DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — From their apartment balcony overlooking Iran’s capital, Zahra Arghavan and Mehdi Alishir watched the evening sky while preparing themselves for the possibility of incoming strikes.
With President Donald Trump’s newest deadline approaching, the couple faces troubling questions: What happens if electrical facilities get hit and the lights go out for days? How would they escape Tehran if bombing destroys the city’s bridges?
After five weeks of conflict, the pair has adapted to the thunder of U.S. and Israeli military aircraft overhead, the rumble of explosions, and nights without rest. Similar to many residents, they’ve evacuated and returned to the capital multiple times seeking security. The married couple of more than ten years survived both the coronavirus outbreak and last June’s nearly two-week conflict.
They’ve applied transparent tape along their window frames as protection from potential blast damage. Glass items and breakable decorations have been relocated or fastened down. An emergency bag containing important papers, medicine and necessities sits ready for rapid departure.
During a profanity-filled warning this past weekend, Trump declared that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day,” threatening that Iranian officials will be “living in Hell” unless they reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“Honestly, the situation is really unclear,” Arghavan said. “We don’t really understand things like how long the power might go out if it does, or what life without electricity would even look like.”
Alishir explained that he and his spouse could manage without electrical power — and possibly without water service — for about seven days maximum. “If it goes on longer, we’ll definitely run into problems,” he said.
Their difficulties started before the initial American and Israeli attacks hit Iran on February 28.
Tehran’s response to January’s nationwide demonstrations included severe internet restrictions. According to NetBlocks, an organization that tracks online connectivity, this represents the most extended countrywide internet blackout on record.
Arghavan operates a small educational business teaching French language skills to Iranian citizens planning to relocate to Quebec, Canada.
“We were basically an online school, and our students had classes with kids abroad,” she said. “Around 50% of our learners were outside the country. But now, with all these internet outages, it’s really disrupting our work.”
Iranian citizens remain split regarding the conflict: Some participate in daily government-supporting demonstrations, while others privately support military action against their leadership despite opposing civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction.
The couple holds Israel and the United States responsible for initiating the conflict and hopes diplomacy will prevail.
“I really hope an agreement is reached soon and that whatever happens, it ends up helping people, because right now people are the ones paying a heavy price,” Arghavan said.
Iranian officials have declined a proposed 45-day temporary ceasefire, instead demanding a complete and permanent conclusion to the ongoing conflict as President Donald Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. ET ultimatum approaches with expanded threats targeting the nation’s power grid and transportation infrastructure.
Speaking Monday, Trump expressed he is “not at all” worried about potential war crimes allegations while reiterating his threats to demolish Iranian infrastructure should Tehran fail to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his specified deadline.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the United States that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law, according to his spokesperson’s Monday statement.
Israeli forces launched fresh strikes against Iran in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting Iranian missile retaliation directed at Israel and neighboring Gulf nations.
The death toll in Iran has surpassed 1,900 since hostilities began, though officials have not provided updated casualty figures in recent days.
Lebanese authorities report over 1,400 fatalities and more than one million displaced residents. Eleven Israeli military personnel have lost their lives in that theater.
Casualties in Gulf Arab nations and the occupied West Bank exceed two dozen, while Israel has reported 23 deaths and 13 American service members have been killed.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced plans to send his chief of staff on a diplomatic mission to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia, seeking alternative fuel sources amid energy shortages triggered by the Middle Eastern conflict.
Kang Hoon-sik confirmed his Tuesday evening departure for talks aimed at securing additional crude oil and naphtha supplies, essential for plastic production.
Last month, South Korea secured an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for 24 million barrels of crude, with initial deliveries already arriving.
South Korea’s energy imports – over 60% of crude oil and half of naphtha supplies – typically transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway now largely obstructed by Iran as leverage against the United States and Israel.
The King Fahd Causeway connecting Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was shuttered early Tuesday due to Iranian attack threats.
Officials from the King Fahd Causeway Authority announced via social media that traffic had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” following Iranian strikes targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The 25-kilometer bridge serves as Bahrain’s sole road connection to the Arabian Peninsula, with the island nation hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters.
Though no direct threats against the causeway have been issued, Iranian hardliners have increasingly suggested it as a potential target.
Such risks could escalate if Trump proceeds with his threatened bridge strikes within Iran.
Saudi military officials reported early Tuesday that seven Iranian ballistic missiles struck the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, with “debris from the missiles” landing near energy installations.
Major General Turki al-Malki, speaking for Saudi forces, provided limited details about ground damage while confirming an “assessment is underway.”
The specific energy facilities affected remained unclear.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Officials temporarily shut down a crucial roadway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain early Tuesday morning due to concerns about potential Iranian military strikes.
The King Fahd Causeway Authority announced the closure through a social media post on X.
Officials stated that traffic flow had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” due to Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The 25-kilometer (15.5 mile) roadway serves as Bahrain’s sole land connection to the Arabian Peninsula. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.
President Donald Trump has given Iran an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has warned of strikes against Iranian power facilities and infrastructure if compliance doesn’t occur by Tuesday 8 p.m. EDT.
The University of Michigan claimed its second NCAA basketball championship Monday evening, defeating the University of Connecticut 69-63 in a defensive battle at the Final Four in Indianapolis.
The Wolverines, known for their explosive offensive attack, were forced to adapt their strategy against Connecticut’s tenacious defense. Michigan connected on just two shots from beyond the three-point arc throughout the entire contest, relying instead on physical play in the paint to secure the victory.
The championship game showcased a clash of styles, with Michigan’s typically high-octane offense meeting Connecticut’s disciplined and determined defensive scheme. Despite the offensive struggles from long range, the Wolverines found enough scoring opportunities to outlast their opponents in what became a grinding, physical contest.
The victory marks Michigan’s second national championship in the program’s history, as the team overcame a resilient Connecticut squad that refused to back down throughout the hard-fought battle in Indianapolis.
The Memphis Grizzlies put on a historic shooting display Monday evening, equaling the NBA’s single-game three-point record with 29 successful shots from beyond the arc during their 142-126 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the record-tying performance, Memphis couldn’t secure the victory. Nine different players contributed to the three-point barrage, with the team connecting on an impressive 49.2% of their long-range attempts (29 of 59) while shooting 45.7% from closer range (16 of 35).
The previous record was held jointly by Milwaukee and Boston. Milwaukee first achieved the mark during a dominant 144-97 victory over Miami on December 29, 2020, while Boston matched it more recently in a 132-109 triumph against the New York Knicks on October 22, 2024.
“I think we can be pretty proud of how we played with this group today on the court,” Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo commented. “Guys wanted to go for it in the end, and we were all for it. Unfortunately couldn’t set a singular record, but tied it. Nonetheless, very proud of our group.”
Memphis distributed their three-point success throughout the contest, converting 10 attempts in the opening quarter, three during the second period, six in the third quarter, and finishing with 10 more in the final frame.
Cleveland managed 12 successful three-pointers on 32 attempts during the game.
“Incredible shooting performance by the Grizzlies. Give them credit,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged. “They shot the heck out of the ball.”
Several Memphis bench players led the three-point assault. Reserves Adama Bal and Dariq Whitehead each contributed six successful three-pointers, while Lucas Williamson connected on five of his 12 attempts from distance. Olivier-Maxence Prosper was nearly perfect, making four of five three-point shots.
The defeat marked Memphis’s 18th loss in their previous 20 contests. Prior to Monday’s game, the team was averaging 13.7 made three-pointers per contest.
BOSTON — Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras delivered a stern message to the Milwaukee Brewers following Monday night’s game after being struck by yet another pitch from the team that has hit him more than any other in his career.
“They always say, ‘I’m not trying to hit you,’” Contreras stated after Milwaukee defeated Boston 8-6 at Fenway Park. “That gets old. So, next time they hit me again, I’m going to take one of them out. That’s a message.”
Throughout his major league career, Contreras has been struck by pitches 131 times, with the Brewers accounting for 24 of those incidents — significantly more than any other team he’s faced. His contentious relationship with Milwaukee pitcher Brandon Woodruff runs particularly deep, as Woodruff has hit Contreras six separate times.
Following Monday’s beaning, Contreras shouted at Woodruff while standing on first base. Later in the game, during a force play situation, Contreras made an aggressive slide into second base, making contact with shortstop David Hamilton’s left knee with his cleats and ripping Hamilton’s uniform pants.
“I mean, we’ve been through that. It’s been like nine years for me. It seems like every year,” Woodruff responded. “He’s trying to play a game and he’s trying to get his side fired up, which is fine. Once I knew what was going on, I wasn’t going to let it affect me.”
Prior to joining Boston through an offseason trade, Contreras spent his entire 10-year major league career in the National League Central division, facing Milwaukee frequently while playing for both the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
The Monday night incident occurred when Woodruff’s fastball struck Contreras on his left hand, barely grazing his fingers. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy disputed the hit-by-pitch ruling and requested a replay review, but the original call stood.
“I thought it wasn’t a hit by pitch,” Murphy explained. “That’s why we challenged it. Those are really hard to get overturned.”
Adding an interesting family dynamic to the situation, Contreras’ younger brother William served as Milwaukee’s catcher during Monday’s contest.
When asked if he attempted to defuse his older brother’s anger as they walked toward first base together, William replied simply: “I tried. He plays like that.”
Despite the tension, Willson Contreras had a productive offensive night, launching a solo home run in the ninth inning and reaching base five times total. He celebrated emphatically by flipping his bat after both the homer and a first-inning walk.
In a professional moment during the game, William Contreras challenged a 2-0 pitch to his brother that was ruled a ball, though the call was confirmed by the automated ball-strike system.
“I was going to check it whether it was my bother at the plate or not,” William Contreras said through a translator. “I saw it a little closer than it was.”
The two teams will complete their three-game series with two remaining matchups.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — A prominent Taiwanese opposition figure departed for mainland China on Tuesday following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing her diplomatic mission as a “journey for peace” while Beijing continues pressing for control over the self-governing island.
Cheng Li-wun’s trip represents the first time a Taiwan opposition leader has visited China in ten years, occurring just months before a planned May meeting in Beijing between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking to media before her departure from Taipei, the Kuomintang party chairwoman emphasized that Taiwan should exhaust every possible avenue to avoid conflict and embrace opportunities for peaceful dialogue.
Beijing maintains its claim over the democratically-governed island and has refused to eliminate military action as an option for achieving unification.
“The purpose of this visit to mainland China is precisely to show the world that it is not just Taiwan that unilaterally hopes for peace,” Cheng said.
“I believe that through this journey for peace, everyone is even more eager to see the sincerity and determination of the CPC Central Committee to use peaceful dialogue and exchange to resolve all possible differences between the two sides,” she added, referring to the initials of the Communist Party of China.
Several dozen people gathered at Taipei’s airport to either support or protest Cheng’s departure, displaying banners and voicing their opinions.
The Trump administration announced in December a substantial arms package for Taiwan worth over $10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, prompting anger from Beijing.
Beijing requires all nations with diplomatic relations, including the United States, to avoid official connections with Taipei. The U.S. serves as Taiwan’s most significant unofficial ally and weapons supplier, with the recent arms deal expected to feature prominently in discussions during the Xi-Trump meeting.
During a February phone conversation between Xi and Trump, the Chinese president declared that “Taiwan will never be allowed to separate from China,” according to a Chinese government readout of the call. “The U.S. must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence,” the statement continued.
Beijing also characterized the “Taiwan question” as “the most important issue in China-US relations.”
China has maintained an almost daily presence of military aircraft and ships near Taiwan, recently conducting two significant military drills around the island. The latest exercise occurred in December following the U.S. arms sale announcement and featured coordinated air, naval and missile forces in live-fire training.
The U.S. State Department condemned such military activities as unnecessarily escalating tensions and urged Beijing to end its military intimidation of Taiwan.
China refuses diplomatic engagement with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a separatist.
Cheng’s visit to China coincides with the opposition-controlled parliament blocking efforts by Taiwan’s government to approve a $40 billion special defense spending package.
ATLANTA — A Tuesday runoff election in Georgia will determine who takes over Marjorie Taylor Greene’s congressional seat, with Republican Clay Fuller carrying President Trump’s endorsement against Democratic challenger Shawn Harris.
Harris topped the initial voting round on March 10 with 37% support in the 14th District, which spans 10 counties from Atlanta’s suburbs to the Tennessee border. Fuller finished second with 35% in the 17-candidate special election, though Republican candidates collectively captured nearly 60% of total votes. The Cook Political Report ranks this district as Georgia’s most conservative.
Trump threw his support behind Fuller in February, backing the district attorney who has handled prosecutions across four counties to replace Greene in the 14th Congressional District. Greene, previously one of Trump’s strongest allies, stepped down in January following disagreements with the former president.
Fuller has shown unwavering loyalty to Trump, stating during a March 23 debate that he found no areas of disagreement with the president’s positions.
“We need an America First fighter to stand strong for northwest Georgia,” Fuller declared on March 23. The candidate served as a White House fellow during Trump’s first presidency and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Georgia Air National Guard.
Trump reinforced his backing for Fuller on Monday evening.
“I am asking all Republicans, America First Patriots, and MAGA Warriors, to please GET OUT AND VOTE for a fantastic Candidate, Clay Fuller, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” the president posted on social media.
Harris, who operates a cattle farm and previously served as a general before losing to Greene in 2024, has positioned himself as an alternative to Greene’s confrontational approach. The candidate describes himself as a “dirt-road Democrat” with practical solutions, appealing to moderate Republicans to support him based on his focus on local priorities.
“He has sold his soul to Donald Trump,” Harris stated about Fuller on March 23. “The reality of it is he cannot fight for you because he cannot go against the president.”
Tuesday’s victor will complete Greene’s remaining term in office. A Republican victory would strengthen the party’s narrow House majority, where Republicans hold 217 seats compared to Democrats’ 214, plus one independent.
However, whoever wins must campaign again to stay in Congress past January. Republicans seeking a full two-year term face a May 19 primary, with a potential June 16 runoff before November’s general election. Harris runs unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Greene maintained high visibility in Congress until her January departure. She remained committed to Trump following his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden, promoting Trump’s unsubstantiated claims about election fraud. During Trump’s 2024 campaign, she traveled nationwide with him and addressed rallies while sporting a red “Make America Great Again” hat.
However, Greene’s relationship with Trump soured last year when he and other Republicans opposed her potential Senate or gubernatorial campaigns. Greene criticized Trump’s international policies and his hesitation to release Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Trump eventually declared he would back a primary opponent against her, prompting Greene to announce her resignation one week later.
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin voters headed to the polls Tuesday to choose between two appeals court judges in a Supreme Court race that could strengthen liberal influence on the state’s highest court, with abortion access emerging as the central campaign issue alongside pending cases involving legislative maps and labor rights in this key swing state.
Unlike the previous two Supreme Court contests in Wisconsin that shattered national spending records while determining court control, this year’s race has attracted significantly less money and nationwide focus since the court’s balance isn’t hanging in the balance.
The outcome could help Democrats solidify their court advantage just months ahead of November elections where they aim to retain the governor’s mansion and win back the state Legislature, which has remained under Republican control since 2011. Democratic leaders hope to reverse numerous GOP-backed policies that positioned Wisconsin as a centerpiece of conservative politics during the last decade.
Tuesday’s contest pits Chris Taylor, who has Democratic backing and previously served as a state legislator while also working for Planned Parenthood, against Maria Lazar, the Republican-endorsed candidate. Both women currently serve as judges on the state’s Appeals Court.
A victory for Taylor would expand the liberal advantage on the seven-member court from the current 4-3 split to a more commanding 5-2 majority, securing liberal control through at least 2030.
The liberal faction gained court control in 2023, breaking a 15-year period of conservative dominance. They maintained their majority in last year’s election that attracted involvement from President Donald Trump and wealthy figures including George Soros and Elon Musk, who made headlines by personally distributing $1 million payments to Wisconsin voters.
Liberal supporters have framed the 2025 election as crucial for democratic principles, pointing to 2020 when the conservative-controlled court nearly sided with Trump’s efforts to throw out enough ballots to reverse his electoral defeat in Wisconsin.
After liberals gained control, the court has overturned multiple election-related decisions, including restoring the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, positioning the court to play a significant role again during the 2028 presidential race.
While Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin are technically nonpartisan, candidate support typically follows party lines.
Taylor has made abortion rights the cornerstone of her campaign, running television advertisements declaring that “abortion is on the ballot.” She has also attacked Lazar for previously describing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision eliminating Roe v. Wade as “very wise.”
Lazar, who received endorsements from anti-abortion organizations during her appeals court campaign, has portrayed Taylor as merely a politician who would advance a partisan agenda from the bench.
The candidates clashed over accusations of partisanship during their only debate last week.
“Radical, extreme legislator” and “judicial activist” were among the terms Lazar used to describe Taylor. Taylor responded by saying Lazar would bring “an extreme, right-wing political agenda to the bench.”
Lazar has struggled to match Taylor’s outreach efforts. Taylor enjoyed a substantial fundraising edge and outspent Lazar roughly nine-to-one on television advertising, according to tracking by the Brennan Center for Justice.
The liberal-majority court has already eliminated a state abortion ban and mandated new legislative district maps, boosting Democratic optimism about winning legislative control this November.
Taylor has served as a judge since 2020, following a decade as a Democratic Assembly member representing Madison, the liberal state capital.
Lazar has been on the bench since 2015 and previously spent four years working for a Republican attorney general in the state Justice Department. In that position, she defended legislation signed by former Republican Governor Scott Walker that essentially eliminated collective bargaining rights for most government employees.
A lower court judge declared that law unconstitutional in December, setting up a likely appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Lazar also defended Republican-passed measures signed by Walker that established voter identification requirements and limited abortion access.
Democrats feel confident based on the last two Supreme Court races, where their preferred candidates won by margins exceeding 10 percentage points.
The opening exists because a conservative justice chose to retire. With another conservative justice stepping down next year, liberals could achieve 6-1 court control if they prevail on Tuesday.
A Utah courtroom will be the scene Tuesday as a judge considers whether to extend protective measures against reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul, the star whose upcoming ‘Bachelorette’ season was scrapped following domestic violence accusations.
Dakota Mortensen, who currently has temporary custody of the 2-year-old child he shares with Paul, is requesting the court convert a temporary restraining order into a permanent arrangement while law enforcement continues investigating domestic violence reports from February of this year.
Both Paul and Mortensen will join Tuesday’s proceedings via video conference while their legal representatives attend in person at the Salt Lake City courthouse. Court officials have kept the specifics of the temporary restraining order confidential.
Legal teams are anticipated to focus on the February incidents currently under investigation, rather than a 2023 altercation that resulted in Paul’s arrest and gained renewed attention just before her ‘Bachelorette’ debut, although the earlier incident may come up during discussions.
In an extraordinary decision last month, ABC chose to completely shelve a finished season of ‘The Bachelorette’ featuring Paul as the lead. The network and Disney cited a leaked video that TMZ published on March 19, showing footage from 2023 where Paul appears to physically attack Mortensen by punching, kicking and hurling furniture while her young daughter witnessed the violence and became distressed.
Footage from police body cameras during Paul’s 2023 arrest was included in the debut episode of ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ which premiered in 2024. In that footage, Paul describes the incident as “the worst night of my life.” The actual fight video, seemingly recorded from Mortensen’s perspective, remained private until last month’s media leak.
Paul faced charges including aggravated assault and domestic violence committed in front of a minor. She entered a guilty plea to a reduced misdemeanor assault charge, leading to the dismissal of the remaining charges.
Paul is mother to two children from her previous marriage to Tate Paul, plus the son she had with Mortensen following their 2023 conflict.
Following the show’s cancellation, a spokesperson for Paul claimed she had been “silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation” and was “finally gaining the strength to face her accuser.”
Mortensen responded with his own statement, saying he was “used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny.”
Disney has also suspended work on the fifth season of ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ the Hulu program that launched Paul to reality TV fame. Her selection for ‘The Bachelorette’ created promotional opportunities between the shows for Disney, which controls both networks.
