Federal agents conducted a massive drug enforcement operation Wednesday, taking 18 suspects into custody on charges connected to distributing dangerous narcotics like fentanyl and methamphetamine near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.
MacArthur Park sits in a heavily populated immigrant community located west of downtown Los Angeles, an area that previously saw federal immigration enforcement and National Guard presence during the summer months.
During this week’s enforcement actions, investigators confiscated 40 pounds of fentanyl from one residence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Law enforcement officials believe a married couple from South Los Angeles served as primary suppliers for the narcotics being sold throughout the park area, hiding drugs in commercial buildings and supplying them to dealers on the street.
“We’re here today because California policy has failed,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated at a press conference announcing the arrests. “MacArthur Park should be for families, should be for residents of Los Angeles, not for drug dealers and gangsters.”
Essayli made the announcement with representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Los Angeles Police Department at the park location. The area has become home to multiple homeless camps and has witnessed widespread public drug use in recent years.
Television news helicopters captured footage of agents working outside a row of businesses facing the park, with one agent apparently using a chainsaw to breach a business wall. Essayli shared video on X showing LAPD officers participating in the operation and footage of a residential neighborhood raid.
Essayli, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, attributed the area’s problems to unsuccessful California policies, including lenient penalties for drug users and programs providing clean syringes and Narcan, an emergency overdose reversal medication for fentanyl.
The Wednesday operation deployed more than 200 personnel from the DEA, according to Anthony Chrysanthis, the department’s special agent in charge for Los Angeles.
Essayli explained the operation started Tuesday evening, with three search warrants carried out Wednesday morning at homes in other Southern California locations. Law enforcement served six additional warrants at businesses found to be distributing drugs in the MacArthur Park area.
Investigators have identified the Sinaloa Cartel as the source supplying fentanyl and methamphetamine to the region, Chrysanthis reported.
The arrested individuals are scheduled for court appearances Thursday.
Seven additional suspects remain at large, according to Essayli’s office.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Over the last day, the Trump administration has delivered wildly inconsistent messages about the Iran conflict, oscillating between claims that a fragile ceasefire remained intact and military actions had ended, to fresh threats of bombing the Islamic Republic.
Tuesday began with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth describing how American forces were safeguarding trapped vessels so they could navigate through the Strait of Hormuz. He maintained this was a defensive mission and the truce remained valid despite Iran firing missiles and drones at American forces, which destroyed Tehran’s small naval vessels.
That same afternoon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed White House reporters that the military mission had “concluded” and America had accomplished its goals. However, in nearly the same statement, he indicated President Donald Trump was still pursuing a “path of peace” that demanded Iran accept a deal to reopen the crucial oil transport channel.
By Tuesday night, Trump declared the ship protection effort was suspended to allow time for potential negotiations. Then Wednesday morning brought another warning that bombing would continue if Tehran rejected American conditions.
The administration’s fluctuating and frequently conflicting communications during the Iran conflict has created additional confusion this week as the president and his team offered a bewildering account of American strategy to clear the Strait of Hormuz and conclude the war that changed dramatically within just hours.
Government officials have attempted to balance maintaining the ceasefire while reopening the strait, through which 20% of global oil typically passes. Economic consequences are mounting as fuel costs climb, with Republicans under growing pressure to address higher expenses before midterm congressional elections.
The Trump administration has faced messaging challenges because the conflict lacked proper planning, according to Elizabeth Dent, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
“Because it happened very quickly, it wasn’t sold to the American public in a way that I think was palatable,” said Dent, a former official in the State Department and Pentagon. “Now I think Trump is sort of doing everything he can to prevent a return of hostilities because he saw how unpopular the war was.”
During the entire conflict, the president has changed his priorities and views on success. He has offered an unclear definition of a ceasefire. And he has provided his own understanding of legislation requiring congressional approval for military actions after 60 days.
The confusion stems partly from Trump’s habit of making spontaneous statements that effectively create policy, Dent explained. Staff members like Rubio and Hegseth must then clarify Trump’s remarks.
The chaotic 24 hours of Trump administration decision-making also shows recognition that any alternative to an agreement “is going to range from unpalatable to outright ugly” during a politically crucial time for the Republican president, said Ali Vaez, Iran director at the International Crisis Group.
“This is not an administration that operates based on a policy process. It operates based on impulse. And the president seems now both tired of this war and reluctant to continue investing his political capital into it,” Vaez said.
Recent days have exemplified how the Trump administration’s communications can appear disconnected and difficult to understand.
The president announced Sunday that American forces would safely escort hundreds of stranded commercial ships from the strait, which Iran has essentially blocked by attacking vessels near its coastline.
On Tuesday, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Dan Caine reported two American-flagged cargo ships passed through the waterway to begin the effort, but Iran attacked U.S. vessels and the military destroyed six Iranian small attack boats.
When questioned about exchanges of fire from both sides, Hegseth responded, “No, the ceasefire is not over.” Caine also stated Iranian attacks did not constitute “restarting major combat operations.”
Rubio later emphasized Trump’s preference for diplomacy.
“Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation,” he stated, using the code name for the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. “What the president would prefer is a deal.”
An agreement appeared more likely when Trump posted Tuesday evening on social media that he was stopping the strait operation to observe negotiation progress. But Wednesday morning brought another Iranian threat from Trump.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” he posted on Truth Social.
The U.S. military reported Wednesday that it fired upon and disabled an Iranian oil tanker attempting to break through Iran’s shipping blockade.
Another puzzling aspect involves the administration’s attempts to convince allies to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has criticized countries unwilling to contribute more, telling them to “go get your own oil” and stating America shouldn’t secure the strait alone. But administration officials have begun actively seeking assistance while moderating their rhetoric.
Rubio said the problem isn’t lack of interest, but that many cannot provide necessary resources.
“A lot of countries would love to do something about it. But they don’t have a navy, right? Or they can’t get there in time,” he explained.
Following Trump’s sudden initiative suspension, two U.S. officials said the administration was still determining whether and how to continue planning, after the State Department’s formal support request to countries last week.
The officials, speaking Wednesday anonymously to discuss internal discussions, said Trump’s announcement was unexpected and they received no detailed guidance about withdrawing support requests.
American allies including Britain and France have rejected Trump’s intermittent suggestions for military involvement, but they have formed a separate international maritime coalition to secure the strait — only after shipping threats end. France’s aircraft carrier group is moving south of the Suez Canal into the Red Sea preparing for a potential French-British strait mission.
The situation has been further complicated by Trump’s scheduled Beijing trip next week.
“Going to China while the strait remains closed is humiliating for President Trump and puts China in a position of strength vis-a-vis the United States, because President Trump would have to, as he has done recently, ask for China’s help to resolve a problem that didn’t exist before he launched a war,” Vaez said.
Officials organizing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have unveiled plans for an extensive Cultural Olympiad that will spotlight the city’s diverse neighborhoods, creative talent, and immigrant populations through programming that encompasses cinema, cuisine, fashion, music, live performances, and visual arts.
This multi-year cultural initiative represents a mandatory component for Olympic host cities, designed to blend athletic competition with local cultural expression.
According to Nora Halpern, who serves as executive director of LA28’s Cultural Olympiad, the initiative will be developed “from the community level up.” She noted that organizers have engaged with over 300 area arts organizations during the past two years of planning.
“The 2028 Cultural Olympiad will be a celebration of culture by and for Los Angeles, which we will share with the world,” Halpern announced to media representatives on Wednesday.
LA28 emphasized that the programming will prioritize accessibility for both residents and tourists, including individuals who don’t possess event tickets. Officials intend to minimize or waive entrance costs for select cultural activities while promoting existing complimentary events throughout the metropolitan area.
A comprehensive digital calendar and navigation system, set to debut in January 2028, will direct locals and visitors to cultural happenings across greater Los Angeles before, during, and following the Games. LA28 indicated this platform will continue serving as a lasting community resource.
Starting in 2027, organizations may request an official Cultural Olympiad designation without charge, enabling their programming to be featured in LA28’s promotional efforts, according to officials.
LA28 additionally intends to contract 16 official Cultural Olympiad posters from regional artists — with eight dedicated to the Olympic Games and eight for the Paralympic Games. These artistic works are anticipated to be revealed in July 2027.
Expected activities include open-air movie presentations, live entertainment, community performance areas, art displays, and gatherings in parks and additional public locations. Officials indicated the initiative will utilize Los Angeles landmarks and neighborhood establishments while celebrating local cuisine, artists, and cultural organizations.
BRUSSELS – European Union officials say negotiations with the United States on a crucial trade agreement are moving forward, though substantial challenges remain before reaching a final deal, according to statements made Thursday.
Bernd Lange, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator, acknowledged that while productive discussions are taking place, significant obstacles must still be overcome. The talks focus on eliminating tariffs on American imports to Europe.
