilbara region have experienced a consistent pattern of conduct that has made lawful protected industrial action their sole remaining option.
Port Hedland ranks among the world’s largest iron ore loading facilities and stands as Australia’s biggest such port. The facility connects to several BHP mining operations throughout the Pilbara region.
BHP has not yet provided a response to Reuters’ request for comment.
A major pharmaceutical partnership was announced Friday as Pfizer and Chinese biotechnology company Innovent Biologics revealed a comprehensive licensing and collaboration agreement valued at up to $10.5 billion for developing 12 experimental cancer treatments.
The financial structure includes an immediate $650 million payment to Innovent, with an additional $9.85 billion possible through development, regulatory approval, and sales milestone achievements.
The collaboration focuses on a collection of antibody-drug conjugates featuring novel differentiated payloads and multi-specific antibodies, incorporating eight early-stage assets originated by Innovent and four discovery programs proposed by Pfizer.
According to the agreement terms, Innovent will spearhead the development of all 12 programs through Phase 1 clinical testing, after which Pfizer will assume responsibility for worldwide development activities.
The partnership operates through three distinct tiers. Four programs will involve joint development and commercialization, with shared profits in the United States and Europe while Innovent maintains rights in Greater China.
For an additional four programs, Pfizer obtains exclusive licensing rights outside Greater China, while securing exclusive global licensing and assuming all worldwide development expenses for the final four programs.
Innovent confirmed in an exchange filing that the company, along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) and Fortvita Biologics (USA), has entered into this agreement with Pfizer.
Samsung Electronics announced Friday that it has commenced distribution of sample units for its newest high-bandwidth memory technology, the 12-layer HBM4E chip, which the company describes as the industry’s inaugural shipment of this advanced product type.
The technology giant from South Korea reported that this latest chip delivers performance speeds exceeding 20% compared to earlier HBM4 generation products.
According to Samsung, the chip incorporates the company’s newest 1c DRAM process technology, which represents sixth-generation 10-nanometer-class DRAM, combined with Samsung’s 4-nanometer foundry logic base die technology.
The manufacturer had announced in April its intention to deliver initial HBM4E chip samples during the second quarter.
This development follows just three months after Samsung initiated shipments of its HBM4 chips to clients in February, highlighting the company’s push to solidify its standing in the emerging AI memory sector through early distribution of cutting-edge product samples.
Among Samsung’s client base are prominent AI industry leaders including AMD, Nvidia and Google, as market demand continues growing for sophisticated memory chips utilized in AI servers and processing units.
Drivers traveling westbound on Route 4 will encounter a lane closure due to ongoing construction work in the area.
The right turn lane on westbound Route 4 is currently closed from Route 273 to Salem Church Road as crews continue their construction activities. The closure is expected to last until 5 a.m.
Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible during the construction period.
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 13 are encountering intermittent lane restrictions due to ongoing construction work.
The lane closures are affecting the stretch of highway between Lorewood Grove Road and Biddles Toll Plaza, with work scheduled to continue until 5 a.m.
Drivers should expect potential delays and are advised to use alternate routes when possible or allow extra travel time when using this section of the highway.
Motorists traveling on Interstate 495 northbound should expect delays this morning as construction crews have closed the left lane at the Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 split.
The lane closure is part of ongoing construction work in the area and is expected to remain in effect until 5 a.m.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when approaching the work zone. Traffic may be slower than usual during the closure period.
Authorities from the Delaware State Police and Delaware Department of Justice have launched an investigation into a custody death that occurred at Troop 3 in Camden.
Officers were dispatched to a Misty Way home in Hartly around 8:00 p.m. on May 27, 2026, responding to reports of domestic violence. Before law enforcement arrived at the scene, they received word that the suspect, 49-year-old Shane Mullen of Hartly, had fled the location driving his girlfriend’s car. Mullen was wanted on an outstanding felony domestic violence warrant from a May 22, 2026 incident at the same address. Officers also learned he had allegedly attacked his girlfriend again that evening. As ground units searched for Mullen, the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit spotted the vehicle and began a chase. The pursuit traveled through Maryland before returning to Delaware and concluding back at the Misty Way residence. Mullen initially would not exit the vehicle when ordered. After eventually getting out, he continued to disobey police commands. Officers released a police dog, which Mullen attacked before being apprehended.
Medical personnel took Mullen to a local hospital to treat injuries from the dog bite, and he was later discharged.
After his hospital release on the morning of May 28, 2026, officers brought him to Troop 3 where he faced multiple charges.
The charges included:
• 5th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony) • Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence (Felony) • Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony) • Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle • Assault Second Degree on Law Enforcement Animal • Offensive Touching • Breach of Release – 2 counts • Traffic Charges
Additional charges related to the May 22, 2026 incident included:
• Strangulation (Felony) • Assault Third Degree • Breach of Release
Security cameras recorded Mullen alone in a temporary holding cell at Troop 3, where he used a shoelace to hang himself. Officers discovered Mullen and immediately began life-saving measures, but he was declared dead shortly afterward.
Given the circumstances of the death, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has taken over the case, working alongside the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.
After the investigation concludes, the Delaware State Police’s Office of Professional Responsibility will conduct its own review of the incident.
Crime victims, witnesses, or those who have lost loved ones to sudden death can receive help through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides 24-hour support via a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The Victim Services Unit can also be reached by email at [email protected].
SAO PAULO (AP) — The United States State Department revealed Thursday its decision to classify two major Brazilian criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups, a designation that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has consistently characterized as meddling designed to benefit his political opponent, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, before October’s presidential race.
Prior to the elections, allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro and supporters of his son’s presidential campaign have pushed for this classification of the two organizations — First Command of the Capital, or PCC, and Red Command, or CV — while criticizing Lula for inadequately confronting these criminal networks.
Experts estimate that both organizations together likely contain more than 50,000 members, and note that most of their international ties are with Europe rather than North America.
Classifying Latin American criminal cartels as foreign terrorist groups represents a tactic employed by Trump’s administration as it shifts toward military operations and other forceful measures to address drug trafficking throughout the Western Hemisphere, including conducting fatal boat attacks against those it terms “narcoterrorists” in Caribbean waters and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
“CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil. Together, they command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, public officials, and civilians,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated. “Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil’s borders, across our region and into our country.”
“Today’s action taken by the State Department further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to dismantling cartels and criminal organizations in our region and ensuring the safety of the American people,” he continued. The classification becomes effective June 5. Until that date, both organizations will be listed as specially designated global terrorists.
Lula, who is campaigning for reelection while attempting to strengthen his anti-crime reputation, has publicly rejected labeling criminals as terrorists, while Bolsonaro’s congressional allies have openly encouraged Trump to take stronger action against the gangs.
Also Thursday, Brazilian prosecutors initiated a large-scale operation to break up fraud, money laundering and tax evasion schemes, representing the newest phase of an investigation focused on criminal gangs including the PCC and CV.
Lula’s special adviser for foreign affairs and former foreign minister Celso Amorim became the first official to publicly respond to Rubio’s announcement.
“Public security is a key topic for social economic development. Organized crime is an evil that must be fought. International cooperation is welcome, especially in matters of money laundering and arms trade. (But) pretext for intervention is unacceptable,” Amorim stated.
Public security is expected to become a divisive issue in Brazil’s presidential elections, when Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, chosen as the former president’s successor, competes against Lula. The 71-year-old Jair Bolsonaro is ineligible to run due to serving his 27-year prison term for orchestrating a coup attempt.
Experts have noted that neither Jair Bolsonaro nor Lula achieved significant success in combating the two criminal organizations, though Brazil’s federal police and prosecutors have executed multiple raids targeting them in recent years. Authorities achieved a significant victory against the PCC in August by destroying portions of its money laundering operation that involved gas stations, perfume shops and even a financial services company located on one of Sao Paulo’s major streets.
Brazil’s federal police reported that their operation, called Hidden Carbon, discovered companies connected to the PCC had laundered at least 6 billion reals ($1.1 billion) in recent years.
Political analyst Thomas Traumann describes Rubio’s action as “the Trump administration trying to meddle in the election after a request by Flávio Bolsonaro during his trip to Washington.”
“Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign was hit by his problematic businesses with a corrupted banker, he came to the Trump administration to ask for some help and he got this one,” Traumann explained. “Lula’s best moment in the polls was after Trump imposed tariffs against Brazil and he revived a narrative on national sovereignty. It is likely he will do it again.”
Brazil’s president did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Sen. Bolsonaro has not yet commented on the decision.
A federal judge conducted an extramarital relationship with a senior police officer — including engaging in sexual activity within courthouse chambers during working hours that court staff could hear — and initially denied the conduct before ultimately receiving only a confidential reprimand while staying in position, according to a judicial system investigation.
The 11th Judicial Circuit’s Judicial Council, covering Alabama, Florida and Georgia, issued a February ruling ordering the private reprimand. The United States Judicial Conference’s Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability upheld that decision last week. Authorities did not reveal the judge’s identity or specific courthouse location within the circuit.
While federal judges serve lifetime appointments, they face potential disciplinary measures including censure, public or private reprimands, and temporary case suspensions. Congressional impeachment represents the only removal method.
The investigation determined the judge and the unnamed officer engaged in “sexual intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff” and that the judge attended a partisan political gathering. Initially, the judge called these claims “outrageous” and rejected them entirely.
When deciding on the confidential reprimand that protected the judge’s anonymity, the committee considered that the judge withdrew her false denials. The committee also determined the judge would probably not repeat such behavior, noting the relationship had ended and the judge promised to avoid partisan political activities going forward. The committee additionally weighed the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service to the court.”
“Although the special committee is deeply troubled by the conduct in which the judge engaged, the Subject Judge has demonstrated a strong propensity for rehabilitation and continued diligent service to the judiciary,” the committee’s report says.
Lester Tate, an attorney who frequently represents Georgia judges facing state judicial system misconduct charges, characterized the penalty as a “slap on the wrist.”
“I’m shocked that there was not a more severe punishment for the false statements that were made by this judge during the course of the investigation,” he said, adding that he always advises his clients that it is best to tell the truth.
Someone with a lifetime appointment who judges others must be truthful about their own shortcomings, and most people would probably consider “being held up for a little public scorn” fitting in this situation, Tate said.
The investigation began when one of the judge’s law clerks reported the judge had participated in sexual conduct with an officer repeatedly in the judicial office. Additional allegations included improper clerk supervision and an incident where the judge shouted and used profanity toward staff members.
William Pryor, the 11th Circuit’s chief judge, requested the judge address these allegations. The judge responded immediately and “specifically denied” every claim. In a subsequent email the following day, the judge suggested to Pryor that the law clerk might have fabricated the allegations as revenge for mandatory office work requirements. Pryor formed a special investigative committee.
The committee’s examination of entry logs and security recordings revealed an officer had regularly visited the judge’s chambers wearing uniform during lunch periods. Six clerks recalled observing someone matching the officer’s appearance, with three remembering hearing what could have been sexual activity from the judge’s office.
Three clerks remembered bringing summer interns on their initial day to observe the judge conducting a criminal case hearing. Immediately afterward, they informed the committee, the judge refused to have lunch with the interns, admitting to consuming too many martinis the previous evening at a primary election celebration for a district attorney friend.
The clerks reported the judge failed to provide adequate guidance and “rarely, if ever, substantively edited civil orders the clerks drafted.” While clerks described an “eggshell culture,” the committee found no evidence of abusive conduct.
The judge eventually confessed to maintaining an extramarital sexual relationship with the officer but rejected the staff mistreatment allegations, the committee documented. The judge acknowledged attending a “mixer” for former district attorney’s office employees, where the judge previously worked, but claimed it occurred in a separate room from the victory celebration.
The judge also agreed to compose apology letters to six former law clerks, decline the district chief judge position when eligible, and avoid serving on any Judicial Conference committees.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The contrast couldn’t be more striking for retired striker Jozy Altidore as he visited the newly opened U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Georgia. The $250 million facility spanning 200 acres with 19 fields stands in sharp contrast to where his 2014 squad used to recover in a plastic cold tub positioned on pavement outside Stanford’s Cagan Stadium in California.
“This is the culmination, right?” Altidore remarked Thursday. “This is what I’m sure past players strived to want to be a part of.”
The transformation of American soccer infrastructure has been dramatic as the nation gears up to host the World Cup next month. Sunil Gulati, who later served as U.S. Soccer Federation president, remembered having to purchase soccer balls from a Kmart on the day of a scrimmage in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That 1985 match featured players competing for roster spots for the FIFA Under-16 World Championship, and sprinklers even activated during the game.
Training conditions improved gradually over the decades. Before the 1994 World Cup, the Americans used a $3.5 million, seven-acre site that opened in 1993 in Mission Viejo, California. The team later utilized a Chula Vista, California facility for the 1998 tournament, followed by training in Cary, North Carolina for both 2002 and 2006. Princeton hosted preparations in 2010, with Stanford serving as the base in 2014.
More recently, the national squad conducted practices at Major League Soccer club facilities. The current training center, which officially opened May 7, received a $50 million founding donation from Arthur Bank, who owns both the Atlanta Falcons and an MLS franchise. Construction took place on former cattle grazing land approximately 25 miles from Atlanta, and the facility now serves all 27 U.S. national teams.
“It’s nice to have the first rights of everything that you want to do here,” explained midfielder Tyler Adams, who captained the American squad at the 2022 World Cup. “Whenever you train at an MLS facility or something like that, it’s their facility. You’re a guest.”
The complex features 13 regulation-size natural grass fields across three tiers, plus two additional artificial turf surfaces, two sand fields for beach soccer, and two indoor pitches. The USSF relocated its headquarters from Chicago to this center, which contains 20 locker rooms, 19 conference spaces, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, and a kitchen with adjoining dining space.
Administrative offices occupy the second level, with some providing views of the primary training fields where the World Cup squad has been practicing.
“From my office, you can see the grass. It’s the first time I’ve ever been excited to see grass grow,” said USSF CEO JT Batson.
The USSF studied international models during development, including England’s St. Georges Park and France’s national team training center at Clairefontaine.
Team members are lodging at a hotel in the neighboring community of Trilith. This region has experienced rapid development following the establishment of Trilith Studios, a film and television production facility where Marvel Studios creates its movies.
Defender Chris Richards will join the group last, arriving Friday after staying with Crystal Palace for Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final in Germany.
World Cup roster players observed the women’s under-16 squad during Wednesday’s training session.
“They can see the first team and how they move and how the operate and that’s the goal of where they want to end up,” Adams noted. “As a youth national team player, if I could have ever had the opportunity to be even close to the senior team, that would have been really special because that’s your dream.”
DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska — Emergency teams are working to locate four mountaineers who tumbled down Alaska’s Mount McKinley, the continent’s highest mountain, according to Thursday reports from the National Park Service.
Officials have not determined the status of the fallen climbers after the incident was reported to park rangers during overnight hours, with rescue teams waiting for favorable weather to deploy helicopters to the location, according to an agency announcement. The mountaineers were members of a seven-person expedition.
The remaining three team members provided assistance to those who had fallen before heading back to their base location, the announcement states. The accident happened close to Denali Pass, at approximately 18,200 feet (5,547 meters). The climbing party retreated to what’s called high camp at roughly 17,000 feet (5,181 meters), the announcement states. McKinley reaches approximately 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).
Throughout the years, numerous mountaineering accidents and fatalities have taken place on the route connecting high camp and Denali Pass, primarily due to falls without proper safety equipment, the park reports.
Park officials and mountaineering instructors set up and service snow pickets — devices used to create anchoring systems for additional safety on challenging terrain like steep inclines — along the route from high camp to Denali Pass, according to the park. Mountaineers are encouraged to carry their own pickets should the safety equipment installed by officials and instructors be absent or covered by snowfall.
The park service reported that atmospheric conditions on the peak were getting better and would allow helicopter rescue missions shortly. The department did not provide immediate responses to requests for additional details.
A standard mountaineering period for Mount McKinley starts in late April and runs through mid-July, the park states. Officials could not immediately confirm the current number of climbers attempting the ascent.
On Wednesday, two different climbers were airlifted from the mountain by helicopter at approximately 11 p.m. in an unrelated emergency, though park officials stated they had no further details to provide.
Major League Baseball has put forward a salary cap proposal during ongoing labor negotiations with the players’ union, as the current collective bargaining agreement approaches its December 1st deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The league announced Thursday its intention to implement a $245.3 million salary cap that would include benefits, marking the first time since 1994 that baseball has pushed for such spending restrictions. This proposal comes one day after the players’ association presented its opening position in negotiations.
Data from Spotrac.com indicates the proposed cap falls below current spending levels for eight teams in the 2026 season, including the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves when taxes are included.
Along with the spending ceiling, the league also suggested establishing a $171.2 million salary floor, which would force 12 teams to boost their current payroll commitments according to Spotrac’s analysis.
The proposal includes increasing players’ revenue share to 50%, which the league argues would benefit athletes given that revenues have grown 247% since 2003 while player salaries have risen 149% during the same period.
“Our salary cap and floor proposal levels the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 as we grow the game together,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. “Further, by sharing media revenue equally as part of our proposal, we can address another top fan concern of local TV blackouts. We look forward to working with the MLBPA during the bargaining process to continue improving the game for the fans.”
The players’ union expressed concerns about returning to the contentious atmosphere of 1994, when a mid-season strike ultimately led to the cancellation of the World Series and continued until the start of the 1995 campaign.
“Yesterday, the MLBPA presented a comprehensive package of proposals designed to improve compensation for players at all levels, and to incentivize and reward competition on the field,” interim MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer said in a statement.
“The owners responded today with a demand for a salary cap system, something generations of players have fought against. The last time the owners made such an explicit push for a cap — over 30 years ago — it led to the longest work stoppage in MLB history… Caps don’t lower ticket prices for fans, eliminate tanking or ensure teams are run with equal competence. They suffocate competition by offering owners an all-purpose excuse for inaction and mediocrity.”
During a Wednesday appearance on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred defended the ownership position by claiming it addresses fan concerns about competitive balance.
“We pay a lot of attention to what our fans are saying,” Manfred said. “The one thing that they’re the biggest on right now is the lack of competitive balance in the game. And I think that’s going to be the cornerstone issue of the negotiations with the MLBPA.”