Paul gained recognition as a social media influencer within the #MomTok movement, a collective of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who document their experiences on TikTok. This community, along with Paul’s revelations about polyamory within the group, inspired the popular reality series.
This past Sunday, Paul revealed she was departing what is commonly called the Mormon church. She posted on Instagram that while she maintains “love and respect” for the Utah-headquartered religious organization, “It’s time to detach myself.”
HONOLULU — Final arguments are set for Tuesday in the attempted murder case against an anesthesiologist who allegedly attacked his wife on a dangerous hiking trail overlooking Hawaii’s coastline.
Nearly one year has passed since Gerhardt and Arielle Konig took what should have been a scenic walk on the Pali Puka trail in Honolulu, but the outing ended with her covered in blood and shouting that he had attempted to murder her. Gerhardt Konig has entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
___
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains references to domestic violence. Those seeking assistance can contact the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
___
The pair had traveled to Hawaii’s capital for a birthday celebration in March 2025, leaving their two young children at home on Maui. According to prosecutors, the 47-year-old doctor became enraged about his wife’s involvement with a colleague and allegedly attempted to force her over the edge of the steep path, struck her head with a stone, and tried to attack her with a medical syringe.
The proceedings, which have been broadcast live on Court TV, have exposed the couple’s troubled relationship and presented two dramatically different accounts of the mountain confrontation.
During his testimony, Gerhardt Konig revealed he had discovered his wife’s extramarital relationship by accessing her phone without permission while she was asleep. Arielle Konig described the relationship as an “emotional affair” consisting of flirtatious text exchanges with a workplace colleague, and said this topic arose during their hike.
Arielle Konig told the court that her husband seized her and attempted to force her toward the precipice, but she managed to throw herself to the ground to resist. She testified that he positioned himself over her while holding a syringe, which she managed to knock from his grasp. In her struggle to escape, she bit his arm and grabbed his groin area, she stated.
Gerhardt Konig disputed claims that he tried to push her off the cliff and instead testified that she struck him with a rock on his face. He said he took the rock from her and hit her twice with it as a defensive measure.
He rejected allegations about carrying syringes on the mountain or attempting to stab her. His legal representative reminded jurors that no syringe was recovered at the location.
Two other hikers who heard Arielle Konig’s cries for help assisted her descent from the trail.
The Pali Puka trail, whose name translates to “pierced cliff” in the Hawaiian language, leads to an opening in a rocky ridge where visitors can view the forest and ocean beyond. State authorities have officially closed the trail due to safety concerns, but hikers frequently bypass barriers through a small gap, disregarding posted warnings that state: “Area Closed! Do not go beyond this sign.”
Gerhardt Konig testified that as he observed his wife moving away from him, he realized both his marriage and professional life were finished and contemplated suicide by jumping. However, he first contacted his adult son from an earlier marriage. According to authorities, the son reported that his father admitted he “tried to kill your stepmom” — a statement Gerhardt Konig denies making.
He remained on the mountain for several hours before choosing to descend and turn himself in to law enforcement.
His wife has subsequently initiated divorce proceedings.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has extended his ultimatum for Iran to negotiate a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Tuesday evening, marking another postponement in a pattern of shifting deadlines that began in March, while warning that without compliance “Hell will reign down on them.”
Trump’s original March 23rd deadline has been moved multiple times over recent weeks as the president has alternated between aggressive warnings, announced postponements, and declarations of diplomatic progress, sometimes within the same public statement.
Iranian officials turned down the most recent ceasefire offer, according to the nation’s state-controlled IRNA news agency on Monday. Following this rejection, Trump issued a stark warning about Iran’s fate if it fails to comply, indicating Tuesday’s 8 p.m. deadline would be his final extension.
“They’ll have no bridges. They’ll have no power plants. They’ll have no anything,” he stated.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the United States through his spokesperson that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law. When questioned by reporters, Trump said he’s “not at all” worried about potential war crimes charges related to such strikes.
The timeline of Trump’s ultimatums began March 21, when he posted on Truth Social demanding Iran “FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time,” or face attacks on their power facilities.
This initial ultimatum set a March 23 evening deadline.
However, twelve hours before that deadline expired, Trump announced on Truth Social that productive talks were underway between both nations.
“I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD,” he posted, noting this depended on successful negotiations.
This delay moved the deadline to the end of that week.
On March 26, before the new deadline arrived, Trump intensified his warnings on Truth Social: “They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”
Yet that same day, he granted another 10-day extension until April 6 at 8 p.m., posting on Truth Social that talks were “going very well.”
Trump issued conflicting messages on March 30, praising negotiation progress while simultaneously broadening his bombing threats if an agreement wasn’t “shortly reached,” adding that “it probably will be.”
“We will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!),” he posted.
The meaning of Trump’s “shortly reached” timeline remained unclear, but no agreement materialized as the deadline approached.
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday, “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.”
As the deadline neared, his social media posts escalated the threats until Sunday, when Trump again postponed the deadline in a profanity-laden message.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F——-in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, followed by a separate post establishing the 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline.
On Monday, Trump indicated Tuesday’s deadline would be his last, claiming he had already provided Iran with sufficient extensions.
“The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump declared. “We have a plan, because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night.”
Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, Iran’s diplomatic mission chief in Cairo, stated that Iran has lost confidence in the Trump administration following two previous U.S. bombing campaigns during earlier negotiation attempts.
“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” he informed The Associated Press.
A regional official participating in the diplomatic efforts indicated that negotiations haven’t completely broken down. “We are still talking to both sides,” the official said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the closed-door discussions.
Israeli television station Channel 13’s evening broadcast featured a prominent digital countdown timer marking the hours and minutes remaining until Tuesday’s deadline.
HOLLYWOOD, Florida — Hip-hop artist Offset, a member of the rap group Migos, was wounded in a shooting Monday evening and is currently hospitalized in stable condition, according to his representative.
The musician is receiving medical treatment and remains under close observation at a Florida hospital, his spokesperson confirmed in a public statement.
Offset, who was previously married to rapper Cardi B and shares three children with her, was injured during an incident at the Seminole Hard Rock casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The Seminole Police Department reported that an individual suffered non-fatal injuries Monday night in the valet section outside the casino property. Law enforcement officials have not publicly named the victim.
Authorities have taken two suspects into custody as they continue their investigation into the shooting, police officials announced.
“The site is secure and there is no threat to the public,” police stated. “Operations continue as normal.”
This incident comes two years after Offset’s relative Takeoff, who was also part of Migos, was fatally shot in 2022.
Migos gained widespread recognition for their distinctive rapid-fire musical style and became one of hip-hop’s most successful acts. The group first gained mainstream attention with their 2013 single “Versace” and later received Grammy recognition for their 2018 album “Culture,” which earned nominations for best rap album and best rap performance.
Offset and Cardi B married privately in Atlanta during September 2017. Earlier this year, Cardi B publicly announced she had initiated divorce proceedings.
TOKYO (AP) — Stock markets across Asia displayed varied performance during cautious Tuesday trading, while petroleum prices maintained their upward climb before President Donald Trump’s ultimatum expires for Iran to restore full shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on infrastructure including power facilities and bridges.
Japan’s primary Nikkei 225 index reversed early positive movement to fall 0.2% during morning sessions, settling at 53,310.30. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 posted a 1.5% increase to reach 8,706.90. South Korea’s Kospi remained nearly flat, dropping less than 0.1% to 5,445.80. China’s Shanghai Composite moved up 0.4% to 3,896.98. Hong Kong markets remained closed due to a holiday.
U.S. markets saw modest upward movement on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 advancing 0.4% following its first positive week in six attempts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 165 points, representing a 0.4% gain, while the Nasdaq composite increased 0.5%.
Energy markets witnessed significant activity as U.S. benchmark crude oil surged $2.37 to reach $114.78 per barrel. International Brent crude rose $1.40 to $111.17 per barrel. These prices remain substantially elevated compared to approximately $70 before the conflict began.
Petroleum prices have fluctuated dramatically due to uncertainty surrounding the Iranian conflict’s duration and its impact on worldwide oil and natural gas distribution. Iran rejected Monday’s ceasefire proposal, instead demanding a complete end to hostilities.
Singapore-based researchers at Mizuho Bank noted in their Mizuho Daily report that Trump’s recent moves represent “an escalation cycle that has now been extended several times since his first ultimatum in late March.”
“Given the differing perspectives, hopes of a complete resolution to the conflict remains elusive while countries continue to work on bilateral solutions,” the report stated.
During ongoing negotiations, Iranian and Omani representatives continued developing administrative procedures for the strategic waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil shipments during peaceful periods. Iran’s control over this passage has disrupted the worldwide economy.
Overall, the S&P 500 increased 29.14 points to 6,611.83. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 165.21 points to reach 46,669.88, while the Nasdaq composite rose 117.16 points to 21,996.34.
Bond markets showed Treasury yields remaining relatively stable. The 10-year Treasury yield held at 4.33%, still significantly higher than its pre-war level of 3.97%.
Currency markets saw the U.S. dollar strengthen to 159.89 Japanese yen from 159.62 yen. The euro declined to $1.1529 from $1.1543.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Michigan Wolverines claimed their second national basketball championship Monday night, grinding out a tough 69-63 victory over Connecticut in a hard-fought battle that showcased defense over flashy offense.
The Wolverines, known for their high-powered scoring attack, managed just two successful three-point shots throughout the entire contest but found other ways to secure the title. Elliot Cadeau paced Michigan’s offense with 19 points, connecting on the team’s initial three-pointer at the 7:04 mark of the second half.
Freshman Trey McKenney delivered the crucial second three-pointer with 1:50 remaining on the clock, extending Michigan’s advantage to nine points in what appeared to be a decisive blow. Coach Dusty May’s squad, comprised largely of transfer players, seemed poised to cruise to victory.
However, Connecticut refused to surrender. Solo Ball connected on a banked three-pointer with 37 seconds left, trimming the deficit to four points. Following two missed Michigan free throws, UConn’s Alex Karaban, who finished with 17 points, attempted a three-point shot that barely touched the rim with 17 seconds remaining that could have cut the lead to just one point.
The Huskies dominated the offensive boards, out-rebounding Michigan 22-12 in second-chance opportunities and keeping the pressure on throughout the contest. The Wolverines finally sealed their championship when McKenney converted two free throws, capping off an impressive 25-of-28 performance from the charity stripe.
The victory gives Michigan a 37-3 record for the season and marks the program’s second national championship, with their previous title coming in 1989.
In the agricultural regions surrounding Taizhou, China, located two hours northwest of Shanghai, pig farmers are experimenting with an innovative feeding approach that could reshape global soybean markets.
At one local farm, owner Gao Qinshan, 47, has installed two large pools containing a fermented mixture of locally-sourced materials including grain brans, pumpkin vines, and wine byproducts. This ochre-colored liquid represents a significant departure from traditional soybean-based feeds.
The fermentation process breaks down proteins similar to yogurt production, making nutrients more digestible for livestock while reducing the need for premium soybean proteins. China currently imports 80% of its soybeans, creating vulnerability to price fluctuations and trade disruptions.
“Soybean prices have become so unstable,” Gao explained. With feed representing 70% of pig production expenses and soybean costs rising due to trade tensions with Washington and Middle East conflicts, “pig farming has become unprofitable. Everyone is thinking about how to cut costs.”
Beyond individual farm economics, Beijing has strategic motivations for this agricultural transformation. The government intensified efforts to diversify livestock protein sources in March of last year, coinciding with escalating trade disputes during President Trump’s second term, when soybeans became a negotiating tool.
Reuters investigations involving dozens of livestock producers, feed manufacturers, government researchers, and industry analysts show Beijing is advancing alternative feed technologies more rapidly than previously understood.
This agricultural initiative parallels Beijing’s technological independence campaigns in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, responding to Washington’s restrictions on advanced technology exports to China.
“The biggest national policy goal right now is soymeal reduction,” stated Fu Zhenzhen, a feed analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultants. “The most direct reason for that is the trade war with the United States. Fermentation is essential.”
China leads global soybean purchases, importing $52.7 billion worth in 2024, with $12 billion originating from the United States, according to World Bank data. Last year’s imports increased 6.5% from 2024 to reach a record 111.8 million metric tons, Chinese customs reported.
Fermented feed currently represents 8% of China’s industrial feed production, rising from 3% in 2022, with industry projections reaching 15% by 2030. This growth could reduce Chinese soybean imports by up to 6.3% from current levels, based on Reuters analysis.
Pig farming represents a crucial component of Beijing’s food security strategy. Pork remains a dietary staple for Chinese consumers, with China housing half the world’s pig population. Swine require more soymeal than poultry or cattle, making feed alternatives particularly important.
Operations like Gao’s produce one-third of China’s livestock, making the country the world’s largest meat producer.
However, transitioning to fermented feed systems requires substantial investment and often complete feeding infrastructure overhauls. Gao initially struggled with mold contamination and feed waste, challenges that cause many farmers to abandon the approach.
Beijing is addressing these obstacles through comprehensive industry incentives targeting every supply chain segment.
Muyuan Foods, the world’s largest pig farming operation, has decreased soymeal content from 10% six years ago to 7.3% currently using synthetic amino acids derived from fermented corn starch, according to feed division director Zhang Meng.
Agricultural conglomerate New Hope Liuhe has created soymeal-free poultry feeds by fermenting duckweed and other affordable protein sources, according to informed sources. New Hope did not respond to comment requests.
Collaborating with government agencies, China’s leading dairy producers Yili and Mengniu have reduced cattle feed soymeal content by 20%, according to sources at the state-supported National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy. Yili declined comment, while Mengniu did not respond to inquiries.
These soymeal reduction figures are being disclosed publicly for the first time.
International investment is also flowing into China’s fermented feed sector, with Netherlands-based trading company Louis Dreyfus planning its first fermented feed production facility in the northern port city of Tianjin.
“China is standing at the forefront of fermentation technology,” observed Shambhu Nath Jha, principal consultant at Fact.MR.
The US-based consulting firm estimates China’s fermented feed market reached $6 billion in value last year, rapidly approaching Europe’s mature $7 billion market. By comparison, the US market totals just $2.5 billion due to readily available domestic soybeans and corn.
In poultry applications, China’s 25% fermented feed adoption rate already exceeds Europe’s 20%, according to Fact.MR data.
Beijing benefits from favorable market conditions, as pork prices at 16-year lows make cost-reduction strategies attractive to producers.
However, the fermentation approach faces challenges from lack of standardized methods, analysts note.
Some experts argue that pigs fed improvised fermented feeds may mature more slowly and show increased disease susceptibility.
Consumer preferences may provide the ultimate evaluation criterion.
“There is so much demand from consumers for better quality meat, but the industry is just focused on reducing costs and doing what the government wants,” said Ian Lahiffe, a Beijing-based agriculture consultant.
“There are a lot of benefits to feeding soybeans,” he added. “They need to think about how to avoid sacrificing animal health and meat flavour.”
SEOUL, April 7 – Officials in South Korea announced Tuesday that North Korea’s unusually diplomatic reaction to an apology over drone flights represents significant advancement in reducing military hostilities between the neighboring countries.
The South Korean Unification Ministry characterized North Korea’s response as “meaningful progress” following President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret regarding unauthorized drone operations that crossed into North Korean territory.
Lee’s administration has been working to repair severely damaged relations between the two nations, which technically remain in a state of war following the armistice that ended the Korean War from 1950-53.
In an official statement, the ministry responsible for managing inter-Korean relations said Seoul would continue adhering to its commitment to avoid hostile actions against North Korea while pursuing peaceful coexistence across the Korean peninsula.
The ministry’s comments came in response to statements published Monday by North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency. In those remarks, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, described Lee’s apology and promise to prevent future incidents as “very fortunate and wise” – language markedly different from the harsh criticism typically seen in recent years.
However, Kim Yo Jong also warned that Seoul should “refrain from any attempt at contact” with North Korea.
President Lee issued his statement of regret Monday, acknowledging that the drone incursions had created unnecessary military tensions. He explained that civilians acting contrary to government policy had conducted these flights into North Korean airspace.
Lee revealed that an investigation discovered involvement by a National Intelligence Service worker and an active military official, describing these incidents as violations of South Korea’s constitution.
South Korean media reported Tuesday that presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik explained Lee’s decision to express regret demonstrated his strong commitment to reducing military tensions and rebuilding trust. The president ordered the message after receiving briefing materials about the investigation’s findings.
In recent years, Pyongyang has designated South Korea as its “most hostile state” and abandoned reunification goals, instead treating inter-Korean relations as connections between two enemy nations rather than parts of a divided country.
Kyungnam University professor Lim Eul-chul interpreted North Korea’s response as a measured acceptance of Lee’s statements, but warned that South Korea remains viewed as a hostile state. Any reduction in tensions would likely focus on managing the current situation rather than changing Pyongyang’s rigid two-state approach.
Taiwan’s top security officials are warning that Beijing is orchestrating a systematic campaign to acquire the island’s cutting-edge semiconductor technology and skilled workers as part of efforts to circumvent international trade restrictions.
According to a new report from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau presented to legislators, China’s pursuit of chip expertise has grown more aggressive as Beijing seeks independence in advanced semiconductor production while facing escalating technology competition with the United States.
The island nation, which Beijing considers part of its territory, regularly discovers and dismantles Chinese operations illegally attempting to recruit semiconductor professionals and high-tech specialists. Taiwan maintains stringent regulations preventing its most sophisticated technologies from reaching China.
In their briefing to lawmakers, security officials detailed how China attempts to “lure” Taiwan’s technology sectors, particularly artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies, into establishing or maintaining business operations on the mainland.
“It also continues to use indirect channels to poach Taiwanese talent, steal technology, and procure controlled goods, with the aim of obtaining key core technologies and products such as Taiwan’s advanced-process chips, thereby breaking through international technological containment.”
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations. Beijing maintains its position that Taiwan represents a Chinese province that will ultimately fall under mainland control.
The island serves as headquarters for TSMC, the globe’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer and a key supplier to major corporations like Nvidia and Apple.
Beyond technology theft, the security report warns that China plans to deploy various unconventional tactics, including artificially generated content and fabricated polling data, to meddle in Taiwan’s upcoming local elections at year’s end.
Government computer networks faced more than 170 million attempted cyber intrusions during the first three months of 2024, according to the document reviewed ahead of Director-General Tsai Ming-yen’s scheduled legislative testimony on Wednesday.
“It cannot be ruled out that the Chinese Communist Party is laying the groundwork to interfere in Taiwan’s year-end elections, with the intent of expanding intelligence collection, surveillance, and data theft,” the report said.
Military tensions also continue escalating around the island nation.
During the opening quarter of this year, Taiwan’s defense systems tracked over 420 Chinese military aircraft operating in surrounding airspace, while naval forces conducted coordinated operations in 10 “joint combat readiness patrols,” security officials documented.
The report characterizes China’s Communist leadership as facing increased internal and external challenges, including economic difficulties and international strategic competition.
“Nevertheless, it continues to employ a range of hybrid threats against Taiwan, including military intimidation,” the report added.
Taiwan’s administration dismisses Beijing’s territorial claims, maintaining that only the island’s residents possess the authority to determine their political future.
A former Australian military member who received his country’s highest honors has been taken into custody on war crimes charges related to killings during his deployment in Afghanistan, according to reports from Sydney.
Ben Roberts-Smith, age 47, was apprehended at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning by Australian Federal Police. Authorities have charged him with five counts of war crimes for the alleged murders of five individuals in Afghanistan during the period from 2009 to 2012.
Each charge carries a potential sentence of life behind bars, police officials confirmed.
The former soldier had achieved hero status in Australia after receiving multiple prestigious military decorations, including the Victoria Cross, for his conduct during six deployments to Afghanistan spanning 2006 through 2012.
Roberts-Smith has maintained his innocence regarding allegations of misconduct during his military service. These accusations first came to public attention through a series of reports published by Nine Entertainment newspapers beginning in 2018.