“We have just concluded a constructive second trilogue during which we made good progress on the issue of the safeguard mechanism and the review and evaluation of the main regulation, but there is still some way to go,” Lange stated.
The negotiations have taken on new urgency following President Donald Trump’s announcement Friday that he plans to increase tariffs on European automobiles and trucks to 25% this week, up from the current 15% rate. Trump claims the EU has failed to meet obligations from an agreement reached in Scotland last July.
European officials are scrambling to finalize legislation that would eliminate import duties on American industrial products and provide enhanced access for U.S. agricultural and seafood exports, as outlined in the original trade framework.
Despite nine months passing since the initial agreement, the European Parliament and the Council representing EU member governments have yet to approve unified language needed to implement the tariff reductions.
Lange previously criticized Trump’s approach, saying the president’s “behavior is unacceptable” following the surprise tariff increase announcement.
The next negotiating session is scheduled for May 19.
European lawmakers are pushing for stronger protective measures in any final agreement, including provisions to suspend the deal if America fails to meet its commitments, making European tariff cuts dependent on U.S. actions, and terminating all EU trade concessions by March 31, 2028.
However, EU government representatives show little interest in incorporating such stringent conditions, according to diplomatic sources. One official indicated the two sides remain significantly divided, suggesting additional talks will likely extend into next month.
Manfred Weber, who leads the center-right European People’s Party – the largest faction in the European Parliament – expressed hope for a final vote in the EU assembly this May. That timeline appears optimistic given multiple political groups believe Trump’s latest threats make robust safeguards essential.
The automotive tariff dispute overshadowed Wednesday’s meeting of G7 trade ministers in Paris.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, representing a country that would face severe impact from increased car tariffs, said she was engaged in intensive discussions with American officials and remained optimistic they would “solve this challenge.”
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic announced plans to travel to Brussels to participate in the ongoing negotiations.
The chair of the European Union’s parliamentary trade committee announced Wednesday that while lawmakers are moving forward on legislation supporting a trade deal with the United States, significant negotiations remain ahead.
Bernd Lange reported that a second round of discussions with EU governments has helped reduce disagreements on several aspects of the proposed regulations, particularly regarding protective measures and procedures for reviewing and assessing the agreement.
According to a statement from the European Parliament, negotiating teams are scheduled to reconvene on May 19 in Strasbourg for their next session.
“We remain more committed than ever to advance and defend Parliament’s mandate so as to provide additional guarantees that will benefit citizens and companies in both the EU and the U.S.,” Lange stated.
New Zealand’s Defense Minister Chris Penk announced Thursday that his country has initiated talks with Australia and Britain regarding the modernization of its outdated naval frigates, with government recommendations expected by the close of 2027.
Officials are evaluating two potential vessels as replacements for HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, which entered service in 1997 and 1999. The options include Japan’s Mogami-class frigate, already selected by Australia, and Britain’s Type 31 frigate. According to Penk’s statement, collaborating with allied nations would enhance operational compatibility and create cost savings.
This initiative falls under New Zealand’s 2025 Defence Capability Plan, through which officials have pledged to substantially increase military funding and modernize outdated equipment following what they characterized as decades of insufficient investment.
The strategy encompasses naval fleet modernization as Wellington aims to enhance its capacity to safeguard shipping routes, bolster Pacific region security, and improve disaster response capabilities.
According to Penk, the majority of the navy’s vessels will reach their operational limits by the mid-2030s, including both Anzac frigates that currently serve as New Zealand’s primary naval combat assets.
The frigate replacement program is scheduled as a potential investment between 2029 and 2039.
A quantum computing technology company announced Wednesday it expects higher revenues this year as more customers seek access to its advanced computing platform.
IonQ’s stock price dropped approximately 6% during after-hours trading despite the improved financial outlook.
“IONQ had high expectations going into the print today, especially given the run the stock has had in the past month. Think we are also seeing some skepticism play out, which has lingered over the past few quarters as to the viability of the technology and the path that IONQ has taken with trapped ion qubits,” said D.A. Davidson analyst Alex Platt.
The company’s stock value has climbed roughly 17% since the beginning of this year.
The firm specializes in creating quantum computing systems using trapped-ion technology, along with related networking and security solutions. Customers can access their equipment through cloud-based services designed to tackle computational challenges that traditional computers cannot handle.
The trapped-ion approach involves using electrically charged atomic particles that are controlled through laser beams and electromagnetic fields in a vacuum environment.
“Profitability is not a key focus this year. We are focused on growing revenue and growing R&D investments to support that revenue growth,” CEO Niccolo de Masi told Reuters.
The quantum computing field still faces significant obstacles, particularly with qubits – the basic units similar to traditional computer bits. While qubits operate at extraordinary speeds, they remain challenging to manage and susceptible to computational errors.
IonQ has revised its yearly revenue projection upward to a range of $260 million to $270 million, surpassing previous estimates of $225 million to $245 million.
First-quarter earnings showed revenue of $64.7 million, exceeding Wall Street analysts’ predictions of $49.7 million based on LSEG data.
Chinese manufacturers say they’ve grown indifferent to former President Donald Trump’s trade threats as he prepares for a visit to Beijing this month, with many companies maintaining their American business relationships despite ongoing tensions.
Yu Yangxian, who sells electric lockers and vending machines largely to U.S. customers, dismisses Trump’s upcoming trip as irrelevant to her operations. “As long as the United States continues to trade, it will have to do business with us,” Yu explained, noting her company handles increased costs by shifting some expenses to American buyers. “China’s supply chains and the product quality are strong.”
Yu’s company weathered the challenging period of 2025, when trade penalties temporarily reached triple-digit levels, while keeping most of its American customers and securing new international clients. She credits China’s decades-long focus on building comprehensive domestic manufacturing networks for this resilience.
“Whether he comes to negotiate or to declare a fight, it does not pose a major threat to us,” Yu said regarding Trump’s visit.
GLOBAL MARKET EXPANSION
Yu’s business strategy mirrors China’s national approach: diversifying into Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and Africa to offset Trump’s trade policies and rising raw material costs from the Iran conflict.
China concluded 2025 with an unprecedented trade surplus of $1.2 trillion – equivalent to the Netherlands’ entire economy – by penetrating new markets with competitive pricing.
While Chinese shipments to America dropped 20%, exports surged 25.8% to Africa, 7.4% to Latin America, 13.4% to Southeast Asia and 8.4% to the European Union.
Beijing successfully pressured Washington to reduce tariffs by restricting exports of rare earth elements, which China produces almost exclusively and are essential for semiconductors and defense applications.
“The rare earth thing really is just the ultimate trump card,” explained Cameron Johnson, a senior partner at supply chain consultancy Tidalwave Solutions.
Johnson noted Beijing could also limit supplies of pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, or electrical transformers needed for America’s power grid expansion. While the Iran war gives Trump short-term leverage through U.S. energy exports, China’s manufacturing diversity provides long-term advantages if tensions escalate.
“That’s why they’re playing nice,” Johnson said of Washington’s approach.
REDUCED PRESSURE TO RELOCATE
With tariffs becoming less central to U.S.-China relations, Chinese manufacturers feel less urgency to move production elsewhere.
Jonathan Chitayat, who heads Asian operations for contract manufacturer Genimex Group, developed supplier networks in Vietnam, Thailand, India and Indonesia during Trump’s first presidency. However, 75% of his 500 suppliers remain in China, with many canceling relocation plans after the U.S. reduced levies on Chinese goods while raising them elsewhere.
“We’ve all learned not to take drastic action,” Chitayat observed. “Everyone who waited feels pretty good about waiting now.”
Mike Sagan, sourcing vice-president at Pride Mobility Products, which manufactures wheelchairs and mobility scooters, said his company’s 100-supplier network remains 70% to 80% dependent on China.
“De-risking and diversification aren’t going to go away, but it doesn’t have to be as rushed,” Sagan noted. “The panic has worn off and people have grown a little tougher skin when it comes to Trump making statements.”
BUSINESSES SEEK STABILITY
Companies have stopped overreacting to Trump’s announcements, becoming “numb” to his threats, according to Ren Yanlin, an executive at a Chinese firm handling international factory projects.
“The mindset is that it doesn’t matter anymore,” Ren said.
Eric Zheng, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, said the organization’s nearly 3,000 members have modest expectations for Trump’s visit but welcome potential dialogue.
Members would appreciate an extended pause on tariffs and export restrictions, possibly combined with Chinese commitments to purchase Boeing aircraft, soybeans, or American energy, Zheng explained.
However, few expect permanent solutions. “A truce is great, better than a trade war, but a truce is temporary,” Zheng said. “We need some certainty. Companies need to plan for the long term, not the next 90 days, not even six months. It has to be several years.”