Current season standings challenge this narrative, as four teams among the top 10 in payroll according to Spotrac — the Mets, Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers — currently have losing records. In fact, 11 of the 18 highest-spending teams are performing below .500.
“We’ll continue our review of the owners’ proposal and stand ready to negotiate system improvements that benefit players and fans alike,” Meyer said.
Russia dismissed American warnings Thursday and restated its intention to carry out systematic attacks on Kyiv, despite harsh condemnation from the United States during a United Nations Security Council meeting.
The diplomatic confrontation occurred during a session that Ukraine requested following Moscow’s weekend assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv and surrounding regions.
The weekend attack featured deployment of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, marking at least the third instance Russia has used this weapon against Ukraine since November 2024.
Deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Tammy Bruce denounced Sunday’s assault and described Russia’s deployment of the Oreshnik as “an inexplicable, dangerous and barbaric escalation” of the conflict that began with Russia’s comprehensive invasion in February 2022.
“We caution Russia not to mount so-called systematic strikes against Kyiv, which risk further civilian casualties and setting back the prospect of peace,” Bruce stated.
The weekend bombardment resulted in at least two civilian deaths and approximately 100 injuries, according to reports. Moscow claimed the attack was retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a student dormitory in Donetsk, the eastern region seized by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014.
Bruce’s remarks represented some of the strongest condemnation of Russia from the Trump administration, which has typically adopted a more conciliatory approach toward Russia compared to most U.S. allies.
The deputy ambassador did not specify potential U.S. responses should Moscow proceed with its threatened “systemic strikes.”
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia repeated Moscow’s claim that Sunday’s bombardment focused on crucial Ukrainian military and intelligence installations and renewed Russia’s commitment to strike “decision-making centers and command posts.”
“Since the above facilities are dispersed throughout Kyiv, we warned foreign citizens, including the staff of diplomatic missions and offices of international organizations, about the need to leave the city as soon as possible,” he stated.
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari expressed that the United Nations was “deeply concerned” about Russia’s promised “consistent and systemic strikes” against targets in Kyiv.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that America plans to classify two Brazilian criminal organizations, PCC and Comando Vermelho, as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” beginning June 5.
Brazil’s Lula administration has worked to prevent these classifications, fearing they could create opportunities for U.S. military intervention in Brazil or lead to sanctions against financial institutions that inadvertently conduct business with gang members.
Although the Foreign Terrorist Organization classification is scheduled to begin in June, the State Department immediately labeled both groups as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” on Thursday, according to Rubio’s statement.
Rubio characterized these organizations as among Brazil’s “most violent criminal organizations” with influence and networks that span the region and reach into American territory.
“The Trump Administration will continue to use all available tools to protect our nation and our national security interests by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding violent narco-terrorists,” Rubio stated.
An investment management company based in Rhode Island has introduced a new exchange-traded fund strategy aimed at capitalizing on the automatic stock purchases that occur when companies join major market indexes.
Hedgeye Asset Management unveiled the Hedgeye Index Adds ETF on May 28, targeting the mandatory buying activity from index funds and portfolio managers who must adjust their holdings when benchmark providers modify major U.S. market indexes such as the Standard & Poor’s 500.
The fund’s launch comes just two weeks before the highly anticipated public stock offering of shares in the SpaceX company owned by entrepreneur who also founded Tesla. This upcoming deal could potentially value SpaceX at $1.75 trillion and is already influencing established rules about which companies qualify for inclusion in major market indexes. Earlier this year in late March, just before SpaceX announced its intention to trade publicly on the stock exchange, officials announced changes to listing requirements designed to prevent newly public large-scale companies from experiencing extended delays before joining major indexes.
This situation echoes a previous scenario involving another company founded by the same entrepreneur. When Tesla shares became publicly traded in 2010 and Standard & Poor’s later announced the company’s inclusion in the S&P 500, the decision sparked more than $50 billion in purchasing activity from index-tracking investors.
According to the investment firm’s prospectus, this type of market activity is exactly what Hedgeye aims to predict and profit from. The company plans to maintain positions in no more than 40 publicly traded companies whose shares either already qualify for index inclusion or may soon meet those requirements, then liquidate those positions on the first day of trading after the stocks join a target index.
“For decades this index inclusion trade has been the preserve of a small subset of the investment industry,” said Brooks Cutright, the new fund’s manager. He noted that this market opportunity has historically been unavailable to most individual investors.
Motorists traveling on southbound Interstate 95 are facing lane restrictions this morning due to ongoing construction activities. Two right lanes remain blocked along the stretch from the Christina River Bridge to the Newark Toll Plaza, with work expected to continue until 7 AM.
In addition to the lane closures, drivers should be aware that the EZ-Pass cash lanes at the Newark Toll Plaza are also temporarily shut down during the construction period.
The Delaware Department of Transportation advises travelers to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible during the morning commute.
Motorists traveling on southbound Route 9 should expect lane restrictions due to ongoing construction work affecting the right shoulder of the roadway.
The shoulder closure spans the section between Hamburg Road and Federal School Lane, with work expected to wrap up by 5 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and allow extra time for potential delays.
Drivers using Interstate 495 southbound should expect delays near Naamans Road due to a lane restriction currently in effect.
The right shoulder of the southbound ramp has been shut down to accommodate surveying operations in the area. Transportation officials indicate the closure will remain in place until 5 p.m. today.
Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
Officials in Cuba report that approximately 3 million residents deal with water shortages on a daily basis, a crisis they link to severe fuel shortages caused by what government leaders call a U.S. energy blockade. The information emerged during a government roundtable discussion held late Wednesday.
Cuba’s water infrastructure currently functions with just 37% of necessary fuel supplies as the nation grapples with its most serious energy emergency to date.
Antonio Rodríguez, who heads the state-operated National Institute of Water Resources, explained that the water sector faces particularly severe impacts since it ranks among the nation’s biggest energy users.
Information from the forum, which addressed intermittent water access affecting the country’s population of nearly 10 million, appeared Thursday on the government website Cubadebate.
Rodríguez explained that electricity powers water pumping operations, while fuel is essential for all agency functions including clearing blocked pipes, maintaining septic systems, and fixing water line breaks. The import of necessary chemicals has also stopped completely.
The agency previously bought equipment and materials valued at approximately $100 million each year, but last year’s purchases dropped to roughly $10 million due to a complete halt in credit availability, according to Rodríguez. Suppliers are delaying contracts while evaluating delivery timing and potential banking payment challenges, plus restrictions on shipping options, he noted.
The situation grows more complex due to deteriorating infrastructure and overloaded pumping facilities, particularly in major urban areas including Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Matanzas, Rodríguez stated. Numerous apartment buildings and high-rises also need electricity to operate pumps that move water to rooftop storage tanks.
While the water emergency isn’t entirely new, conditions have deteriorated significantly in recent months.
Beginning in January, the U.S. administration strengthened existing sanctions against Cuba while pushing for political changes on the island. U.S. President Donald Trump also issued late January warnings about potential tariffs on nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba, which only produces 40% of its fuel requirements.
Citizens who have already endured five years of economic hardship, rising prices and supply shortages now face daily electrical blackouts lasting as long as 20 hours.
Multiple Havana neighborhoods depend on tanker truck water deliveries, though service remains unreliable.
“It’s been five days since the water came in,” said Magaly Ribial, a 60-year-old teacher, speaking Thursday while gathering water from a tanker truck positioned near her residence in Old Havana.
At the same time, 95-year-old Dayse Izquierdo finds it difficult to transport water and depends on what neighbors share when the tanker truck, locally known as a “pipa,” makes its rounds.
Several residents reported traveling from distant parts of the city after learning that water trucks would visit particular neighborhoods.
“The water situation is widespread,” explained 55-year-old Carlos Molina. “I come from another municipality to collect water because there is none there.”
Rodríguez pointed out that solar panels and alternative energy sources power only a minimal fraction of agency operations.
Officials are working on an expedited solar energy initiative, though specialists emphasize that such technology demands significant financial investment.
WASHINGTON — Television stations owned by ABC nationwide are fighting back against federal communications regulators, condemning what they describe as an improper and unconstitutional early examination of their broadcasting permits as tensions escalate between the network and the Trump administration’s agency.
“It is an extraordinary demonstration of power and coercion directed at disfavored editorial voices which sends a clear warning to every broadcaster in America,” WABC in New York wrote in an objection that accompanied paperwork filed to comply with the FCC’s demand for early applications to renew licenses.
Television stations owned by ABC in seven additional markets submitted comparable protests. Federal communications officials did not immediately provide a response when asked for comment.
The protest represents part of an escalating clash between the FCC and one of the nation’s leading broadcast networks. Led by Chairman Brendan Carr, the regulatory body has initiated investigations into ABC covering topics ranging from the company’s diversity policies to how the network handled a 2024 presidential debate to programming choices on “The View.” President Donald Trump has also consistently demanded that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel be terminated.
However, the FCC’s decision in April to start premature evaluations of broadcasting permits for ABC-owned stations in eight local markets drew especially significant scrutiny. The permits for stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia as well as Fresno, California, and Durham, North Carolina, were originally scheduled for renewal between 2028 and 2031.
Commissioner Anna Gomez, the FCC’s sole Democrat, has called the reviews an “egregious assault on the First Amendment.” On Thursday, she said she was glad to see the stations “expose the FCC’s actions as nothing more than naked political retribution and an unlawful assault on free speech and a free press.”
In its objection, WABC said the “ultimate injury here is not to the station or its parent company.”
“It is to the public,” the station said. “When a broadcaster must weigh regulatory retaliation before making editorial decisions, the public loses access to journalism that is free from government influence.”
This represents a dramatic change in ABC’s strategy toward political pressure from Washington. During the weeks before Trump’s return to office, the network agreed to a disputed $15 million defamation settlement, a decision that failed to reduce criticism from Trump and his supporters in subsequent years.
The network presented a stronger defense of free speech principles in documentation filed last month addressing an FCC examination of whether “The View” fell under equal time regulations. The agency contended that the law promoted additional speech, but ABC cautioned that open political dialogue was being suppressed by the Trump administration.
“The Commission’s actions threaten to upend decades of settled law and practice and chill critical protected speech, both with respect to The View and more broadly,” according to a filing on behalf of both KTRK-TV and ABC.
NEW YORK — Former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll faces a federal investigation into whether she provided false testimony during her lengthy court battle with President Donald Trump over allegations of sexual assault, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Carroll has spent nearly seven years in litigation with Trump regarding her claims that he sexually attacked her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in 1996. The legal proceedings have largely favored Carroll, with juries ruling against Trump and awarding her substantial monetary damages for his public statements questioning her truthfulness.
However, Trump’s Justice Department has now launched a probe into potential perjury by Carroll during the civil proceedings, a source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the ongoing matter. The investigation focuses on Carroll’s deposition testimony regarding the financing of her legal representation.
The legal saga began when Carroll publicly revealed her assault allegations in June 2019 through an excerpt from her upcoming memoir “What Do We Need Men For?” published in New York magazine. She detailed encountering Trump at Bergdorf Goodman, engaging in flirtation, and then defending herself during a sexual attack in a fitting room.
Trump responded with vehement denials of the accusations. “I’ve never met this person in my life. She is trying to sell a new book — that should be sold in the fiction section,” he stated. He also declared, “Number one, she’s not my type. Number two, it never happened.”
Carroll initiated a defamation lawsuit in 2019, asserting that Trump’s dismissal of her account as fabricated had “smeared her integrity, honesty and dignity — all in the national press.” This case became stalled for years due to disputes over whether Trump’s denial constituted official presidential duties, with Trump arguing his federal employee status protected him from the defamation claim.
When Carroll first filed suit, statutes of limitations prevented her from pursuing the underlying sexual assault allegations due to the passage of time. New York’s 2022 legal reforms created new opportunities for sexual abuse survivors to file claims regarding historical incidents. Carroll quickly utilized this change, filing fresh litigation accusing Trump of rape and addressing his post-presidency statements about her.
This second lawsuit progressed more rapidly through the court system, reaching trial in New York City during 2023. Trump declined to appear, allowing his attorneys to present his defense. The jury determined that while Carroll had not established rape under New York’s legal definition, Trump had committed sexual abuse. Jurors also concluded he made false statements damaging her reputation, resulting in a $5 million award for Carroll.
A second trial occurred in January 2024, with a federal judge overseeing proceedings to assess additional defamatory statements by Trump. The scope was limited since sexual assault had already been established, focusing solely on reputational damage from Trump’s credibility attacks and assault denials.
Trump participated in this second trial, providing approximately three minutes of testimony. “She said something that I considered to be a false accusation,” he informed the jury, adding, “I just wanted to defend myself, my family and, frankly, the presidency.”
Carroll described receiving numerous death threats following Trump’s repeated challenges to her account. The second jury again ruled for Carroll, granting her over $83 million in damages.
Carroll has not yet collected any awarded funds as Trump’s appeals continue through the court system. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently addressed questions about Carroll’s honesty regarding legal fee arrangements while reviewing one appeal.
Trump’s legal team had alleged Carroll concealed that her attorneys received funding from an organization supported by Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn. The appeals judges found no evidence suggesting Carroll participated in this funding arrangement or deliberately misled questioners during her 2020 deposition about legal fee payments.
“It showed that Ms. Carroll simply was not involved in the matter of who was or was not funding her litigation costs,” the appeals court stated.
A spokesperson for Carroll’s attorney declined to provide comment on Thursday.
A Manhattan courtroom was notably empty Thursday when Randy Santos received his sentence for the brutal murders of four homeless men he attacked with a metal pipe while they slept on city streets.
No family members or friends were present to share memories of Florencio Moran, Nazario Vásquez Villegas, Anthony Manson, or Chuen Kok, whose lives were cut short during Santos’ violent spree through Manhattan’s Chinatown area nearly seven years ago. Nobody was there to confront Santos directly about his mental illness-driven attacks or witness his apology.
Nobody watched as he received a sentence of 40 years to life behind bars.
“There are no victim impact statements here today. There’s nobody here to tell this court about their lives and how their absence is a loss,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Alfred Peterson told Judge Laura A. Ward.
“But I’m certain this court and this city understands the value of every life, and the gift of life that we’re afforded to live and make choices and have free will,” Peterson said, haltingly and emotionally at times. “That gift was taken away by Randy Santos.”
Santos, who was found guilty in February of first-degree murder, sat quietly with his court-appointed attorneys, using headphones to hear a Spanish interpreter translate the proceedings. A Chinatown activist who had organized Kok’s funeral observed from the gallery, sitting near Santos’ family members.
Speaking to the court in English, the 31-year-old defendant asked for a shorter sentence that would give him the chance to “be somebody” once released from prison.
Santos explained to the judge that his mental state — which defense attorneys said had convinced him he needed to murder 40 people or face death himself — “is much better now” thanks to daily medication. He vowed to spend his incarceration completing his education, improving his English skills, and learning job skills.
“I just want to say, I’m very sorry for what I did,” Santos said. “I apologize to the people for what I did. I feel very bad about what I did. I wish it never happened.”
Ward characterized Santos’ situation as representing the “coming together of three horrible symptoms of this city: homelessness, mental illness and narcotics abuse.” She noted these factors “are the constant in all our violent crime cases.”
Peterson described the case as “a study in how the life of a young man can go off track so horribly,” adding that Santos “clearly has his own challenges in life, much like the victims.”
During the trial, Santos’ defense team contended that his schizophrenia diagnosis, which came months prior to the killings, had filled his mind with irrational beliefs and made him violent. They unsuccessfully attempted to persuade jurors that he bore no criminal responsibility for the murders and should receive psychiatric treatment rather than imprisonment.
Since his arrest, Santos has moved between jail and psychiatric facilities multiple times.
“We ask that Mr. Santos not be sentenced to die in prison,” defense lawyer Arnold Levine told Ward, requesting a 20-year to life sentence. “He is not incorrigible or beyond redemption or hope.”
Ward expressed sympathy for Santos but said she struggled with the “difficult time getting past the fact that Mr. Santos targeted the most vulnerable people in our society. People who were doing nothing but sleeping on the street, homeless.”
The prosecution had sought a 50-year to life sentence. Beyond the murder convictions, Santos was also found guilty of attempted murder for attacks that seriously wounded two additional men.
Prior to announcing the sentence, Ward reviewed surveillance footage of the assaults. The video evidence included scenes of Santos repeatedly raising a 4-foot (1.2 meter) metal bar above his head before striking one victim’s head.
Witnesses included a couple on a date who observed Santos attacking another man with the same weapon, which he had picked up from the street, according to prosecutors. The only person to survive the 30-minute attack spree, 49-year-old David Hernandez, who was critically wounded, managed to reach a nearby street where officers were attempting to save another Santos victim.
Officers apprehended Santos while he was still carrying the blood-covered bar. Laboratory analysis revealed his DNA on one end and victims’ blood on the other, prosecutors stated. The victims’ ages spanned from 39 to 83 years old.
Following Santos’ removal from the courtroom in handcuffs, Chinatown activist Karlin Chan expressed that the sentencing provides the community with closure.
“He knew what he was doing,” Chan said, rejecting Santos’ apology as insincere. “At the end of the day here, he’s going to a place where he deserves to be: jail.”
A vehicle collision has resulted in the closure of the left lane on southbound Interstate 95 at West Basin Road, according to traffic officials.
The crash has created traffic delays for drivers traveling south on the interstate. Authorities are working to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow.
Motorists are advised to exercise caution when approaching the area and consider using alternate routes to avoid potential backups.
North Korea appears unwilling to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States, South Korea, or Japan, choosing instead to concentrate on strengthening its military capabilities and achieving greater self-sufficiency, according to Singapore’s foreign minister following his recent visit to the isolated nation.
Speaking to Singaporean media on Thursday, Vivian Balakrishnan shared his observations from visits to both North and South Korea on May 26 and 27, marking his first trip to North Korea since 2018, according to a transcript released by the foreign ministry.
“What’s clear is that they’re certainly in a closer relationship now with Russia. China remains indispensable to it, but they are not yet ready to open up significant channels of communication with the United States or with ROK and Japan at this point in time,” he stated.
Both U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have consistently shown willingness to engage in discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow has strengthened significantly in recent years, particularly after North Korea deployed thousands of soldiers to support Russian military operations in Kursk. Meanwhile, Beijing has worked to strengthen its influence over Pyongyang, with passenger train routes and air travel between the neighboring countries resuming in recent months.