The published allegations included claims that Roberts-Smith fatally shot an unarmed Afghan youth and forced a handcuffed individual off a cliff before commanding subordinates to kill him.
In what became Australia’s costliest defamation case, Roberts-Smith attempted to fight the newspaper reports but was unsuccessful. A Federal Court judge determined in 2023 that the publications had substantiated four out of six murder allegations they had made. The High Court rejected his final appeal attempt in September 2025.
A government report released in 2020 documented credible evidence showing that Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment members had killed numerous unarmed prisoners during the extended conflict in Afghanistan.
The Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator launched their probe into Roberts-Smith in 2021. The Special Investigator’s office was established specifically to examine war crime allegations against Australian military personnel who served in Afghanistan.
Officials stated that the defendant is scheduled to make his first court appearance in New South Wales later Tuesday.
Legal representatives who handled Roberts-Smith’s defamation case have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the criminal charges.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Health officials in Bangladesh have launched an urgent vaccination drive to combat a deadly measles outbreak that has claimed the lives of more than 100 children in less than four weeks.
Working alongside the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Gavi vaccine alliance, Bangladesh’s government started immunizing children between 6 months and 5 years old in 18 districts with the highest risk on Sunday. The vaccination effort will roll out across the entire country in stages beginning next month, according to a collaborative announcement.
UNICEF’s representative in Bangladesh, Rana Flowers, expressed grave concern about the rapid increase in infections, noting the severe threat to the nation’s youngest population. “This resurgence highlights critical immunity gaps, particularly among zero-dose and under-vaccinated children, while infections among infants under nine months, who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination, are especially alarming,” Flowers stated.
Health data from the South Asian country of over 170 million residents shows more than 900 confirmed measles cases among 7,500 suspected infections reported since March 15.
According to WHO, measles spreads easily through the air and triggers fever, breathing problems, and a distinctive skin rash. The disease can lead to serious complications or death, particularly in young children.
Health experts emphasize that immunization is essential for controlling measles transmission, but WHO guidelines indicate 95% population vaccination coverage is necessary to halt the disease’s spread.
During parliamentary questioning Monday, Bangladesh’s Health Minister Sardar Mohammed Sakhawat Husain attributed the current crisis to poor management and mistakes by former administrations.
The minister pointed to failures by the previous administration under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, saying their inadequate vaccine stockpile decisions created shortages affecting measles and six additional disease vaccines.
Bangladesh’s measles immunization program faced disruption during recent political turmoil. Hasina was removed from power during mass protests in 2024, followed by Yunus’s interim leadership before an elected government took control after February elections.
Health officials are urging parents to seek hospital care immediately when measles is suspected.
“They should avoid taking medicine from shopkeepers unnecessarily. If a child has a fever, especially high fever — 101, 102, 3, 4 (Fahrenheit, or higher than 38.3 Celsius) — they should not rely on medicine from local shops,” explained F. A. Asma Khan, deputy director of Dhaka’s Infectious Diseases Hospital.
“Instead, they must take the child to a hospital as soon as possible, because our medical officers are capable of providing proper basic treatment,” she added.
Bangladesh has achieved significant immunization improvements since launching a comprehensive vaccination program in 1979, increasing fully vaccinated children from merely 2% to 81.6%.
However, UNICEF cautioned last year that despite Bangladesh’s substantial progress in expanding vaccine coverage, significant inequalities remain throughout the country.
Vietnam’s National Assembly unanimously approved Communist Party chief To Lam for the position of state president on Tuesday, granting him dual leadership authority that political analysts say represents the most significant concentration of power in the Southeast Asian nation in decades.
The parliamentary approval, which was widely expected, formally breaks with Vietnam’s longstanding tradition of shared leadership among multiple officials. This shift toward centralized control mirrors developments in neighboring China and could fundamentally alter how the single-party state operates moving forward.
Lawmakers endorsed the Communist Party’s selection of Lam, a decision that party officials confirmed was reached during closed-door discussions in late March. The 68-year-old former security chief now holds both the general secretary and presidential positions simultaneously for a five-year term, after securing his second stint as party leader this past January.
Following the legislative vote, Lam addressed parliament members in remarks broadcast on television, expressing gratitude for the dual appointment. He outlined his vision for the country, promising “a new growth model with science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the primary driving forces.” Lam also emphasized his commitment to strengthening national defense capabilities through domestic resources.
Singapore-based political expert Le Hong Hiep from the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute warned about potential consequences of this power consolidation. “Concentrating greater power in To Lam’s hands could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system, such as increased authoritarianism,” Hiep noted. However, he acknowledged that streamlined leadership “could enable Vietnam to formulate and implement policies more quickly and effectively,” potentially boosting economic development.
Alexander Vuving from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States described the change as transformative. The dual role arrangement “will shift Vietnam’s domestic politics to a new normal where most of the old assumptions about Vietnam’s politics, including those about collective leadership, are no longer valid,” Vuving explained.
This marks Lam’s second time holding both positions simultaneously. He previously served in both capacities for several months in 2024 following the death of former General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Even after temporarily stepping back from the presidency in favor of military leader Luong Cuong, Lam continued conducting presidential duties, including extensive international travel and diplomatic meetings with foreign officials.
Throughout his initial tenure as party leader, Lam has pursued ambitious economic restructuring aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s global competitiveness, though his initiatives have generated mixed reactions. He has committed to achieving double-digit economic growth by moving away from the low-wage manufacturing model that has traditionally powered Vietnam’s export economy under foreign corporate leadership.
While Lam’s reform agenda has sometimes created uncertainty within government circles and the business community, he has demonstrated adaptability in his approach. He supports expanding private sector conglomerates but has also issued guidance reinforcing the importance of state-owned companies, apparently to maintain support from party conservatives.
International businesses, which play a crucial role in Vietnam’s export-focused economy, generally view the country’s political consistency favorably and regard Lam as business-friendly. Nevertheless, his promotion of domestic corporate champions and aggressive growth targets have sparked concerns among some observers about potential favoritism, corruption vulnerabilities, speculative bubbles, and inefficient resource allocation.
In international relations, Lam has maintained a balanced approach. He continues Vietnam’s established “Bamboo Diplomacy” strategy, working to maintain equilibrium among major global powers while pursuing broader international cooperation.
Boston College visiting scholar Khang Vu believes the leadership consolidation will not alter Vietnam’s foreign policy direction. “Lam’s double-hat would not signal any changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, even if there are concerns that Vietnam is concentrating more power in a single individual,” Vu stated.
Technical complications during testing of Apple’s first folding smartphone could result in production delays, according to a Monday report from Nikkei Asia citing industry sources.
The tech giant is facing more complex engineering challenges than originally anticipated while developing the foldable device, the report indicates. These difficulties are requiring additional time to address properly.
Component suppliers have been informed that manufacturing schedules may need to be adjusted due to the ongoing technical issues, sources told the publication.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm these details, and Apple has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the reported setbacks.
The development challenges are reportedly taking longer to overcome than the company initially expected, potentially affecting the timeline for mass production of the innovative device.
The head of Taiwan’s primary opposition party departed Tuesday for China on what she calls a diplomatic mission aimed at preventing conflict, while Taiwanese officials revealed the current positioning of Chinese naval vessels surrounding the island.
Cheng Li-wun, who leads the Kuomintang (KMT) party, embarked on her journey during a period of heightened military tensions with China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory. Her trip also coincides with legislative delays over a proposed $40 billion increase in Taiwan’s defense budget.
Before heading to the airport from her party’s offices, Cheng addressed reporters about what she described as a “historic journey for peace,” while acknowledging that some citizens have concerns about her visit.
“If you truly love Taiwan, you will seize even the slightest chance, every possible opportunity, to keep Taiwan from being ravaged by war,” Cheng stated.
“So I would rather believe that all Taiwanese people hope this trip will succeed, because we can transform the most dangerous place in the world into the safest place in the world,” she added.
Beijing maintains its position that military action remains an option for bringing Taiwan under Chinese control and refuses diplomatic contact with Taiwan’s current President Lai Ching-te, whom Chinese officials label a “separatist.”
On Monday evening, Kuan Bi-ling, who oversees Taiwan’s coast guard through the Ocean Affairs Council, shared a Facebook image showing current Chinese naval deployments around Taiwan – including two vessels positioned off the eastern coastline and one ship each stationed to the north, northwest, and southwest of the island.
“When you depart, you are doing so from within what they see as the ‘Taiwan cage’,” Kuan explained to parliamentary reporters Tuesday, referencing China’s military terminology for Taiwan’s planned T-Dome air defense system while discussing Cheng’s diplomatic mission.
During separate parliamentary remarks, Chiu Chui-cheng, Taiwan’s chief official handling China relations through the Mainland Affairs Council, emphasized that Beijing should work with Taiwan’s democratically chosen leadership.
“We call on Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, when facing the Communist Party authorities in person, to demand that they immediately stop their compounded pressure against Taiwan, including military aircraft and naval harassment,” Chiu stated.
Cheng’s China visit occurs one month ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi in Beijing.
Although Trump and Xi may reach cooperative agreements on agricultural trade and aircraft components during their Beijing meeting, discussions are anticipated to cover contentious issues including Taiwan, where diplomatic breakthroughs appear unlikely.
During a February phone conversation, Xi cautioned Trump that the United States “must carefully handle arms sales to Taiwan.”
This marks the first visit by a KMT leader to China in ten years, though Chinese officials have not confirmed whether Xi will definitely meet with Cheng, who plans to remain in Beijing starting Thursday.
Her itinerary includes an initial stop in Shanghai followed by rail travel to Nanjing, where the tomb of party founder Sun Yat-sen is located. Sun Yat-sen led the overthrow of China’s final imperial dynasty and established the Republic of China in 1912.
The KMT-controlled republican government relocated to Taiwan in 1949 following their defeat in a civil conflict against Mao Zedong’s communist forces.
Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously selected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam to serve as the nation’s president for the next five years, according to parliamentary officials following Tuesday’s vote.
This expected decision represents a departure from Vietnam’s longstanding tradition of shared leadership among multiple officials, concentrating power under a single leader in a manner that experts believe could push the communist nation toward increased authoritarian control, while potentially allowing for quicker policy decisions similar to neighboring China.
National Assembly members approved Lam’s selection after the Communist Party formally nominated him during meetings concluded in late March.
The 68-year-old former public security chief now holds dual authority to govern Vietnam for five years ahead, having already secured his second term as general secretary this past January.
“Concentrating greater power in To Lam’s hands could pose risks to Vietnam’s political system, such as increased authoritarianism,” stated Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
Nevertheless, this power concentration “could enable Vietnam to formulate and implement policies more quickly and effectively,” which would support economic expansion, he noted.
The merging of these two positions “will shift Vietnam’s domestic politics to a new normal where most of the old assumptions about Vietnam’s politics, including those about collective leadership, are no longer valid,” explained Alexander Vuving from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in the United States.
Lam previously occupied both roles temporarily following the 2024 death of former party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Despite transferring the presidency to army general Luong Cuong, Lam continued functioning as though he maintained the position, conducting extensive international travel and representing Vietnam in diplomatic meetings with foreign officials.
During his initial tenure as party leader, Lam introduced comprehensive economic reforms aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness, generating both support and opposition.
Following his reappointment as party chief, Lam pledged to achieve double-digit economic growth through a fresh development strategy reducing dependence on low-cost manufacturing, which has historically driven Vietnam’s export-focused economic success under foreign multinational leadership.
While Lam’s initiatives have occasionally created uncertainty within government circles and business communities, he has demonstrated practical adaptability in their implementation.
He has supported private conglomerate expansion, though prior to his reappointment, he also released guidance emphasizing state-owned enterprises’ primary importance to satisfy party traditionalists.
International investors, who play a crucial role in Vietnam’s export-dependent economy, frequently commend the nation’s political stability and view Lam as business-friendly. However, his support for domestic champions and aggressive growth targets have sparked concerns among some regarding preferential treatment, corruption possibilities, asset inflation, and resource misallocation.
Regarding international relations, Lam has maintained a practical approach.
He has preserved Vietnam’s “Bamboo Diplomacy” strategy while working to maintain balanced relationships with major global powers and expanding international partnerships.
“Lam’s double-hat would not signal any changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, even if there are concerns that Vietnam is concentrating more power in a single individual,” said Khang Vu, a visiting scholar at Boston College.
San Antonio’s standout center Victor Wembanyama was forced to sit out the remainder of Monday night’s matchup with Philadelphia after sustaining a left rib contusion following a collision with 76ers forward Paul George in the opening half.
The 22-year-old made two trips to San Antonio’s locker room during the second quarter following the incident but managed to complete the first half of play. Before his departure, Wembanyama contributed 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded three blocks across more than 16 minutes of action, which officially counts toward postseason award eligibility requirements.
Currently in his third NBA season, Wembanyama has emerged as a serious contender for the Most Valuable Player award. Coming into Monday’s contest, he was posting impressive averages of 24.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game.
The injury comes at a crucial time for award consideration, as Monday marked Wembanyama’s 63rd appearance this season. NBA rules require players to participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for major postseason honors. With San Antonio having just three contests left on their schedule following Monday’s game, the young star’s availability for those remaining matchups becomes critical for his award prospects.
Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX has shared new details about its upcoming initial public offering during a private meeting with banking partners, revealing plans to allocate an unusually large number of shares to individual investors and schedule a special event for 1,500 retail participants in June.
During a virtual conference with bankers on Monday evening, SpaceX Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen emphasized the company’s commitment to everyday investors, stating that “Retail is going to be a critical part of this and a bigger part than any IPO in history,” according to two sources with knowledge of the discussion.
Johnsen explained that the substantial retail component reflects the company’s appreciation for long-term supporters, saying the large retail component is by design as “those are folks that have been incredibly supportive of us and of Elon (Musk) for a long time, and we want to make sure that we recognize that.”
The aerospace manufacturer is preparing for what industry experts expect to be the most significant initial public offering ever recorded, with plans to raise $75 billion and achieve a company valuation of up to $1.75 trillion.
Company executives have scheduled their investor roadshow to commence during the week of June 8, when leadership and financial advisors will present the investment opportunity to potential backers. Approximately 125 financial analysts representing the 21 participating banks will meet with SpaceX representatives one day prior to the roadshow launch.
On June 11, SpaceX will host a major investor gathering for 1,500 retail participants. The company plans to extend participation opportunities to individual investors across multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea.
A lead underwriter from the banking syndicate told the group of 21 investment firms that the retail demand and share allocation will exceed anything they have “never seen before,” the sources indicated.
Final details regarding the offering structure and exact retail allocation percentages will be determined closer to the IPO launch date. Previous reports indicated that founder Elon Musk sought to reserve as much as 30% of company shares for smaller investors, significantly higher than the typical 5% to 10% allocation seen in most public offerings.
SpaceX plans to release its public IPO prospectus document in late May. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the disclosed details.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was sidelined for the second half of Monday night’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers after sustaining a bruised left rib injury.
The towering 7-foot-4 center was hurt when Philadelphia’s Paul George accidentally struck him with an elbow while trying to disrupt a pass during a fast break sequence. The collision occurred with 10:49 left on the clock in the opening half. Following the contact, George immediately offered an apologetic pat on Wembanyama’s back as the injured player stayed on the floor momentarily.
Just 13 seconds after the incident, Wembanyama was substituted out and headed straight to the locker room tunnel, visibly holding his arm against his side.
The French sensation made a brief comeback with 5:33 left in the first half but requested to be removed from the game again when 44 seconds remained before halftime. Once more, he walked toward the locker room while protecting his injured side, and team officials confirmed he would not return for the second half.
During his limited 15 minutes and 40 seconds of action, Wembanyama managed to score 17 points, grab five rebounds, and record three blocks.
The injury comes at a crucial time as Wembanyama has publicly expressed his desire to capture the league’s Most Valuable Player trophy this season. NBA regulations permit only two contests where players log between 15 and 19.59 minutes to qualify toward the mandatory 65-game minimum for major award consideration.
Wembanyama has appeared in 63 contests this season, which includes the NBA Cup Final.
The Spurs, who hold a 59-19 record, are wrapping up their regular season schedule with four consecutive home games, beginning with Monday’s Philadelphia contest.
SQUAMISH, British Columbia — Officials in British Columbia are warning residents to avoid a cliff area above a major highway where engineering students apparently hung a red Volkswagen Beetle shell as part of an elaborate stunt.
Provincial authorities announced Monday that BC Parks crews are working to take down the vehicle and anticipate completing the removal by week’s end. The Environment Ministry confirmed that both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and park officials have been called in to look into the incident.
The hollowed-out car emerged on the cliff face overlooking Highway 99 in Squamish last week, displaying a prominent “E” painted on its top — a marking that suggests University of British Columbia engineering students were continuing their longstanding practice of positioning Beetle shells in challenging spots.
This type of stunt has occurred before. In 2009, another Beetle dropped from the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, leading Vancouver police to arrest five students who had unsuccessfully tried to hang it from the bridge structure.
University representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment about the latest incident.
Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford expressed concern about the location chosen for the prank, describing the Stawamus Chief rock formation area as a “sacred place” that holds significant cultural importance for the Squamish Nation.
The mayor noted that the location draws many outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and climbing activities, and emphasized that what “may have felt like an innocent prank” has negatively impacted the local community.
“This is an area that deserves respect, and that wasn’t the case here,” Hurford said in the statement.
SYDNEY, April 7 – Australian swimming star Kyle Chalmers dominated the field to capture the 100-meter freestyle championship at the Australian Open swimming meet on Monday, then shared his ambitious goal of securing an Olympic relay gold medal in 2028.
The 27-year-old swimmer from South Australia boasts an impressive medal collection, though only one Olympic gold – the individual 100m freestyle title he claimed as an 18-year-old at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Despite earning two bronze medals and one silver in the 4×100 relay across three Olympic Games, the former world champion dreams of defeating the United States on home soil in Los Angeles.
“I’d love a gold medal in a relay,” Chalmers said to Code Sports following his victory in the premier sprint event with a time of 48.39 seconds.
“To go to a fourth Olympics and get a gold medal in that relay that would be, for me, the ultimate success at this point.
“And I say that truthfully and honestly, I love that relay and if we were able to win it, I think it would be amazing.”
Chalmers sees the potential addition of 50m world record holder Cam McEvoy to Australia’s relay squad as crucial for challenging American dominance. The United States has claimed the 4×100 freestyle relay title at the past three Olympic Games.
McEvoy has been absent from relay competition for five years, but Chalmers expressed willingness to surrender the anchor position if it would convince the 31-year-old to rejoin the team effort.
“If it was to work out, I feel like we would be a very good chance of beating America at their home Olympics, which on night number one … would set the team up for an amazing week in the pool,” Chalmers explained.
The majority of competitors at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre are focusing on upcoming competitions, including this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Pan Pacific Championships scheduled for California.
World champion Mollie O’Callaghan claimed the women’s 100m freestyle title on Monday with a time of 52.66 seconds, while Olympic champion and world record holder Kaylee McKeown dominated the 200m backstroke in 2 minutes, 5.66 seconds.
In men’s distance events, former world champion Sam Short captured the 400m freestyle in 3:42.53, finishing nearly four seconds ahead of Paris Olympics silver medalist Elijah Winnington, who touched in 3:46.36.
Competition at the championships runs through Wednesday. Australian selection trials for the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships are scheduled for June 7-13 at Sydney Olympic Park.
Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal revealed Monday his plans to create a new professional dunking competition, with the first season scheduled to begin later this year.
The venture has secured support from TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group, expanding upon last year’s DUNKMAN TV series. O’Neal’s vision transforms traditional slam dunk showcases into an organized professional sporting league.
Twenty-four competitors from across the globe will participate in the inaugural season, which features four live preliminary rounds leading up to the DUNKMAN World Championship. The ultimate champion will take home a grand prize worth $500,000.
“These athletes are innovators and DUNKMAN is going to give them a global stage, real stakes, and a chance to build careers doing what they love,” stated O’Neal, who will oversee the league as commissioner.
The competition will broadcast on TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max, with supplementary content shared through social media platforms and digital channels.