A federal judge in Atlanta has decided that the Justice Department may retain possession of 2020 election ballots that FBI agents collected during a search earlier this year, delivering a legal win for the Trump administration’s ongoing investigation into alleged voting irregularities.
U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee denied Fulton County’s motion to have the original documents returned. County attorneys had contended that the FBI’s operation at their election facility was based on unreliable and debunked information, and that it breached constitutional protections.
Fulton County representatives have not yet provided a statement regarding the decision.
This court decision represents an uncommon legal success for Trump’s Justice Department in investigations the president has called for. The ruling permits federal agents to maintain control of over 600 containers of 2020 ballots while they conduct a criminal probe examining whether election materials were improperly stored or if Fulton County voters were denied a legitimate election process. Fulton County encompasses the majority of Atlanta.
However, the investigation continues to encounter substantial challenges. Justice Department attorneys have not named any specific suspects in the case and have not challenged assertions that the time limit for prosecution may have already passed for both offenses under investigation.
Election administrators and specialists nationwide have been monitoring this case closely as Trump continues to suggest possible federal intervention in local elections and raises questions about voting procedures before the upcoming November elections.
Trump has persistently made unfounded allegations that his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden resulted from extensive fraud, and has directed federal law enforcement and intelligence services to reexamine vote collection and counting procedures.
Justice Department representatives maintained that Fulton County failed to satisfy the strict legal requirements needed to recover materials taken during a court-authorized search.
The search operation, which received approval from a federal magistrate judge, involved FBI agents taking original 2020 ballots and additional documents from the county’s election facility located in Union City, Georgia. Officials pointed to supposed problems with the 2020 vote, including allegations that certain digital ballot images were absent and some mail-in ballots appeared not to have been properly folded as mandated.
The probe originated from information provided by Kurt Olsen, an attorney who assisted Trump’s efforts to reverse the 2020 election results and has been assigned by the White House to review the vote. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of national intelligence, was present during the search in an uncommon action for an official typically focused on international threats.
Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold in a state that has become highly competitive in presidential races, became a focal point for conspiracy theories and fraud allegations promoted by Trump and his supporters after the 2020 election.
Biden’s substantial victory margin in Fulton County was crucial in turning Georgia to the Democrats. The state returned to Trump’s column in 2024.
County legal representatives argued that the FBI document used to justify the search excluded important background information demonstrating that many allegations had been previously examined and determined to be either baseless or errors that did not stem from deliberate wrongdoing.
At a March court session in Atlanta, an election specialist who consulted with the county during the 2020 election stated that much of the evidence referenced in the affidavit seemed to reflect a lack of understanding about election procedures.
Federal officials have launched a legal challenge against Colorado’s restrictions on high-capacity ammunition magazines, filing suit to eliminate a state law that has been in place for over a decade.
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit Wednesday targeting Colorado’s prohibition on magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. State lawmakers passed this restriction in 2013 following a devastating mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater that left 12 dead and 58 wounded.
Federal attorneys argue that Colorado’s magazine capacity limits violate Second Amendment constitutional protections for gun ownership. The 11-page legal filing from the Justice Department’s civil rights division references the Supreme Court’s 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision, which established that Americans have the right to possess commonly-used firearms for legal activities.
According to the federal complaint, magazines exceeding 15 rounds are standard equipment for many widely-owned firearms across the country, including AR-15 style rifles and certain semi-automatic handguns.
“The number of lawfully owned semi-automatic firearms in the United States that utilize a magazine like the ones banned by the state is in the tens of millions,” the lawsuit states. Federal officials contend that prohibiting these magazines effectively restricts ownership of weapons that are “in common use.”
The legal filing emphasizes that such firearms serve “multiple lawful purposes,” including target shooting for recreation, collecting, and personal protection. Justice Department lawyers are seeking a court injunction to stop Colorado from enforcing its magazine capacity restrictions.
Colorado’s top legal official has pledged to fight the federal challenge. Attorney General Phil Weiser released a statement defending his state’s gun safety regulations and criticizing the federal lawsuit.
“Large-capacity magazine laws are responsible policies that satisfy Second Amendment protections, decrease impacts of mass shootings and save lives,” Weiser stated. “The state has a duty to protect Colorado residents from gun violence.”
Weiser also accused federal officials of misusing the Justice Department’s civil rights division, saying the lawsuit “turns the mission of the DOJ’s civil rights division on its head.”
This marks the second gun-related legal action the Trump administration has taken against Colorado this week. On Tuesday, federal attorneys filed a separate challenge to Denver’s municipal ban on certain semi-automatic rifles classified as assault weapons.
Previous attempts to overturn Colorado’s magazine restrictions have failed in federal court. In 2016, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a similar lawsuit brought by county sheriffs, gun retailers, and shooting organizations. The appeals court ruled those plaintiffs could not prove they would suffer personal harm from the laws, meaning they lacked proper legal standing to file suit.
Energy markets saw crude oil futures climb approximately $1 per barrel during Thursday’s early trading session, as investors closely monitored developments in Middle East diplomatic negotiations.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased by 80 cents, representing a 0.8% gain to reach $95.88 per barrel by 2223 GMT, after touching a session high of $96.33 earlier in the day.
This upward movement came after the benchmark contract experienced a sharp 7% decline on Wednesday, driven by market optimism surrounding potential resolution to Middle East conflicts following reports that the United States and Iran were approaching preliminary peace negotiations.
According to sources familiar with the mediation process, including one from mediator Pakistan and another briefed on the discussions, negotiators are close to reaching agreement on a single-page memorandum that would officially conclude the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Iran announced it was examining a peace proposal from the United States that, according to sources, would officially terminate the war but would not address key American demands for Iran to halt its nuclear activities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s ISNA news agency quoted an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson stating that Tehran would provide its official response to the proposal. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his belief that Iran was interested in reaching an agreement.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks athletics department has launched a comprehensive nationwide recruitment effort to identify their next head coach for the men’s volleyball program.
The Eastern Shore institution is actively seeking qualified candidates to take the helm of their men’s volleyball team as they move into the future. The search represents a significant step for the Hawks’ athletics program as they look to build upon their volleyball tradition.
Details regarding the timeline for the selection process and specific qualifications being sought have not yet been released by the university. The Hawks will be evaluating candidates from across the country as part of this comprehensive search effort.
Motorists traveling through Newark should expect delays on South Chapel Street tonight due to ongoing construction work.
The Delaware Department of Transportation has temporarily shut down the right lane of South Chapel Street in the northbound direction between Brookhill Drive and Bellevue Road. The lane restriction is scheduled to remain in effect until 6 AM.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute. Traffic may be reduced to a single lane during the construction period.
Wall Street celebrated Wednesday as rumors of a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement sparked a massive rally that pushed global stock markets to record heights while sending oil prices into a steep decline.
The speculation about diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran created a wave of optimism that lifted benchmark indexes worldwide. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence companies continued their remarkable run following strong earnings reports and news of massive spending commitments in the tech sector.
Market analyst Jamie McGeever noted the extraordinary strength of emerging markets despite ongoing global energy disruptions. Emerging market stocks reached all-time highs, with bond spreads hitting their narrowest levels in more than ten years. However, questions remain about sustainability if Middle East peace talks fail to materialize.
The day’s winners included major stock indexes across the globe. The MSCI world index, emerging market benchmark, and Asia ex-Japan measures all posted new records. South Korea’s market joined the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in reaching fresh peaks, while European markets and Britain’s FTSE 100 both climbed 2%.
Technology led the charge among individual stocks. Nine out of eleven S&P 500 sectors posted gains, with technology, communications services, and industrial companies rising 2% or more. Energy stocks bucked the trend, falling 4% as oil prices tumbled. AMD skyrocketed 19%, Super Micro Computer jumped 25%, Dell gained 10%, Uber rose 9%, and Nvidia added 6%. Chevron declined 4%.
The dollar weakened 0.5% against major currencies, while the Japanese yen spiked to 155 per dollar for the first time since the Iran conflict began. South African rand and Chilean peso posted significant gains, with South Korea’s won having its strongest day of the year.
Bond markets reflected the risk-on sentiment, with yields declining across the board. British yields dropped 10 basis points or more, while U.S. yields fell 8 basis points on the short end, flattening the yield curve.
Oil markets experienced dramatic moves, with crude prices plunging 8% and Brent briefly falling below $100 per barrel. Precious metals rallied, with gold up 3% and silver surging 6%. Despite falling oil prices, average U.S. gasoline costs remained above $4.50 per gallon.
The VIX volatility index, often called Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” dropped to its lowest level in over three months. The measure fell below levels seen when the Iran conflict started in late February, marking a significant decline from war-time peaks.