Balakrishnan observed North Korea’s “outright, categorical rejection of reunification” with South Korea, representing a notable change from his previous visit to the country. He also commented on the development he witnessed in Pyongyang despite the nation’s increasing isolation from the international community.
“It’s a city which would fit in with any modern city throughout Southeast Asia, or even Northeast Asia, for that matter,” he remarked.
North Korea has amended its constitution to establish its territorial boundaries as adjacent to South Korea while eliminating language about reunification, according to a draft document examined by Reuters this month. This change reflects leader Kim Jong Un’s strategy to position the two Koreas as distinct nations.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who met with Balakrishnan on Thursday, stated that there are currently no signs North Korea plans to resume negotiations, though his Singaporean colleague’s discussions in Pyongyang provided a chance to communicate Seoul’s dedication to peaceful coexistence.
In an interview with the Yonhap news agency published Friday, Cho expressed his belief that North Korea will eventually engage in dialogue with the U.S. “if the price is right.”
On Thursday, South Korea’s foreign ministry announced that Cho requested Singapore and ASEAN’s assistance in efforts to restart dialogue with North Korea.
Balakrishnan revealed he extended an invitation to North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui to participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum and urged them to seek suitable opportunities for continued engagement with the international community.
A major American law firm is making a massive financial commitment to artificial intelligence technology, announcing plans to spend $500 million developing its own custom AI system.
Kirkland & Ellis, which reported $10.6 billion in revenue last year, revealed Thursday it will spread the investment across three to four years, beginning with $100 million in 2026. The Chicago-founded firm employs thousands of attorneys worldwide.
While the company plans to continue using some existing third-party AI software, officials declined to specify which generative AI technology would power their custom platform.
The legal industry has become a major battleground for AI adoption as firms seek to improve efficiency in their operations and legal services. Some major firms have partnered with AI startups to create specialized legal tools. Last month, London-based Freshfields announced a collaboration with Anthropic’s legal team to build AI applications for legal services.
Kirkland’s new platform will incorporate input from 250 of the firm’s attorneys and involve more than 180 technology specialists both within and outside the organization. The Financial Times initially reported details of the initiative.
Legal industry executives recently told Reuters there’s growing interest in custom-built AI solutions for specific business and legal functions, along with ongoing discussions about internal versus external development approaches.
Andrew Johnson, chief information officer at law firm Brownstein Hyatt, noted the shift in thinking about custom development.
“I would say that’s largely not the case anymore,” he said, referring to previous resistance to in-house development five years ago.
However, increased AI usage among attorneys brings significant challenges, including data protection issues and the technology’s tendency to create false case references, misrepresent legal precedents, or generate fictional legal sources. Federal judges have penalized lawyers in numerous instances where attorneys relied on AI for research or document preparation without proper verification.
Wall Street firm Sullivan & Cromwell issued an apology to a federal judge last month after submitting court documents containing incorrect citations and other AI-generated mistakes.
First-year standout Elsa Morrison connected on the initial pitch thrown her way, sending it sailing beyond the center field wall for a three-run blast in the second frame, propelling Tennessee to a 6-3 victory over reigning national champion Texas during Thursday’s Women’s College World Series action in Oklahoma City.
Tennessee pitcher Sage Mardjetko (15-2) earned the victory after delivering four scoreless frames while silencing Texas’s potent offensive attack. Her postseason performance includes 16 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings pitched.
Texas’s SEC Player of the Year Katie Stewart struggled at the plate, going without a hit in three trips to the batter’s box.
Morrison added a double that bounced off the wall’s top during the sixth inning, finishing 2-for-3 while nearly connecting for her second long ball of the contest.
Tennessee’s Taelyn Holley crossed home plate twice, helping the team get revenge for their 2-0 defeat against Texas in last year’s WCWS semifinal round.
These clutch performances from Morrison are becoming routine. She previously delivered a game-winning homer against Northern Kentucky in regional play and now owns seven round-trippers this campaign.
Texas narrowed the gap to 5-3 during the bottom of the sixth inning. Gold Glove senior catcher and cleanup hitter Reese Atwood put Texas on the scoreboard first, followed by second baseman Leighann Goode’s clutch two-out performance. Goode connected on a two-run blast to center field against Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens, who registered a record-setting 78 mph delivery — equivalent to 109 mph from a major league pitching distance.
Pickens and Tennessee (48-10) will next face Texas Tech and their starter NiJaree Canady on Friday, competing for a semifinal berth. The Red Raiders dominated with an 8-0 victory in five innings during Thursday’s WCWS opener.
Texas will battle Mississippi State in an elimination contest, after Mississippi State managed just two hits and failed to score Thursday against Texas Tech.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — May 28, 2026
DELMARVA — Maryland’s Agriculture Department extended the cover crop termination deadline to June 5 after persistent rain left fields too wet to access across much of the state. The extension applies to participants in the 2025 through 2026 Cover Crop Program who have been unable to terminate fall-planted cover crops due to waterlogged conditions.
Markets
Livestock futures dropped Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. June live cattle settled down $1.67 at $249.75. August lives fell $1.50 to $241. August feeders dropped $1.60 to $353.02. Boxed beef prices also declined sharply during the session.
Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission opened a probe into possible anti-competitive practices in the fertilizer industry. A Missouri Corn Growers Association spokesman says unfair business practices have driven up costs for farmers nationwide.
For local grain, corn at Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is bringing $5.01 a bushel for July delivery. Soybeans there are $11.35 for July.
Forecast
Partly sunny skies are expected this afternoon with a high near 78° and north winds at 15 mph. Tonight drops to 56° under mostly clear skies. Friday looks sunny with a high of 72° and west winds 10 to 15 mph.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, May 28, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Artificial intelligence development may become a key catalyst for expanding Middle East diplomatic partnerships, according to two prominent technology leaders who see enormous potential in regional cooperation.
Judah Taub, managing partner at Hetz Ventures, and Ofer Shacham, co-founder and CEO of Majestic Labs, believe that merging Gulf nations’ abundant energy resources with Israeli technological capabilities could position the Middle East as a major player in the global AI revolution.
Speaking to journalists during a dinner meeting in Jerusalem this week, Shacham emphasized the region’s unique advantages. “This region is primed for an AI upgrade,” Shacham stated. “The whole Gulf region has energy. Israel has the technology and the talent … Everybody basically wants to work together to build the next AI revolution in this region. It’s going to happen eventually.”
The executives highlighted how different areas bring complementary strengths to potential partnerships. Shacham noted that “together we are able to solve a much bigger problem than each one of us separately.” He pointed out that the region hasn’t yet achieved the AI adoption levels seen elsewhere globally, creating significant opportunities for rapid expansion.
A crucial factor in AI development is electrical power consumption. Taub explained that many people don’t understand how much electricity countries need to dedicate to AI technology to remain competitive.
“When you hear of AWS [Amazon Web Services], Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI, they all are now talking about how many gigawatts of AI they’re going to create, because they’re slowly realizing that the number one issue they’re all going to run into is that there simply isn’t enough electricity,” Taub said.
To illustrate the scale, Taub compared current AI power demands to scientific research facilities. While CERN experiments use approximately 0.2 to 0.3 gigawatts at peak capacity, OpenAI is planning data centers requiring about 1 gigawatt for continuous year-round operation. Starlink has projected needs of 10 gigawatts, and Elon Musk has discussed figures reaching 100 gigawatts, with each gigawatt roughly equal to powering 1 million homes.
Israel’s total electricity generation capacity stands at around 27 gigawatts, according to Taub. He predicts that once regional conflicts end and collaboration with additional Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia becomes possible, “one of the first things that moves forward is a regional collaboration for AI.”
Taub described energy as something Saudi Arabia possesses in abundance, while Israel’s technological knowledge makes such partnerships naturally beneficial for both sides.
Beyond electricity generation, companies must consider hardware requirements and emerging regulations that may restrict advanced AI technology sales. Manufacturing companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Nvidia play critical roles in this ecosystem.
“Governments have realized that these are, to an extent, the nuclear facilities of the future, and by selling some of these, you’re helping people that you might not want to leapfrog or do things that they otherwise can’t,” Taub explained.
Shacham’s company, Majestic Labs, which began operations just one month after the October 7, 2023, massacre, is working to revolutionize server architecture. The company aims to replace multiple hardware racks with single, more efficient systems.
“We started Majestic Labs to build AI infrastructure for the world with that notion and vision of ubiquitous AI; we want to bring it to everyone,” Shacham said.
Current AI infrastructure typically requires approximately 40 refrigerator-sized racks of Nvidia equipment, as Taub described. Majestic Labs is working to compress that capability into something closer to microwave-sized units.
Memory has emerged as a major industry constraint, with only a few companies manufacturing the necessary components. Nations are increasingly competing for memory supply and related technologies, which forms a central principle behind Majestic Labs’ approach.
“What Majestic gives you is 10 times, 50 times, sometimes 100 times more users per kilowatt invested in that data center,” Shacham detailed. “Ten times to 100 times more users per $1 million invested in that data center, that’s our advantage.”
According to the company’s website: “One Majestic rack holds the fast memory capacity of 25 Nvidia NVL72 Vera Rubin racks at a fraction of the power. Organizations that could never justify hyperscaler infrastructure can now run any workload.”
Shacham reported that the company expects to ship its initial servers next year and has already secured orders valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Data centers and foundational AI companies are searching for methods to boost revenue and efficiency from investments that already require massive capital commitments.
Israel has earned recognition for constructing high-quality, optimized data centers, Taub noted. The country particularly excels in application layer development—the software that operates on top of platforms like OpenAI or Anthropic.
“We’re seeing an explosion of apps,” he observed.
Taub’s Hetz Ventures focuses on early-stage investments in Israeli companies developing fundamental cybersecurity and AI infrastructure components—the underlying systems that determine whether everything built above them functions properly.
“We’re typically the first check, the first ticket into these startups,” Taub said. “We’re writing tickets anywhere from the smallest, which will be a million dollars, and up to maybe 10 million. It really depends on the company, and we’re doing this somewhere between six and eight times a year.”
The venture capital firm has achieved several significant successes, including Granulate, which Hetz initially funded at a $6.4 million valuation before Intel acquired it for $650 million. Intel discontinued Granulate in 2024.
Hetz also provided seed funding for Israeli cybersecurity startup Silk Security, which Armis Security purchased in April 2024 for $150 million.
Shacham explained that Israel became a global technology leader, rather than focusing on industries like automobile manufacturing, partly due to its size and partly because moving software, digital products, and intellectual property is much easier than transporting physical goods when a country faces constant conflict and challenging geographical circumstances.
“Half of my company is in the US. I work with Europe, I work with Paris. I work with the Gulf States. They are fighting over us because what we have is easily transferable and very hard to come by,” Shacham said.
He added that working with Gulf States offers the additional benefit of compatible time zones, eliminating the need for anyone to work overnight hours for regional collaboration.
“The biggest market for Israeli technology is still going to be the US and Europe … but there is a cherry on top, because if the Abraham Accords can continue, if there is more stability in the region, this region as a whole could be very prosperous,” Shacham said.
While acknowledging that Saudi Arabia demonstrates clear interest in modernization and technology investment, Shacham admitted that Majestic Labs hasn’t yet converted that interest into signed agreements. However, he confirmed that discussions are already underway.
“For this region to be successful, you need to create business opportunities together,” Shacham concluded. “We need to work together so that we break down those walls, because that’s not going to come from the political aspects. It’s going to come from companies wanting to do stuff together … I think it’s pretty soon that we will have that.”
WASHINGTON — The former first lady shares candid reflections about her husband’s challenging debate against Donald Trump in her upcoming memoir, questioning whether being more transparent about his condition might have been the better approach instead of offering reassurance to supporters.
The Democratic candidate’s showing during that debate became a turning point in his reelection campaign, heightening worries about whether the then-81-year-old was capable of serving another four years. Facing mounting pressure from his own party, he eventually withdrew from the race and backed his vice president, Kamala Harris, who ultimately fell to the Republican Trump.
Her memoir “View from the East Wing,” chronicling her White House experience and set for release next Tuesday, reveals she remains puzzled by her husband’s struggles during that crucial evening.
The Associated Press secured an advance copy of the 274-page manuscript, which contains her first public remarks about the debate and the subsequent events that led Joe Biden to return to private life in Delaware earlier than planned.
The memoir also discusses his prostate cancer diagnosis following his departure from office and their son Hunter’s federal gun charges trial, along with other matters from Joe Biden’s presidency and how she balanced first lady duties with her teaching responsibilities.
According to Jill Biden, her husband appeared “bleary” in their Atlanta hotel room before the debate. Despite her confidence that he would perform well since major events typically energized him, she noticed problems immediately when the CNN-hosted event started. “I immediately noticed that Joe didn’t look good. He didn’t seem himself from the opening,” she wrote.
Early in the debate, he made an odd comment about “we finally beat Medicare.”
“Is he short-circuiting? I thought,” she documented. “Is this a stroke? It felt like we were watching an AI hologram of the man we knew, and the hologram was glitching.”
She questioned whether he had been given something harmful or was having a medical crisis.
While he showed improvement as the debate continued, “but not enough to reassure me or anyone watching that he was okay. He clearly wasn’t,” Jill Biden explained. “I’d never seen that look on his face before in my life.”
After leaving the stage, he quietly admitted to her using strong language that he had failed, which she interpreted as “a sign of his having returned to himself.”
“To this day, I still don’t know what happened,” she documented. They participated in a post-debate event and visited a Waffle House before heading to North Carolina for the following day’s scheduled appearance.
While the White House and close associates explained at the time that he was battling a cold, Jill Biden now questions whether they should have been honest about what viewers witnessed — “that he looked very unwell in that debate.”
“The biggest lesson for us, I think, was that if you don’t explain something well enough then the question won’t go away,” she noted. “There was never a satisfying enough explanation offered for Joe’s debate performance, and a lot of people never got over it.”
The debate performance confirmed many voters’ worries that he was too advanced in age to continue as president. It triggered renewed demands for him to step aside as the party’s nominee as fellow Democrats worried about a Trump presidency if Biden stayed in the race.
The calls for his withdrawal began before the debate concluded and, “in the days to come, it would grow louder and louder,” Jill Biden documented.
Over 1.5 million Muslim worshippers wrapped up their sacred Hajj journey in Saudi Arabia during Wednesday and Thursday as the festival of Eid al-Adha commenced amid dangerous temperatures and ongoing regional conflicts affecting much of the Islamic world.
The holy sites experienced sweltering conditions with thermometers reaching beyond 107 degrees Fahrenheit, or 42 degrees Celsius, compelling pilgrims to seek protection through umbrellas, water bottles, cooling stations, and covered pathways while traveling among Mecca, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Officials in Saudi Arabia advised worshippers to limit sun exposure, maintain proper hydration, and heed medical guidance following the deadly 2024 Hajj tragedy that claimed over 1,300 lives during severe heat conditions.
This sacred journey, representing one of the five fundamental practices of Islam, culminated after worship services at Mount Arafat, where faithful believers pursued divine forgiveness and spiritual rebirth. Participants subsequently gathered stones for the ceremonial stoning ritual representing the devil in Mina, a tradition connected to the Prophet Ibrahim’s resistance to temptation and essential to Hajj’s concluding ceremonies.
The current year’s Eid al-Adha celebration, typically characterized by family reunions, ritual animal offerings, and charitable meat distribution to those in need, began with a more somber atmosphere across various regional areas.
Palestinian communities in Gaza observed the religious holiday for the third consecutive year without traditional sacrificial animals as ongoing warfare, population displacement, sealed borders, and worsening hunger concerns continue transforming everyday existence. In Lebanon, escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah displaced additional civilians from southern communities, forcing numerous families to commemorate the holiday in emergency accommodations.
Additional regional conflicts and political instability influenced Eid celebrations throughout other areas. In Sudan, Yemen, and Syria, prolonged warfare and governmental breakdown have resulted in millions experiencing starvation, forced relocation, or losing family members and residences. Across Gulf regions, worries regarding Iranian military actions and maritime threats in the Strait of Hormuz created additional anxiety during a holiday traditionally focused on generosity and community bonds.
Saudi Arabian pilgrims continued demonstrating religious devotion, solidarity, and perseverance despite challenging circumstances. Many Muslims in other locations began Eid al-Adha following customary patterns of prayer and family responsibilities, though the pressures of conflict, instability, and financial difficulties remained constantly present.
Iran announced Thursday that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched an attack on a US airbase following American military strikes near Bandar Abbas, as Kuwait reported shooting down incoming missiles and drones in the latest escalation threatening a delicate Gulf ceasefire.
According to the IRGC, the counter-strike occurred at 4:50 a.m. local time in response to what they called an early-morning American attack near Bandar Abbas airport, a crucial location on Iran’s southern coastline adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz. The Revolutionary Guard did not reveal which American installation they claimed to have attacked, and no immediate public verification emerged confirming any US base was struck, damaged, or suffered casualties.
Kuwaiti military forces announced their air defense systems were actively countering missile and drone attacks, alerting citizens they might hear explosions as defensive measures engaged incoming threats. Kuwait, which maintains alliance with the US and provides hosting for American military personnel, refrained from publicly blaming Iran for the assault or confirming whether any base was the intended objective.
These incidents occurred after fresh US military operations within Iranian territory. An American official confirmed US forces attacked a military installation near Bandar Abbas and destroyed multiple Iranian suicide drones close to the Strait of Hormuz, including a command center reportedly preparing additional launches. Washington characterized these operations as protective measures designed to safeguard US personnel and maritime commerce.
The military confrontation unfolded while President Donald Trump rejected reports suggesting an emerging agreement regarding oversight of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping channel that handles a significant portion of global maritime oil transport. Interruptions in this waterway have already contributed to rising energy costs and created anxiety among Gulf nations hoping to prevent a wider regional conflict.
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The New York Knicks have assembled an impressive postseason campaign, but they must capture one additional series to cement their legacy among basketball’s elite squads.
Should they secure four more victories — and do so efficiently — the Knicks would earn recognition alongside legendary championship teams like the Lakers featuring Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, or the Stephen Curry-Kevin Durant Warriors dynasty.
However, should they lose to Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the NBA Finals, they face the possibility of being viewed as a squad that dominated inferior Eastern Conference competition but couldn’t deliver when the stakes reached their peak.