Craig Barry, TNT Sports Chief Content Officer, explained the league will appeal to fans of both athletics and entertainment culture. He emphasized that collaborating with O’Neal will help develop programming centered on the distinct personalities and artistic abilities of elite dunkers.
A judging panel will assess each dunking performance to determine which competitors move forward in the tournament. Officials plan to reveal additional information about venue locations, participant rosters and broadcast schedules in upcoming weeks.
Agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere reached a $99 million settlement agreement on Monday to resolve a class-action lawsuit filed by farmers over repair expenses and equipment access issues.
The legal dispute reflects growing national concerns about manufacturers’ repair policies, with government officials and lawsuit plaintiffs claiming certain companies stifle competition by restricting access to diagnostic software and repair equipment.
According to court documents filed Monday in Chicago federal court, the monetary settlement will benefit qualifying farmers who purchased repair services from Deere’s authorized dealerships for large farming machinery starting in January 2018.
Beyond the financial compensation, Deere committed to providing farmers with access to necessary digital diagnostic and repair tools for major agricultural equipment over the next 10 years. This includes tractors, combines, and sugarcane harvesters, according to the court filing.
The proposed agreement still requires judicial approval before taking effect.
“This settlement addresses the issues raised in the 2022 complaint and brings this case to an end with no finding of wrongdoing,” Deere stated in a company announcement.
The equipment manufacturer continues to face additional legal challenges, including a separate lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission. A federal judge ruled in 2025 that Deere must defend against FTC allegations that the company requires farmers to use only authorized dealers, inflating repair and parts costs.
The FTC has argued that Deere prevents farmers from obtaining “tools and information necessary to repair their equipment in a timely and cost-effective manner,” according to court documents filed in April. Deere has disputed these allegations.
A Japanese citizen who spent nearly three months detained in Iran has been granted bail and released from custody, according to Japan’s government officials.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced during a Tuesday press conference that the individual, who was taken into custody on January 20th, was freed on bail this past Monday. Kihara reported that the person appears to be in good health but declined to share additional information including the detainee’s name or what charges were involved.
Earlier this year in February, Radio Free Europe published reports indicating that Shinnosuke Kawashima, who serves as the Tehran bureau chief for Japan’s public broadcasting network NHK, had been arrested by Iranian authorities and moved to a prison facility.
When the arrest reports first emerged, NHK representatives stated that “there is nothing we can answer at this stage” while emphasizing that protecting their staff members’ safety remained their highest concern.
Japanese government officials subsequently acknowledged that one of their citizens was being held in Iran and confirmed they had established communication with both the detained person’s relatives and Iranian government representatives.
The detention occurred during a period of heightened tensions involving Iran, particularly following the start of hostilities between the United States and Israel against the Middle Eastern nation on February 28th.
Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX has revealed key information about its upcoming initial public offering during a Monday evening conference with its banking team, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussion.
The aerospace manufacturer announced plans to reserve a substantial number of shares specifically for individual investors and will invite 1,500 of them to a special gathering in June after launching its IPO roadshow, the sources reported.
During the virtual conference, Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen emphasized the company’s commitment to retail participation. “Retail is going to be a critical part of this and a bigger part than any IPO in history,” Johnsen stated, according to the two individuals who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the meeting.
Johnsen explained that the substantial retail component represents an intentional strategy, noting that “those are folks that have been incredibly supportive of us and of Elon (Musk) for a long time, and we want to make sure that we recognize that.”
The gathering marked the first time the complete banking syndicate came together as part of preparations for what could become the largest initial public offering on record. SpaceX aims to secure $75 billion in funding, which would establish the company’s worth at approximately $1.75 trillion, according to previous reports.
This approach represents a departure from traditional IPO strategies, with SpaceX prioritizing individual investor participation over institutional buyers in its public market debut.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are working through the night to complete road striping operations on a section of Newton Road.
The mobile striping work is taking place along Newton Road from Fawn Road to Delaware Route 404, with operations expected to wrap up by 5:00 AM.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect to encounter work crews and equipment during the overnight hours and are advised to use caution when driving through the work zone.
Delaware residents should prepare for a significant drop in temperatures as the National Weather Service Mount Holly office has issued a freeze watch beginning Saturday evening at 9:36 PM and extending until Monday morning at 9:00 AM.
The weather alert warns that freezing temperatures could develop across the region during this timeframe, potentially causing damage to sensitive outdoor plants and vegetation.
Residents are advised to take precautionary measures to protect tender plants, outdoor plumbing, and other temperature-sensitive items during the expected cold snap.
The freeze watch indicates conditions will be favorable for widespread frost and freezing temperatures, which could impact agricultural operations and home gardens throughout the First State.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Seattle Mariners backstop Cal Raleigh finally broke through Monday evening, launching his inaugural home run of the 2026 campaign after going 10 consecutive games without clearing the fence.
The catcher, who dominated Major League Baseball with 60 round-trippers in 2025, delivered the long ball during a marathon 12-pitch battle against Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award recipient. Raleigh worked through six foul balls while facing elimination with two strikes before crushing a 99 mph heater over the right field wall in the opening frame.
The power hitter’s previous longest stretch without a home run last season lasted eight contests.
Coming into Monday’s matchup, Raleigh was struggling mightily at the plate with a .132 batting average and just one run to his credit this year. The veteran nearly ended his drought during Saturday’s contest versus the Los Angeles Angels when he launched a first-inning drive that appeared destined for the seats, only to watch right fielder Jo Adell make a spectacular grab above the wall — the first of three would-be homers Adell robbed in that single game.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The sound of cowbells filled the air as Bryan Baker celebrated striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong, capping off a memorable homecoming for the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Playing at home for the first time in 561 days following Hurricane Milton’s devastating damage to their stadium, the Rays defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 on Monday before a capacity crowd of 25,114 fans.
“It felt pretty good to say the least,” Baker said of his reaction to the final pitch. “I think that was an encapsulation of how everybody felt getting back in this building and playing in front of these fans. To get out there and seal the deal for the boys was really fun.”
The massive storm struck downtown St. Petersburg on Oct. 9, 2024, requiring nearly $60 million in repairs to replace the damaged roof and restore the facility.
Powerful winds tore away portions of the original roofing structure, leaving the stadium exposed to rainfall for several months. The resulting water infiltration led to mold growth and significant harm to electrical, audio, and broadcasting equipment.
Workers completed installation of the replacement roof last August while the team spent their 2025 season playing temporary home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which serves as the New York Yankees’ spring training facility.
Construction crews installed the final roofing section on Nov. 21. The renovations also included improvements to luxury boxes and the stadium’s video display system. Team members praised the updated artificial playing surface and appreciated enhancements such as fresh clubhouse flooring and new lockers.
“It was an important day for Rays baseball and unique for what we’ve gone through,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Very well done.”
While the Rays typically struggle with attendance, Monday marked their 20th straight sellout for a season opener, not counting 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions prevented fan attendance.
“It was great. Shout out to the city of St. Pete and the fans for showing up for us after everything they’ve been through,” said Chandler Simpson, who had two hits and two stolen bases.
Tampa mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg mayor Kenneth Welch delivered ceremonial first pitches, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attended the game.
The victory marked the first home win under the franchise’s new ownership. Real estate developer Patrick Zalupski led an investment group that acquired the Rays for $1.7 billion last year. Zalupski and executives Ken Babby and Bill Cosgrove are working toward constructing a new stadium in Tampa, located near the Yankees’ spring training facility and across from Raymond James Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.
The team remains committed to playing at Tropicana Field through the 2028 season under their current lease agreement.
“The fans’ support was amazing,” said Junior Caminero, who hit one of three home runs for Tampa Bay. “It was exciting to be back at Tropicana.”
The team also unveiled the renovated “Cownose Clubhouse,” featuring seven cownose stingrays from The Florida Aquarium that survived Hurricane Milton. Following the storm, the marine animals temporarily relocated to The Florida Aquarium before moving to TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center at Apollo Beach in January, and finally returning to their permanent Tropicana Field habitat before the season opener.
SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Vitello finds himself constantly saying sorry to his family members for the San Francisco Giants’ poor performance, and even during family dinners, his thoughts remain focused on baseball rather than the conversation at hand.
The first-year Giants skipper has plenty to contemplate following a disappointing 3-7 record to begin his transition from collegiate coaching to Major League Baseball.
Following Sunday’s afternoon matchup, with Monday’s evening game providing extra reflection time, Vitello spent hours analyzing everything that contributed to San Francisco’s third consecutive loss. During that game, he received his first career ejection while protesting a seventh-inning call that ruled Jerar Encarnación out for running outside the baseline toward first base.
The manager continues to examine every choice he makes, committed to finding solutions for his struggling team.
“At 3-7 and how yesterday went, I didn’t think yesterday was the proper time for me to go gallivanting around San Francisco, so, yeah, I was in my condo the whole night,” Vitello explained. “Whether I’m there or sitting with family I apologize to them, ‘Find something better to watch if you’re watching this.’ We’re at dinner, I am thinking about this more than that. So, yeah, yesterday sitting at home you finish on a day game and you have a night game, you’ve got a lot of time to go over that stuff. You replay it all.”
Prior to Monday’s series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies, Vitello spoke with third baseman Matt Chapman about getting thrown out stealing following his leadoff single during the ninth inning of a 5-2 defeat to the Mets that completed New York’s weekend sweep.
Vitello understands such errors would become more costly as the season progresses, noting that the Giants are “trying” so intensely to secure victories “it’s probably something that everybody’s been a little guilty of, of not going about it the way they would if they were thinking clearly but when you’re trying to win games as hard as possible sometimes it actually contradicts what your end goal is.”
Entering Monday’s contest, San Francisco had been outscored by 25 runs through their opening 10 games — the franchise’s worst differential through 10 contests since recording minus-49 in 1896. The team’s 3-7 start matched its second-worst 10-game beginning since relocating to San Francisco in 1958, with only a 2-8 start in 1983 being worse.
Chapman remains optimistic that favorable outcomes will provide the Giants with necessary momentum to climb out of last place in the competitive NL West division, expressing gratitude that these difficulties are occurring early with ample time remaining. San Francisco has failed to reach the postseason for four consecutive years.
“Whatever it is, I think it’s more of an accumulation of maybe some frustrating things happening because we’re right there and we’re not able to get the job done,” Chapman noted. “… It sucks when it looks like it’s sloppy baseball and we’re making some sloppy mistakes that kind of shot us in the foot last year and was one of the reasons why we probably weren’t able to finish as strong. But I don’t think it’s going to be something that’s going to be the story of our season by any means.”
Following his ejection, Vitello provided detailed reasoning for his frustration. The former University of Tennessee head coach frequently references experiences from his collegiate career.
“I’m sure he got it exactly technically right,” Vitello said after Sunday’s game. “It’s just a play I’ve got a lot of history for. A little frustrated about something else that occurred in the game. … Got a ton of history with that play. Lost a game to Lipscomb on that play, lost the game to (Oklahoma State coach) Frank Anderson and a Big 12 championship on that play. The difference between the two that I’m talking about, and I can talk about others, is the runner in Frank’s instance — and I’ve called his team cheaters — completely interfered with the throwing lane for the pitcher. So again, umpires are held accountable by what the rules are, and they enforce those rules.”
Multiple players and coaching staff members have praised Vitello’s enthusiasm, intensity, and methodology since spring training began.
From his first day, Vitello admitted he would need to adapt quickly from the dugout and expected numerous challenges along the way.
“Listen, Tony’s great, I like Tony, he’s cool,” said center fielder Harrison Bader, who entered the series hitting .118 (4 for 34) with one home run while working to improve his performance. “At the major league level, a little different in terms of the fans and the speed but he won at a really high level in the SEC. It’s the same game, so he’s familiar to winning and what it looks like to help players win and what that feeling looks like and how to maintain it. So he’s in the right spot.”
The New Jersey Devils have dismissed general manager Tom Fitzgerald, marking another mid-season front office shakeup across the NHL.
Co-owner David Blitzer revealed Monday that the organization had decided to release Fitzgerald from his duties. Fitzgerald took over as general manager in January 2020 and received a promotion to president of hockey operations along with a contract extension earlier in 2024.
“Tom and I had a thoughtful conversation today and agreed it was time to move in a new direction,” Blitzer stated. “Tom changed the trajectory of our team here, including setting a franchise record for points in a season and helping make New Jersey a hockey destination. He is a well-respected leader across the Devils’ organization and NHL, and I am grateful for our friendship.”
During his tenure, Fitzgerald helped develop much of the team’s foundation around star players Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, both of whom were selected when he served as assistant to Ray Shero. The 57-year-old executive faced recent scrutiny for awarding contracts with limiting no-trade provisions and for extending Jacob Markstrom’s deal prematurely, ahead of the goaltender’s performance issues.
“After talking with David Blitzer, it was apparent to everyone that the best course of action is to move on for the benefit of the team,” Fitzgerald commented. “The Devils are fortunate to have a core of great players, vocal and passionate fans, but most importantly, tremendous people who worked with me toward a common goal. I’ve always said that New Jersey is a hidden gem, and I’m proud of the effort that we put in to raise the standard and make it a destination.”
Under Fitzgerald’s leadership, New Jersey reached the playoffs twice across five seasons, advancing to the second round in 2023 before falling in the opening round the following year.
“As we prepare to move forward, it is important I acknowledge our fans: I recognize we have not delivered in the way you expect and deserve and I understand and share in your frustration,” Blitzer explained. “This is a critical offseason for our franchise, and we will explore all avenues that best position the Devils to compete for a Stanley Cup once again.”
The dismissal raises questions about head coach Sheldon Keefe’s status, as he approaches the conclusion of his second season. Fitzgerald brought Keefe aboard in May 2024.
Having participated in USA Hockey’s management team that assembled the gold medal-winning Olympic roster for Milan Cortina, Fitzgerald may quickly emerge as a contender for other general manager openings league-wide. Both the Nashville Predators, following Barry Trotz’s retirement, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, after dismissing Brad Treliving, are actively seeking new hockey operations leadership.
“I am incredibly appreciative to David, Josh Harris, and the entire New Jersey Devils organization for being a part of my life for the past decade,” Fitzgerald expressed. “I look forward to the next step in my hockey career and will always look back fondly on my time with the Devils.”
Fitzgerald’s playing history includes stints in Nashville and Toronto. He served as Nashville’s inaugural captain from 1998-2002 under coach Trotz and spent two seasons with Toronto from 2002-2004.
Following his transition to management, Fitzgerald held the position of director of player development when Pittsburgh captured the Stanley Cup in 2009. He joined the Devils organization in 2015.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Though Tiger Woods isn’t competing at Augusta National this week, the legendary golfer remains at the forefront of fellow competitors’ thoughts as they prepare for the Masters tournament.
The 50-year-old golf icon has entered a treatment facility outside the United States after a March 27 car crash in Florida that resulted in DUI charges. Woods subsequently announced he would skip this year’s Masters and withdrew from consideration as the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain while taking an indefinite break from professional golf.
Reports indicate Woods’ aircraft arrived in Switzerland last week, following his lawyer’s statement to a Martin County judge that the golf superstar required an “intensive, highly individualized and medically integrated program” away from public attention and media coverage.
Following Monday’s practice round, Jason Day reflected on Woods’ situation, saying: “It just shows the human element and the human side of someone that is struggling with some sort of an addiction. He’s not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well. He’s had 25 to 30 something surgeries, and when you’re going through that many procedures, it’s painful coming out of those procedures. I’ve had procedures done and I typically try and stay away from all that stuff because I just know that — painkillers, there can potentially be a downfall to it.”
Day continued: “Granted, when I look at that, I look at it and go, he’s just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It’s unfortunate.”
The five-time Masters winner entered a not guilty plea to misdemeanor DUI charges after his vehicle collided with a trailer near his Jupiter, Florida residence. Woods’ SUV overturned during the incident, and he received an additional citation for distracted driving. Law enforcement discovered two white pills identified as hydrocodone in his clothing.
While expressing empathy, Day also noted concerns about the incident: “The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way, as well. But when you’re the player that he was and how strong-willed he is, he thinks he can do almost anything, and that’s probably why he’s probably driving and a little bit under the influence.”
Just three days before the accident, Woods had discussed his preparation efforts for this week’s Masters during the TGL championship. His unexpected absence has deeply affected competitors who either played alongside him or idolized the 15-time major winner during their formative years.
“He was my hero — he is my hero,” Day explained. “He was my hero growing up. The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger. It’s hard to see him go through what he’s going through, and especially under the microscope that — it must be hard to be who he is and have everything, everyone look on, kind of down on him. Some people want him to fail. Some people obviously want him to succeed. It’s really difficult for me to go through that and watch him, and I know that he’s getting the help now, which is good. I’m just hoping he comes out on the other side and is better.”
Tuesday evening’s champions dinner will proceed without Woods, as 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed noted. Phil Mickelson will also be absent due to personal medical issues.
“Let’s be honest, without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the events, in golf, when they both step away, honestly I feel it hurts the game of golf,” Reed observed. “But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go.”
This marks the first time in 32 years that both Mickelson and Woods have missed the Masters simultaneously. Woods’ last absence from golf’s first major occurred in 2021 during his recovery from severe injuries sustained in a California vehicle accident. During the recent Florida incident, Woods informed officers he had undergone more than 20 surgeries on his right leg, along with seven back operations and treatment for a torn Achilles tendon.
PGA Tour veteran Harris English described Woods’ absence as “very strange” this week at Augusta National.
“He’s such a legend in this game, somebody I looked up to,” English said. “Watching him win around this place in (19)97 is kind of the reason I started getting into golf. I know he’s going to get through this. He has a big fight ahead of him. He’s a fighter. That’s what he does. He’s going to get through it and come out a better man and a better person. We hope to see him soon.”
Jacob Bridgeman, who joined the professional ranks in 2022, lacks the extensive playing experience alongside Woods that veterans like Day, Reed and English possess. However, he represents another generation whose passion for golf developed largely through watching Woods compete.
“I think everybody has a very soft heart for Tiger. He’s been the guy for our game that’s changed everything the most,” Bridgeman explained. “He’s made these tournaments what they are, and he’s made the purses what they are just by his popularity. Everybody loved watching him. I grew up watching Tiger. He was my golf idol. I think everybody is thinking about him and hoping he can do what’s best.”
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson witnessed Woods’ most recent Augusta National victory in 2019. He recalled rushing with other former champions to the 18th green to congratulate Woods, but emphasized that he “could care less about Tiger’s golf.”
“Anybody that’s struggling with anything, I feel for him because I’ve went through a lot of mental stuff. So yeah, I always pull for him. Nothing but love for him, and hopefully he can come back stronger,” Watson said.
The New Jersey Devils have decided to end their working relationship with General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald through a mutual agreement announced Monday.
The 57-year-old executive first joined the organization’s leadership in January 2020 when he was promoted from assistant general manager to interim GM, before receiving the permanent position that July. Earlier this year in January, the team expanded his role to include president of hockey operations responsibilities.
With a record of 40-34-3 for 83 points, New Jersey currently finds itself outside the Eastern Conference playoff race with just seven games left in the regular season. The team appears headed for its second playoff miss in three seasons, following their record-breaking 112-point campaign in 2022-23.
Managing partner David Blitzer explained the decision in a released statement: “Tom and I had a thoughtful conversation today and agreed it was time to move in a new direction. Tom changed the trajectory of our team here, including setting a franchise record for points in a season and helping make New Jersey a hockey destination. He is a well-respected leader across the Devils’ organization and NHL, and I am grateful for our friendship. I wish Tom and his family all the best.”
Fitzgerald also issued his own statement regarding the separation: “After talking with David Blitzer, it was apparent to everyone that the best course of action is to move on for the benefit of the team. The Devils are fortunate to have a core of great players, vocal and passionate fans, but most importantly, tremendous people who worked with me toward a common goal. I’ve always said that New Jersey is a hidden gem and I’m proud of the effort that we put in to raise the standard and make it a destination. I look forward to the next step in my hockey career and will always look back fondly on my time with the Devils.”