Samsung made headlines by joining the exclusive trillion-dollar market capitalization club, with shares soaring 14% as part of a global AI chip surge. The South Korean giant became the second Asian company after TSMC to achieve the milestone valuation.
The latest semiconductor rally followed reports that Anthropic plans to spend $200 billion on Google’s cloud services and chips. Industry estimates suggest approximately half of the $2 trillion cloud order book at Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon comes from just two companies: Anthropic and OpenAI.
Airlines faced continued pressure from elevated fuel costs. U.S. carriers spent over $5 billion on jet fuel in March alone, representing a $1.8 billion or 56% increase from the previous month. The surge in fuel expenses raises concerns about potential bankruptcies among low-cost carriers, following Spirit Airlines’ collapse last month.
The collective impact on global airlines reaches into billions of dollars, with thousands of flights already canceled. Beyond higher prices, physical fuel shortages could emerge if key supply routes remain disrupted.
Looking ahead, several factors could influence Thursday’s trading. Middle East developments and energy market movements top the watch list. Economic data includes Australia’s March trade figures, Taiwan’s April inflation, and eurozone March retail sales.
Central bank officials scheduled to speak include European Central Bank Vice President Luis de Guindos and board members Isabel Schnabel and Philip Lane. Norway and Sweden will announce interest rate decisions.
U.S. economic releases feature weekly jobless claims, preliminary first-quarter productivity data, and March consumer credit figures. Federal Reserve officials speaking include New York Fed President John Williams, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack.
Corporate earnings continue with reports from McDonald’s, Gilead Sciences, CoreWeave, and Airbnb.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes believes NHL referees are the finest in the world, but Rod Brind’Amour thinks they need additional support to handle the mayhem that unfolds during playoff hockey.
Brind’Amour has endorsed expanding video replay beyond its current scope to examine not only penalty infractions but all activities during the increasingly intense post-whistle confrontations. While opinions vary on reviewing penalty decisions, his fundamental argument about ensuring accurate calls during Stanley Cup competition resonates.
“You can’t get better officials. We have the best — I want to make sure everybody understands that — I know no one else could do a better job,” Brind’Amour said with his team up 2-0 in a second-round series against Philadelphia. “But man, it’s just hard to see some of the penalties that are getting called, that if you just took a quick peek, you’d go, ‘Oh wait a minute, that’s not what happened.’”
“We’ll get to it at some point, but I think they could use a little hand.”
This year’s playoff contests are seeing 10.6 penalties and 25.1 penalty minutes per game through Tuesday, based on SportRadar data. This marks the highest penalty average since 2009’s 10.9 per game, and only the second instance since 2012 where penalty minutes have surpassed 25 per contest (2023 saw 28 penalty minutes per game).
Currently, NHL officials can examine major and match penalties that don’t involve fighting, either upholding them or reducing them to two-minute minors. They may also review double-minor high-sticking calls to verify the correct player is being penalized.
“I don’t think there’s a harder job to officiate, and our guys don’t get the credit they deserve,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“I mean, they are moving with the flow of the game. They’ve got to skate like the players, it’s physical, they’ve got to stay out of the way. There’s a lot going on really fast. And it is remarkable how good a job they do and how much they get right. And video replay for us has really vindicated their performance even more.”
The Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Hurricanes coach initially brought up this subject following a first-round sweep of Ottawa. His frustration stemmed from an incident where Senators forward Ridly Greig threw two unprovoked punches at Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker — including an uppercut to the face — while Walker was tied up with Senators forward Warren Foegele.
Despite the obvious infractions in that 4-2 series-ending defeat, Greig escaped penalty, though the NHL subsequently suspended him for two regular-season games. Making matters worse, Brind’Amour noted, was that Carolina ended up playing shorthanded after the sequence. He proposed having a dedicated official monitor replays to assist on-ice referees.
“The only reason (Greig) did that was because he looked, no one’s watching, doesn’t get called for it, and we somehow ended up short on that,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s wrong. That’s not right. Just get it right.”
The challenge lies in determining the best approach if the league eventually adopts broader replay usage.
“That’s a good question because like a lot of times guys get away with stuff in there,” Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Dunne said about more replay reviews of scrums in particular.
“Some guy starts, another guy gets the penalty for it,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s a hard line. It’s why it’s so much on the judgment of the refs where it’s like they can only see what they see, where it’s like you never really know how these things get going.”
His coach, meanwhile, chuckled that he’s “not a huge fan of another video review.”
“I don’t mind Rod’s thinking at all,” said Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres are facing Montreal in Round 2. “I just think, boy, if now we’re going to review something, we start reviewing scrums, I just think players will start taking acting lessons.”
However, some theatrical elements already exist in the sport. Brind’Amour’s foresight proved accurate when he mentioned this before Game 1 against the Flyers.
“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happpening so fast, now you’re getting embellishment everywhere,” Brind’Amour said then. “Sticks aren’t even coming close to you, they’re doing this (leans his head back) because why? Because if this goes like this (raises arm), you’re getting a call. But if you’ve got a guy on the review that said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s embellishment,’ it would be out of the game.”
Several days later, Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook received a high-sticking penalty despite video evidence showing Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler grabbing Martinook’s stick and essentially striking himself in the face to draw the call.
Dunne expressed concern about slowing down gameplay with additional replay reviews, while Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson said he generally “liked where the game is at.”
“I don’t want to make too many adjustments or critiques to the game,” Nelson said before the Avalanche opened its series against Minnesota.
“I’m a traditionalist. The more rules you make, the more you have,” said Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville, whose team is battling the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2. “There’s always some extenuating consequences off of things like that. We got a lot of rules, so either way, I like to just get it right and move on. Either way it is, we’ll move on.”
DETROIT — Major League Baseball handed down a five-game suspension and fine to Detroit Tigers hurler Framber Valdez on Wednesday, following his ejection the previous night for striking Boston Red Sox infielder Trevor Story with a pitch during Detroit’s crushing 10-2 defeat.
The league initially imposed a six-game ban on Valdez for deliberately targeting Story with a pitch, but negotiations between MLB and the players’ union resulted in the reduced punishment. Valdez began serving his suspension during Wednesday evening’s series conclusion and should return to action next Wednesday when Detroit faces the New York Mets, assuming no weather delays.
The Tigers are already dealing with a depleted starting rotation, missing Tarik Skubal due to elbow troubles, Casey Mize with a hamstring injury, and Justin Verlander because of hip issues.
“Generally when you have an event like last night where there’s a disruption of play and there’s a guy kicked out of the game for what is deemed throwing at somebody, that doesn’t come for free,” Detroit skipper A.J. Hinch explained.
Hinch also received a one-game suspension from MLB for Valdez’s deliberate actions and served his penalty Wednesday night.
The incident unfolded after Valdez had already surrendered eight runs through three innings. Willson Contreras launched a massive 449-foot home run on the opening pitch of the fourth inning, pausing to admire the ball’s flight before tossing his bat aside.
Just two pitches afterward, Wilyer Abreu extended the lead to 10-2 with his own blast into the right-field stands, a scorching 109.1 mph rocket. Valdez’s subsequent offering was a 94.4 mph fastball that drilled Story squarely in the back between his jersey numbers. Notably, Valdez hadn’t thrown a four-seam fastball since August 3rd of the previous season, when he plunked Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela under the left arm with a 95.5 mph pitch during a 6-1 deficit to the Red Sox while playing for Houston.
When home plate umpire Adam Beck and Tigers backstop Dillon Dingler stepped between Story and the pitcher’s mound Tuesday night, both dugouts cleared along with the bullpens. The confrontation remained verbal with no physical altercations.
Valdez maintained his innocence regarding the beaning, claiming the unusual four-seam fastball simply escaped his control.
During his tenure with Houston last year, Valdez faced similar accusations when he accidentally struck his own catcher César Salazar in the chest shortly after surrendering a grand slam to the New York Yankees. Two pitches following Trent Grisham’s slam in New York’s 7-1 triumph on September 2nd, Valdez crossed up Salazar by delivering a 92.8 mph sinker to Anthony Volpe. Both Valdez and Salazar insisted afterward that hitting the catcher was unintentional.
Previously that season, Valdez had shown visible frustration with defensive positioning during a sixth-inning play that resulted in the lone run he allowed in Houston’s 2-1 setback to the Washington Nationals on July 28th.
KINSHASA, Congo — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s leader declared Wednesday that his nation cannot conduct scheduled elections following his presidency unless devastating warfare plaguing the country’s eastern regions comes to an end and peace is restored.
President Félix Tshisekedi made these statements during a nationally broadcast speech where he addressed multiple issues, including migrant deportation agreements with the Trump administration. Tshisekedi’s current presidential term concludes in December 2028.