The team resumed training Thursday following their first practice since completing a sweep of Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals, pledging to maintain their focus regardless of external commentary about their performance or their opponents’ quality.
“When there’s negative things being said about you, it’s important to ignore them. When there’s positive things about you it’s easy to be able to read them to make you feel good, but you can’t do one and not the other,” Jalen Brunson said. “So just block out as best you can.”
New York has compiled a 12-2 postseason record, averaging a 19.4-point victory margin while extending their current winning streak to 11 games. This streak matches the third-longest consecutive wins within a single playoff campaign.
The 2001 Lakers achieved the same 11-game streak during their 15-1 championship season, falling just short of Golden State’s historic 16-1 performance in 2017. O’Neal, who earned MVP honors during that Lakers title run and currently works as an ESPN analyst, has endorsed this Knicks team.
“They are so good I owe the whole state and all five boroughs of New York an apology,” he said during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“They are really good. They have it. It reminds me of that Detroit team that beat us my last year there (in 2004). They just got a bunch of guys that are just together.”
Critics would highlight how circumstances aligned to create a path to the NBA Finals that made the Knicks appear dominant without facing elite competition.
Beginning with the regular season’s final day, when Atlanta chose to rest key players and lost the opportunity to claim the No. 5 seed. Rather than meeting Toronto or Orlando — stronger defensive clubs that could have secured the No. 6 position and potentially worn them down physically — the Knicks instead faced the Hawks, a team emphasizing skill over physicality.
New York captured the series’ final three contests to win in six games, discovering their favorable circumstances were only starting.
Boston surrendered a 3-1 series advantage to Philadelphia, meaning instead of beginning on the road versus the second-seeded Celtics, the Knicks faced the No. 7 76ers, who arrived in New York with minimal rest and appeared exhausted from the opening tip. New York dominated them 137-98 in Game 1, Joel Embiid was unable to compete in Game 2 due to soreness, and the series concluded quickly.
Cleveland’s victory over Detroit in the Eastern Conference semifinals provided the Knicks home-court advantage against another weary opponent. Rather than confronting the top-seeded Pistons, who had defeated them decisively in all three regular season encounters, the Knicks hosted the No. 4 Cavaliers — a team coming off consecutive seven-game series with the same limited rest period as the 76ers.
Cleveland acknowledged their exhaustion nearly as much as New York’s skill level in post-series comments, with James Harden unable to determine if the Knicks were truly superior.
“Obviously they dominated us 4-0 but I don’t know if I can necessarily answer that question just because genuinely I do feel like we are the better team, but series-wise it didn’t show it,” he said.
The Knicks will maintain a rest advantage entering the finals, though not as pronounced as before. They must begin on the road against a team expected to be favored. Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, referencing her earlier statements about the 6-foot-2 Brunson that a team couldn’t capture a championship behind a smaller player, stated the “two best teams are probably in the West, but I’m up for being proven wrong.”
The championship series will provide the definitive verdict.
“Lot of questions, lot of talk about how great we are, how great we’ve been. All that doesn’t matter,” guard Mikal Bridges said. “We’ve just got to worry about being ourselves and stay locked in and go win.”
A traffic collision has resulted in the closure of the right lane on northbound US-13 at Paddock Road.
The crash is causing traffic delays in the area as authorities work to clear the scene. Drivers traveling through this section of the highway should anticipate slower traffic conditions and may want to seek alternative routes if possible.
No additional details about the crash have been released at this time.
Years of reduced investment in a majority Black St. Louis community made residents particularly susceptible to damage from tornadoes that struck the area last year. Community advocates now express concern that property ownership levels could decline in the aftermath.
The lack of long-term investment in the neighborhood’s infrastructure and housing stock left many homes more vulnerable when severe weather hit the area twelve months ago.
Recovery efforts have been slow to reach the affected community, raising questions about whether residents will be able to rebuild and maintain their properties in the coming years.
Professional basketball’s governing body has given the green light to major reforms of its draft lottery system on Thursday, designed to discourage teams from intentionally losing games to improve their chances at top draft picks.
The league’s Board of Governors officially endorsed the new system for the upcoming three seasons. This “3-2-1 Lottery” format will include 16 teams and reduce the advantages previously given to clubs with the poorest records by flattening the probability structure for securing the top selection.
While the weakest teams can still claim the lottery victory, the mathematics now work against them. The bottom three franchises will each hold just 5.4% probability of winning, whereas clubs finishing with the fourth through tenth-worst records will each possess 8.1% chances of claiming the top spot.
“Since October, the league office has met with key stakeholders to discuss current competitive incentives and solicit ideas aimed at discouraging tanking,” the league said Thursday in announcing the move. “That process led to the creation of the 3-2-1 Lottery.”
According to ESPN’s reporting, the decision passed with Memphis providing the single opposing vote in a 29-1 tally.
Thursday’s decision delivered on a commitment made by Commissioner Adam Silver, who had pledged the organization would take decisive action against tanking practices before the upcoming season begins. The league has modified its lottery structure approximately six times over the past four decades.
Beginning with the next lottery drawing, the 16 eligible franchises will receive between one and three lottery balls distributed as follows:
— Teams that lose in the No. 7 versus No. 8 play-in matchups from each conference receive one lottery ball.
— The No. 9 and No. 10 seeded teams entering the play-in tournament receive two lottery balls each.
— The other 10 clubs missing both playoffs and play-in competition receive three lottery balls, except for the three teams with the worst standings. These bottom franchises enter “draft relegation” and forfeit one lottery ball as the anti-tanking mechanism.
Deliberate losing became a significant and unwelcome storyline this season from the league’s perspective. Utah received a $500,000 penalty “for conduct detrimental to the league” related to keeping two star players on the bench during fourth quarters of two contests, including one game Utah actually won. The franchise had motivation to restrict victories this year, as too many wins could have jeopardized their opportunity for a top-eight draft position, which Utah ultimately obtained.
Utah joined four other clubs — lottery champion Washington, Indiana, Memphis and Brooklyn — posting winning percentages under .180 following the All-Star break. No previous season had witnessed so many teams losing at such rates after the midseason break.
The revised system ensures teams with the three poorest records cannot drop below the No. 12 selection. However, the highest probability for claiming the top pick shifts to the remaining seven clubs that miss playoff and play-in qualification.
The No. 9 and No. 10 play-in seeds would also hold 5.4% odds of lottery victory, while the losing teams from No. 7 versus No. 8 play-in contests would each have 2.7% chances.
Additional provisions within the new framework include preventing any franchise from capturing consecutive No. 1 picks and granting the league “expanded disciplinary authority” for addressing tanking behavior, potentially including reduced lottery odds or altered draft positions.
These regulations remain active through 2029. The Board of Governors must vote again before the 2030 lottery to either continue the current system or develop alternative measures.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Agricultural officials have granted farmers additional time to complete cover crop termination activities, moving the deadline to June 5, 2026, according to an announcement made on May 28, 2026.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture made the decision to extend the timeframe for participants in the 2025-2026 Cover Crop Program after persistent rainfall created waterlogged field conditions throughout large portions of the state.
The weather-related challenges have prevented farmers from accessing their properties to complete the required termination of fall-planted cover crops within the previously established timeframe.
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources is calling on residents and visitors to keep watch for marine mammals and sea turtles while enjoying coastal and tidal waters during the summer season and into early fall.
Seasonal marine wildlife including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and whales frequently visit the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, along with the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays.
People who spot distressed or injured marine mammals or sea turtles in Maryland waters should call the Maryland Natural Resources Police Hotline at 800-628-9944 or use an online reporting form for deceased animals. Those fishing, boating, or visiting beaches should watch particularly for animals that are stranded, dead, sick, injured, or entangled.
“Maryland has 3,190 miles of tidal coastline, and without reports from the public, it would be impossible to monitor every waterway,” said Stranding Response Program Director Amanda Weschler. “Each stranded animal- and the select necropsies we perform- provides valuable information that contributes to the scientific understanding of marine mammals and sea turtles in Maryland.”
Maryland’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program has documented more than 1,630 stranding reports since beginning operations in 1990. Summer months through early fall see increased reports of marine mammal and sea turtle observations, including occasional West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus). Though uncommon, West Indian manatee sightings can occur in Maryland, as the species is considered out-of-habitat in the state. The most recent stranded manatee in Maryland was reported in April 2025.
The Standing Response Program helps enforce federal protections including the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act that protect these marine species. Through necropsies conducted on deceased animals, the program collects critical information about individual animal health, coastal population status, and Maryland’s overall marine environment condition.
Various factors cause marine animals to strand, including advanced age, illness, blunt force trauma from vessel strikes, predation, fishing gear entanglement, and parasites.
Not every reported animal undergoes necropsy due to considerations like decomposition level, available resources, and stranding site accessibility and safety. When necropsy isn’t possible, program staff gather basic data, location details, and photographs. The deceased animal may remain at the stranding location for natural decomposition, which benefits the ecosystem. Other disposal options include on-site burial or transport to approved disposal facilities, based on circumstances and local rules. Contact information for those needing disposal assistance is available on the DNR website.
The department emphasizes that anyone finding a stranded marine animal, whether living or dead, should keep a safe and respectful distance while documenting details including photographs, location data, and the animal’s condition for reporting purposes.
The NAACP has launched an initiative linking Black student athletes to voting rights advocacy through their Out of Bounds campaign. The organization’s President and CEO Derrick Johnson recently spoke about this effort that aims to address voting rights concerns in certain states.
During a conversation with NPR’s Juana Summers, Johnson explained his organization’s strategy that connects athletic participation with voting access issues. The campaign represents the civil rights organization’s latest approach to addressing what they view as threats to electoral participation.
The Out of Bounds initiative specifically focuses on the role of Black student athletes in the broader conversation about voting rights protections across various states.
For the first time since baseball’s devastating 1994-95 strike, Major League Baseball owners have put forward a salary cap proposal
On Thursday, Major League Baseball ownership presented their anticipated salary cap proposal to the players’ union, introducing a system that the union has pledged to reject outright. This development puts both sides on a collision course that could jeopardize the 2027 season and potentially future seasons. Baseball’s ownership hasn’t put forth a hard cap since 1994, when their previous attempt led to a 7 1/2-month work stoppage that resulted in the World Series being canceled for the first time in nine decades. Under the new proposal, team spending would be limited to $245.3 million in 2027, while establishing a minimum spending requirement of $171.2 million.
Basketball league approves major revisions to draft lottery system to discourage tanking
The NBA has given the green light to significant modifications in the draft lottery structure that will prevent teams with the poorest records from having the strongest chances at securing the top draft selection. These modifications received approval on Thursday primarily as a measure to combat deliberate losing. The league’s Board of Governors officially endorsed the plan for the upcoming three seasons, with another evaluation scheduled before 2030. Beginning with the upcoming lottery, all 16 participating franchises will receive between one and three lottery balls.
Finals performance will determine whether the Knicks achieved greatness or simply rode good luck
GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Knicks are experiencing an unprecedented playoff journey. However, they must capture one additional series to establish themselves as an elite franchise. Should they secure four more victories — and do so efficiently — they would earn recognition among the NBA’s legendary postseason dynasties. Should they lose to Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the NBA Finals, they face the possibility of being viewed as a squad that dominated a vulnerable Eastern Conference, winning numerous contests until reaching the most crucial games. They must demonstrate they represented genuine excellence, rather than a team that simply benefited from favorable circumstances.
Mahomes makes significant progress in knee rehabilitation, participates in Chiefs voluntary training
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to aim for a Week 1 comeback from his significant knee injury with the Kansas City Chiefs. The dual MVP winner has reached a crucial milestone in his recovery from damaged ligaments by taking part in voluntary training sessions this week. On Thursday, Mahomes completed individual exercises and 7-on-7 practice drills while media observed, sporting a knee brace. He remains unauthorized for complete team practice sessions. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is exercising caution regarding a timeline for that milestone, though Mahomes remains optimistic about returning to competition by Sept. 14, when the Chiefs face Denver on Monday night.
Hockey legend Claude Lemieux, aggressive four-time Stanley Cup winner, passes away at age 60
Four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux has passed away. He was 60. The NHL Alumni Association confirmed Lemieux’s passing through a social media announcement. Details regarding the cause of death were not immediately released. Lemieux served as the Montreal Canadiens’ ceremonial torch bearer before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final on Monday evening. He earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with New Jersey in 1995. Following his extensive playing career, Lemieux transitioned into player representation and served as agent for Carolina’s Frederik Andersen and Detroit’s Moritz Seider among over a dozen NHL clients.
Tennis upset at French Open: Top seed Sinner battles heat-related dizziness in second-round defeat
PARIS (AP) — World number one Jannik Sinner has been eliminated in the French Open’s second round. Sinner battled dizziness and squandered an opportunity to close out the match in a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 defeat to 56th-ranked Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Sinner entered with a 30-match victory streak and was heavily favored to achieve a career Grand Slam. Sinner repeatedly doubled over on the clay surface in visible exhaustion. He used a portable fan during breaks and placed ice bags on his neck for cooling. Temperatures reached 32 C (90 F).
College sports reform advocate Campbell urges leaders to consider bipartisan legislation
A key figure behind the Senate legislation designed to address college sports’ mounting issues says he immediately heard the pushback, alongside discussions about conference realignment, collective bargaining and escalating costs. Cody Campbell’s message to those conversations: You created this mess; we’re attempting to repair it. The wealthy chairman of the Texas Tech board of regents believes the legislation represents the optimal, possibly final opportunity to address issues that have intensified since college athletics entered their billion-dollar transformation. He acknowledges the legislation proposed by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell is far from perfect but superior to any alternative he’s encountered.
Racing star Kyle Busch battled pneumonia for extended period before death, certificate reveals
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch’s death resulted from hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation following complications when bacterial pneumonia progressed to sepsis, according to his death certificate. The former NASCAR champion was 41 at the time of his death last week. Busch experienced pneumonia symptoms for “days to weeks” before sepsis developed. Busch was cremated in Mooresville, North Carolina. Busch claimed two Cup Series championships and held the record with 234 victories across NASCAR’s three premier series. He was scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway when his family announced his withdrawal due to “severe illness.” Public memorial plans have not been disclosed.
Female viewership drives significant growth in NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs audience
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs viewership has increased substantially, with women representing the main growth demographic. ESPN and TNT report audience jumps of 101% and 66% respectively, attributed to several contributing elements. The 4 Nations Face-Off’s success last year and February’s Olympics, enhanced play quality, emerging Gen Z stars, and enthusiasm surrounding “Heated Rivalry” and “Off Campus” have collectively attracted more female viewers to hockey throughout this season and playoffs.
Celebrini and Crosby find the net as Canada defeats US to reach world championship semifinals
FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) — Macklin Celebrini scored once more and Jet Greaves made 34 saves as Canada defeated the United States 4-0 to reach the semifinals at the ice hockey world championship. In this recent chapter of their intense rivalry, Canada’s quarterfinal triumph concluded the Americans’ attempt to defend the title they captured for the first time since 1933. The teams faced each other for the first time since the Milan Cortina Olympics final three months prior, when the Americans won 2-1 in overtime to claim gold. Celebrini netted his sixth tournament goal, Sidney Crosby scored his first, while Dylan Holloway and Connor Brown also contributed goals. Mark Scheifele recorded two assists.
Diplomats from America and Iran have crafted a preliminary arrangement to prolong their current ceasefire by two months while launching fresh negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear activities, a U.S. official with knowledge of the discussions revealed Thursday.
Iranian officials have not yet confirmed any such agreement, and the source emphasized that President Donald Trump still needs to approve the proposal.
This potential memorandum of understanding develops as the delicate ceasefire in the conflict between America and Iran shows signs of strain. Fighting erupted again less than 24 hours before the announcement, with Kuwait’s forces stopping missiles launched from Iran, U.S. Central Command reported.
Waterway Access Key Component
The proposed memorandum stipulates that Iran cannot charge fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and must clear all explosive devices from this critical waterway within one month, the official said, speaking anonymously because they lacked authorization for public statements.
Throughout the conflict, Iran has essentially blocked the strait, which previously carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas trade. This blockade has driven petroleum prices dramatically higher worldwide. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Thursday during a press conference that oil costs might “come down very quickly” after finalizing an agreement.
Iran claims it permits some merchant ships through — approximately 24 daily recently, compared to over 100 before hostilities began — though the Islamic Republic has imposed charges on certain vessels. Officials established a formal oversight agency this month, prompting fresh American sanctions this week.
According to the preliminary terms, America would slowly end its naval blockade of Iranian harbors. The U.S. would additionally consent to easing sanctions, permitting Iran to increase oil sales.
Another U.S. official, also speaking anonymously about confidential negotiations, confirmed that general agreement terms exist but emphasized that no deal exists until Trump approves it. This source expressed uncertainty about whether Trump will accept the proposal.
Nuclear Questions Persist
Initial negotiations during the two-month ceasefire will address Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, the first official explained. The Islamic Republic possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, requiring only minor technical steps to reach weapons-grade 90% levels, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran has not publicly agreed to surrender this stockpile. Officials believe it remains buried beneath three nuclear facilities severely damaged by American airstrikes last year.
Nuclear experts suggest Iran might accept China or Russia, both maintaining strong Tehran relationships, as potential third parties to secure the enriched uranium. However, Trump stated Wednesday that he “wouldn’t be comfortable” with such arrangements.
The news outlet Axios initially reported details of this tentative agreement.
Recent Military Action
Kuwait reported Thursday that its defense systems stopped incoming missiles and drones, without specifying targets. Iran claimed it retaliated for earlier weekly strikes by attacking an American base in an unnamed Gulf nation.
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry criticized Iran for what officials termed “blatant aggression,” while U.S. Central Command labeled the assault on one of America’s closest Persian Gulf partners an “egregious ceasefire violation.” Kuwait faced repeated attacks from Iran and Iranian-supported Shiite militias in Iraq before the April ceasefire took effect.
This exchange followed late Wednesday reports that American forces conducted additional strikes against Iran, destroying four attack drones threatening the strait area and hitting an Iranian control station in Bandar Abbas preparing to launch another drone.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard confirmed the Bandar Abbas International Airport area attack and announced through state-run IRNA news agency that it launched counter-strikes against the air base responsible for the assaults. The Revolutionary Guard did not identify whether their response targeted Kuwait, which hosts U.S. Army Central’s forward headquarters, air facilities and naval installations.