The organization has not yet revealed whether they will appoint an interim replacement or if Fitzgerald’s departure will take effect immediately or at season’s conclusion.
Blitzer concluded his remarks by addressing the team’s supporters directly: “As we prepare to move forward, it is important I acknowledge our fans. I recognize we have not delivered in the way you expect and deserve and I understand and share in your frustration. This is a critical offseason for our franchise, and we will explore all avenues that best position the Devils to compete for a Stanley Cup once again.”
Financial markets remained on edge Tuesday as the US dollar held near recent peaks while traders awaited a critical deadline set by President Trump regarding Iran’s control of Persian Gulf shipping routes.
The American currency has strengthened significantly as ongoing Middle East conflicts and Iran’s ability to block the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane have sent energy costs climbing and prompted investors to seek refuge in dollar-denominated assets, particularly across Asian markets.
While Easter holiday optimism about potential diplomatic progress temporarily slowed additional dollar purchases, financial markets showed clear nervousness with minimal dollar selling activity ahead of President Trump’s 8 p.m. Eastern deadline.
Currency exchange rates reflected the tension, with the Japanese yen trading at 159.67 against the dollar, approaching multi-decade lows similar to levels that triggered government intervention in 2024. The euro was valued at $1.1539 while the British pound stood at $1.3235, both slightly recovering from multi-month lows reached in late March.
“(The) market (is) long USD in case of further escalation, but stocks, gold and CNH trade well and put a lid on dollar gains,” explained Brent Donnelly, president at Spectra Markets.
“It’s hard to make any high-confidence predictions here … we wait for 8 p.m. and see what type of attacks Iran and U.S./Israel launch in the meantime,” Donnelly added.
During Monday remarks, Trump indicated Iran could be “taken out” in one night “and that night might be tomorrow night.” The president promised to target Iranian power facilities and infrastructure, dismissing concerns about potential war crimes or alienating Iranian citizens.
Iranian leadership has refused ceasefire proposals, demanding a complete end to hostilities. Recent developments include Israeli claims of responsibility for killing an Iranian intelligence official and striking a southern Iranian petrochemical facility.
The Australian and New Zealand currencies, which dropped sharply when Iranian attacks on regional energy infrastructure escalated in late March, showed modest recovery to $0.6917 and $0.5714 respectively, though trading remained cautious.
South Korea’s won continued struggling below the 1,500 level, a threshold previously reached only during the 2009 financial crisis and late 1990s economic turmoil. Indonesia’s rupiah hit record lows Monday, while China’s yuan remained stable in international trading.
“The dollar may ease modestly further in the near term because of optimism the U.S. will ‘end’ the Iran war,” Commonwealth Bank of Australia analysts noted.
“However, there are three participants in the war: the U.S., Israel and Iran. What matters for the world economy and currencies is whether the Strait of Hormuz is open. The U.S. leaving the conflict does not re-open the Strait,” the analysts concluded.
The University of North Carolina appears close to securing a deal with NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to take charge of the Tar Heels basketball program, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke Monday.
The source provided information to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity since the university has not made any public statements regarding their coaching search. Malone is set to take over from Hubert Davis, who was dismissed on March 24 following five years at the helm after taking over from retired Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams.
ESPN initially broke the news of UNC’s pursuit of Malone.
At 54 years old, Malone brings 12 seasons of NBA head coaching experience, with a decade of that time spent in Denver. Under his leadership, the Nuggets captured the 2023 NBA championship with three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic leading the charge.
Denver dismissed Malone last spring with just days remaining in the regular season. Nearly one year later, in another unexpected development, Malone stands poised to assume control of one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs, boasting six national championships, a record 21 Final Four appearances, and notable alumni including Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Vince Carter, and Atlantic Coast Conference career scoring record-holder Tyler Hansbrough.
This hiring would give UNC prominent former professional coaches at the helm of both major athletic programs. The Tar Heels brought in six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick to coach football in December 2024. Belichick posted a disappointing 4-8 record in his first season.
The dismissal of Davis created an opening for one of college basketball’s premier positions for just the fourth time since legendary Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith stepped down following 36 seasons in October 1997.
Since then, the position had remained within the “Carolina Family” circle. Long-time assistant Bill Guthridge took over for Smith, followed by former UNC player Matt Doherty, then former Smith assistant Williams, and finally Davis, who both played under Smith and served on Williams’ coaching staff.
Several high-profile candidates including Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May, and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan — who guided Florida to NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007 — had been connected to the opening since Davis’ departure. Lloyd confirmed Friday at the Final Four that he would remain with the Wildcats while commending UNC for “the way they’ve handled this.”
Just three days following that announcement, the search has taken an unforeseen turn toward Malone, who lacks college head coaching experience and has dedicated the majority of his career to the NBA.
TORONTO — Veteran right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer’s brief outing Monday night has deepened the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting rotation crisis, as the three-time Cy Young Award recipient departed his start versus the Los Angeles Dodgers following just two innings of work.
The 41-year-old hurler, who inked a new deal with Toronto this past February, surrendered two earned runs on a pair of hits during his shortened appearance.
Los Angeles struck first when Teoscar Hernández launched a home run in the opening frame, plating Kyle Tucker who had reached base via walk.
Concerning velocity readings showed Scherzer’s fastball velocity declining from an average of 93.4 mph during his March 31 outing against Colorado to just 92.1 mph throughout Monday’s abbreviated performance against the Dodgers.
Southpaw Josh Fleming, recently promoted from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Monday’s contest, assumed pitching duties beginning in the third inning.
Toronto’s rotation troubles have reached critical levels with four pitchers currently occupying spots on the injured list, including right-hander Cody Ponce. Ponce sustained a knee injury during his first major league appearance since 2021 last Monday, exiting in the third inning after chasing down an infield ground ball.
Additional sidelined hurlers include right-handers Trey Yesavage (shoulder ailment), Jose Berrios (elbow issue), and Shane Bieber (elbow problem), all of whom remain in rehabilitation and have not taken the mound this season.
In response to the mounting injuries, Toronto signed 36-year-old left-handed veteran Patrick Corbin to a one-year deal last Friday. Corbin made his organizational debut Saturday with Single-A Dunedin, yielding one run across five innings of work.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Several Oklahoma City police officers have been suspended pending an internal investigation into a false emergency report made on April 1st that prompted multiple squad cars to respond to what they believed was a baby being thrown from a moving vehicle.
Police Captain Valerie Littlejohn acknowledged Monday that department officials are conducting a comprehensive review of the incident but declined to specify the number of officers currently on administrative leave or elaborate on the specific allegations they face.
“We are aware of a reported pursuit involving some of our officers that included serious claims, which has since been determined to be false,” Littlejohn said in a statement. “We take this situation seriously and are committed to ensuring a thorough review is conducted.”
The department launched its investigation after local television station KFOR and other media outlets obtained and broadcast police radio communications from April 1st. In the recordings, a dispatcher can be heard informing responding units that “the city just advised that the suspect threw a baby out the window.”
“The police officer that’s in pursuit does not have a radio. He’s just messaging his location,” the dispatcher says.
Following the deployment of multiple officers to the scene, the radio traffic reveals the moment the truth was discovered when a dispatcher announces: “It was an April Fools’ prank.”
Another dispatcher responds: “Not funny.”
Attempts to reach the Oklahoma City police union president for comment on Monday were unsuccessful.
Under Oklahoma state law, deliberately providing false information that could trigger the deployment of emergency responders constitutes a misdemeanor offense. Those convicted face potential fines up to $500 plus reimbursement for any expenses incurred by emergency services during their response.
Defense officials in Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday that their forces successfully shot down seven ballistic missiles that were fired toward the kingdom’s Eastern Region, with fragments from the destroyed projectiles landing in the vicinity of energy infrastructure.
According to the defense ministry, teams are currently working to evaluate potential damage from the incident, though officials did not identify the source of the missile attack.
Since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Saudi Arabia has faced hundreds of missile and drone attacks from Iranian forces, with most being successfully neutralized by defense systems, according to government officials.
Iran has conducted military strikes against Israel as well as Gulf Arab nations that provide hosting facilities for U.S. military operations.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump found himself facing a potential crisis as an American pilot was shot down and trapped behind enemy lines in Iran. However, a successful Easter weekend rescue mission provided the commander-in-chief with an opportunity to change the narrative surrounding the controversial conflict.
During a Monday press conference, Trump transformed what could have been a military disaster into a story of triumph, emphasizing the dramatic elements of the operation while attempting to bolster support for the five-week war that has faced significant opposition from American voters.
“We have incredibly talented people, and if the time comes, we move heaven and earth to bring them home safely,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “God was watching us.”
This marked the second occasion in recent days where the president personally addressed the public about Iran, taking direct control of messaging in his characteristic style. Trump has faced challenges explaining his justification for the bombing campaign, including during a confusing televised speech last week. His expletive-filled social media posts on Easter Sunday also raised concerns among reporters about the 79-year-old president’s mental state.
Monday’s briefing showcased Trump’s typical political approach: capitalizing on a dramatic moment to control the narrative and using it to rally support from Americans who have grown tired of military conflicts.
The president provided extensive details about the complex rescue operation, which he acknowledged benefited from fortunate circumstances. Trump administration officials, who typically avoid discussing internal operations, assisted reporters over the weekend in crafting detailed accounts of the remarkable mission.
Trump painted a picture of an injured officer who managed to avoid capture in Iranian territory for 48 hours, while search-and-rescue teams navigated mountainous terrain and worked to extract aircraft from muddy conditions before destroying equipment to prevent it from falling into enemy possession.
“Hundreds of people could have been killed,” Trump informed reporters, acknowledging that some military advisors had recommended against proceeding with the operation.
“How many men did you send altogether?” Trump asked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, who was present at the briefing.
“I’d love to keep that a secret,” Caine responded.
“I’ll keep it a secret, but it was hundreds and hundreds of these people,” Trump revealed.
The packed briefing room saw reporters jostling for position, crowding aisles and doorways while competing for the president’s attention.
While Trump appeared to enjoy discussing the military’s capabilities – even suggesting at another White House event that the rescue could inspire a future film – he also threatened legal action against a journalist from an unidentified news organization who initially reported the successful rescue of one airman before the second missing pilot was located.
The president continued voicing dissatisfaction with the pace of diplomatic efforts to conclude the war, criticism of U.S. allies refusing to provide assistance, and concerns about the blocked Strait of Hormuz, a crucial pathway for global energy transportation. When questioned about his mental health, Trump responded, “I don’t care about critics.”
When asked about his plans to either intensify or conclude the conflict, Trump remained evasive.
“I can’t tell you,” Trump stated. “I don’t know.”
As the lengthy news conference neared its end, Trump attempted to frame victory as virtually certain.
“We won, OK?” he declared. “They are militarily defeated.”
Drivers using Route 41 will encounter periodic lane restrictions overnight, according to DelDOT officials.
The temporary lane closures are affecting the stretch of roadway between Route 2 and Milltown Road, with the restrictions scheduled to remain in place until 6 AM.
Motorists should plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible during the affected timeframe. The intermittent nature of the closures means traffic flow will vary throughout the night and early morning hours.
Motorists traveling on southbound Interstate 95 should expect delays as two left lanes remain shut down between the Delaware Welcome Center and Exit 1 due to construction activities.
According to DelDOT, the lane closures will continue until 6:00 AM, affecting traffic flow during the overnight hours.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the construction zone. Traffic is being routed through the remaining open lanes.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays marked their emotional return to Tropicana Field with a convincing 6-4 victory against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, playing their first home game in 561 days.
Home runs from Cedric Mullins, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero powered the Rays to victory as a capacity crowd of 25,114 fans packed the domed stadium to celebrate the team’s homecoming.
The lengthy absence from their home venue came after Hurricane Milton severely damaged the Tropicana Field roof and caused widespread destruction throughout the facility. During the 2025 season, the Rays were forced to play their home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which serves as the New York Yankees’ spring training facility.
Left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan delivered a strong performance in his first Tropicana Field start since July 22, 2023, surrendering just two runs on one hit across four innings while recording five strikeouts and issuing four walks.
McClanahan’s appearance marked a significant milestone in his recovery from multiple injuries that sidelined him for two complete seasons. The veteran pitcher underwent his second Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and subsequently missed the entire 2025 campaign due to nerve inflammation in his left triceps.
Kevin Kelly earned the victory with a flawless fifth inning, improving his record to 1-1, while Bryan Baker secured his first save of the season despite allowing Matt Shaw’s solo home run in the ninth inning.
The Cubs struck first when Nico Hoerner delivered a two-run single with two outs in the second inning, giving Chicago an early 2-0 advantage.
Tampa Bay responded in the bottom half of the second when Mullins connected on a 3-2 changeup from Jameson Taillon, driving the ball into the right field seats to even the score at 2-2.
The Rays seized the lead moments later when Taylor Walls smacked a double to left-center field and came around to score on an errant throw by shortstop Dansby Swanson following Yandy Diaz’s infield hit.
Caminero extended Tampa Bay’s advantage to 4-2 in the third inning with a towering solo blast to left field.
Chicago managed to cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth when Michael Busch lifted a sacrifice fly, but Aranda answered in the seventh with a home run off Phil Maton that stretched the Rays’ lead to 6-3.
Taillon absorbed the loss, falling to 0-1 after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings of work.
Tuesday night’s matchup will feature Cubs right-hander Javier Assad making his season debut against Rays starter Drew Rasmussen, who enters with an 0-0 record and 1.80 ERA. Assad, who carries a 3.43 ERA over four major league seasons, will fill the rotation spot vacated by Matthew Boyd, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left biceps strain.
An Army staff sergeant is fighting to prevent his newlywed wife from being deported after federal immigration officials arrested her at a Louisiana military installation where the couple planned to start their new life together.
The detention of the soldier’s spouse, who was born in Honduras and remains held at a federal immigration facility as of Monday, has sparked criticism from military family advocacy groups. They argue such actions hurt morale during wartime and could damage military recruitment efforts by targeting service members’ families.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Blank explained that he brought his wife, Annie Ramos, age 22, to Fort Polk, Louisiana last Thursday to help her begin obtaining military family benefits and start the green card application process. The pair wed in March.
Immigration enforcement officers took Ramos into custody as part of the current administration’s expanded deportation efforts, which immigration law specialists say has ended the Department of Homeland Security’s previous practice of showing leniency toward military families.
“I never imagined that trying to do the right thing would lead to her being taken away from me,” Blank, 23, told The Associated Press. “What was supposed to be the happiest week of our lives has turned into one of the hardest.”
According to DHS records, Ramos arrived in the United States in 2005 when she was not yet 2 years old. Her family missed a required immigration court appearance that year, prompting a judge to issue a final removal order.
“She has no legal status to be in this country,” DHS stated in an email response. “This administration is not going to ignore the rule of law.”
Ramos submitted an application for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2020, but her husband reports the application has been stuck “in limbo” due to ongoing legal challenges to the Obama-era immigration program.
Last April, DHS scrapped a 2022 directive that treated military service by immediate family members as a “significant mitigating factor” when determining whether to pursue immigration enforcement actions. The current policy declares that “military service alone does not exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.”
Before the current administration’s intensified deportation campaign, DHS typically permitted spouses of active military personnel to obtain legal status through programs like parole in place and deferred action that military recruiters actively promoted, according to Margaret Stock, an expert in military immigration law.
Stock noted that Ramos’ situation would have been easily resolved previously, but DHS now appears focused on arresting military family members whenever possible — even when they’re attempting to follow proper legal procedures for obtaining status.
“It doesn’t make any sense — they’re going to get arrested for following the law? That’s stupid,” Stock commented. “It’s bad for morale, it disrupts the soldiers’ readiness.”
Last September, more than 60 Congressional representatives sent a letter to DHS and the Department of Defense expressing concern that arrests of military personnel and veterans’ family members was “betraying its promises to service members who play a key role in protecting U.S. national security.”
Pentagon officials declined to provide comment on the matter.
Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh, who leads the Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network advocacy organization, reports observing more cases where military families face disruption due to stricter immigration enforcement. She contends the federal government is working against its own interests by pursuing deportation of military spouses.
“It just sends a really bad message — we don’t care about you, about your spouses, anything you are doing,” Owiti-Otienoh explained. “If military families are not stable, national security is not stable.”
Blank’s mother, Jen Rickling, described her daughter-in-law to the AP as a Sunday school teacher and biochemistry student who had exceeded all expectations — someone who “loves my son with her whole heart.”
“We absolutely adore her,” Rickling stated. “I believe in this country. And I believe we can do better than this — for Annie, for other military families, and for the values we hold dear.”
Blank said he had looked forward to beginning their life together on the military base while serving his country.
“I want my wife home,” Blank declared. “And I will not stop fighting until she is back where she belongs, by my side.”
WASHINGTON — Military law experts and international officials are questioning whether President Donald Trump’s recent threats to destroy Iranian infrastructure could violate international law after his broad declarations during Monday’s news conference.
Trump’s warnings to target every bridge and electrical facility in Iran have raised concerns among legal scholars about potential harm to civilian populations, with some suggesting such actions might constitute violations of international law.
The legality of such strikes would depend on several factors, including whether the facilities serve legitimate military purposes, if the attacks would be proportionate to Iranian actions, and whether civilian harm would be kept to a minimum.
Critics argue Trump’s sweeping threats don’t appear to consider the impact on non-combatants, leading Congressional Democrats, United Nations representatives, and military law experts to question whether such strikes would comply with international standards.
While the president’s actual policies sometimes differ from his public statements, his warnings about targeting infrastructure have been clear and direct both Sunday and Monday, as he established Tuesday night as the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Stephane Dujarric, speaking for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, cautioned Monday that striking such infrastructure violates international law.
“Even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective,” Dujarric said, an attack would still be prohibited if it risks “excessive incidental civilian harm.”
Rachel VanLandingham, who teaches at Southwestern Law School and previously served as a judge advocate general in the U.S. Air Force, warned that cutting power to medical facilities and water treatment centers would likely result in civilian deaths.
“What Trump is saying is, ‘We don’t care about precision, we don’t care about impact on civilians, we’re just going to take out all of Iranian power generating capacity,’” the retired lieutenant colonel said.
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Persian Gulf passage that typically handles 20% of global oil shipments, has nearly stopped, causing oil prices to spike and creating stock market turbulence.
When asked Monday about potential war crimes, Trump said he’s “not at all” worried about such concerns while continuing his threatening rhetoric. He also stated that every power facility will be “burning, exploding and never to be used again.”
“I hope I don’t have to do it,” Trump added.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly, when contacted for additional comment Monday, said “the Iranian people welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing.”
“The Iranian regime has committed egregious human rights abuses against its own citizens for 47 years, just murdered tens of thousands of protestors in January, and has indiscriminately targeted civilians across the region in order to cause as much death as possible throughout this conflict,” Kelly wrote in an email.
With the conflict now in its second month, Trump has intensified his threats against Iranian infrastructure, including Kharg Island, which is vital to Iran’s petroleum industry, and desalination facilities that supply drinking water.
In a Truth Social message posted March 30, Trump warned that the U.S. would destroy “all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched.’”
On Easter Sunday, Trump used profanity in a post threatening Iran would face “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one,” while adding that “you’ll be living in Hell” unless the strait reopens.
“This strikes me as clearly a threat of unlawful action,” said Michael Schmitt, a professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College and an international law professor at the University of Reading in Britain.
According to Schmitt, power facilities can be legitimate targets under military conflict laws if they supply electricity to military installations in addition to civilians. However, the attack must not “cause disproportionate harm to the civilian population, and you’ve done everything to minimize that harm.”
Harm doesn’t include inconvenience or fear, explained Schmitt, who has instructed military commanders. But it does encompass severe mental suffering, physical injury or illness.
Military leaders should explore alternatives, such as hitting substations or transmission lines serving military bases, before destroying entire power plants, Schmitt noted.
“If you look at the operation and you’ve got a valid military objective, but it’s going to cause harm to civilians and you go, ‘Whoa, that’s a lot,’ then you should stop,” Schmitt said. “If you hesitate to take the shot, don’t take the shot.”