Violence that has persisted for decades in Congo intensified dramatically in January 2025 when M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, launched an offensive capturing the crucial city of Goma. The militant group subsequently seized Bukavu in February as part of their territorial expansion campaign. This recent surge in combat has claimed approximately 3,000 lives and has deepened an already catastrophic humanitarian emergency affecting roughly 7 million displaced individuals.
Attempts at peace negotiations facilitated by the United States and other diplomatic initiatives have failed to achieve lasting results.
“If we cannot end this war, unfortunately we will not be able to organize elections in 2028,” said Tshisekedi.
“But it will not be because I refused to organize them, the resources are there we can do it, but we cannot organize them without North Kivu and South Kivu,” he added, referring to two eastern provinces.
Prior to this year’s military escalation, eastern Congo had endured prolonged instability, with national armed forces battling over 100 different militant organizations — with M23 representing the most significant threat — frequently competing for control over the region’s valuable mineral deposits.
Tshisekedi, currently serving his second presidential term which represents the constitutional maximum, hinted at potentially seeking additional time in office.
“I have not sought a third term, but I tell you: If the people want me to have a third term, I will accept,” he said, adding that a referendum on the constitution would have to take place first to approve an amendment allowing a president to seek more than two terms.
Political opposition figures immediately condemned Tshisekedi’s televised remarks. Congolese politician André Claudel Lubaya accused Tshisekedi of invoking supposed popular support “to justify a fraudulent intention.”
Seth Kikuni, who has run for president twice previously, posted on social media platform X that if Tshisekedi “threatens to seize power” in 2028, opposition forces would have only one remaining choice — “to cross the Rubicon and throw the dice.”
A groundbreaking experimental treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer has shown remarkable results in extending patient survival, though it comes with a significant rate of side effects that doctors say are largely treatable, according to new research published Wednesday.
The medication, called daraxonrasib and developed by Revolution Medicines, represents what medical experts believe could establish a new treatment standard for patients battling metastatic pancreatic cancer who have already undergone previous therapies.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancer diagnoses worldwide, with approximately only 13% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis, making it among the deadliest cancer types.
The latest research findings provide support for an ongoing advanced clinical trial that compares daraxonrasib against conventional second-round chemotherapy treatments for patients whose pancreatic cancer has metastasized throughout their bodies.
During the initial human trial involving 168 patients with previously treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who took daraxonrasib, 96% experienced treatment-related adverse reactions of varying severity, while 30% faced serious or life-threatening complications.
Patients most frequently reported experiencing skin rashes, mouth inflammation, nausea, and diarrhea as side effects from the treatment.
“Almost all patients do experience some adverse effects, with the most common being a rash that occurs in the majority of patients,” said senior researcher Dr. David Hong of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “But those effects are manageable in most patients, and the benefits significantly outweigh those adverse effects.”
Current results from the larger ongoing trial with 500 participants show patients taking daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those receiving standard chemotherapy, Revolution announced in April.
Traditional treatment approaches for previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer typically result in serious or life-threatening complications and provide median survival periods of just 5 to 7 months, researchers noted in their report published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Both clinical trials focused on patients carrying specific mutations in KRAS tumor genes, which enable cancer cells to reproduce and spread. While medications targeting these genes already exist for lung and colorectal cancer treatment, they work against a different RAS mutation that rarely appears in pancreatic cancer cases.
Daraxonrasib, administered as a daily oral medication, specifically targets the RAS mutations present in 90% of pancreatic cancer diagnoses.
“Although much work remains to be done, it genuinely feels like a new day is dawning for pancreatic cancer treatment, with daraxonrasib potentially serving as the first of a set of new medicines that broadly target mutant RAS and allow us to help patients with pancreatic cancers in new ways,” study leader Dr. Brian Wolpin of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted early access authorization for daraxonrasib, enabling patients to receive the experimental therapy outside of clinical trials before official approval.
A groundbreaking flu vaccine using mRNA technology has shown significantly better results than traditional shots in a comprehensive clinical trial involving more than 40,000 participants aged 50 and above, according to research published Wednesday.
The experimental vaccine from Moderna demonstrated 26.6% greater effectiveness compared to GSK’s conventional standard-dose flu vaccine, surpassing the study’s primary objective of proving non-inferiority to existing immunizations.
Federal regulators are currently evaluating the vaccine application, with a final determination anticipated by August 5th. If given the green light, this would mark the first seasonal influenza vaccine in America utilizing mRNA technology, which offers faster development capabilities than traditional manufacturing approaches.
However, the approval process faces additional challenges under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed strong opposition to mRNA platforms. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance, has eliminated hundreds of millions in research funding and made unsubstantiated claims about the technology.
“These findings support the role of mRNA-1010 in improving influenza prevention,” stated Dr. Isabel Leroux-Roels from Ghent University and her research team in their publication in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study revealed that participants receiving the mRNA vaccine experienced more frequent side effects, including pain at the injection site, tiredness, headaches, and muscle soreness, compared to those getting standard shots. However, most reactions were classified as mild to moderate and resolved quickly.
Serious adverse events occurred at similar rates between both groups, affecting 2.2% of mRNA vaccine recipients versus 1.9% of those receiving the conventional vaccine. Researchers noted that overall safety profiles aligned with previous large-scale trial results.
The FDA initially declined Moderna’s application in February, questioning the company’s choice to compare against a standard-dose vaccine rather than the high-dose formulation typically recommended for Americans 65 and older due to its superior effectiveness.
Following discussions between the company and regulators, the agency accepted a revised application with Moderna’s commitment to conduct additional studies in elderly populations after approval.
International regulatory authorities in the European Union, Canada, and Australia are also reviewing the vaccine. Meanwhile, European officials approved Moderna’s combination mRNA vaccine targeting both influenza and COVID-19 in April.
Delaware State Police are working to determine what caused a deadly early-morning collision in Lewes that claimed the life of a young Sussex County woman.
The fatal accident happened around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, when a Kia Forte heading north on Coastal Highway near Nassau Road failed to navigate a gentle bend in the roadway. Investigators say the vehicle veered off the eastern side of the highway and collided with a pole supporting a traffic signal.
The 23-year-old driver from Millsboro was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the crash site, according to police. Authorities are holding her identity while they notify her relatives.
Emergency crews shut down the highway for about three hours to examine the scene and remove the wreckage.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues examining the circumstances that led to the crash. Corporal Grade One K. Marvel is asking anyone who saw the accident or has relevant information to call (302) 703-3267. Tips can also be submitted through the Delaware State Police Facebook page or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Families affected by sudden deaths or traumatic incidents can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides round-the-clock assistance at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or via email at [email protected].
NEW YORK (AP) — In 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster unfolded, Beth Knobel was attending graduate school and discovered something remarkable after leaving class. Television screens had been positioned throughout the building’s entrance area, all broadcasting CNN — the round-the-clock news network Ted Turner had established approximately five years prior, which was providing live coverage of the launch.
“Space shuttle missions had become routine by then, and the major broadcast networks had stopped providing coverage,” explains Knobel, who later worked as a CBS News correspondent during the 1990s and currently serves as a journalism instructor at Fordham University. “CNN continued broadcasting them. When the tragedy occurred, they were positioned to cover the story better than anyone else.”
According to Knobel, who now conducts courses on television’s most significant innovators, this incident exemplifies why Turner stands above all others — demonstrating an extraordinary understanding of news delivery that surpassed his contemporaries.
Turner’s passing occurs during challenging times for cable news, which faces declining audiences amid numerous media alternatives and widespread streaming options. CNN has experienced similar difficulties; shifts in the media landscape, financial pressures, and repeated editorial restructuring have transformed it significantly from Turner’s original creation.
However, this overlooks a crucial fact: Turner established the foundation.
“The term giant gets applied to individuals who don’t truly deserve it,” Knobel observes. “Ted Turner genuinely qualifies as a giant. He created continuous news broadcasting.”
Industry professionals struggled Wednesday to find adequate language describing Turner’s influence on news consumption habits. Veteran television analyst Robert Thompson characterized the situation as beyond exaggeration.
“Obituaries and overstatement frequently coincide,” stated Thompson, who directs Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. “However, no exaggeration applies here. Few developments in the 20th century transformed American politics, journalism, and civic participation as dramatically as establishing 24-hour cable news.”
Thompson includes one qualification: The genuine impact wouldn’t emerge until competitors adopted similar approaches. They eventually did. For an extended period, particularly throughout the 1990s, “CNN became synonymous with breaking news,” Thompson explains, “similar to how Kleenex represents facial tissues and Xerox means photocopying.”
Turner’s news legacy extends beyond the 24-hour format. Multiple experts emphasized his conceptualization of news as an international product.
Knobel remembers serving as CBS’s Moscow bureau chief in the early 1990s and observing CNN broadcasts on Kremlin television screens.