Monday saw what the Pentagon described as “self-defense” strikes against missile sites and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran.
Despite exchanging attacks and ceasefire violation accusations, Washington and Tehran have avoided returning to full combat while continuing negotiations.
Regional Complications
These developments occur amid Middle Eastern tensions.
Beyond sanctions relief and asset releases, Iran demands any agreement include ending Israel’s military operations in Lebanon against Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. Thursday tensions escalated in Lebanon as Israel struck a southern Beirut suburb and conducted additional attacks in the southern coastal city of Tyre. At least 14 people died across the country’s southern region.
Israeli military forces launched a targeted operation Thursday in Lebanon’s capital, striking at a commander with ties to Iran’s Quds Force, marking a notable escalation in Israel’s military approach in the region.
Earlier this week, Iranian officials had warned that any Israeli military action in Lebanon’s capital would negatively impact ongoing diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran.
Israeli sources identified the target as Ali al-Husni, described as the missile commander within the Imam Hussein Division, a unit connected to Iran’s Quds Force. The military action came as Israeli forces expanded their operations in Lebanon past the Yellow Line.
Military officials have not confirmed whether al-Husni was eliminated during the operation.
The attack represents a notable change in Israeli strategy, coming after earlier signals that Israel would refrain from conducting military operations in Beirut.
According to Walla, a high-ranking Israeli military official announced Wednesday that Beirut would no longer be considered a restricted zone for Israeli operations. The official explained that should tactical opportunities present themselves in the Lebanese capital, forces would move against Hezbollah positions.
A security source revealed that Israel’s political leadership had “removed the restraints” and provided the military with extensive operational authority against Hezbollah due to what the source characterized as serious breaches of the ceasefire agreement by the terrorist organization that led to multiple Israeli military casualties.
During discussions earlier this week, Israel’s political-security cabinet examined ways to prevent actions that might be seen as disrupting US diplomatic efforts regarding a potential agreement to resolve the Iranian conflict, according to officials with knowledge of the meetings.
Those present at the meeting initially agreed to avoid striking Beirut, the officials reported. Political leaders also turned down a recommendation from Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to destroy structures in Beirut’s Dahieh district.
Al Jazeera reported that an Iranian source stated Tehran had cautioned the United States that an Israeli attack on Beirut would significantly damage current peace discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar is traveling to the Pacific island nation of Fiji this weekend as Israel prepares to launch a new embassy there, according to reports from The Media Line. The diplomatic mission represents an effort by both nations to strengthen their ties across multiple areas including diplomacy, strategy, and development.
This embassy launch comes after Fiji established its own diplomatic mission in Jerusalem last year, making the Pacific nation part of a select group of countries maintaining embassies in Israel’s capital city. Israel had previously announced plans to create a corresponding mission in Fiji by 2026, recognizing Suva’s ongoing backing of Israel in global venues such as the United Nations.
In March, Fiji’s Cabinet gave approval for establishing a permanent Israeli Embassy in Suva, characterizing the decision as advancing collaboration on security matters, climate change issues, agricultural development, new technologies, and diplomatic relations. The two nations have maintained diplomatic ties since 1970 and have worked together for many years through Israeli development initiatives, particularly in agricultural and technical support.
The new diplomatic facility will provide Israel with a stronger permanent presence in the Blue Pacific region, an area that has attracted growing interest from major powers looking to expand influence through aid programs, climate initiatives, security partnerships, and development projects. Fijian officials have positioned their relationship with Israel as part of a comprehensive foreign policy approach that balances traditional partnerships, Pacific region priorities, and engagement with nations outside the region.
The embassy establishment occurs during a politically delicate period. Fiji’s choice to open an embassy in Jerusalem faced opposition from Palestinian officials and some domestic critics, who contended the decision carried legal and diplomatic consequences due to the city’s contested status. Fiji’s leadership has justified its position as aligned with its independent foreign policy and long-established ties with Israel.
Sa’ar’s planned visit demonstrates that Israel considers this embassy opening as more than just an administrative enhancement. The Suva diplomatic mission represents another phase in a relationship that both governments have characterized as increasingly dynamic, practical, and strategically beneficial.
Iraq’s recently elected Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi issued a public demand Wednesday for all armed groups operating in the country to place themselves under government control, as the United States maintains pressure on Baghdad to reduce the power of Iran-backed militias.
A statement from al-Zaidi’s media office said the prime minister is pushing armed factions to operate “under the umbrella of the state and its official institutions.”
His announcement followed a declaration by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr that his military wing, Saraya al-Salam, which is also called the Peace Brigades, would break away from his political movement and become part of government institutions.
Al-Sadr proclaimed “the complete separation” of his armed group from his political party and its “full integration into the state.”
The cleric has a history of leading an armed faction that battled American and Iraqi government forces. In more recent years, he has spoken out against Tehran-supported armed groups and has consistently demanded they give up their weapons.
Al-Zaidi’s stance demonstrates increasing pressure from Washington on Iraq’s government to restrict the activities of militias that function outside the state’s military command structure.
The New Arab reports that the Trump administration has maintained its push for Baghdad to control Iran-aligned factions and has connected future defense cooperation and funding to efforts to diminish the power of groups operating independently of the government.
The Iraqi prime minister appealed “on all armed factions to follow the same responsible national path and operate under the umbrella of the state and its official institutions.”
Israel’s United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon has declared his mission will halt all communication with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ office following Israel’s placement on a UN registry of nations and groups accused of committing sexual violence during armed conflicts.
Danon stated the Israeli delegation would maintain “no further contact” with the secretary-general’s office throughout Guterres’ remaining tenure.
“This is a moral disgrace that proves Guterres has lost all credibility,” Danon said, condemning the choice to put Israel “on the same blacklist as Hamas, ISIS [Islamic State], and the most barbaric terrorist organizations in the world.”
The report indicates the Israeli Prison Service will be featured on the UN’s 2026 registry, with other Israeli agencies continuing under observation for potential future inclusion.
Based on UN protocols, nations and militant groups designated by the secretary-general stay on the registry for a minimum of one year. Hamas was included on the list in August 2025.
The UN registry focuses on claims of sexual violence during armed conflicts and encompasses both government forces and non-governmental armed groups alleged to have committed these offenses.
In March 2024, Pramila Patten, the UN secretary-general’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, documented “reasonable grounds” to conclude Hamas perpetrated rape and sexual violence during the October 7 massacre and while holding Israeli hostages captive in Gaza.
Israeli officials informed Ynet that mounting pressure developed on Guterres to add Israel following Hamas’s inclusion the previous year. The officials claimed the UN leader succumbed to political influence during his term’s concluding months.
Benny Gantz, the Israeli politician and former army general, characterized the report as “antisemitic and hypocritical,” stating the United Nations had descended into “moral blindness.”
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations, similarly charged the organization with prejudice, describing it as “corrupt and distorted.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice remains behind bars in Texas, missing his team’s voluntary workout sessions as he serves a 30-day jail term for breaking his probation conditions related to a multi-vehicle accident that injured several people.
The 26-year-old player was taken into custody at the Dallas County jail on May 19 following a positive test for THC. His release is scheduled for June 16, meaning he’ll be absent for all voluntary team activities and the required three-day minicamp starting June 9.
Rice’s situation is complicated by knee surgery he underwent approximately one week prior to his sentencing. The procedure was performed to remove debris from his right knee that had been causing swelling. His incarceration has forced him to continue rehabilitation while in jail.
“We think he’ll be ready for camp as we go forward. We’ll just see how it goes,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday, following the team’s final voluntary workout of the week. “He knows the rehab he can do there, and I think they’re keeping an eye on him as far as any possible infection goes.”
Last season, Rice sat out the first six games due to a suspension for breaking the league’s personal conduct policy, which resulted from the initial 2024 highway accident in Dallas. It remains uncertain if additional penalties will follow for his probation violation.
“We’re moving forward as normal as we go here,” Reid said. “When he gets back, we’ve got to get him caught up in doing what he needs to do, and make sure he gets it. It’s not an easy thing he’s going through.
“Life lessons are important,” Reid added, “but we’re all given chances to learn, and he’s in that position now.”
This isn’t Rice’s first time facing such challenges. Before last season’s training camp, the former SMU standout claimed he had “completely changed” and matured following the car accident, stating that “you have to learn from things like that.”
“I’ve learned and taken advantage of being able to learn from something like that,” Rice said.
Kansas City is counting on Rice to play a crucial role in their offensive turnaround after posting a 6-11 record last season.
The Chiefs made minimal additions to their receiving corps during the offseason, instead banking on continued development from Rice — who enters his final rookie contract year — and younger talents like Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals.
When healthy and available, Rice has produced solid numbers, recording 156 receptions for 1,797 yards and 14 touchdowns while helping Kansas City capture the Super Bowl during the 2023 campaign. However, suspensions and injuries have limited him to just 28 games across three seasons.
NEW YORK (AP) — CBS News has made significant leadership changes at its flagship program ’60 Minutes,’ installing technology journalist Nick Bilton as the new executive producer while announcing the departure of several key personnel.
Tanya Simon, who had led the program for approximately one year following three decades with the renowned Sunday broadcast, is stepping down from her role.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski announced the changes in a Thursday staff memo, stating their objective was “building a show that thrives in the 21st century.”
“That requires a new approach,” the executives wrote, describing their vision as “expanding ’60 Minutes’ beyond a one-hour television broadcast, deepening its role across CBS News, and holding everything we produce to the ambition, fairness, and fearlessness that have defined ’60 Minutes’ at its best.”
The leadership praised Bilton, describing him as someone who “embodies the energy and ambition that animated the founders of the show. We cannot imagine a better fit.” Bilton previously worked as a technology columnist for the New York Times and has experience in documentary filmmaking.
The changes also affected on-air talent, with correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega departing the program, according to an anonymous source with knowledge of the situation. Alfonsi had previously experienced editorial tensions when her investigative piece about torture in Salvadoran prisons was temporarily shelved by Weiss before airing a month later.
These major organizational shifts were anticipated following Weiss’s arrival in October under Paramount’s new leadership structure. The founder of the Free Press website has quickly established herself as a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in the journalism industry.
In his own detailed staff communication, Bilton acknowledged his lack of traditional television broadcasting background while emphasizing the program’s significance. He called ’60 Minutes’ “without exaggeration, the most important television journalism brand this country has ever produced.”
“The fact that this show has remained a fixed point in a culture is part of why this show still matters as much as it does,” Bilton explained. “I don’t want to lose that. But the world we are reporting on, and the world we are reporting to, where people consume their news, has moved. And if we don’t move with it, in the ways that matter, we won’t be here for the next sixty years. I want to do everything humanly possible to ensure that we are.”
Guatemala’s leader Bernardo Arévalo rejected claims Thursday that his nation has struck a new deal with the United States for conducting anti-narcotics operations within Guatemala’s borders.
Arévalo’s statement followed reporting by The New York Times suggesting the Central American country had agreed to participate in joint anti-drug strikes.
The dispute represents another chapter in continuing friction between the Trump administration and Latin American nations trying to balance drug-fighting cooperation with the United States while protecting their national independence.
“There is no agreement. There is a request that falls within the framework of existing agreements in several countries,” Arévalo told reporters during a press briefing.
“What we are signing are types of collaboration that have been taking place in the past. We conduct maritime interdictions where the United States has been collaborating with training, capacity building and equipment,” Arévalo explained.
The president emphasized that his government’s actions comply with Guatemala’s legal framework and constitution.
“The only body that can authorize operations involving soldiers on Guatemalan soil is the Congress of the Republic. The Guatemalan government is not requesting this cooperation and has no plans to do so,” the president stated.
Pentagon acting press secretary Joel Valdez declined to address the reported agreement directly, saying he cannot “speculate on future operations or discuss matters of operational security” while noting that the Department of War collaborates with regional partners against drug trafficking and other cross-border threats.
Guatemala’s administration also released a statement and two letters showing discussions between its defense minister and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth about joint military activities under existing agreements.
The controversy follows the April deaths of two CIA operatives in northern Mexico during a mission to eliminate a drug laboratory, which brought attention to U.S. agent presence across Latin America and sparked questions about expanded American involvement in the region. Mexican authorities subsequently provided conflicting explanations about their knowledge of the CIA personnel’s activities.
Mexico recognizes that U.S. agencies operate within its territory but maintains they cannot engage in direct field operations.
A key figure behind new federal legislation designed to address major problems in college athletics says he immediately heard pushback from critics, including discussions about breakaway conferences and collective bargaining as alternatives to combat the industry’s rapidly increasing costs.
Cody Campbell’s message to those critics: You created this mess, we’re working to repair it.
“My take is, it’s pretty rich for these people who created the problem in the first place to say that all of the sudden, they have the solution to the problem,” he said.
The wealthy leader of the Texas Tech board of regents talked with The Associated Press on Thursday, one day after Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., unveiled bipartisan legislation they hope can strengthen enforcement of existing rules governing college sports during its multibillion-dollar transformation.
Conference leaders and the NCAA indicated they would examine the legislation before deciding on their support, but opposition surfaced almost immediately. Critics included Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who seeks additional restrictions on coaching pay; and Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., and Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., who want provisions preventing athletes from becoming school employees.
A players organization also voiced doubts, and the AP consulted with specialists who forecasted the legislation would struggle to secure 60 Senate votes and a House majority.
“It’s turning back the clock two to three years, and I don’t think that’s realistic,” said Michael LeRoy, a labor and sports law professor at Illinois, addressing how much more costly player compensation has become since name, image and likeness payments were permitted. “Players are getting paid in the millions of dollars. The underlying premise is to get a more uniform ceiling. That certainly is needed, but collective bargaining would do that.”
Universities have utilized external NIL arrangements to exceed the $20.5 million in revenue sharing that some anticipated as a spending limit when the lawsuit settlement establishing current college sports rules was finalized.
The escalating expenses have prompted prominent figures, including Tennessee athletic director Danny White, to propose collective bargaining between players and schools, conferences, or the NCAA as a solution that would bring financial predictability while providing needed antitrust protections.
Such an approach might also lead to athletes becoming school employees, which many consider a financially devastating burden that could eliminate Olympic and women’s collegiate sports, and potentially football and basketball as well.
Campbell, who participated in a committee established by President Donald Trump to address college sports issues and has been an influential voice in shaping its future, argues the Cruz-Cantwell legislation offers many benefits similar to collective bargaining, including partial antitrust protection.
“We created something that could actually be passable on a bipartisan basis,” Campbell said. “And while it’s not perfect, and it never will be, there are many, many good elements in it. I think that college sports should be universally pleased with the outcome.”
Campbell described one of the bill’s most controversial aspects — allowing conferences to combine their media rights — not as a danger but as a legitimate choice for leagues. The Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences oppose media pooling, claiming the financial calculations don’t work.
Campbell noted the proposal tackles longstanding worries about excessive coaching compensation but suggested the language in the 111-page document could be modified to strengthen the legislation further.
He explained it would grant the year-old College Sports Commission legal power to approve and deny external NIL agreements while protecting it from potential litigation under current rules.
Campbell also dismissed growing discussions from the SEC — led by Georgia president Jere Morehead and its football coach, Kirby Smart — suggesting those conferences might benefit from separating entirely from the existing system to create their own regulations and compete independently.
“If this was the solution, why didn’t they come up with it over the last several decades as this thing started to crumble?” Campbell said. “If you created this mess, I don’t see how you can stand up and say you’re the one who’s going to fix it.”
The AP interviewed several legal specialists familiar with college athletics, none of whom expected smooth passage for the Cruz-Cantwell bill.
“It might be trying to bite off too much at this point to get passed this year,” sports attorney Mit Winter said.
Cantwell confirmed to the AP that despite its bipartisan support, she recognizes the legislation faces significant challenges.
Those who joined Campbell in developing the proposal included Condoleezza Rice, Yankees President Randy Levine and Gerry Cardinale of the private equity firm Redbird Capital. According to a Yahoo Sports report, this was the group SEC commissioner Greg Sankey referenced when he noted “it’s interesting in Washington where the voices of influence come from.”
Campbell, however, sees it as a knowledgeable team without the competing interests that plague conferences and the NCAA.
“And if we can’t get it done,” he said, “then they can have their way and let chaos continue to persist.”
Emergency crews responded Thursday to a massive blaze at a Dallas apartment complex that caused at least one building to collapse, sending thick black smoke into the air and covering the ground with debris.
Television footage captured dozens of emergency responders working at the scene. Some directed water hoses at smoldering rubble while others moved charred lumber and debris, appearing to search for anyone who might be trapped beneath. Two firefighters positioned on extended ladders aimed water at the flames from above, while another directed a stream from a window in an adjacent structure.
The cause of the blaze remains unknown, and officials have not released information about potential injuries.
Emergency vehicles including fire trucks, ambulances and police cars with flashing lights filled a nearby street.
Julie Jensen, who lives less than a block away, said she heard what sounded like an explosion that made her ears ring.
“I was sitting on my couch watching TV — stuff flew off our walls,” Jensen said.
After looking outside and seeing smoke rising with neighbors fleeing the area, Jensen grabbed her family’s cat and evacuated to a nearby parking lot where she waited until it was safe to go home.
A spokesperson for Dallas Fire-Rescue did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Dallas Police Department directed all inquiries to fire officials.
Motorists should expect delays on Walters Bluff Road today as construction crews have shut down the right lane of northbound traffic at the intersection with Holts Landing Road.
According to traffic officials, the lane closure will remain active until 6 PM as work continues in the area.
Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when passing through this section of roadway.
Growing uncertainty surrounds the status of Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership position within Iran’s government structure, according to emerging reports from inside the country.
Recent information obtained despite Iran’s ongoing internet restrictions indicates that Khamenei currently holds no position within the Islamic Republic’s governing framework. This contradicts earlier reports suggesting he had sustained serious injuries and was receiving treatment at an intensive care facility within a classified Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps location.
A knowledgeable source from Sina Hospital, where he was reportedly taken following the February 28 assault on the leadership facility, provided additional details to The Media Line. The source stated that Khamenei’s chances of surviving the missile attack that “reduced everyone present in the leadership compound to ashes” would be “more of a miracle than reality.”