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa stated Monday that Trump is “absolutely not” threatening war crimes when discussing potential bombing of civilian infrastructure.
The infrastructure also serves military purposes, Ernst noted, and “it’s an ongoing operation.”
“If he needs leverage, he’s using that leverage,” she said while overseeing a brief pro forma Senate session.
However, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, also present for the brief session, called it a “textbook war crime.”
“If you target civilian infrastructure for the purposes the president was talking about, it clearly is a war crime,” Van Hollen said.
Dujarric, the U.N. spokesman, noted that determining whether attacks on civilian infrastructure constitute war crimes would require a court decision.
Katherine Thompson, a senior fellow in defense and foreign policy studies at the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank, suggested any accountability would more likely come from Congress.
She said believing otherwise would mean assuming the U.S. would allow its president to face accountability from foreign entities.
“This is the persnickety, inconvenient truth about international law: It only works if sovereign nations are willing to cede their sovereignty to a foreign body for accountability,” she said.
However, Congress would need to determine the president has overstepped boundaries. Both chambers would then need to act with sufficient support to override a presidential veto, which is highly unlikely.
Trump also appears to have extensive legal protection under the Supreme Court’s decision in his criminal case before his reelection, VanLandingham noted. The president could also issue preemptive pardons to senior officials if necessary.
Even if technically legal under warfare laws, strikes that harm civilians could damage U.S. interests long-term, VanLandingham warned.
“There’s a lot of violence that can still be justified as lawful, but lawful can still be awful,” VanLandingham said. “How far did that get us in Iraq? How far did that get us in Afghanistan? How far did that get us in Vietnam?”
Trump’s rhetoric risks frightening ordinary Iranians and suggesting the U.S. doesn’t care about their welfare, VanLandingham said. The country’s leadership could use it as propaganda to generate and strengthen opposition, leading to a longer, more difficult war.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced Monday that catcher Alejandro Kirk is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to fix a fractured left thumb.
The injury occurred during Friday’s 5-4 defeat against the Chicago White Sox when Kirk caught a foul tip near the bottom of his glove. Team officials have not yet established a timeline for the All-Star’s return to action.
“We’ll know the timeline after the surgery,” Schneider stated.
The 27-year-old Kirk has struggled early this season, going 3-for-20 with a .150 batting average, one home run and two RBIs across five games.
Throughout his seven-year major league career since joining Toronto in 2020, Kirk has compiled a .267 batting average with 52 home runs and 265 RBIs over 569 games.
With Kirk sidelined, 34-year-old Tyler Heineman will take over as the primary catcher. Heineman has performed well early this season, going 4-for-10 through five games. The team called up prospect Brandon Valenzuela, 25, from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday to serve as backup catcher. Valenzuela made his major league debut on Sunday, going 1-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Oil markets saw significant gains Tuesday as President Donald Trump escalated his warnings toward Iran, with threats of enhanced measures should the nation continue blocking access to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
West Texas Intermediate crude contracts climbed $1.12 per barrel, representing a 1.1% increase that brought prices to $113.52 by late Tuesday evening GMT.
The price surge reflects market concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial shipping lane for international petroleum exports.
Samsung Electronics revealed Tuesday that its first-quarter earnings reached unprecedented levels, climbing more than eight times higher than the same period last year as artificial intelligence technology continues reshaping the semiconductor industry.
The South Korean technology giant anticipates operating profits of 57.2 trillion won (equivalent to $37.92 billion) during the first three months of 2024, significantly exceeding analyst predictions of 40.6 trillion won. This represents a dramatic increase from the 6.69 trillion won recorded in the first quarter of 2023.
These preliminary figures nearly tripled Samsung’s previous quarterly profit record of 20 trillion won, which was achieved in the final quarter of last year.
The company has positioned itself as a primary winner in the artificial intelligence data center expansion, which has created supply constraints for conventional chips used in mobile devices, computers, and gaming systems. This shortage contributed to chip prices nearly doubling during the first quarter alone.
Industry analysts at TrendForce anticipate that contract DRAM memory chip costs will surge by more than 50% in the current quarter as supply shortages continue.
Approximately one year ago, Samsung’s chief executive issued an apology regarding the company’s underwhelming financial performance and stock value, following the firm’s delayed entry into producing high bandwidth memory chips essential for Nvidia’s artificial intelligence processors.
However, Samsung has been closing the competitive gap with South Korean competitor SK Hynix through its newest HBM4 chip technology, while simultaneously capitalizing on the recovery in standard chip demand powered by AI inference capabilities that enable platforms like ChatGPT to provide instant responses.
In March, American memory chip manufacturer Micron Technology projected third-quarter revenues exceeding Wall Street forecasts after achieving record-breaking second-quarter results due to strong AI demand and limited supply availability.
Samsung indicated that its revenue is projected to increase 68% to reach 133 trillion won during the January through March timeframe.
Air New Zealand announced Tuesday that it will reduce its flight schedule and increase ticket prices during May and June as ongoing Middle East conflicts continue to drive up aviation fuel costs worldwide.
The carrier revealed that these schedule adjustments will impact approximately 4% of flights and affect 1% of total passengers planning to travel during the two-month period. This represents the second time in nearly four weeks that the airline has made such operational changes.
“Like airlines globally, we’re experiencing jet fuel prices that are more than double what they would usually be,” an Air NZ spokesperson said.
Passengers whose travel plans are affected will receive notifications starting at 2100 GMT Monday, with the airline planning to complete all customer communications by week’s end.
The New Zealand-based carrier previously announced in March, roughly two weeks after the Middle East conflict began, that it would reduce 5% of its flight operations through early May.
Aviation industry experts note that shutdowns at key Middle Eastern airport hubs have created additional challenges for the airline sector beyond rising fuel costs.
Broadcom Corporation announced Monday it has entered into an extended partnership with Google to create and manufacture specialized artificial intelligence processors and related hardware for Google’s advanced AI systems until 2031.
Additionally, the technology firm reached a separate agreement with AI company Anthropic, granting the startup access to approximately 3.5 gigawatts of artificial intelligence computing power using Google’s processors, beginning in 2027.
Neither company revealed the monetary value of these partnerships.
Following the announcement, Broadcom’s stock price climbed roughly 3% during after-hours trading.
The market for specialized processors like Google’s tensor processing units (TPUs), designed specifically for artificial intelligence tasks, has grown dramatically as companies look for cost-effective alternatives to Nvidia’s expensive graphics processing units.
Previous reports from December indicated Google has been working to position its TPUs as competitive options against Nvidia’s dominant graphics processors. Sales of these tensor processing units have emerged as a vital component of Google’s cloud computing revenue growth, helping demonstrate to shareholders that artificial intelligence investments are producing financial returns.
Anthropic stated Monday that this latest agreement supports the company’s pledge to invest $50 billion in bolstering American computing infrastructure.
The AI startup reported that interest in its Claude artificial intelligence model has grown rapidly in 2026, with annual revenue projections now exceeding $30 billion, compared to approximately $9 billion recorded at the close of 2025.
According to Anthropic, the company develops and operates Claude using various AI hardware platforms, including Amazon Web Services’ Trainium processors, Google’s tensor processing units, and Nvidia’s graphics processors.
Amazon continues to serve as Anthropic’s main cloud computing provider and development partner.
The National Hockey League announced Monday that Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen will pay a $5,000 fine following a high-sticking penalty against Pittsburgh player Rickard Rakell.
The infraction took place 2 minutes and 38 seconds into the second period during Florida’s 5-2 defeat on the road against the Penguins Sunday night.
Rakell was sent to the ice by the contact, which earned Luostarinen a double minor penalty during the game.
The 27-year-old Finnish player has recorded 27 points this season through 68 contests, including nine goals and 18 assists, while accumulating 32 minutes in penalties.
Throughout his NHL career spanning 442 games between Florida and the Carolina Hurricanes, the two-time Stanley Cup winner has tallied 156 points with 59 goals and 97 assists.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East will drive up inflation while dampening global economic growth, according to the International Monetary Fund’s top official who spoke with Reuters on Monday.
Kristalina Georgieva, who serves as the IMF’s managing director, made these comments as the organization prepares to release updated economic projections next week.
Without the current warfare, the IMF had been anticipating modest improvements to worldwide growth estimates of 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
“Had we not had this war we would have seen a small upgrade of our growth projections. Instead, all roads now lead to higher prices and slower growth,” Georgieva explained.
According to the IMF chief, even if fighting ends quickly followed by swift recovery, the organization would still make a “relatively small” downward adjustment to growth predictions while raising inflation estimates. Should the conflict drag on, she warned the economic impact would be more severe.
Georgieva revealed that several nations have approached the IMF seeking financial support, though she declined to identify which countries made these requests. She noted the fund could expand current lending arrangements to address these nations’ requirements.
WASHINGTON – During a Monday press briefing at the White House, President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian citizens to rebel against their nation’s leadership should a ceasefire be implemented, though he acknowledged the serious dangers such actions would pose.
Speaking to members of the media, Trump expressed his view that Iranians ought to take action against their government. “Well they should do it but, again, the consequences are great,” Trump stated during the news conference. “I mean, they were told, ‘If you protest, you will be shot immediately.’”
The President, who has previously made threats to target Iran’s infrastructure including power facilities and transportation networks, also expressed his belief that Iranian citizens “would be willing to suffer that in order to have freedom.”
Motorists traveling on US Route 113 should expect delays due to ongoing construction activities affecting traffic flow in both directions.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, intermittent lane restrictions are currently in place along the northbound and southbound lanes of US-113 between Oak Avenue and Avenue of Honor.
The construction-related lane closures are expected to remain in effect until 5:00 AM, DelDOT officials report.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when navigating through the work zone area.
Three student-athletes from Goldey-Beacom College received recognition from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference this week for their outstanding performances.
Infielder Shawn Roy from New Castle, Delaware, earned the conference’s Baseball Rookie of the Week honor. Meanwhile, senior Connor Blence of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, was selected for the baseball Weekly Honor Roll.
In softball, freshman outfielder Ayri Hansen from Lakewood, California, was chosen for the sport’s Weekly Honor Roll recognition.
The weekly honors highlight the strong athletic performances across multiple sports programs at the Wilmington-area college.
Drivers using southbound US Route 13 will encounter periodic lane restrictions as construction crews continue their work along a busy stretch of the highway.
According to DelDOT officials, the lane closures are affecting the southbound lanes between Brickyard Road and Chipmans Lane. The construction activity is scheduled to wrap up by 5:00 AM.
Motorists are advised to expect possible delays and consider alternate routes if traveling through this area during the construction hours.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump provided extensive details Monday about a dangerous rescue operation that extracted two American airmen from deep within Iranian territory after their fighter jet was shot down last week.
The complex mission involved hundreds of military personnel, numerous aircraft, and advanced CIA surveillance technology to recover the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle that went down late Thursday, Trump revealed during a White House press conference.
Military forces successfully extracted the pilot within hours of the aircraft being downed, deploying rescue helicopters, aerial refueling planes, and fighter jets into Iranian airspace once his position was confirmed, according to the president’s detailed account of the operation.
The aircraft’s second crew member — the weapons systems officer — was brought home nearly 48 hours after the initial crash.
Trump highlighted the extensive military assets deployed and inter-agency cooperation required for the dangerous mission to retrieve American personnel from hostile territory. He characterized Iran’s downing of the jet as “a lucky hit” while maintaining his previous claims of having “beaten and completely decimated Iran.”
The search and rescue efforts commenced during daylight hours over Iran, with helicopters and supporting aircraft flying at low altitudes for seven hours while “at times facing very, very heavy enemy fire,” Trump explained.
An A-10 Warthog attack aircraft maintaining communication with the downed F-15 pilot sustained enemy fire damage while engaging Iranian forces, according to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The A-10 was “not landable,” Caine informed reporters, though the pilot continued combat operations before flying to a friendly nation and ejecting safely. The pilot was quickly recovered and is in good condition.
Following the F-15 pilot’s rescue, HH-60 Jolly Green II helicopters faced intense small-arms fire from Iranian forces, with “every single person in Iran who had a small-arms weapon” engaging the aircraft, Caine said. One trailing helicopter sustained multiple hits, causing minor injuries to crew members who are expected to recover fully.
The pilot, operating under call sign Dude-44 Alpha, was recovered before Iranian forces could organize a thorough search, but locating the weapons systems officer proved significantly more challenging.
Iranian state television affiliates broadcast appeals to residents in the mountainous southwestern region where the fighter crashed, urging them to turn over any “enemy pilot” to authorities and offering rewards for information.
The weapons systems officer, designated Dude-44 Bravo, sustained injuries but followed standard survival protocols by moving away from the crash location.
“Bleeding profusely,” according to Trump’s account, the airman navigated mountainous terrain and contacted rescue forces Saturday using “a very sophisticated beeper-type apparatus.”
“When a plane crashes in hostile territory, they all head right to that site, you want to be as far away as you can,” Trump explained.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe credited the agency’s “exquisite technologies that no other intelligence service” possesses for locating the missing airman. Simultaneously, the CIA conducted deception operations to mislead Iranian search efforts.
Ratcliffe compared the search and rescue mission to “hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desert.”
While the CIA declined to specify the technology used, Trump provided additional context about the discovery process.
Intelligence personnel detected movement during nighttime surveillance in the mountainous search area, Trump said. Officials monitored the moving object for 45 minutes, questioning their assessment when movement ceased.
“It was the head of a human being,” the president revealed. “And then all of a sudden, 45 minutes later, he moved a lot, stood up, and they said, ‘We have him.’”
“And that was really at the beginning of something incredible,” he added.
Protected by an “air armada” including drones and strike aircraft, rescue teams moved in Sunday. Cargo aircraft transported three small helicopters that were assembled near the mountain area where the missing airman was hiding in a cave or crevice.
However, the cargo planes became too heavy with equipment and personnel to depart from the sandy terrain. The rescued airman and his recovery team were evacuated by three “lighter, faster aircraft” while ground equipment was destroyed to prevent Iranian capture, Trump detailed.
Many aircraft involved in the operation served deceptive purposes, the president noted.
“We were bringing them all over, and a lot of it was subterfuge,” Trump said. “We wanted to have them think he was in a different location.”
In Washington, national security officials maintained continuous coordination through an open phone line for nearly two full days.
“From the moment our pilots went down, our mission was unblinking,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated. “The call never dropped. The meeting never stopped, the planning never ceased.”
During Trump’s operational briefing, his tendency toward dramatic detail conflicted with his advisers’ preference for protecting military and intelligence information. When Trump asked Caine about total personnel numbers, his top military adviser responded cautiously.
“Uhhh, I’d love to keep that a secret, Mr. President,” Caine replied.
“OK, well, we are,” Trump continued. “But I will tell you — the number, I’ll keep it a secret, but it was hundreds.”
The Salisbury University women’s golf squad delivered a strong performance Monday, capturing fourth place at the Stevenson Invitational held at Piney Branch Golf Club in Upperco, Maryland.
The Sea Gulls secured their position in the upper portion of the tournament field during the competition, demonstrating solid play throughout the event.
The tournament result continues the team’s competitive season as they represent the university in regional collegiate golf competition.
Pakistan’s leadership made a swift policy reversal late Friday evening, backing down from a dramatic gasoline price increase after citizens expressed overwhelming anger and frustration.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a national address announcing the price reduction, recognizing the serious economic hardships facing the country’s population.
The government cut gasoline prices by 80 Pakistani rupees per liter through a reduced petroleum levy, setting the new cost at PKR 378 per liter (approximately $5.14 per gallon). Diesel prices remained at their current level of PKR 520.35 per liter.
Just one day earlier, Energy Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had revealed increases of PKR 137.23 per liter for gasoline and PKR 184.49 per liter for diesel. These hikes temporarily pushed gasoline to PKR 458.41 per liter ($6.23 per gallon) before officials reversed course. The petroleum levy had jumped from PKR 105 to PKR 160 per liter but now sits at PKR 80 per liter after the rollback.
Government representatives initially defended the dramatic price jumps by pointing to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict and rising global oil costs. Sharif also announced several relief measures including transportation subsidies, frozen railway ticket prices, and a six-month extension of federal cabinet salary donations.
“War is ongoing in the Gulf, and as a result, oil prices across the region are soaring. The sharp rise in oil prices has also gripped Pakistan,” Sharif said.
This represented the second fuel price jump within a month’s time. On March 4, both gasoline and diesel had increased by PKR 55 per liter. During the past month, gasoline costs climbed 77% while diesel rose 87%, triggering widespread public demonstrations.
Opposition voices have criticized these policies as poorly planned decision-making and questioned the reasoning behind such severe increases while oil continues moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Political opponents also claim the administration has avoided reducing its own expenditures, instead placing financial strain on citizens already experiencing significant economic hardship.
Wahid, a rickshaw driver, told The Media Line that he barely earns PKR 1,000 ($3.59) a day and now faces an impossible choice: whether to buy fuel or feed his children.
Prior to the government’s midnight policy change, the political party Jamaat-e-Islami had organized nationwide protests against the fuel cost increases, threatening demonstrations and a potential transportation strike.
In their official response, Jamaat-e-Islami declared the price reduction insufficient, demanding the government eliminate or significantly lower petroleum taxes and levies that were already in effect and had been substantially raised in the recent price adjustment.
The party issued a warning that without meeting their demands, they would organize supporters to march to provincial chief ministers’ homes and initiate a nationwide transportation strike designed to shut down road traffic and transport operations.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Monday that intelligence chief Majid Khademi died in what Tehran describes as a joint American-Israeli operation that took place during early morning hours in the Iranian capital.
The Revolutionary Guard stated that Khademi was “martyred in the criminal terrorist attack by the American-Zionist enemy … at dawn today,” according to Iranian media reports.
Israeli military sources reported that their air force carried out the nighttime operation in Tehran using detailed intelligence provided by Israel’s military intelligence division.
Khademi brought extensive military and security expertise to his role and held significant influence within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. He stepped into the intelligence position after Mohammad Khatami’s death and was tasked with collecting intelligence that informed Iran’s top leadership decision-making.
Israeli officials accused Khademi of orchestrating attacks on Israeli and Jewish facilities around the globe. They also alleged he participated in operations targeting Americans and directed monitoring of Iranian civilians to crush domestic demonstrations.
The Israeli military reported Sunday that they had also eliminated Mohammad Reza Ashrafi Kahi, who led commercial operations for the Revolutionary Guard’s petroleum division in Tehran.
Military sources said Ashrafi managed business operations for the unit that generates billions annually and was instrumental in building military strength for the Revolutionary Guard and its allied organizations, including the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Emergency crews confirmed Monday that all four individuals missing after an Iranian missile directly struck a building in Haifa on Sunday have been found dead, according to Fire and Rescue Services officials. The victims included an elderly man and woman both in their 80s, along with their approximately 40-year-old son and his female partner, who was around 35 years old.
Rescue workers managed to retrieve two bodies from the collapsed structure, while operations continued to reach the other two victims. The recovery efforts faced additional challenges when another missile attack targeted the same neighborhood, causing more destruction and leaving four residents with minor injuries.
Monday morning brought fresh violence when a projectile hit a residential building’s private parking area in Haifa, resulting in smoke inhalation injuries for four people: two 5-year-old girls and two adults in their 40s.
The most serious injury occurred in Petah Tikva, where a 34-year-old woman suffered severe wounds from interceptor missile debris during the barrage. Emergency medical personnel from Magen David Adom rushed her to Beilinson Hospital, where doctors later upgraded her condition from serious to moderate-to-serious. Video from the scene revealed her damaged vehicle with broken windows and captured the moment she was struck while standing near the car.
Israeli authorities documented at least 15 impact locations throughout central Israel, with the Tel Aviv metropolitan area bearing significant damage. One Tel Aviv building sustained a direct hit, leaving one person with moderate injuries.
Medical responders also treated a 90-year-old Tel Aviv woman who was seriously injured while attempting to reach a bomb shelter during the attack.