“This became their method for understanding global perspectives on Russia,” Knobel explains. Similar situations existed in other power centers worldwide. “International programming didn’t exist until Ted Turner declared, ‘I’m not only creating a new American channel, but many people globally will likely want to watch this news service.’”
These concepts have become so embedded that explaining their previous absence to younger generations proves difficult. During the 1970s, when Turner — an insomniac — first envisioned 24/7 news, late-night television viewing in many areas meant encountering static, test patterns, or American flag displays until approximately 6 a.m.
Frank Sesno, CNN’s former White House bureau chief and current George Washington University media professor, describes the “Walter Cronkite era” to students — when news arrived at scheduled times, delivered authoritatively during 30-minute programs (which had actually expanded from earlier 15-minute formats).
“My students have no knowledge of Ted Turner,” Sesno noted. “I explain this represented Walter Cronkite’s world. Ted Turner entered as an outsider, with CNN viewed as an upstart destined for failure.” This attitude produced the mocking nickname “Chicken Noodle News,” which circulated throughout the industry when Sesno joined the network in 1984.
“I possessed zero television experience when they hired me,” he recalls.
CNN wasn’t seeking celebrity anchors initially. The news itself was intended as the main attraction. Star personalities developed later.
CNN achieved notable success in October 1987, following the Challenger incident, during 18-month-old Jessica McClure’s rescue from a Texas well after a two-day ordeal. CNN provided coverage not only of the resolution but of gradual developments — commonplace today but unprecedented for television then.
Cornell University communication professor Brooke Erin Duffy identifies public interest in that story as pivotal for CNN, which broadcast the “extended waiting periods” and enabled viewers to check for regular updates.
The first Gulf War with Iraq marked when news fundamentals completely shifted. While other journalists departed Baghdad, CNN remained. With correspondents Bernard Shaw, John Holliman, and Peter Arnett reporting under siege from Baghdad’s al-Rashid Hotel, the network permanently altered war journalism.
Technology played a crucial role. CNN’s news leadership “approached Turner about an approaching war, requesting funding for coverage, and Ted Turner asked what they needed,” Knobel explained. “They used that funding to acquire satellite phone technology unavailable to competitors.” This enabled CNN to maintain broadcasts when communications infrastructure failed.
“As someone who competed against CNN for years at CBS, I can confirm CNN consistently maintained technological superiority over everyone else,” she stated, crediting Turner for providing his network that advantage.
The continuous broadcasting schedule also dramatically changed television news industry working conditions. Journalists increasingly faced expectations to “remain available constantly to satisfy public news appetite,” Duffy explained.
Following CNN’s success, numerous outlets adopted similar approaches. Increased competition for continuous content made timing even more valuable for breaking news.
“One consequence involves the competition for attention within the oversaturated media environment,” Duffy observed. “Time represents the primary currency in news media.”
ATLANTA (AP) — Media mogul Ted Turner, who passed away Wednesday, left an indelible mark on professional sports as both an accomplished sailor and groundbreaking baseball team owner.
Turner gained widespread recognition for his ownership of the Atlanta Braves, using his TBS superstation to beam their games nationwide while displaying his colorful personality during an era when most franchise owners preferred to remain out of the spotlight.
After purchasing the financially troubled Braves during the 1970s, Turner placed the team on his small television station and distributed the programming to cable providers throughout the nation.
“He effectively transformed the Braves into a team with a national reach and set the table for ways that local teams have now gained more of a national footprint,” said Travis Vogan, a sports media professor at the University of Iowa.
The strategy created a massive fan following that extended well beyond the southeastern United States, helping the Braves become perennial World Series contenders throughout the 1990s. Turner celebrated a championship victory in 1995 before divesting the team the following year.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement Wednesday describing Turner as a “visionary whose impact on the media landscape transformed how fans experience sports.”
Turner’s sports portfolio also included ownership of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, along with diverse interests spanning professional wrestling, sailing competitions, and Olympic events.
His sailing accomplishments included an unsuccessful bid for the 1964 Olympic team, capturing a world championship in 1971 near Long Island, and commanding the victorious vessel in the prestigious 1977 America’s Cup competition.
“There will never be a time in my life as good as this time,” he said when told he would skipper in the America’s Cup that year. “I can’t believe all this is really happening to me.”
Turner’s desire for hands-on involvement reached its peak in 1977 when he appointed himself as the Braves’ manager. Following 16 consecutive losses, Turner gave manager Dave Bristol time off and took control of the team. The Braves fell 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates under Turner’s leadership, extending their losing streak.
“I wanted to see what it’s like down in the trenches,” Turner said that night.
Baseball officials quickly ended Turner’s brief managerial stint after just one game, similar to how they had previously stopped him from placing “Channel” on pitcher Andy Messersmith’s jersey, who wore number 17.
Despite these setbacks, Turner embraced his “Captain Outrageous” persona, establishing a blueprint for today’s high-profile “swashbuckling” owners who leverage their franchises to enhance their public personas, according to Professor Vogan.
Contemporary sports figures like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer “have all emulated Turner by being these kinds of celebrity entrepreneurs that use sports to build their own identities and to build their own kind of brands in the popular imagination,” Vogan said.
“Our good friend and former owner, Ted Turner, was one of a kind,” read a statement from the Braves on Wednesday.
Turner’s competitive nature extended beyond team ownership to creating new sporting events.
He established the Goodwill Games, primarily motivated by his disappointment with the United States boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Soviet Union’s retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. The first Goodwill Games took place in Moscow in 1986, featuring approximately 3,000 athletes from 79 nations.
The competition was held five times total before concluding in 2001. A Winter Goodwill Games was also organized once, taking place in Lake Placid, New York, during 2000.
“There’s nothing better for kids than sport,” Turner said at the opening ceremony of those Lake Placid Games.
Professor Vogan noted that the Goodwill Games demonstrated Turner’s “audacity,” despite the event’s ultimate lack of long-term success.
“The fact that he was involved in an initiative like that says a lot about his ambitions and his role as a disruptive force in media,” Vogan said.
Maryland’s Natural Resources Police unveiled their latest patrol vessel Wednesday, christening it the Harry L. George to commemorate a former deputy commander who lost his life while serving in 1978.
The ceremonial unveiling took place at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, where Lieutenant Colonel George’s children joined Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and NRP Superintendent Col. Orlando Lilly for the dedication. The naming represents a return to the agency’s historical practice of honoring fallen officers through vessel designations.
“The dedication of our newest patrol boat not only honors the sacrifice and service of Lieutenant Colonel Harry L. George, but also ensures his legacy will never be forgotten,” said Col. Lilly. “We are proud to continue this esteemed tradition of commemorating the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to Maryland’s parks, waterways, and communities. The George family has been deeply supportive of this effort, and it is a privilege to resume this practice in his honor.”
This marks the first time since 1951 that the Natural Resources Police have named a patrol boat after a deceased officer. The previous vessel honored Gordon G. Barnes, who died on duty in 1945.
Known by its designation NRP 130, the Harry L. George is a 31-foot LifeProof rigid-hull inflatable vessel manufactured in Bremerton, Washington and delivered to Maryland this spring. The craft accommodates six to nine passengers while requiring a minimal operating crew.
The new addition joins NRP’s existing fleet of 21- and 25-foot LifeProof boats currently deployed on the Choptank, South, Potomac, and Wicomico rivers.
Equipped with three 300-horsepower Yamaha four-stroke outboard motors, the vessel provides the speed and capability needed to patrol Chesapeake Bay’s open waters amid growing numbers of high-performance recreational boats. Its 260-gallon fuel tank allows for extended operations without refueling stops, crucial during lengthy search-and-rescue missions.
The boat features cutting-edge technology and law enforcement equipment, including shock-absorbing seats, an enclosed climate-controlled cabin, radar and thermal imaging systems, and sophisticated electronics.
Officials will base the Harry L. George in Rock Hall, where it will handle multiple response duties, supporting routine patrols and dramatically improving search and rescue capabilities, especially during rough weather when smaller vessels could endanger officer safety or hamper emergency responses.
Boaters throughout the Chesapeake Bay and waters around Kent and Queen Anne’s counties will benefit from enhanced police response to maritime emergencies and service calls, as the modern vessel replaces NRP 109, a diesel-powered 36-foot aluminum boat from 1990 that has been decommissioned as part of the agency’s fleet modernization initiative.
Lieutenant Colonel George perished following an aircraft accident on August 8, 1978. That day, George, Sergeant Joseph Robey, and DNR personnel deputy director William Jones took off from Lee Airport in Edgewater for a surveillance flight over the lower Chesapeake Bay. Their aircraft crashed in woods near Maryland Route 214 shortly after departure. While Robey and Jones survived with injuries requiring treatment, George died from his injuries on October 24, 1978. George began his career with the Tidewater Fisheries Commission in 1953 and became head of the Natural Resources Police Marine Division in 1975.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic revealed Wednesday that he traveled to Spain for specialized platelet-rich plasma treatments to accelerate his recovery from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since April 2.