The situation remains fluid as communication restrictions within Iran continue to limit the flow of verified information about the incident and its aftermath.
A former deputy mayor of Jerusalem has launched a new educational initiative designed to offer Jewish students an alternative to increasingly hostile college environments abroad.
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who currently serves as special envoy for trade innovation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has created Campus Israel as a response to rising antisemitism on university campuses. The platform aims to connect international students with English-taught degree programs, application assistance, internships, and community experiences in Israel.
Hassan-Nahoum, an Israeli politician, approaches multiple challenges with a practical mindset – from unfriendly campus environments and regional changes to ongoing conflicts and the persistence of antisemitism, as well as advocating for increased women’s leadership roles. Her strategy centers on creating tangible solutions immediately.
When discussing her motivation for developing Campus Israel, Hassan-Nahoum doesn’t begin with technical details or financial considerations. Instead, she poses a fundamental question: “Why aren’t more Jewish students [from abroad] studying in college in Israel in the many degrees in full English language that we have here?” she recalls wondering.
The initiative represents Hassan-Nahoum’s response to what she perceives as urgent, interconnected crises requiring immediate, practical solutions.
A team employee has received an indefinite suspension from NASCAR following criminal charges stemming from an incident involving a golf cart attack on an elderly victim.
Evanna Daneen Howell, age 35, faces felony charges for assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury after allegedly attacking 77-year-old Dennis Manchester with a golf cart during last weekend’s events at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
Authorities took Howell into custody on Saturday at the racing facility. Following her Tuesday court hearing, she posted bail in the amount of $125,000 and was released. The case will return to Cabarrus County court on June 16 for her next scheduled appearance.
Law enforcement has not released specific information regarding how the alleged attack occurred.
Howell holds the position of senior account manager with 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Neither 23XI Racing nor NASCAR representatives have released public statements regarding the incident.
The racing organization announced Howell’s suspension through its weekly penalty report released Wednesday, categorizing the action as related to a “behavioral” issue.
Motorists traveling on northbound US 113 will encounter construction-related lane restrictions today as crews work along a section of the highway.
The right shoulder is currently closed between Bridgeville Road (US 404/DE 18) and North Street, creating potential traffic delays for drivers in the area.
According to traffic officials, the shoulder closure is expected to remain in place until 4:00 PM today as construction activities continue.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – A public meeting has been scheduled by the State Soil Conservation Committee for Thursday, June 18, 2026, running from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM.
The session will take place at the Somerset Soil Conservation District office, located at 30730 Park Drive in the Howard H. Anderson Ag Building in Princess Anne, MD 21853.
According to the meeting notice, the gathering will concentrate on soil conservation initiatives and water quality programs. Members of the public are invited to attend the proceedings.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The two-time MVP quarterback continues working toward a Week 1 comeback with the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a significant milestone in his rehabilitation from torn left knee ligaments by joining teammates for voluntary practice sessions this week.
During Thursday’s organized team activities — the first session open to media observation — the star quarterback took part in individual exercises and 7-on-7 formations. He sported a black protective brace covering his surgically repaired knee, where both ACL and LCL damage was addressed, and though he moved around effectively while jogging, he occasionally paused to readjust the equipment.
Considering the surgery occurred just five months ago, this represents meaningful progress in his rehabilitation journey.
“It’s good to be back on the field and just be with the guys, more than anything,” Mahomes said. “Some of those days you’re rehabbing with yourself, or with a couple of guys, and you get a little juice when the other guys are out there.”
However, Kansas City remains cautious about managing that enthusiasm.
The quarterback has yet to receive medical clearance from Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas-based orthopedist who performed the procedure, or the Kansas City training staff for complete team participation. Running and sharp cutting movements on the affected knee remain off-limits for now.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid avoided setting specific deadlines for his franchise quarterback’s full return, although Mahomes has consistently maintained he’ll be ready when Kansas City faces Denver on Sept. 14 in a Monday night game at Arrowhead Stadium.
The more pressing concern involves whether he’ll be available when training camp begins in approximately two months.
“It’s kind of, ‘We’ll see,’” Mahomes said. “You have these week-to-two week checkpoints that I have to get to. The biggest thing for me now is to get to the running and cutting. … Until I’m able to protect myself and get out there, they’re going to keep me safe. But if I can continue to do things the right way, that’s the hope for me at least.”
Rather than spending the offseason at his Texas residence, where Chiefs receivers and tight ends typically gather for quarterback-led workouts, Mahomes has remained in Kansas City almost daily since his December surgery — which occurred the day following his injury against the Chargers — focusing on rehabilitation under trainer Julie Frymyer’s supervision.
His daily routine includes early arrival at the facility for rehab work, followed by standard team meetings. This week introduced on-field activities, after which he completes recovery protocols and additional rehabilitation sessions.
“Then I go home and chase kids around until I fall asleep,” Mahomes said.
“I think everybody is different in how you go about it,” Reid said, “but I wouldn’t put it past where he’s at, and I don’t judge it. People say, ‘Is he ahead of schedule?’ Well, who made the schedule? Everybody is different. The way he goes about it is different. He and Julie have spent a ton of time working together, and she’s tough on him. She puts him through the ropes. And he’s willing to come back.
“Half the battle on that, besides the healing part, is trusting the person doing the rehab with you, and then showing up the next day.”
The team will conduct another voluntary workout session next week — Reid noted nearly complete participation despite the optional status. A mandatory three-day minicamp follows beginning June 9, with a break before training camp commences.
While Kansas City hasn’t announced their St. Joseph, Missouri arrival date, it typically occurs around July 21. This timeline provides Mahomes roughly two additional months for continued rehabilitation before serious regular season preparation begins.
“The first step was getting to 7-on-7, and for me, it was more seeing the defense. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out there, seeing the plays develop,” Mahomes said. “The next step will be getting with the team and getting under center and stuff like that. But we will progress to that. And then it will be going out there live with the guys, and then we’ll be playing games.”
A Philadelphia Phillies star player has found himself at the center of a social media controversy over his unconventional approach to dental hygiene.
Bryce Harper posted a morning routine video to his TikTok account, which has more than 600,000 followers, showing himself in a San Diego hotel bathroom. The post, labeled “Moring Y’all,” included a segment that left viewers stunned: Harper squeezing toothpaste directly from the tube into his mouth instead of putting it on his toothbrush first.
The unusual technique quickly drew criticism from social media users.
“Actually diabolical toothpaste application,” commented one TikTok user on the post.
The video gained widespread attention across multiple platforms, accumulating over 2.7 million views on Jomboy Media alone. The San Diego Padres even poked fun at Harper’s method by displaying it as a “fun fact” on their stadium videoboard, while British publication The Daily Mail reported that fans were “horrified” by his brushing approach.
Speaking to Phillies Nation from the visiting team’s clubhouse at Petco Park on Wednesday, Harper defended his longtime practice.
“It kind of happens when you post a little bit, right?” Harper said. “But yeah, I’ve done it forever.”
The American Dental Association took notice of the viral video and issued guidance discouraging others from copying Harper’s method.
“It is not suggested to do it that way,” stated Andrew Zucker, an Ohio dentist who serves as a consumer advisor for the organization.
After viewing the footage, Zucker initially assumed the two-time National League MVP was joking. However, Harper confirmed to the website that this has always been his standard tooth-brushing routine.
“I don’t think there’s anything to be gained,” Zucker commented on Thursday. “The only thing to be lost is just wasting a whole bunch of toothpaste.”
Zucker recommended a more traditional approach: “Just put a little pea-sized bit of it on a toothbrush and that’s all you need.”
During Tuesday night’s game, the Padres continued their playful ribbing by listing Harper’s biographical information on the scoreboard as: “SQUIRTS TOOTHPASTE INTO HIS MOUTH INSTEAD OF ONTO A TOOTHBRUSH WHEN BRUSHING HIS TEETH.”
Harper seemed to take the attention in stride, telling Phillies Nation: “I mean, it’s gone viral, so I’m happy about that. It always helps with my videos when it goes viral, so if that’s what makes it go viral, then I’ll take it.”
The dental professional noted that Harper’s approach is extremely rare. Despite his family background in dentistry and 45 years of experience, Zucker said the only time he’d witnessed the squeeze technique was with “my 3-year-old and it was because he was trying to eat it. But no, I’ve never seen an adult brush their teeth this way.”
Harper’s method appears to have served him well throughout his successful career, which includes 376 home runs and eight All-Star selections.
“If I help half a person a day, changing an ingredient or letting them know there are better quality products out there that they can use or that’ll make them feel better, then I won that day,” Harper explained.
Maria Ryan, chief clinical officer at Colgate-Palmolive, expressed specific concerns about the tube-to-mouth technique.
“My only concern would be, you have a lot of germs in your mouth,” Ryan said. “When you’re putting your mouth on the toothpaste tube, you get those germs on there. Sometimes people share toothpaste and things like that, so I worry about that a little bit.”
Despite the unconventional method, dental experts found a positive message in Harper’s viral moment. The baseball star’s influence could encourage young fans to maintain their oral hygiene habits.
“I was glad he was brushing his teeth,” Ryan noted. “I see he’s gotten a lot of views. It’s good he’s telling people you need to brush your teeth, which is very important for preventing cavities and gum disease.
“But it’s a unique way of doing it, for sure. So, I probably wouldn’t do it that way or instruct my patients to do it that way.”
According to a ProPublica investigation conducted by Robert Faturechi, a White House advisor made a request to the Pentagon seeking approval for funding to a company that produces rare-earth magnets, a business in which Donald Trump Jr. maintains a financial interest.
The investigation reveals that Peter Navarro, who served as a White House adviser, made the request for the Pentagon to approve the loan to the magnet manufacturing company.
An artificial intelligence startup announced Thursday it has secured $65 billion in private investment, boosting the company’s worth to $965 billion and making Anthropic one of the globe’s most valuable new companies as it moves toward a potential public stock offering.
The funding milestone puts Anthropic beyond its primary competitor, the company behind ChatGPT, in both market worth and reported earnings. The firm reports it now generates $47 billion annually by licensing its technology to individuals and businesses that use Claude for coding and various professional and personal tasks.
Founded in 2021 by former leaders from its main rival, Anthropic joins two other major tech companies expected to go public soon. All three firms currently spend more than they earn, raising questions about whether AI valuations represent a market bubble.
The latest investment round received backing from Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer Investment Group, Greenoaks Capital and Sequoia Capital, according to the company’s announcement.
“This funding will help us serve the historic demand we are experiencing, stay at the research frontier, and bring Claude to more of the places where work happens,” Krishna Rao, the company’s chief financial officer, said in a written statement.
The AI firm also unveiled its latest technology model Thursday, dubbed Claude Opus 4.8, claiming superior performance in coding and professional applications compared to earlier versions.
The ChatGPT creator last reported in March it was moving toward an $852 billion valuation following a $122 billion fundraising effort. SpaceX held an $800 billion value last year, but that figure jumped to $1.25 trillion after the space company combined with Musk’s xAI in February.
Baseball team owners delivered their anticipated salary cap proposal to the players’ union Thursday, introducing a system that union representatives have consistently rejected and potentially setting up a labor dispute that could jeopardize the 2027 season and future campaigns.
This marks the first time baseball’s ownership has presented a hard spending ceiling since 1994. That previous attempt led to a strike lasting 7 1/2 months and resulted in the first World Series cancellation in nine decades.
Under the new proposal, team spending would be limited to $245.3 million in 2027, while establishing a minimum payroll requirement of $171.2 million.
“Our salary cap and floor proposal levels the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 as we grow the game together,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. “Further, by sharing media revenue equally as part of our proposal, we can address another top fan concern of local TV blackouts.”
Team executives presented their latest offer during negotiations at the commissioner’s headquarters, following the union’s economic counter-proposal delivered one day earlier. Ownership argues the spending limit would enhance competitive balance and prevent wealthy franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets from building significantly more talented rosters than smaller-market organizations.
Union representatives seek broader free agency and salary arbitration opportunities, nearly doubling the league minimum wage, increasing revenue sharing from high-earning to lower-revenue franchises, and implementing sanctions for teams falling below payroll minimums.
The sport’s existing five-year agreement, finalized in March 2022 following a 99-day work stoppage, concludes December 2. Although another lockout appears likely next winter, serious negotiations probably won’t intensify until late February or early March 2027, when the threat of losing regular-season contests and income becomes imminent. Should regular-season games be canceled, discussions may evolve into a battle over which party can endure greater financial hardship.
America’s other major professional sports leagues all utilize spending caps. The NBA implemented a cap during its inaugural 1946-47 campaign, eliminated it, then reintroduced the current system in 1984-85. NFL teams and players established a cap beginning in 1994, while the NHL adopted one in 2005-06 following a work stoppage that eliminated the entire 2004-05 season.
Los Angeles broke baseball’s spending records with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury penalties last season while capturing their second consecutive World Series championship. The Dodgers’ expenditure was seven times greater than the Miami Marlins’ league-low $68.7 million payroll and exceeded the combined spending of the six lowest-budget clubs.
Union representatives maintain that spending restrictions would damage player interests while benefiting ownership, and they refuse to accept any cap system. Without spending limits, baseball’s top performers have secured lucrative, guaranteed deals that surpass compensation for elite athletes in other American professional leagues. Juan Soto’s $765 million, 15-year agreement with the Mets represents what’s believed to be the largest contract in team sports history, significantly exceeding the biggest deals in the NFL (Patrick Mahomes at $450 million over 10 years) and NBA (Jayson Tatum at $314 million over five years).
Baseball’s previous salary cap offer in 1994 included a 50-50 revenue split within a framework requiring teams to maintain payrolls between 84-110% of the league average. That proposal would have eliminated salary arbitration and reduced the free agency threshold from six years of major league service to four — though a player’s original team could match any competing offer until he reached six years of service.
Management presented that offer on June 14, 1994, and players began their strike on August 12. Baseball withdrew the cap proposal the following February 6 under pressure from the National Labor Relations Board. The work stoppage concluded on March 31 after U.S. District Judge Sonia Sotomayor — currently a Supreme Court Justice — issued an injunction restoring the previous labor contract’s working conditions. Two days later, ownership accepted the union’s return-to-work proposal without a new agreement. A final deal wasn’t completed until 1997.
NEWARK, N.J. — A confrontation between demonstrators and federal immigration enforcement officers outside a Newark detention facility resulted in six arrests Wednesday evening, as protesters alleged detainees inside are conducting a hunger strike due to substandard conditions.
Video footage and images shared on social platforms showed demonstrators, many donning gas masks and face coverings, forming human chains outside Delaney Hall on Wednesday night.
Activists constructed barriers using trash bins, discarded mattresses, umbrellas and various other items while facing off against U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement personnel. Several demonstrators attempted to prevent people and cars from accessing the facility’s entrance and exit points, hurling orange traffic cones and additional items toward ICE agents positioned at the entrance.
Protesters shouted “You will hang!” and “Every cop, every fed, shoot yourself in the head,” along with other hostile remarks directed at the officers, who were equipped with helmets and tactical gear.
Federal agents deployed pepper spray in an effort to scatter the crowd, based on social media videos. Several officers used batons to strike and push back demonstrators while working to open the roadway for vehicle passage.
One truck operator exited his vehicle to express anger when protesters attempted to obstruct traffic on the street fronting the detention facility. People held inside the building could occasionally be observed gesturing to protesters through Delaney Hall’s windows.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, reported that approximately six demonstrators faced arrest for attacking law enforcement personnel.
“Assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement is a crime and felony,” the agency said in a statement. “Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Earlier Wednesday, Democratic members of Congress from New York City conducted a tour of the facility as part of oversight responsibilities. A private prison company operates the detention center, located along an industrial section of Newark Bay.
Reps. Jerry Nadler, Daniel Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, who all represent Manhattan, outlined harsh conditions where detainees receive limited portions of frequently rotten food and have their diverse medical requirements neglected.
DHS spokespersons have rejected claims of any hunger strike, mistreatment or substandard conditions within the facility and characterized criticism from adversaries as political theater.
A major data center hub has put the brakes on tax incentives that helped attract massive computing facilities used for artificial intelligence development.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that Ohio will temporarily halt its tax break program for new data center applications. The decision follows mounting pressure on the AI industry to cover the full expenses of their energy-intensive operations and growing public opposition to these facilities.
The tax incentive program’s costs have exploded beyond all forecasts, prompting state lawmakers to launch a study committee examining the impact of data centers. Meanwhile, citizens are working to place a ballot measure on November’s midterm election that would implement what could be the nation’s most restrictive statewide prohibition on hyperscale data centers.
DeWine’s administration pointed to the dramatic increase in tax break usage and the legislature’s ongoing research as reasons for implementing the temporary suspension.
“The governor felt it was the right time to let the citizens know, let businesses know that we’re going to pause on new offers of this tax incentive while that process plays out,” said Dan Tierney, DeWine’s spokesperson, on Thursday.
Despite the pause, DeWine continues to advocate for data centers, describing them as essential to the modern economy. He has defended the approximately $37 billion in data center investments flowing into the state during 2024 and 2025 as beneficial.
The financial reality has far exceeded state projections. Officials had estimated the tax exemption would reach $136 million in fiscal 2025 and $142 million in fiscal 2026, based on historical patterns. Instead, the actual costs hit $554 million in 2024 and approached $1.6 billion in 2025.
The future of Ohio’s tax incentive program may depend on the next governor, as DeWine cannot seek reelection due to term limits. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ivy League-educated biotech billionaire, has expressed interest in transforming the Ohio River Valley into a technology hub similar to Silicon Valley.
Both Ramaswamy and Democratic candidate Amy Acton may share the November ballot with the citizen-driven initiative to ban data center construction statewide. Organizers face a July 1 deadline to collect more than 400,000 voter signatures.
Criticism of state tax incentives for data centers is spreading among elected officials nationwide. The financial burden appears to be growing as data center and AI investments fuel increased consumer spending and technology companies expand their commitments to large-scale facilities.
Virginia has experienced similar challenges, with state House and Senate negotiations stalled for months over Senate Democrats’ proposal to eliminate roughly $1.6 billion in annual tax breaks.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, thirty-eight states currently offer some form of sales tax exemption for data centers. Most of these programs received approval over five years ago, when data centers represented a smaller economic sector and before OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch in late 2022 sparked an accelerated expansion of increasingly large facilities.