The company behind ChatGPT has formally requested Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and California’s top prosecutor to examine Elon Musk’s business practices, which they characterize as improper and harmful to competition.
The request comes ahead of a major courtroom battle between Musk and OpenAI scheduled to commence this month. Musk filed suit against OpenAI and its chief executive Sam Altman in 2024, claiming the company abandoned its original nonprofit mission as it transitions toward a profit-driven structure.
Musk helped establish OpenAI in 2015 but departed three years later, subsequently creating a competing artificial intelligence venture called xAI that developed the Grok chatbot to rival ChatGPT.
Court documents from August revealed that Musk attempted to recruit Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg to join his consortium’s acquisition attempt of OpenAI in early 2023, though Zuckerberg declined to participate.
In correspondence sent Monday to Attorney General Jennings and California’s Rob Bonta, the artificial intelligence company stated that Musk’s legal action demands more than $100 billion in damages from OpenAI’s nonprofit arm, which would devastate the organization financially.
An Oakland, California judge determined in January that a jury will decide the case during the April trial proceedings.
Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, wrote in Monday’s letter that the litigation threatens the company’s mission to develop artificial general intelligence that serves humanity’s broader interests.
Kwon criticized Musk’s legal filings, stating they “suggest that your offices did not thoroughly investigate OpenAI’s plan to recapitalize and merely relied on promises about what OpenAI will do in the future.”
The Salisbury University men’s golf squad continued their strong performance streak by finishing third place at the Marymount University Bernie Shootout held Monday in Potomac, Maryland.
The Sea Gulls competed at TPC Potomac at Avanel Farm, marking their third consecutive tournament where they earned a spot on the podium with a top-three finish.
The Virginia-hosted tournament showcased the team’s consistent competitive play as they maintained their recent momentum on the golf course.
Motorists traveling on eastbound Route 9 should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has closed the right shoulder of the roadway.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the shoulder closure affects the stretch of County Seat Highway/West Market Street (Route 9) between DuPont Boulevard (US 113) and Substation Road.
DelDOT officials say the construction-related closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 3:00 PM today. Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
Motorists traveling through Wilmington should plan for potential delays on Christina Avenue today as intermittent lane restrictions remain in effect until 3 PM.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that lanes will be periodically closed along the stretch of Christina Avenue running between Terminal Avenue and A Street.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible while the lane closures are active in the area.
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re wrapping up Monday with pleasant spring conditions across the peninsula. Tonight will be partly cloudy with temperatures settling around a comfortable 43 degrees. You’ll feel a gentle west wind at 5 to 10 mph – perfect for keeping those windows cracked open.
Tuesday is shaping up to be absolutely beautiful! Expect wall-to-wall sunshine with highs reaching a delightful 55 degrees. It’s going to be one of those gorgeous spring days that reminds us why we love living on the Eastern Shore.
However, Tuesday night brings our first notable weather story – temperatures will drop significantly to around 32 degrees under mostly clear skies. This means we could see our first patchy frost of the season, so gardeners will want to protect any tender plants they’ve already put outside.
Wednesday morning may start frosty, but don’t worry – sunshine returns quickly and we’ll warm back up to 50 degrees by afternoon.
Enjoy this beautiful spring weather, Delmarva, and I’ll see you tomorrow with your next forecast!
Defense forces in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates scrambled Monday to counter incoming Iranian missiles and drone attacks, with falling wreckage from successful intercepts causing civilian injuries and property damage throughout both nations.
Kuwaiti military officials confirmed they were actively countering “hostile missile and drone threats.” These Monday strikes came one day after attacks damaged several locations throughout Kuwait, including the Shuwaikh facility that serves as headquarters for both the oil ministry and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation disclosed “severe material damage” following Sunday’s drone attacks on its operational facilities. The nation’s electricity and water ministry confirmed that two water desalination facilities also sustained damage. Government media outlets reported another strike damaged a state office building, though no injuries occurred there.
Throughout the UAE, defense operations continued nationwide as military officials said their defensive systems were “actively engaging with missiles and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) threats.” Officials explained that loud sounds heard across the country resulted from these defensive actions.
Debris from one successful intercept hit Raneen Systems, a company located in Abu Dhabi’s Musaffah industrial district, causing moderate injuries to a worker from Ghana, the Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed.
In another UAE incident, Fujairah officials responded after an Iranian drone approached the Du telecommunications company building on Sunday. No one was hurt in that incident.
Emergency responders in Sharjah worked to extinguish a blaze at Khor Fakkan Port after intercept debris landed at the location Sunday. One worker from Nepal suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization, while three Pakistani nationals received treatment for minor to moderate injuries.
The University of Delaware women’s golf team concluded their regular season competition at the Terps Invitational in College Park, Maryland on Monday. The Blue Hens finished in seventh place among 16 competing teams at the tournament hosted by the University of Maryland.
Delaware posted a final-round score of 5-over par 293 on Monday, helping them move up to their seventh-place finish. Over the three-round tournament, the Fightin’ Blue Hens recorded a combined score of 31-over par 895 on the challenging par-72 University of Maryland Golf Course, which measures 6,244 yards.
The tournament marks the end of regular season play for the Delaware women’s golf program as they prepare for postseason competition.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — April 6, 2026
DELMARVA — Farmers across the Midwest are making significant adjustments to planting strategies as spring planting season begins. In South Dakota, producers are reducing corn seed density by several thousand seeds per acre due to drought conditions and insufficient sub-soil moisture. Meanwhile in Arkansas, one grower is shifting entirely to soybeans, citing that corn and rice continue to show negative returns while beans approach break-even with recent price improvements.
Markets
Corn futures closed Monday with May contracts up 1.75 cents at $4.54 per bushel. Soybeans gained 3.25 cents, finishing at $11.66.75. May wheat dropped 4.25 cents to $5.77.50. Soybean meal added $1.40. Live cattle futures climbed 70 cents while feeder cattle slipped 27 cents.
Forecast
Partly cloudy skies are expected tonight with lows around 43°F and light west winds. Tuesday brings sunshine with highs near 55°F but northwest winds gusting to 20 mph. Tuesday night is the primary concern with a freeze watch in effect. Temperatures are expected to drop to 29°F with patchy frost anticipated. Farmers should protect sensitive plants and livestock. Wednesday starts frosty but warms to 51°F under sunny skies.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, April 6, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Motorists traveling on Route 40 should expect potential delays as Delaware Department of Transportation crews conduct cleanup operations in the roadway’s center median.
The maintenance work is taking place along the Pulaski Highway corridor, specifically in the stretch between Sunset Lake Road (also known as Wrangle Hill Road or Route 72) and Christiana Road (Route 273).
DelDOT officials report that the litter removal operations are affecting both directions of travel on this busy thoroughfare. The cleanup activities are scheduled to continue through 5PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential congestion.
Drivers traveling on Kenton Road should plan for potential delays as construction work has forced the closure of one southbound lane through this evening.
According to DelDOT, the lane restriction is in effect along the section of Kenton Road that runs from Burning Tree Road to Carnoustie Road. The closure is scheduled to remain in place until 5 p.m. today.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the construction zone.
Drivers using DuPont Boulevard are encountering traffic restrictions today as construction crews work along a busy stretch of the roadway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the right shoulder on Route 113 southbound is currently closed to traffic between Centerview Drive and Town Center Boulevard. The closure is expected to remain in effect until 3:00 PM this afternoon.
Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and to expect possible delays during the construction activity. Drivers should consider alternate routes if possible or allow extra travel time when using this section of DuPont Boulevard.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls made a significant front office change Monday, dismissing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after six seasons that yielded only a single postseason berth.
The organization completely overhauled its roster ahead of the February trade deadline, but Karnisovas and Eversley will not oversee the franchise’s rebuilding efforts moving forward.
During their leadership, the Bulls compiled a 224-254 record. The team currently holds the 12th position in the Eastern Conference with a 29-49 record and faces its fourth consecutive season without playoff basketball.
In a released statement, President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf acknowledged that Karnisovas and Eversley “led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls” while explaining the decision centers on “positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead.”
“I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration,” Reinsdorf stated. “I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right. At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud.”
The franchise dismantled its roster before February’s trade deadline, sending Nikola Vucevic to Boston, Kevin Huerter to Detroit, Coby White to Charlotte and hometown player Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota in hopes of escaping years of mediocrity. The organization retained Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey as potential building blocks and now possesses significant salary cap flexibility for summer moves.
“Being in the middle is what we don’t want to do,” Karnisovas explained during the trade period. “I think we’ve seen that for the past four years and we want to change that.”
However, mediocrity largely defined the franchise since Karnisovas arrived from Denver’s organization in April 2020. The Bulls added Eversley from Philadelphia several weeks afterward and brought in head coach Billy Donovan that September. Donovan’s employment status remains unclear.
The organization’s sole playoff run under Karnisovas and Eversley occurred in 2021-22, when they secured sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 46-36 before Milwaukee eliminated them in round one. Point guard Lonzo Ball suffered a season-ending knee injury that year and remained sidelined for the following two campaigns.
DeMar DeRozan’s 2023 selection marked Chicago’s most recent All-Star representation. The absence of a franchise centerpiece became increasingly apparent, and Karnisovas’ hesitation to pursue a comprehensive rebuild frustrated the fanbase. Instead of maximizing lottery odds, he emphasized patience and gradual progress.
This approach shifted dramatically when Karnisovas executed seven deals before this year’s deadline. The Bulls primarily collected second-round selections without acquiring any first-round picks.
Detroit’s Jaden Ivey represented one notable acquisition, as the organization hoped the 2022 fifth overall selection could return to pre-surgery form. However, the Bulls released him last week following anti-LGBTQ+ religious comments he posted on Instagram.
Ivey had been unavailable since February 11th and played only four games in Chicago. His contract was scheduled to expire at season’s end.
Donovan received a contract extension last summer but could pursue other NBA opportunities or return to collegiate coaching if Chicago moves in a different direction.
The coach holds a 467-411 record across 11 NBA seasons. He was considered the premier available candidate when the Bulls hired him in September 2020, replacing the dismissed Jim Boylen after five successful years in Oklahoma City. He guided the Thunder to a 243-157 record with annual playoff appearances while coaching stars including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Chris Paul.
Before his professional career, Donovan spent 19 seasons at the University of Florida, capturing consecutive NCAA championships. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him this past September.
The head of London’s Wireless Festival is defending his choice to feature rapper Ye as the main act, even as major corporate sponsors abandon the event over the controversial booking.
Festival Republic’s managing director Melvin Benn issued a public statement Monday supporting the decision to schedule the artist formerly called Kanye West for the summer concert series.
“Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world,” he wrote. “I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust at the likelihood of him performing (as was mine) and offer some forgiveness and hope to him as I have decided to do.”
The performer, who officially changed his name in 2021, is scheduled to appear before approximately 150,000 festival attendees during the three-day event running July 10-12.
The 48-year-old artist has faced intense criticism over the past few years for making antisemitic statements and expressing praise for Adolf Hitler. In recent actions, he released a track titled “Heil Hitler” and promoted merchandise featuring Nazi symbols on his website. This past January, he issued an apology through a full-page Wall Street Journal advertisement, attributing his behavior to bipolar disorder and describing “a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed my life.”
Major festival backers including Pepsi, Rockstar Energy, and Diageo have withdrawn their sponsorship following the headliner announcement, though primary sponsor Pepsi declined to specify their reasoning. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the booking decision as “deeply concerning.”
Benn’s defense emphasized the artist’s continued presence in mainstream media. “Ye’s music is played on commercial radio stations in this country. It is available via live streams and downloads in this country without comment or vitriol from anyone and he has a legal right to come into the country and to perform in this country,” his statement read.
“We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions,” the festival organizer added.
The rapper recently returned to major live performances with two shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium last week, his first significant American concerts in almost five years. Attendees seemed willing to separate his musical work from his personal controversies, particularly after his public apology.
Concert-goer Yovani Contreras explained his perspective: “I don’t really bring into politics or the way someone’s personal opinion are. I’m into the music artistry. Like, I just, to me, Ye is always gonna be Ye. Kanye is always gonna be Kanye.”
Representatives for the artist did not respond to requests for comment Monday.
Minneapolis authorities made public security camera footage Monday that captured a January confrontation between federal immigration enforcement agents and two Venezuelan men, an incident that resulted in one man being shot and has since sparked a criminal investigation into potential perjury by federal officers.
The surveillance video, recorded by a city-owned camera, documents portions of an encounter where immigration agents pursued a Venezuelan man to his home. During the ensuing altercation, another Venezuelan resident at the location was wounded by gunfire. In February, federal prosecutors dismissed all criminal charges against both immigrants and launched an investigation into whether two immigration enforcement officers provided false testimony under oath regarding the incident.
Minneapolis made the footage public following reporting by the New York Times, which had previously obtained the video and questioned why it took several weeks for the federal case against the two men to fall apart. According to the Times, federal investigators had the video available within hours of the January 14 shooting but didn’t review it until almost three weeks after filing charges against the two men.
“The video makes it crystal clear that, just like in other situations during Operation Metro Surge, the federal government’s account of what happened simply does not match the facts,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement.
Immigration authorities originally claimed that Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis attacked an ICE agent using a broom handle and snow shovel during the encounter. The agent discharged one round from his weapon, hitting Sosa-Celis in the right thigh. Demonstrators soon gathered at the location and confronted additional officers who had arrived wearing protective gear including gas masks and helmets.
Minneapolis officials offered minimal explanation of what the footage shows, stating only that it was “related” to the shooting incident. Their statement noted, “The City has no additional information and will not be making further comments at this time.”
The distant, nighttime footage appears to capture someone holding a snow shovel near the street outside the residence, then backing toward the house and throwing the shovel into the yard. This occurs as someone being pursued by another individual runs up from the street, stumbles on the sidewalk, recovers, and continues toward the house.
The three individuals appear to engage in a brief struggle near the front entrance lasting approximately 10 seconds. The precise moment of the shooting is not clearly visible. A vehicle with emergency lights arrives, followed by another person approaching the scene.
The camera’s movement suggests it was being operated manually in real-time, as it panned to focus on the street where the incident unfolded before any emergency vehicles appeared.
Charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis were withdrawn following an extraordinary filing by Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, who cited “newly discovered evidence” that was “materially inconsistent with the allegations” in the original criminal complaint and evidence presented during their preliminary hearing. He determined that dismissal with prejudice, preventing the charges from being refiled, “would serve the interests of justice.”
Rosen and other federal prosecutors handling the case, along with the Department of Justice, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment Monday.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement made no reference to the video in their statement but confirmed their previous announcement that two officers involved appeared to have provided false testimony under oath and were immediately suspended pending an internal investigation. The officers’ identities have not been disclosed.
“Lying under oath is a serious federal offense. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is actively investigating these false statements,” the ICE statement said. “Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution.”
The statement provided no update on the status of their case.
Aljorna’s legal representative did not respond to requests for comment. Sosa-Celis’ lawyer, Robin Wolpert, stated, “The video is evidence in ongoing state and federal investigations so I can’t comment.”
Both men remain free while pursuing legal immigration status. They were released even before criminal charges were dropped, though ICE briefly detained them again for alleged immigration violations before another court order secured their release.
State and local prosecutors have expressed frustration with federal authorities’ unwillingness to share information about this incident and the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. They filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration last month seeking access to evidence they say is necessary for independent investigations of all three shootings.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office refused to comment on the video, citing the ongoing investigation.
WASHINGTON — During Monday’s festivities at the White House, President Donald Trump addressed tensions with Iran while youngsters gathered around him for the traditional Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. The president later conducted a press conference in the briefing room, beginning with Easter remarks before transitioning to discuss the recovery of two American airmen from Iran. During his comments, Trump made a gesture simulating the aiming of a sniper weapon.
The events were documented in photographs compiled by Associated Press photo editors.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Iowa may proceed with implementing legislation that limits educators’ ability to discuss LGBTQ+ subjects with elementary students and removes certain materials from school libraries and classrooms.
The ruling overturns previous temporary injunctions issued by a lower court that had blocked enforcement of the legislation.
Iowa’s Republican-controlled legislature and Governor Kim Reynolds originally passed the legislation in 2023, stating it would ensure educational content remains appropriate for students from kindergarten through high school. Legal challenges have been ongoing for three years, with lawsuits filed by the Iowa State Education Association, major book publishers, prominent authors, and Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
The legislation was active during portions of the 2024-2025 academic year until March, when a federal judge reinstated a temporary halt on the book removal provisions, which prevent materials depicting certain sexual activities from being available in educational settings. In a separate ruling in May, U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher determined that while Iowa could limit required instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade, it could not restrict broader “programs” or “promotion,” citing these terms as excessively vague.
Iowa petitioned the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse both rulings, which a three-judge panel granted on Monday. The legal proceedings will continue in district court while the legislation remains active.
“This is a huge win for Iowa parents,” stated Iowa’s Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird. “Parents should always know that school is a safe place for their children to learn, not be concerned they are being indoctrinated with inappropriate sexual materials and philosophies.”
Iowa’s legislation was part of a broader national movement in 2023, with Republican legislators across the country proposing similar measures to limit LGBTQ+ discussions and regulate bathroom access in educational institutions. Many of these laws have faced legal challenges. The ruling coincides with the Trump administration’s announcement Monday that it has ended agreements from previous administrations that protected transgender student rights.
The Iowa legislation prohibits K-12 school libraries from housing materials containing descriptions or visual representations of six specific sexual acts. State attorneys argued the law provides clear guidelines and that the state has valid reasons to ensure public school materials meet appropriate standards as part of its educational mission.
However, the teachers’ union, along with publishers and authors, contended the law is excessively broad, extending “far beyond obscenity to prohibit any book with any description of a sex act for any age,” according to their legal filing. They also argued that libraries serve as venues for voluntary learning rather than existing solely to support the school’s educational objectives.
The appeals court agreed with the state’s position, determining that the restrictions are clearly defined and that school library materials can be considered part of the institution’s curriculum. Consequently, the court indicated that First Amendment claims from authors and publishers are unlikely to succeed.
The ruling stated: “The First Amendment does not guarantee students the right to access books of their choosing at taxpayer expense.”
The law additionally prohibits “any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation.” State attorneys maintained this language specifically targets mandatory school curriculum. Critics argued the law’s vagueness could restrict any school-based information or activities.
“Reading the plain language,” the appeals court decision stated, “we cannot say the State’s assertion is wrong.”
Locher’s May decision had granted a partial injunction, permitting the state to restrict such topics regarding curriculum, tests, surveys, questionnaires, or instruction but not “programs” or “promotion.”
Locher specifically outlined the implications: “Students in grades six and below must be allowed to join Gender Sexuality Alliances (‘GSAs’) and other student groups relating to gender identity and/or sexual orientation.” Additionally, districts, teachers, and students “must be permitted to advertise” these groups.
In overturning Locher’s partial block, the appeals court stated Locher incorrectly emphasized the two terms — program and promotion — when interpreting “an expansive view of the law’s scope.”
Since Iowa Safe Schools and the students requested the court block the law based on its language rather than specific rights violations, the appeals court indicated their challenge will likely fail on its merits.
The appeals court also permitted the state to enforce a requirement that school administrators inform parents when a student undergoes a social transition and wishes to use different pronouns or names at school.
Financial markets moved upward on Monday despite escalating tensions with Iran and climbing oil costs, as investors appeared to dismiss President Trump’s latest aggressive statements while waiting for more substantial developments in the Middle East conflict.
Stock exchanges across Asia that remained open during Easter Monday posted gains, with South Korea leading the way with nearly 2% growth, India rising 1%, and Japan’s Nikkei adding 0.5%. U.S. markets also climbed, with major indices gaining between 0.4% and 0.5%.
The positive market movement came even as Trump escalated his threats against Iran on Monday, declaring that every bridge and power plant in the country would be destroyed by Tuesday midnight unless an agreement is reached and the Strait of Hormuz reopens. This followed his profanity-filled warnings issued Sunday.