The treatment involved multiple sessions with mandatory rest periods between each procedure, requiring Doncic to remain in Spain for an extended period.
“I went to Spain to do PRP,” Doncic explained to media members. “Everybody knows that its one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, you know, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”
The recovery process demanded patience, as each treatment session required a four-day waiting period before the next injection could be administered.
“I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before,” he explained. “I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer.”
Currently, Doncic has progressed to running exercises but has not yet been cleared for any contact activities. His timeline for return remains at eight weeks from the initial injury date.
The Mavericks are facing playoff challenges without their star player, as evidenced by their 108-90 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday.
Watching his teammates compete without him has taken an emotional toll on the All-Star guard.
“It’s very frustrating. I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is,” Doncic expressed. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating to see what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them, but it’s been very tough to watch.”
Despite his eagerness to return, the six-time NBA All-Star acknowledges the importance of proper healing, having learned from previous experiences with premature returns from injury.
“It’s a tough one for me. I’ve come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn’t the best result,” he admitted. “This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It’s not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I’m doing everything to come back.”
The Thunder will host the Lakers for Game 2 of their playoff series Thursday evening.
Food delivery giant DoorDash announced Wednesday that it anticipates allocating over $50 million during the spring quarter to assist its drivers with escalating fuel expenses.
The California-based company launched a temporary compensation program last month for drivers across the United States and Canada to help counter the dramatic surge in fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran. Current gas prices average $4.53 nationally, representing a 44% jump from the previous year, based on AAA data.
Despite elevated fuel costs, DoorDash reported that customer appetite for delivery services stayed robust during the first quarter. Order volume climbed 27% to reach 933 million transactions, though this figure came in below Wall Street projections of 954 million orders tracked by FactSet research.
Financial performance also missed analyst targets. The company reported quarterly revenue growth of 33% to $4.0 billion, falling short of the anticipated $4.15 billion that market experts had predicted.
DoorDash indicated it will finance the fuel assistance program by reallocating funds from other planned initiatives. Last fall, the company outlined ambitious expansion plans for this year, including integrating restaurant booking capabilities into its platform and launching automated delivery services.
Quarterly profits decreased 5% to $184 million, equivalent to 42 cents per share, during the three-month period ending in March. This decline was partially attributed to research and development expenses that increased 30% compared to the same timeframe last year.
However, earnings performance exceeded analyst predictions of 36 cents per share, according to FactSet data.
Following the earnings announcement, DoorDash stock prices jumped more than 11% during after-hours trading Wednesday.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Fresh members have been inducted into the Vatican’s Pontifical Swiss Guard during a ceremonial oath-taking overseen by Pope Leo XIV. The historic military unit, recognized as the globe’s most ancient continuously operating army, welcomed its newest members in traditional fashion.
The newly sworn guardsmen donned their iconic tri-colored uniforms featuring yellow, blue and red stripes before taking their solemn vows to protect and serve the pontiff.
The ceremony featured a curated collection of photographs assembled by Associated Press photo editors.
Delaware State Police are working to piece together the details of a deadly motorcycle accident that happened Sunday evening in Newark.
The crash took place around 7:20 p.m. on May 5, 2026, at the busy intersection where Center Point Plaza meets Churchmans Road (Route 58). According to investigators, a woman driving a Nissan Rogue was making a legal left turn from the southbound plaza entrance onto eastbound Churchmans Road when tragedy struck. At that same moment, a Harley-Davidson Sportster was speeding westbound on Churchmans Road approaching the intersection.
Police say their initial findings show the motorcycle rider ran through a red light and slammed into the front of the turning Nissan. The impact threw the motorcyclist from his bike, and he then collided with a Chevrolet Equinox that was waiting at the red light in the eastbound left turn lane.
The motorcyclist, identified as a 29-year-old Wilmington resident, was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are holding off on releasing his identity while they notify his family members.
The 55-year-old New Castle woman behind the wheel of the Nissan escaped without injuries.
A 43-year-old man and his 11-year-old passenger, both from Bear, were in the Chevrolet but were also unharmed in the incident.
The busy roadway remained shut down for several hours as investigators documented the scene and crews worked to clear the wreckage.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. Authorities are asking anyone who saw what happened or has relevant information to reach out to Master Corporal R. Kunicki at (302) 365-8417. Tips can also be submitted through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Anyone affected by this tragedy can find support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides round-the-clock assistance at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The unit can also be reached via email at [email protected].
Armed fighters attacked a convoy of fruit-laden trucks traveling to Mali’s besieged capital city on Wednesday, according to a transportation workers’ union, marking the latest incident in a crisis that erupted following widespread coordinated strikes by separatist and extremist forces throughout the West African country last month.
The assailants fired upon the convoy of Moroccan trucks transporting fruit, said Mounir Benazouz, who represents the road transport division of the Democratic Confederation of Labor union.
What happened to the truck drivers remains unclear, Benazouz stated. “We have no details.”
Mali’s government has yet to verify the attack, and no organization has stepped forward to take credit for the assault.
An unnamed security official, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with media, reported the incident occurred on the route connecting Bamako to Bougouni, located approximately 175 kilometers (109 miles) from the capital.
In recent weeks, extremists affiliated with al-Qaida from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin organization, known as JNIM, partnered with the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) to launch synchronized strikes. These assaults represent the most severe violence Mali has experienced since 2012, with fighters and rebels capturing multiple cities, towns, and military installations from Mali’s armed forces and their Russian-backed Africa Corps allies.
Mali’s former defense minister, Sadio Camara, lost his life during these attacks. Following his death, Mali’s military commander Assimi Goita assumed the defense minister’s responsibilities.
JNIM has also declared a siege of Bamako, established checkpoints, and prohibited all entry into the city. Previously in September 2025, the organization implemented a restrictive blockade preventing oil shipments into landlocked Mali.
For more than a week since the blockade announcement, residents have faced difficulties reaching Bamako, particularly along two critical routes — one linking the capital to Kayes, situated 583 kilometers (364 miles) northwest, and another to Kita, located 189 kilometers (118 miles) west.
A Kita municipal official reported that “several hundred travelers” and over 100 buses remain trapped due to “insecurity on the Bamako-Kita route over the past two weeks,” according to the official who spoke anonymously fearing retaliation.
“We need humanitarian aid, especially food and water for the travelers,” he said.
As tensions have intensified, Mali’s ruling military government has alleged that certain officers collaborated in the attacks by working alongside militants and separatists, leading to multiple detentions in Bamako.
NEW YORK — Legal representatives for former President Donald Trump have filed a motion with a federal appeals court in New York requesting a temporary halt to an $83 million defamation judgment awarded to longtime columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Attorney Justin D. Smith submitted the request to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, asking the court to pause its ruling that upheld the massive award. This would prevent Trump from having to make the payment while pursuing an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Carroll received the $83 million judgment from a Manhattan jury in January 2024. Previously, in May 2023, a separate jury had awarded her $5 million after determining that Trump had sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at a high-end Manhattan department store in 1996, then defamed her following her public account of the incident in 2019.
The former president has consistently and forcefully rejected any claims of sexual assault against Carroll, stating he never knew her. He has also repeatedly alleged that her accusations are politically motivated or intended to boost sales of her book.
According to court documents submitted to the 2nd Circuit, Smith indicated that Carroll’s legal representation would not object to delaying the payment, provided Trump increases his posted bond by $7.4 million to account for potential interest that might accumulate during a Supreme Court review process.
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
Smith argued to the appeals court that Trump would face “irreparable harm” if required to pay immediately, citing Carroll’s public statements about her intention to donate the award money. This would make it impossible for the former president to recover the funds should the Supreme Court overturn the decision.
The attorney stated there was a “reasonable probability” the nation’s highest court would agree to hear the appeal, particularly given Trump’s claims of absolute immunity regarding statements made during his presidency.
To bolster his argument, Smith referenced dissenting opinions from three 2nd Circuit judges who opposed a recent decision to reject a full court review of the case. This left intact a three-judge panel’s September ruling that supported the verdict.
Smith expressed confidence that there was “at least a fair prospect that the Supreme Court will reverse the Panel.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to address joint efforts against organized crime and trade tariff issues, according to Brazil’s Finance Minister Dario Durigan, who spoke Wednesday ahead of the scheduled talks.
“The goal is to protect Brazil’s population, prioritize the country and maintain constructive dialogue,” Durigan told state broadcaster EBC. “Expectations for the trip are very positive.”
The White House meeting comes after a diplomatic crisis between the nations last year when Trump’s administration levied a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, linking the trade measure to demands for prosecuting former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro over alleged coup plotting.