Ohio’s exemption covers a wide range of expenses, including construction materials and costly equipment like server racks and cooling systems used in data centers. Operators frequently purchase new server racks every few years as technology advances.
The governor’s announcement caught many by surprise. Dorsey Hager, executive secretary-treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, expressed frustration with DeWine’s decision. Union members in his organization frequently work on data center construction projects.
Hager expressed concern that developers currently finalizing project plans or permits might reconsider their commitments.
State legislators recognized the growing opposition when they announced their joint data center study committee on May 13.
“We’re well aware of initiatives to limit Ohio data center development during this critical point in America’s history,” state Rep. Adam Holmes stated at a news conference. “This public concern has become a priority issue for us and could have dramatic impact on Ohio and American’s future.”
LONGVIEW, Wash. — Search operations continued Thursday as crews looked for nine workers still missing after a catastrophic chemical tank explosion at a Washington state paper mill claimed 11 lives, devastating a tight-knit community where mill work has been a family tradition for decades.
The victims include a devoted grandfather known for his willingness to help others and a 26-year-old newlywed remembered as selfless and compassionate, according to friends who have started fundraising efforts for the grieving families.
Officials have stated there is no possibility of finding survivors from Tuesday’s tank explosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, marking it as one of the most devastating workplace tragedies in recent American history.
The damaged tank released more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of white liquor, a highly caustic chemical mixture used in converting wood into specific paper products.
Emergency officials announced Wednesday that the recovery process would proceed carefully and slowly due to ongoing chemical hazards in the area.
The investigation into what caused the disaster remains ongoing, and officials have not yet made public the identities of the deceased workers.
Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather who worked as an electrician at the facility, was identified as the first confirmed fatality by 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. He was always there willing to help in whatever needed to be done,” Cornwell said.
CJ Doran, who was 26, was among those presumed dead, according to a GoFundMe post verified by the crowdfunding site.
He was a husband who was “the spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider,” the post said.
Eight additional people sustained injuries from the tank failure, including one firefighter. Several victims suffered burns or breathing-related injuries, according to authorities.
The mill’s Japanese parent company, Nippon Paper Group, said in a statement Wednesday that it was offering its “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.”
Officials confirmed Wednesday that the chemical spill has not contaminated local air quality or drinking water supplies in Longview and surrounding areas. The city of approximately 40,000 residents sits near the Washington-Oregon border and has strong historical connections to paper and lumber manufacturing. Multiple generations of local families have been employed at area mills, and numerous residents interviewed had relatives or acquaintances with current or past employment at the Nippon Dynawave facility.
Work teams are currently flushing water from drainage areas near the plant and diluting it before directing it into the Columbia River, which runs alongside the mill.
While some contamination has entered the river, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported it has caused no observable impact.
Scientists have honored McLaren Formula One driver Oscar Piastri by naming a prehistoric wasp species after him, according to a new research study.
The ancient insect was discovered preserved in amber from northern Myanmar and dates back to the middle Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Researchers published their findings in the academic journal Palaeoworld’s June edition, officially naming the species ‘Gwesped Piastrii.’
According to the research article, scientists chose to honor the racing driver for a specific reason. “The specific epithet honours Mr. Oscar Piastri for his achievements in Formula One, and because the colour of the amber piece recalled to the first author the iconic McLaren orange,” researchers wrote.
The prehistoric wasp lived during the Cretaceous period, which concluded 65 million years ago.
The 25-year-old Australian racing driver entered Formula One competition in 2023 and has secured nine grand prix victories during his career. Piastri is currently at the Isle of Man TT races during a break before the Monaco Grand Prix scheduled for June 7, and has not yet responded to news of the scientific honor.
WASHINGTON – Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed Thursday that he shared breakfast with Kevin Warsh, the newly appointed Federal Reserve chair.
During a White House press briefing, when a journalist questioned whether Bessent urged Warsh to reduce interest rates, the Treasury Secretary deflected by discussing his previous interactions with former Fed chair Jay Powell.
“I had breakfast with Chair Powell 41 times, and I never did that,” Bessent stated, offering no additional details about the nature of those conversations.
The questioning comes amid a backdrop where President Donald Trump has consistently pushed Powell to cut interest rates during his tenure.
The French Open was turned upside down Thursday when world number one Jannik Sinner suffered a devastating second-round loss that completely opened up what had appeared to be a predictable men’s tournament.
Sinner’s shocking 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo represented far more than just one match going wrong – it was the complete breakdown of what seemed like a destined championship run after the Italian captured victories in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.
The top seed had arrived in Paris as the overwhelming favorite, especially with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by injury and three-time winner Novak Djokovic still searching for peak form.
But all those expectations crumbled on Court Philippe Chatrier as Sinner collapsed against Cerundolo despite leading by two sets and holding a 5-1 advantage in the third, with the grueling clay court season apparently taking its toll on the Italian star.
“I struggled, started to feel very dizzy,” Sinner explained, acknowledging he’ll have to wait until next year for another shot at his first French Open crown and completing the career Grand Slam.
“I was very low of energy. I tried to serve it out (in the third set) but didn’t have a lot of energy.
“I woke up this morning, didn’t feel very well and tried to keep the points very short. Also in the beginning, I was hitting very clean, very good, and then I just hit the wall, that’s it.”
Cerundolo described having to maintain his mental toughness while Sinner battled what appeared to include cramping issues, and the victory also energized his older brother Francisco, who rallied to defeat Hugo Gaston 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-1.
“I’m super happy with the match,” the younger Cerundolo said following his massive upset.
“The match was almost lost, but I stayed mentally (strong) during the whole match. I was prepared to battle as long as it took. I was lucky he had cramp and his level went down.
“I stayed mentally focused on the match, trying to do my best every ball. I’m super happy for the win.”
With Sinner’s early exit forcing him to consider an extended break before defending his Wimbledon crown beginning June 29, Djokovic now has renewed hope in his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam championship.
Second seed Alexander Zverev will also see fresh opportunity to claim his first major title after reaching three previous finals, along with other contenders including two-time finalist Casper Ruud, Ben Shelton and Rafael Jodar.
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka prevented any additional major upsets during the warm afternoon, with the world number one defeating French hopeful Elsa Jacquemot 7-5 6-2 while defending champion Coco Gauff cruised past Egypt’s Mayar Sherif 6-3 6-2.
Together with four-time champion Swiatek, Sabalenka and Gauff remain the primary candidates to claim the Suzanne Lenglen Cup after meeting in last year’s Paris championship match.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka continues positioning herself for a deep tournament run, as the Japanese star combined flair and determination to beat Donna Vekic 7-6(1) 6-4 and advance to the third round.
Amanda Anisimova, who reached the Paris semifinals as a teenager in 2019, moved forward when opponent Julia Grabher withdrew due to illness after losing the first set.
French supporters found reason to celebrate when teenager Moise Kouame outlasted Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-3 7-5 3-6 2-6 7-6(10-8) in a thrilling nearly five-hour battle, with the young player citing Alcaraz as his inspiration.
The 17-year-old Kouame, currently ranked 318th globally and competing in his debut Grand Slam thanks to a wildcard entry, became just the fifth-youngest man to reach the third round at Roland Garros since the professional era started in 1968.
Iran’s closure of a critical shipping passage has forced a massive reshuffling of worldwide aviation fuel distribution, creating extraordinary shipping routes as companies work to maintain airline operations.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has eliminated roughly 400,000 barrels daily of jet fuel shipments that previously flowed through the waterway, pushing European fuel costs beyond $200 per barrel in April – an unprecedented high.
Instead of experiencing severe fuel shortages, the aviation industry has witnessed dramatic changes in supply routing, with fuel shipments now crossing unprecedented distances as companies redraw their distribution strategies to sustain air travel.
This adaptation demonstrates the resilience of worldwide fuel distribution networks while simultaneously revealing potential vulnerabilities should the disruption continue.
European markets have compensated for much of the lost Middle Eastern fuel through increased shipments from the United States, Nigeria and India.
“It really does come down to who is shortest and most willing to pay,” said Sparta Commodities analyst James Noel-Beswick.
This market mechanism has enabled Europe to secure fuel supplies from distant locations by outbidding competing regions, though at the expense of extended transportation routes and elevated costs.
DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS STRAINED BUT FUNCTIONING
The International Energy Agency projects worldwide jet fuel consumption will reach 7.77 million barrels daily this year, showing minimal change from 2025 levels.
With Middle Eastern supplies restricted, purchasers are sourcing fuel from increasingly remote locations.
The tanker Nord Ventura completed a month-long voyage from Louisiana to transport approximately 300,000 barrels of aviation fuel to Melbourne, marking the first such delivery since at least 2017, based on Kpler tracking information.
European buyers have dispatched an unusual shipment to the Seychelles while importing supplies from New York Harbour, a region they traditionally serve as a supplier.
Asian markets have similarly attracted shipments from the U.S. Gulf Coast and African sources, while China has reduced exports to preserve domestic reserves.
Essentially, the marketplace is redistributing supplies on a global scale rather than depending on its most cost-effective transportation routes.
“Jet fuel has become so expensive that, with that price, the market is figuring out alternatives for supply chains,” said Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi.
Thus far, this adaptability – combined with inventory building and refinery modifications – has helped offset the loss of Hormuz shipments.
MOUNTING STRAIN
Nevertheless, extended disruption makes this balancing effort increasingly challenging.
Storage levels already show stress. Independent reserves in Europe’s Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub have dropped to their lowest point since March, while Singapore middle distillate inventories approach two-month minimums. Europe continues struggling to completely replace lost shipments, despite elevated pricing.
“The medium-term is the bigger concern,” said Noel-Beswick of Sparta. “If the conflict drags on with no resolution in sight, we could start to see real tightness emerge towards late August and into early September.”
The IEA has indicated Europe might begin experiencing jet fuel shortages by June.
The challenge extends beyond availability to encompass cost factors. Extended routes, increased insurance premiums and competitive bidding all contribute to rising prices, creating risks that supplies remain accessible but increasingly costly.
CARRIERS MANAGING DISRUPTION – TEMPORARILY
Airlines have handled the crisis better than anticipated. Though jet fuel represents 30% to 40% of operational expenses, robust travel demand has enabled carriers to transfer some cost increases through higher ticket prices.
Industry estimates indicate airlines will face an extra $14 billion in fuel expenses during 2026, yet most have prevented major schedule disruptions.
Airport authorities and governments have helped absorb the impact through reserve building or relaxed import regulations, including Britain’s decision to continue allowing fuel imports refined from Russian crude in third countries.
However, early indicators suggest higher costs are reducing demand. The operator of Frankfurt airport, Germany’s busiest, has cautioned that rising fares might impact passenger volumes this year, now projected at the lower range of its 65 million to 66 million estimate.
Extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz will intensify pressure across shipping, refining and storage sectors – potentially driving prices even higher.
Consultancy Wood Mackenzie projects that continued disruption through late 2026 could push jet fuel prices in major markets toward $300 per barrel.
The Recreation and Parks department in Ocean City, Maryland is organizing a community gathering to mark five decades of Ocean Bowl Skate Park’s service to the area.
The milestone celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, running from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the facility’s location in Bayside Park on 3rd Street.
According to the department, Ocean Bowl has been a fundamental part of the community since its establishment, providing recreational opportunities for generations of skaters and community members.
Federal authorities have charged a former high-ranking CIA official with theft and making false statements after allegedly discovering tens of millions of dollars worth of stolen gold bars and cash at his Virginia home.
David Rush, who previously held a senior position at the intelligence agency, stands accused of taking the valuable items from his CIA storage facility. The FBI says the substantial cache of gold and money had disappeared from the secure location but was later recovered during a search of Rush’s residence.
In addition to the theft allegations, investigators claim Rush provided false information about his educational background and military service record. The case highlights security concerns within one of the nation’s most sensitive intelligence organizations.
Rush now faces federal charges as authorities continue their investigation into how such a significant amount of valuable materials could be removed from CIA premises without detection.
Claude Lemieux, the aggressive hockey player who captured four Stanley Cup titles during his career, has passed away at the age of 60.
The NHL Alumni Association confirmed Lemieux’s passing through a social media announcement. Officials did not immediately release details about the cause of death or specify his location at the time of passing.
Just Monday evening, Lemieux had served as the torch bearer for the Montreal Canadiens before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre.
“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community,” stated Canadiens owner Geoff Molson. “A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”
Throughout his playing days, Lemieux combined talent with a confrontational approach, willing to push boundaries in pursuit of victory.
His performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when he helped the New Jersey Devils secure their inaugural championship in 1995. The following year with the Colorado Avalanche, he faced a two-game suspension for hitting Detroit’s Kris Draper from behind during their successful Stanley Cup run in the franchise’s debut season after relocating from his home province of Quebec.
Darren McCarty, who played for the Red Wings during the intense rivalry with Colorado that began with Lemieux’s hit on Draper, shared a broken heart emoji alongside the alumni association’s announcement and reflected on his former opponent’s death.
“This is extremely sad no matter what feelings from past or present you hold,” McCarty wrote. “My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends, and people who got to see the person off the ice wasn’t the person on. As I’ve said and will always call it as I see it ‘If you’re on the ICE with Claude Lemieux and your turn your back. YOU Are an IDIOT. But off the ICE I’ll turn mine’ And please. If you are struggling at all please reach out and talk to someone. Godspeed my friend.”
Lemieux’s championship collection also included victories with Montreal in 1986 and another with the Devils in 2000. His career spanned from 1983 to 2009, during which he appeared in 1,449 regular-season and playoff contests across six different franchises.
Commissioner Gary Bettman described Lemieux as “one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history.”
Following his retirement from playing, Lemieux transitioned into player representation, working as an agent for more than a dozen NHL clients including Carolina’s Frederik Andersen, New Jersey’s Timo Meier, Detroit’s Moritz Seider and Boston’s Hampus Lindholm.
During a December event commemorating the 30th anniversary of Colorado’s 1995 Stanley Cup victory, Lemieux reflected on success, saying, “When it’s happening, when you’re in the middle of it, you don’t quite appreciate it as much as you should.”
The ceremony honored late former teammate Chris Simon through his children’s participation. Simon died in 2024 at age 52.
“It’s very difficult, and especially with Chris passing at such a young age,” Lemieux observed. “We have to count our blessings — be grateful for the days that we have and enjoy and appreciate those times when we get together.”
A recent scientific breakthrough may finally explain how pigeons manage to find their way home across vast distances without getting lost.
While animals employ different methods for navigation such as star patterns and landmark recognition, many birds, fish and sea turtles rely on Earth’s magnetic field for direction. However, the exact mechanism behind this ability has remained unclear to scientists.
These remarkable birds are capable of flying hundreds of miles in one day and have served humans for millennia as messengers carrying news, correspondence and wartime communications.
Researchers have spent decades attempting to solve the puzzle of pigeon navigation. Various theories have emerged, with some scientists proposing that birds sense magnetic signals through light-detecting molecules in their eyes, while others believe the process occurs in their beak or inner ear.
“The magnetic sense has been this mystery for almost 100 years,” explained Martin Wikelski from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany.
In their latest research, Wikelski and his team set out to uncover the secrets behind pigeon navigation by examining the birds’ organs for magnetic indicators. Their investigation revealed a powerful signal in a surprising location: the liver.
The study found that specific immune cells within the pigeon’s liver process red blood cells and accumulate iron. When researchers temporarily removed these immune cells from pigeons before releasing them, the birds “just couldn’t find their way,” according to Christian Kurts from the University of Bonn in Germany. This finding indicates that these iron-containing liver cells may be essential for directional sensing.
Interestingly, the birds only lost their navigational abilities during cloudy conditions, as they can also rely on solar positioning for guidance.
While scientists had previously theorized about immune cells playing a role in magnetic detection, this research published Thursday in Science journal represents the first comprehensive explanation of the process.
“I would never have guessed it, but once it was explained to me, it makes sense,” commented behavioral ecologist Albert Kao from the University of Massachusetts Boston, who was not involved in the research.
These immune cells are positioned close to nerve pathways in the liver, which could explain how they relay magnetic information to the brain “and help the pigeons to navigate,” stated study co-author Clivia Lisowski from the University of Bonn.
The research team believes other birds and animals such as mice might use similar magnetic navigation systems. However, independent experts emphasize that additional research is required to confirm this navigational method and understand how these signals reach the brain. Although researchers discovered the strongest magnetic activity in pigeon livers, similar immune cells have been identified in other body parts including the beak and spleen.
The solution to this magnetic navigation mystery may not be singular, according to veterinary pathologist Simon Spiro and biologist Hal Drakesmith in their accompanying editorial. Birds might employ different magnetic sensing methods depending on their specific needs, whether for long-distance travel or locating precise destinations.
“Indeed, it could be prudent to have more than one way of getting home in the dark,” they noted.
The U.S. Postal Service announced Thursday it has secured a massive $10 billion partnership with DHL eCommerce, the online division of the German shipping giant, to handle final package deliveries to customers.
Back in December, the postal service revealed plans to open its final delivery network to both major and smaller shipping companies, building on existing partnerships it maintains with Amazon and UPS.
The final delivery phase involves transporting packages from nearby distribution facilities directly to customers’ homes, representing the most demanding and labor-heavy portion of the shipping process.
During a media briefing, Postmaster General David Steiner emphasized the postal service’s unique position, noting that with deliveries to 170 million addresses six days weekly, “we are the best last-mile provider by default.”
“For us, this is a matter of meeting the customers where they are and meeting the customers’ needs,” he said.
Both organizations confirmed the partnership spans multiple years but declined to provide additional specifics about the timeline.
Steiner has been working to diversify revenue streams for the postal service, which has operated for 250 years. Earlier this year in March, he warned The Associated Press that without congressional action to remove longstanding borrowing restrictions, the agency could face a cash shortage within twelve months.
Scott Ashbaugh, CEO of DHL eCommerce Americas, explained the partnership will boost DHL eCommerce’s expansion efforts across the United States.
“Working with USPS allows us to serve communities nationwide in a highly efficient way, minimizing additional vehicles on the road and supporting our commitment to reducing emissions,” he said.
Funeral prayers took place Thursday in Gaza City for 10 individuals who died in overnight Israeli military strikes, including five children, an elderly person, and one Hamas fighter.