However, financial markets showed little reaction to the harsh words. While oil prices did increase by 1%, with West Texas Intermediate reaching its highest closing price since June 2022, other indicators suggested investors remain skeptical of the rhetoric. The dollar weakened, and U.S. Treasury bond prices edged downward.
Market analysts suggest that traders may now be disregarding Trump’s aggressive language, much of which echoes previous statements, and instead focusing on tangible policy actions and developments.
Despite the ongoing Iran conflict entering its sixth week, rising gasoline prices above $4 per gallon, and oil costs 65% higher than last year, early March economic indicators show the U.S. economy maintaining resilience. Employment numbers exceeded forecasts, manufacturing activity reached 2022 highs, and economic surprise indices hit four-week peaks on Monday.
The energy crisis has prompted several Asian nations, including India and the Philippines, to intervene in currency markets to support their monetary systems. With oil prices elevated globally and Asian premiums for physical supplies at record levels, additional countries may follow suit.
Nations with current account deficits, particularly Indonesia, face heightened vulnerability, while even surplus countries risk entering dangerous cycles of energy costs, currency devaluation, and inflation. In extreme scenarios, some governments might need to liquidate foreign bonds or gold reserves to finance fuel purchases.
Looking ahead, markets will monitor Middle East developments, energy sector movements, and various economic data releases including service sector reports from Australia, the eurozone, and the United Kingdom. The U.S. Treasury will auction $58 billion in three-year notes, while several Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak, including Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee and Vice Chair Philip Jefferson.
In sector performance, eight of eleven S&P 500 categories posted gains, led by consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and energy stocks. Starbucks jumped 5% while Boeing gained 2%. Among currencies, the Australian dollar and British pound led gains in developed markets, while Bitcoin surged 4% to reclaim the $70,000 level.
The Trump administration announced Monday it is canceling civil rights agreements that protected transgender students, including one with a Delaware school district.
Federal education officials said they are ending six settlement agreements they claim were improperly negotiated under Title IX regulations. Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits educational discrimination “on the basis of sex.”
Among the terminated agreements is one with Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware. Other affected districts include Sacramento City Unified in California, Fife School District in Washington, Delaware Valley School District in Pennsylvania, La Mesa-Spring Valley in California, and Taft College in California.
These settlements were designed to protect transgender students’ equal access to education opportunities, according to previous reporting.
The move represents part of Trump’s broader policy changes since returning to office. His administration has implemented executive orders targeting transgender rights and issued directives stating the federal government will only recognize male and female as biological sexes.
Education Department official Kimberly Richey defended the decision, stating: “Today, the Trump Administration is removing the unnecessary and unlawful burdens that prior Administrations imposed on schools in its relentless pursuit of a radical transgender agenda.”
The affected school districts and college have not yet responded to requests for comment about the terminations.
Trump’s policies regarding transgender rights have drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocacy organizations and civil rights groups nationwide.
Federal education officials did not provide specific details about what the terminated agreements required or how the change will affect students in these districts.
Delaware State University softball standout Kristen White has been selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced in its weekly softball honors.
The recognition showcases White’s exceptional performance in the circle for the Hornets during recent competition. The MEAC weekly awards program highlights the top performers across the conference in various categories.
White’s achievement adds to Delaware State’s growing list of conference honors this season as the Hornets continue their campaign in MEAC play.
DOVER — Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has selected a seasoned technology executive from Virginia to lead the First State’s digital operations and cybersecurity efforts.
Meyer announced his choice of Robert “Bob” Osmond to head the Department of Technology & Information as the state’s Chief Information Officer. Osmond currently holds the position of Commonwealth CIO in Virginia and brings extensive experience from both government and private sector roles.
If confirmed, Osmond would be responsible for overseeing Delaware’s technology infrastructure, protecting state systems from cyber threats, and managing digital services for residents and businesses across the state.
The nominee’s background spans multiple decades working in technology leadership positions in both public service and private industry before taking on his current role directing Virginia’s statewide technology operations.
The appointment requires confirmation through the state’s standard nomination process before Osmond can officially assume his duties leading Delaware’s technology initiatives.
Two University of Delaware men’s lacrosse standouts have been recognized by the Atlantic 10 Conference for their outstanding play, the league announced Monday.
Scott Conte received the conference’s defensive player of the week award, while teammate Keegan Lathrop was selected as the league’s rookie of the week. Both honors stem from their performances in the Blue Hens’ matchup against Hobart.
The recognition marks a milestone for both players, as each has captured their first-ever weekly award from the Atlantic 10 Conference during their collegiate careers.
A University of Delaware women’s lacrosse standout has earned conference recognition for her exceptional play on the field.
Senior attacker Jaclyn Marszal was selected as the Atlantic Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week, according to an announcement from league officials on Monday. The prestigious award highlights Marszal’s outstanding contribution during the Blue Hens’ narrow 13-12 win against Saint Joseph’s in recent action.
The Jacksonville, Florida-based conference office made the announcement, celebrating Marszal’s impressive showing that helped secure the victory for Delaware’s women’s lacrosse program.
The University of Delaware baseball squad is set to participate in the Liberty Bell Classic, making the trip to Lehigh University for the competitive tournament.
The Blue Hens will face off against other collegiate teams in what promises to be an exciting showcase of regional baseball talent. The tournament provides Delaware with another chance to test their skills against quality opponents as they continue their season.
Key players Ryan Pugh, Dylan Bryan, and Ethan Shaub will be among those representing the Blue Hens as they take their game on the road to Pennsylvania.
The New York Mets have announced they will honor Carlos Beltrán by permanently retiring his number 15 jersey and welcoming him into the franchise’s hall of fame during a pre-game ceremony on September 19, when they host the Philadelphia Phillies.
This distinction places Beltrán among just nine players in Mets history whose numbers have been permanently retired. The exclusive group includes baseball legends Tom Seaver (41), Mike Piazza (31), Jerry Koosman (36), Keith Hernandez (17), Willie Mays (24), Dwight Gooden (16), Darryl Strawberry (18) and David Wright (5).
The organization has also permanently retired jerseys belonging to former managers Gil Hodges (14) and Casey Stengel (37), while all MLB teams have honored Jackie Robinson by retiring number 42.
Current Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor, who presently wears number 15, will switch to number 28 to make way for the honor.
Beltrán earned induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame this year and has chosen to have a Mets cap displayed on his commemorative plaque. The official Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for July 26.
The former star’s relationship with the Mets organization has been complex. After being named manager on November 1, 2019, Beltrán was dismissed on January 16, 2020, before managing even one game. His firing came three days after MLB’s investigation into the Houston Astros’ electronic sign-stealing scandal specifically named him as the only player involved during the team’s 2017 World Series championship run.
The organization brought Beltrán back in February 2023 as a special assistant to the general manager. He currently serves as a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Team owners Steve and Alex Cohen issued a statement Monday celebrating Beltrán as “one of the greatest offensive players in team history, combining power and speed with elite defense.”
Reflecting on the upcoming honor, Beltrán expressed his gratitude, saying having his number retired and entering the team’s hall of fame is “the highest possible tribute, and I truly feel blessed. The Mets hold a special place in my heart. This summer will be incredibly meaningful, from my induction into the baseball Hall of Fame to this Mets hall of fame honor, with the cherry on top being my number retirement. I’m deeply grateful.”
Cold weather predictions have prompted three Major League Baseball teams to reschedule their Tuesday evening matchups to daytime starts.
On Monday, the New York Mets revealed they would be shifting both their Tuesday and Wednesday contests against the Arizona Diamondbacks from evening to afternoon due to anticipated frigid and blustery weather conditions.
Both Mets games will now begin at 4:10 p.m. Eastern Time instead of the originally planned 7:10 p.m. start times.
The Cleveland Guardians also adjusted their Tuesday matchup with the Kansas City Royals, moving the start time five hours earlier to 1:10 p.m. Eastern Time to avoid sub-freezing nighttime temperatures.
Cleveland’s scheduling change also helps prevent additional postponements and doubleheaders early in the season. Kansas City recently played two games in one day against Milwaukee on Saturday after Friday’s contest was delayed, while Cleveland just finished a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday following Saturday’s rain postponement.
The Chicago White Sox similarly rescheduled their Tuesday game against the Baltimore Orioles, advancing the start from 6:40 p.m. Central Time to 2:10 p.m. due to expected cold conditions.
To thank fans for their “understanding, commitment and flexibility,” the Mets announced they would provide a limited quantity of free tickets to both rescheduled games.
These complimentary tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through Mets.com/Tickets using the promotional code THANKYOU, with fans able to claim up to four tickets per game.
The Mets are also providing vouchers for future contests to fans who previously bought tickets for the Tuesday or Wednesday games. These vouchers can be used for home regular-season games scheduled Monday through Thursday.
Fans holding tickets for the original evening games can use them for the rescheduled afternoon contests.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin university system leaders will decide Tuesday whether to terminate their president after he declined to step down voluntarily, demanding an explanation for what he called an unexpected dismissal attempt.
Jay Rothman, who oversees the 165,000-student Universities of Wisconsin system, sent correspondence to board members stating he would not voluntarily leave his position without understanding what prompted the action against him.
Board of Regents President Amy Bogost responded Monday that Rothman “was not without notice, nor was this process sudden.”
“The Board has engaged with President Rothman in good-faith discussions over the past several months,” she said.
The termination decision is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Rothman did not respond to requests for comment.
The board action comes just five days after news broke that regents had given Rothman an ultimatum to resign or face removal.
Rothman has served as the multi-campus system’s leader since 2022. His correspondence marked the first public revelation that his position was at risk, catching university officials and state leaders off guard.
The attempt to remove Rothman without public explanation drew criticism Friday from Republican state Rep. David Murphy, who leads the Wisconsin Assembly’s higher education committee.
“This lack of transparency is unacceptable,” Murphy said. “President Rothman deserves to know exactly why the Board has lost confidence in his leadership.”
Bogost characterized the decision as forward-looking during a period of “profound change” in higher education, saying “this decision is about the future.”
“The Universities of Wisconsin must be led with a clear vision that both protects and strengthens our flagship, support our comprehensive universities and ensures we are meeting the evolving needs of our students, workforce and communities across all 72 counties,” she said.
During Rothman’s leadership, he has worked to secure additional state funding while facing federal budget reductions, addressed campus free speech issues during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and managed declining student numbers that resulted in eight satellite campus closures, though overall enrollment remained stable.
Employment attorney Tamara Packard, who examined Rothman’s contract, confirmed that he can be dismissed without cause and has no right to appeal the decision.
The contract requires six months’ advance notice of termination. Typically, dismissed executives focus on transition responsibilities rather than continuing regular duties, Packard explained.
Throughout his term, Rothman has worked with a Republican-majority Legislature while reporting to a regent board dominated by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees. This same board hired him initially.
With Evers not running for re-election, a new governor will soon have authority over regent appointments. The board controls hiring and firing decisions for university leadership.
When questioned Monday about the board’s intentions regarding Rothman, Evers remained neutral.
“It’s their call,” Evers said of the board.
The leadership uncertainty coincides with the departure of Madison campus Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, who will leave in May to become Columbia University’s president.
Before joining the university system, Rothman served as chair and CEO of Milwaukee law firm Foley & Lardner, bringing no previous higher education administration experience to the role.
WASHINGTON — Federal education officials announced Monday they have canceled protective agreements with six educational institutions across the country, including Delaware’s Cape Henlopen School District, that were designed to safeguard transgender student rights.
The Department of Education’s action means federal oversight of these protective measures will cease. The canceled agreements had required educational institutions to implement policies ensuring compliance with federal civil rights laws regarding transgender students. Besides Cape Henlopen, the affected institutions include school districts in Washington state, Pennsylvania, and California, along with a California community college.
During the Obama and Biden years, federal education officials viewed Title IX anti-discrimination laws as extending protections to transgender and LGBTQ+ students in educational settings.
The current administration has taken enforcement action against educational institutions that have implemented policies supporting gender identity accommodations. Federal officials have initiated legal challenges in California and Minnesota targeting state rules that allow transgender student participation in school athletics, while also launching civil rights probes into various schools and colleges regarding their transgender-related policies.
NEW YORK — A defendant whose murder conviction in the death of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay was overturned may walk free in the coming days following a judge’s decision Monday to approve his $1 million bond.
Karl Jordan Jr. won’t be immediately released because he continues to face separate drug-related charges that aren’t connected to the legendary DJ’s 2002 murder. Jordan stays locked up while federal prosecutors have this week to determine if they’ll challenge the bond ruling. Should they choose not to appeal, he’ll be freed once his bond documentation is completed.
“There’s a real chance, Mr. Jordan, that you may be released in the very near term,” U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall told him. “I wish you luck. And you will stay out of trouble,” she continued.
Jordan nodded silently while more than a dozen family members and supporters watched from the courtroom gallery. Many have shown up to nearly six years of hearings in his case, with 17 people agreeing to co-sign his bond. Jordan’s family also pledged Southern properties valued at $525,000 combined. Should he gain freedom, he’ll be monitored electronically.
Jordan’s defense team refused to speak with reporters following the hearing.
The victim, Jason Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay, died from gunshot wounds at his New York City recording studio in 2002. Serving as Run-DMC’s DJ, he helped bring hip-hop music into the mainstream during the 1980s with popular tracks like “It’s Tricky” and their cover version of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” Mizell also guided emerging artists, including a then-unknown 50 Cent.
Following years without progress, authorities arrested Jordan and Ronald Washington in 2020. Washington, currently 61, and Jordan, 42, both maintained their innocence.
A jury found both men guilty in 2024 after listening to eyewitness accounts that Jordan fired the fatal shots while Washington prevented anyone from leaving. However, in December 2025, DeArcy Hall threw out Jordan’s conviction and declared him not guilty, while letting Washington’s guilty verdict stand.
The judge’s decision focused on whether prosecutors successfully demonstrated the murder was drug-related, which was necessary for the federal murder charge. Testimony revealed that following Run-DMC’s peak popularity, Mizell became involved in cocaine trafficking to support himself financially and was offering drug business opportunities to Jordan and Washington — who were Mizell’s godson and longtime friend, respectively.
DeArcy Hall determined the jury received adequate evidence showing Washington harbored resentment toward Mizell over a failed Baltimore drug deal. However, similar proof regarding Jordan’s motivation was lacking, with the judge calling it “just conjecture.”
Federal prosecutors are challenging her ruling that cleared Jordan of Mizell’s murder.
Jordan’s legal team contended he deserved bond while the appeal and pending drug and weapons charges proceed.
Jordan, whose romantic partner works as a city jail official, “is not a danger to the community. But his continued detention is a danger to Mr. Jordan,” attorney John Diaz argued during a March 13 hearing. Jordan suffered serious stab wounds at Brooklyn’s problematic federal detention facility last year, with other prisoners facing charges for attacking him.
While prosecutors condemned the stabbing incident, they pressed the judge to keep Jordan detained, arguing he posed a flight risk.
DeArcy Hall ruled Monday that Jordan’s bond arrangement addressed concerns about him fleeing. However, she emphasized to him, “At the end of the day, sir, bond is about you giving me your word.”
“Yeah, I’m aware of that,” Jordan responded.
Looking toward the spectators, she wanted to ensure his relatives understood Jordan must follow all bond requirements.
“You all know I do not play,” the judge cautioned. “We all understood, folks?”
“Yes, your honor,” came the unified response from the audience.
Separately, prosecutors are conducting plea negotiations with a third defendant in Mizell’s death, according to a March 12 court filing from prosecutors and defense lawyers. This third suspect, Jay Bryant, was charged in 2023 after investigators discovered his DNA on a hat found at the crime scene. Bryant has entered a not guilty plea.
According to prosecutors, Bryant secretly entered the studio building and unlocked a rear entrance for Jordan and Washington, having connected with them through a shared contact. Jordan’s attorneys have maintained that the case against Bryant creates reasonable doubt about the now-dismissed charges against Jordan.
Rising medical expenses and reduced government assistance for commercial fishing operations have prompted the creation of a mobile healthcare initiative targeting Vietnamese fishermen in Galveston, Texas.
The temporary clinic operates without charge, addressing healthcare needs within this specific maritime community as traditional support systems continue to diminish.
The online retail giant Amazon announced Monday that it has finalized a fresh partnership agreement with the United States Postal Service for package delivery services.
According to sources familiar with the arrangement, the new contract allows Amazon to maintain approximately 80% of its current shipping volume through USPS, which translates to over 1 billion packages annually. Amazon serves as the postal service’s biggest individual client.
The agreement comes as welcome relief for the financially struggling mail agency, which operates on an $80 billion budget. Amazon’s business represents roughly $6 billion in yearly revenue for USPS, according to individuals with knowledge of the partnership terms.
The retail company had previously posed a significant challenge to the postal service by developing plans to establish its own nationwide delivery network, which could have eliminated the need for USPS services entirely.
In a prepared statement, Amazon expressed satisfaction with the outcome: “We’re pleased to have reached a new agreement with USPS that furthers our longstanding partnership and will let us continue supporting our customers and communities together.”
The negotiations became contentious after Amazon voiced opposition to postal service proposals to auction off access to its final-mile delivery infrastructure. The e-commerce company had previously warned it might reduce its delivery partnership with the cash-strapped postal service by at least two-thirds, according to earlier reports.
The U.S. Postal Service has not yet provided a response regarding the new agreement.
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he plans to force the journalist who initially covered the rescue of a U.S. airman in Iran to disclose their source, warning of imprisonment for those who decline to cooperate.
During a White House press briefing, Trump’s comments marked a notable intensification in his administration’s confrontational approach toward news media. Sources close to the president indicate he has expressed frustration in recent weeks over what he perceives as overly critical reporting on the U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran.
The controversy stems from Friday’s incident when Iranian forces downed an American fighter aircraft. Multiple news organizations subsequently reported that rescue teams had successfully retrieved one of the two crew members aboard the downed plane.
According to Trump, revealing details about the first airman’s rescue compromised the safety of efforts to locate and extract the remaining pilot, who was later brought to safety.
“We didn’t talk about the first one for an hour. Then somebody leaked something, which, we will hopefully find that leaker. We’re looking very hard to find that leaker,” Trump stated during the briefing.
The president added: “We’re going to go to the media company that released it, and we’re going to say, ‘National security, give it up or go to jail.’”
Trump did not specify which news organization or individual journalist would face his threatened action. Major outlets including The New York Times, CBS News, and Axios all published reports about the airman’s rescue within a similar timeframe.
White House officials have not provided clarification when pressed about which specific reporter the president was targeting with his threats.
Adding to the administration’s media criticism, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr recently posted on social media platform X suggesting that television stations broadcasting what he termed “fake news” should “correct course before their license renewals come up.” His statement included a screenshot of Trump’s Truth Social post claiming that “Lowlife ‘Papers’ and Media actually want us to lose the War.”
CBS announced Monday that it plans to transform its late-night programming strategy by selling its 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen following the conclusion of Stephen Colbert’s talk show this May.
The network, owned by Paramount Skydance, will relocate Allen’s comedy program “Comics Unleashed” to this prime slot through a time purchase arrangement. Starting May 22, viewers will see two consecutive 30-minute episodes each night, according to network officials.
Time purchases represent a standard industry approach during overnight and early morning periods, where networks sell designated airtime blocks to external producers or companies instead of creating their own content for those hours.
This arrangement covers the 2026-2027 television season and is expected to transform CBS’s late-night operations from a financial burden into a revenue generator.
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which frequently featured political commentary targeting President Donald Trump, will conclude its decade-long tenure on CBS May 21.
Under this new deal, Allen will also maintain control of the 12:37 a.m. slot, where his comedy game show “Funny You Should Ask” will continue airing.
“I truly appreciate CBS’ confidence in me by picking up our two-hour comedy block of Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask, because the world can never have enough laughter,” Allen stated.
“The Late Show” originally premiered in 1993 featuring David Letterman, who joined CBS after being overlooked for NBC’s “The Tonight Show” hosting position.
Before taking over “The Late Show” in 2015, Colbert gained recognition as a correspondent on “The Daily Show” and later hosted “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central.