The strikes wounded more than 20 people, according to Shifa Hospital officials. Footage from the attack site revealed flames erupting from an upper floor window while onlookers hurried to transport injured victims, including children, to waiting ambulances.
Mohammed Shawish, who suffered injuries and lost his spouse in the attack, wept while holding her remains at the hospital morgue. “I married my wife for love. For God’s sake, I chose her because of love,” he said.
The military action occurred during the first day of Eid al-Adha, known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” a significant Islamic celebration observed by Muslims around the globe. Israeli military officials stated Wednesday evening they had conducted operations in northern Gaza targeting two Hamas fighters.
Hamas fighter Imad Isleim was among the fatalities. Mourners carried his remains Thursday, wrapped in white cloth with a Hamas banner placed on top. His relative Nidal Isleim described his death as a “shock” to the family, despite knowing such an outcome was always possible.
The military operations coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Thursday announcement that Israel was broadening its territorial control in Gaza.
“Right now we are tightening the grip on Hamas,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday during a conference in Jordan. “We are now in 60% of the territory of the Gaza Strip. You know that? We were at 50%, we moved to 60%.”
He indicated the following phase would involve advancing to 70% control, with Israel “tightening the grip” on Hamas “from every direction.”
“We will deal with the remnants,” Netanyahu stated. “But the most important thing is to continue leveraging our power, to increase it.”
The conference formed part of broader discussions covering the conflict, Iran, Hezbollah, Gaza and regional strategy.
“There is still more work. What is happening right now is truly a global change. There is no doubt about that,” Netanyahu added.
Earlier this week, Israeli forces killed Mohammed Odeh, the recently named commander of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, less than two weeks following his predecessor’s death.
Throughout Gaza, 16 people died and 39 sustained injuries during the previous 48 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry’s Thursday update. The ministry operates under Gaza’s Hamas-run government but employs medical professionals who compile and release comprehensive records considered generally credible by the international community.
Following a fragile ceasefire that began last October, 922 people have died in Gaza and 2,786 others have been wounded, the ministry reported.
NEW YORK — Throughout America’s 250-year history, one cultural influence has remained constant through times of both friendship and friction: France.
America’s fascination with French luxury items and their prestige and artistry has persisted throughout the nation’s existence, and a fresh exhibition tells the story of how these prized objects created a cultural dialogue spanning two and a half centuries of French-American ties.
Notable pieces in the display’s collection include the Givenchy jacket worn by former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, a Cartier replica of the Apollo 11 lunar module, and a commemorative piece created by Benjamin Franklin at the “Hidden Treasures” exhibition at The Shed in Manhattan.
The exhibition’s organizers, Comité Colbert, represent France’s premier luxury “maisons,” or houses — covering fashion, fragrance, jewelry, hospitality and spirits. They requested 65 luxury houses and cultural organizations to search their archives and discover items that represented the French-American connection.
The display, running until May’s conclusion, arrives as American buyers represent a significant portion of demand for French luxury products. These luxury brands are paying attention — and growing their presence in America.
“American people love French elegance — the ‘je ne sais quoi’ of French luxury,” said Bénédicte Épinay, president and CEO of Comité Colbert. “It’s a deep link starting at the 18th century and still alive.”
While Comité Colbert celebrates France’s relationship with the U.S., America marks its own 250-year milestone — its semiquincentennial.
“The U.S. is a relatively young country,” said James Burroughs, professor of commerce at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. “For much of our existence, we were a relatively modest economy. We were overshadowed by dominant cultures like France.”
The connection between both nations appears in perhaps America’s most famous symbol, the Statue of Liberty, France’s gift dedicated in 1886. But even earlier — and before French historian Alexis de Tocqueville penned his famous work about American democracy in the 1830s — Americans looked to France as taste leaders.
To honor France’s assistance during the Revolutionary War, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin worked with French artists and the Paris mint to create the Libertas Americana medal in 1782. Exhibition visitors can examine the medal’s details closely. Every displayed item was presented in shipping containers representing the ocean journey between the nations.
To promote French luxury products to American customers, one French Champagne maker’s distinctive strategy appears in the exhibition. A 1964 advertisement from Champagne producer Veuve Clicquot demonstrates how the brand matched its Champagne with hamburgers to attract American buyers and move beyond the tradition of reserving Champagne for special events.
“Luxury,” Burroughs said, “is always about status and signaling.”
Similar to its influence in the French luxury industry, fashion provided the exhibition’s star attractions.
Givenchy contributed Kennedy Onassis’s pink, brushed-cashmere wool jacket from her 1961 French visit for the display. Madonna’s provocative pinstriped Jean Paul Gaultier gown from his 1992 runway show benefiting AIDS research is also featured.
French luxury brands are serving their American customers by bringing their creations to America as well. French fashion houses including Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel have all presented their runway presentations in the U.S. recently.
“European luxury goods companies are in the process of getting deeper into the USA,” Luca Solca, luxury goods senior analyst at Bernstein, said in an email. “In the past, only the two coasts and Las Vegas had luxury stores. American consumers are step by step warming up to European luxury. In a similar vein to what Chinese consumers did many years ago.”
These companies are not only hosting elaborate runway presentations in the U.S. but are expanding their operations nationwide. Hermès opened a new Nashville location last year.
“What the French have done really well … in the last 15 years, is that they have opened up their range of products to create offers that are very relevant to the mass American consumer,” said Thomaï Serdari, New York University marketing professor and director of the luxury and retail MBA.
French jewelry maker Boucheron displayed an elaborate diamond Belle Époque style necklace at the exhibition recreated after the piece the company sold to Irish-American pair Marie-Louise Mackay and her husband, John William Mackay in 1899. The couple, who built their wealth through silver mining, ordered 50 pieces from the house.
Seeking to attract a new generation of buyers, the brand now operates three American stores since opening on Madison Avenue in 2024. Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, Boucheron’s CEO and incoming president of the Comité Colbert, told The Associated Press that the company plans to open a fourth American location by year’s end.
Following increased growth from pandemic spending, the luxury industry now faces tariffs from the Trump administration and economic uncertainty. The European Commission reached an agreement with President Donald Trump on a 15% tariff on products last year before the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s appeal in February.
For the luxury houses, Épinay said, tariffs are behind them.
“Politics and economics, it’s up and down,” she said. “We’re here to celebrate this strong cultural link between us.”
Federal officials have begun preliminary preparations for a commemorative $250 bill bearing Donald Trump’s image, even as the congressional proposal remains stuck in legislative limbo, according to a Treasury Department representative.
The proposed legislation, put forward by Representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C., would instruct the federal bureau responsible for currency production to feature Trump on this new denomination as part of commemorating America’s 250th birthday.
Should the measure become law with Trump’s signature, it would represent an unprecedented honor for a current president and aligns with Trump’s efforts to position himself prominently in the country’s anniversary celebrations. The Treasury Department’s advance planning indicates support for the concept within the current administration.
These developments come after a Washington Post investigation revealed that U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, appointed by Trump, has been urging the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to accelerate preparations for new currency. The publication also disclosed that the former bureau director was transferred after resisting these efforts.
“In response to active legislation sponsored by Representative Joe Wilson, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is conducting appropriate planning and due diligence,” the spokeswoman said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Should this legislative mandate be signed into law, the BEP is moving proactively to produce a $250 commemorative note which will appropriately recognize the 250th Anniversary of our great nation.”
Wilson’s proposal, which has yet to advance significantly, aims to establish the high-value note honoring Trump during the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The bill would supersede existing federal statutes that prohibit living persons from appearing on American currency.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who oversees the currency production bureau, is expected at the White House Thursday afternoon and may face questions about this initiative.
Beach declined to respond to AP inquiries for comment.
The Post’s reporting indicated that Beach presented the Bureau of Engraving and Printing with a bill design last autumn. The design incorporated Trump’s likeness — identical to the portrait displayed on banners at various federal facilities in Washington — along with anniversary branding. Trump’s signature would also appear on the currency, a feature that distinguishes it from existing paper money.
British artist Iain Alexander confirmed to the Post that he created the bill design and had conversations about it with the president. Alexander did not reply to AP’s request for comment.
The publication further reported that bureau director Patricia Solimene opposed pressure from Beach and his senior aide Mike Brown, emphasizing the complex legal and administrative requirements for introducing new currency. Solimene has subsequently been reassigned involuntarily, according to the Post, with Brown effectively taking control of the bureau.
The Treasury representative declined to address AP’s inquiries regarding any leadership transitions at the bureau.
This currency initiative would represent another instance of Trump incorporating his personal image into his official role since beginning his 2025 presidential term.
Beach and Bessent have already expedited approval for commemorative 250th anniversary coins featuring Trump. The Treasury Department maintains that these special coins are exempt from restrictions on living presidents appearing on legal tender. During the nation’s 150th anniversary in 1926, then-President Calvin Coolidge was featured on a commemorative half-dollar.
The current administration has installed banners with Trump’s portrait at the Department of Justice and other government buildings. Additionally, his appointees to the Kennedy Center’s governing board have added his name to the national arts venue that Congress originally established as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy. This renaming faces legal challenges due to federal legislation designating the center as the official memorial to the 35th president.
Current federal regulations specify that only deceased individuals may be depicted on American currency and securities.
Wilson’s legislation would create an exception: “except if the individual is or has been the President of the United States.”
An artificial intelligence-powered insurance company announced Thursday it has secured $106 million in new investment funding, pushing the firm’s total worth to $2.6 billion.
Corgi, which uses AI technology to modernize insurance services, completed the funding round with investment firm TCV serving as the lead investor. The significant investment demonstrates how eager investors have become to back startups that are applying artificial intelligence to transform traditional financial services.
The Series B1 funding round included money from Prime Capital, Kindred Ventures and additional investors, the company reported.
This latest financial backing follows remarkably quickly after the San Francisco-based company’s previous major funding announcement. Just three weeks ago, Corgi revealed it had completed a $160 million Series B round that valued the business at $1.3 billion.
Company CEO Nico Laqua shared that Corgi achieved profitability last month and explained the fresh capital will fuel the company’s growth into new market areas. “The new funding would help the company expand into additional segments, including trucking, small business and sports,” Laqua said.
Corgi operates as an insurance technology business, delivering underwriting services, claims processing and embedded insurance solutions designed for commercial clients.
Iceland’s lawmakers on Thursday approved plans for an August 29 referendum on whether to restart European Union membership negotiations, backing the government’s two-phase strategy that could result in the Nordic nation joining the 27-member bloc within this decade.
The island nation withdrew from EU negotiations in 2013 following four years of discussions when a Eurosceptic administration came to power, but rising living costs and the conflict in Ukraine have reignited public interest in union membership, according to polling data.
Should citizens vote to resume negotiations, the ultimate terms of EU membership would need approval through a second referendum, while a negative vote would halt any efforts to restart discussions, government officials have stated.
Many citizens remain undecided about EU membership and may find reassurance in the two-phase approach, according to Olafur Thordur Hardarson, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland.
“The large proportion that has not finally decided if they want to join or not, many of them, of course, want the (first)referendum because they want to see exactly what terms would be in a potential agreement,” he said.
EU membership for this nation of approximately 400,000 residents would expand the union’s presence deep into the North Atlantic Ocean during a period when U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to control Greenland, an island situated between Iceland and the United States.
“Even though Iceland of course is a very small country, putting Iceland on the EU map would sort of have a symbolic advantage,” Hardarson said.
In Iceland’s 63-member national parliament, the Althingi, 34 lawmakers supported the referendum while 8 opposed it. Fourteen members chose not to vote, and 7 were not present, the parliament’s secretary general reported.
Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir told Reuters in March that she remained hopeful Iceland could achieve EU membership as soon as 2028, anticipating that fisheries and agriculture would present the most challenging negotiation topics.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that he has ordered Israeli military forces to expand their territorial control in Gaza, targeting 70% of the Palestinian enclave where residents are already confined to a narrow coastal area.
Current Israeli military control encompasses approximately 64% of the small coastal territory, which has been devastated by a two-year military campaign that began following Hamas’ 2023 attack on southern Israel.
An October ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, which has not succeeded in stopping Israeli operations or achieving Hamas’ disarmament, originally established Israeli forces should pull back to a “Yellow Line” marking their territorial boundaries. Military maps showed this line gave Israel authority over roughly 53% of Gaza, leaving Hamas in charge of the remaining areas.
Reuters previously documented that Israel has independently repositioned concrete barriers marking the Yellow Line further into territory previously controlled by Hamas. Military maps from March revealed an expanded restricted zone that experts estimate encompasses about 64% of Gaza’s total area.
In previous public statements, Netanyahu has acknowledged military control over more than 60% of Gaza. During remarks at a conference in a West Bank settlement, the Israeli leader outlined plans for further territorial expansion.
“We were at fifty, we moved to sixty. My directive is to move to — let’s go step by step,” Netanyahu stated Thursday.
“First of all, seventy. Let’s start with that. We’re pressing them (Hamas) from all sides. We’ll deal with the remnants.”
Netanyahu characterizes the territories Israel has captured in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon as “buffer zones” designed to prevent future militant attacks following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault that triggered the Gaza conflict.
Palestinians interpret Israel’s expanding Gaza buffer zone as part of a plan for permanent displacement, citing statements from high-ranking ministers, including defense chief Israel Katz, who have expressed support for encouraging “voluntary migration” from Gaza.
The territorial expansion order coincides with intensified Israeli operations in Gaza that officials say are aimed at senior Hamas commanders involved in the 2023 attacks. Tuesday’s strike eliminated Hamas’ armed wing chief, following the killing of his predecessor ten days earlier.
Gaza health authorities report that a Wednesday night strike Israel claimed targeted two Hamas leaders resulted in at least 10 deaths, including five children, with 18 additional injuries.
The attack occurred during Palestinians’ observance of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, which many Gaza residents celebrated by gathering in tent camps and damaged buildings.
Etidal Al-Za’im described being with her family in their tent during the holiday celebration when debris from the strike on an adjacent building crashed down on them.
“We came out to the sound of a bang, we sat for an hour before we could come out through the (rubble) and find a way out of the tent,” she said.
Health officials report Israeli operations have resulted in more than 900 deaths since the truce began, while Israel reports four soldiers killed by militants during the same timeframe. Israel and Hamas continue to face an impasse in negotiations over a U.S. proposal for Gaza that would require Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas disarmament.
Another witness to Wednesday’s Israeli strike, identifying himself as Abu Azam, said a “person in Gaza has no safety at all.”
“He could be hit in the street, he could be hit in the house, he could be hit in the hospital, he could be hit on his way to the market,” Abu Azam said.
Two officials from Ocean City, Maryland’s tourism department have achieved the industry’s most prestigious professional certification, according to a announcement from the city’s Department of Tourism & Business Development.
Jessica Waters and Kim Mueller have successfully obtained the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation, which represents the tourism sector’s top individual educational accomplishment and serves as the sole certification program created specifically for destination management professionals.
The achievement was announced on May 28, 2026, highlighting the professional development within Ocean City’s tourism leadership team.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks will officially launch the 2026 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail this Friday afternoon at Prigel Family Creamery in Glen Arm, Maryland.
The kickoff event is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 29, 2026, and media outlets are invited to attend the ceremony.
This marks the 14th consecutive year for the popular summer ice cream program, which has become a cherished tradition for Maryland residents and visitors alike.
Federal authorities have filed insider trading charges against a Google software engineer this week, accusing him of exploiting internal company data to earn more than $1.2 million through bets placed on the prediction market platform Polymarket.
Court documents unsealed in New York reveal the accused is Michele Spagnuolo, a 36-year-old Italian national living in Switzerland who has been employed by Google since 2014. Prosecutors claim that operating under the username “AlphaRaccoon,” Spagnuolo accessed Google’s 2025 “Year in Search” information prior to its public release and used it to place bets on which individuals would become the most searched people of the previous year.
“This week’s charges reinforce a decades-old message: corporate insiders cannot use confidential business information to turn a profit in our markets,” stated Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, on Wednesday. “Insider trading compromises the integrity of our markets, and the American people want this greed-driven conduct investigated and prosecuted.”
According to the criminal complaint, Spagnuolo continued placing fresh Polymarket bets as Google’s internal search statistics changed throughout October and December of last year. The filing indicates that Spagnuolo first bet on Kendrick Lamar — who performed at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show — expecting him to lead search trends. However, when internal Google information revealed that alt-pop artist D4vd was actually generating more searches, he shifted his betting strategy. D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, faces murder charges from last month in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Through Polymarket’s “yes” or “no” betting system, Spagnuolo placed multiple wagers on various people who might appear in Google’s 2025 search trend rankings, according to prosecutors. Following the public release of the search data on December 4, the AlphaRaccoon account collected substantial winnings. Federal investigators later tracked the account’s cryptocurrency transactions.
No legal representative for Spagnuolo has been publicly identified. Google, headquartered in California, confirmed to The Associated Press that the employee has been suspended.
“The employee accessed our marketing material using a tool available to all employees, but using such confidential information to place bets is a serious breach of our policies,” a Google spokesperson stated — noting the company is cooperating with law enforcement and “will take the appropriate action.”
Polymarket also emphasized its cooperation with investigators. A company spokesperson highlighted that Polymarket “is the only prediction platform to date whose cooperation has led to insider trading charges in the United States” — and stressed that blockchain-based trading, which Polymarket employs, is “transparent, traceable, and bad actors leave footprints.”
This case marks the second insider trading prosecution connected to Polymarket activity. Federal prosecutors charged a special forces soldier last month who allegedly earned more than $400,000 through Polymarket bets on former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s political fate. That soldier reportedly used classified intelligence related to a January U.S. military operation in which he participated.
These controversies have highlighted growing concerns about the expanding world of round-the-clock speculative trading platforms online. Prediction markets offer event-based contracts — placing them under different regulatory frameworks than conventional gambling operations. This distinction has sparked debates about consumer safeguards and government oversight authority.
The current administration under President Donald Trump has backed industry operators — even filing lawsuits against states attempting to regulate these platforms. The industry is working to rebuild public confidence through enhanced oversight measures. Polymarket recently updated its terms of service to explicitly prohibit users from trading on contracts where they might have access to confidential information or could affect an event’s outcome.
Spagnuolo faces charges under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, along with wire fraud and money laundering violations. If convicted, he could receive several years in federal prison.