Lula vigorously defended his nation’s independence in response, prompting Trump to eventually reduce the tariffs as part of efforts to lower prices for American consumers.
The two leaders began repairing their relationship during the United Nations General Assembly in September, followed by their initial private discussion in Malaysia during October and additional telephone communications.
Brazil’s response to the 50% tariff situation likely strengthened the country’s negotiating position with Trump’s administration, according to Ana Garcia, who teaches international relations at the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
“The Trump administration likely sees Brazil as a partner that must be taken somewhat seriously, but will continue to pressure it to make concessions,” Garcia said.
A major source of tension involves the Trump administration’s reported plans to classify Brazil’s two largest criminal organizations — Red Command (CV) and the First Capital Command (PCC) — as foreign terrorist groups.
Such classifications would expand U.S. authority “to act as a political or economic actor in Brazil,” explained Leonardo Paz Neves, who teaches international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation think tank. “It’s a defensive issue for Brazil that doesn’t serve Brazil’s interests at all.”
A Brazilian government source, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public discussion of the matter, indicated both nations seem committed to expanding collaborative efforts against organized crime instead of pursuing individual actions.
Access to Brazil’s rare earth mineral deposits represents another significant topic expected during the discussions. Brazil holds the world’s second-largest reserves of these minerals, which are essential for manufacturing smartphones, electric vehicles, solar panels and aircraft engines.
Durigan emphasized Wednesday that Brazil maintains its stance against serving merely as a supplier of unprocessed materials.
“Countries in the global north … are thirsty for this raw material,” Durigan said. But “while foreign investment is welcome, we want industrial development within Brazil: creating jobs in partnership with our universities.”
The Washington visit occurs during challenging domestic circumstances for Lula, who recently faced two congressional setbacks. The lower house overturned his veto of legislation aimed at reducing Bolsonaro’s potential prison sentence, while the Senate rejected his Supreme Court nominee — marking the first such rejection in over a century.
The 80-year-old president plans to seek a fourth non-consecutive term in October’s elections. Current polling shows him in a tight race with Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s senator son.
Lula departed for Washington D.C. Wednesday afternoon local time and was expected to arrive in the evening.
Authorities in Oklahoma have taken an 18-year-old man into custody following a devastating mass shooting at a lakeside party that resulted in one death and left 22 others wounded.
Edmond law enforcement officials announced Wednesday that Jaylan A. Davis faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from the violence that broke out Sunday evening at Arcadia Lake in the Oklahoma City suburb.
During a press briefing, Edmond Police Chief J.D. Younger revealed that prosecutors plan to elevate the charges against Davis to felony murder after 18-year-old Avianna Smith-Gray succumbed to her gunshot wounds.
Davis, an Oklahoma City resident, remains detained at the Edmond jail with bail set at $1 million. Court records show no attorney has been assigned to represent him yet, as the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office stated they will wait until formal upgraded charges are submitted.
According to Chief Younger, investigators determined the violence began when two women at the event got into a dispute, which then spiraled into a confrontation involving opposing gang factions. The police chief indicated authorities believe additional suspects remain at large.
Beyond the fatal victim, the chaos left others suffering from bullet and shrapnel injuries as numerous gunshots rang out at the recreational area located roughly 20 miles north of central Oklahoma City. Six minors were among the wounded, with some victims as young as 15 years old, Younger noted.
The suspect voluntarily surrendered Wednesday morning after investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest, the chief explained.
“We’re trying to find justice for 23 people that were shot, one that’s deceased and even the people that were involved. I think it’s important not to demonize or separate the parties here,” Younger said.
The chief also disclosed that several individuals fired weapons during the incident, with investigators recovering evidence of more than 80 rounds discharged.
Smith-Gray’s relatives described her as a high school senior eagerly anticipating graduation on a memorial fundraising page. Her family remembered her passion for dancing, singing, and styling hair, while her sisters praised her as an intelligent, caring person who was wonderful with children and “so full of life.”
The gathering had been widely advertised on social media platforms, drawing a substantial crowd of primarily young adults from throughout the Oklahoma City region to a pavilion area near the water. The gunfire broke out while officers were already en route to address noise complaints about the event.
Officials emphasized that event organizers had failed to obtain proper permits required for such a large gathering.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An 18-year-old gunman killed a teenage boy and a woman Tuesday evening after being rejected from joining a pickup soccer game, with multiple children witnessing the tragic violence unfold near a local elementary school.
The deadly incident occurred when the suspect approached a group of young people playing soccer and requested to join their game. When the players declined his participation, the situation escalated into a fatal confrontation.
“For whatever reason, he was turned away,” said Joe Trigg, Grand Rapids interim police chief. “Did not like the fact that he was turned away so a verbal altercation started, which led to the suspect pulling out a firearm and shooting that juvenile. The adult female had came to the aid, verbally, of the juvenile victim so then she was targeted.”
The violence claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, while a woman who attempted to intervene verbally on behalf of the teen was also fatally shot. Between seven and eight young people watched the horrific events unfold.
“There was at least seven or eight kids that are out here, juveniles, older juveniles that witnessed this, which is just horrific for anybody to witness, let alone juveniles,” Trigg explained.
The shooting took place Tuesday evening in the vicinity of Southwest Elementary School. Authorities apprehended the gunman after he initially escaped the scene.
In response to the tragedy, the Grand Rapids school district shuttered Southwest Elementary and another nearby school Wednesday, allowing the community time to “process what has happened in our neighborhood.”
Local resident Donny Irving expressed the community’s grief while visiting the shooting location. “It’s just hard,” Irving told WOOD-TV. “Everyone knows a youth and people who go to playgrounds who play, school students, and I think the whole community feels the loss that’s there.”
Boston-based technology firm PTC Inc announced Wednesday it has increased its annual revenue projections, driven by strong ongoing demand from manufacturing companies adopting its digital design and production software solutions.
The company’s stock price climbed almost 4% during after-hours trading following the announcement.
Manufacturing and industrial companies have increasingly turned to PTC’s digital transformation solutions as they seek to boost operational efficiency, cut expenses, and accelerate product development timelines.
“Customer interest in AI is growing, and our discussions reinforce how AI is driving momentum in PTC’s business,” CEO Neil Barua said in a statement.
The software company specializes in helping businesses design, manufacture, operate and maintain physical products through what it calls a “digital thread” approach, which creates continuous information flow from initial product concepts through real-world operation and servicing.
PTC has revised its annual revenue expectations upward to a range of $2.58 billion to $2.82 billion, compared to its previous projection of $2.54 billion to $2.81 billion.
For the upcoming third quarter, the company anticipates revenue between $580 million and $640 million, while Wall Street analysts had forecast $623.2 million.
During the second quarter that concluded March 31, PTC reported $774 million in revenue, surpassing analyst predictions of $715.4 million.
The company also delivered adjusted earnings of $2.69 per share, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.11.
The company behind TASER devices has boosted its annual revenue projections following robust sales of law enforcement technology and software solutions, Axon Enterprise announced Wednesday.
Stock prices for the police technology manufacturer climbed 1.4% during after-hours trading following the announcement.
The firm’s software division experienced significant growth throughout the recent quarter, fueled by an expanding user base and existing clients upgrading to higher-tier software packages.
Axon now projects its 2026 revenue will increase between 30% and 32%, marking an upward revision from the previously estimated range of 27% to 30%.
The company serves as a major supplier of police body cameras throughout the United States and provides unmanned aerial systems to law enforcement agencies spanning North America, Europe, and Australia.
For the quarter ending March 31, Axon reported adjusted earnings of $1.61 per share, slightly exceeding analyst predictions of $1.60 per share based on LSEG data.
The company’s quarterly revenue reached $807.3 million, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $778.5 million.
The chief executive of insurance company Kuvare told attendees at a California investment conference that his firm has been collaborating with regulatory officials and rating agencies regarding its private credit investment portfolio.
During Wednesday’s panel discussion at the 2026 Milken Institute Conference in Beverly Hills, CEO Dhiren Jhaveri addressed current market conditions alongside other industry executives. The conversation covered both opportunities and obstacles in private lending, particularly amid ongoing Middle East tensions and investor worries about direct lenders’ ties to software firms facing artificial intelligence disruption.
Jhaveri expressed support for the increased regulatory attention his company has received concerning its financial position and investment strategy for policyholder funds in private credit markets.
“This is the power of having a strong, long-duration, long-term balance sheet,” Jhaveri stated. “We have the benefit and curse of trying to figure out how to invest $6 billion of policyholder premiums every year.”
The insurance giant participated in a February transaction where multiple firms acquired a $1.4 billion loan collection from private credit company Blue Owl to help address fund redemption demands. Jhaveri emphasized the positive returns Kuvare achieved from this acquisition.
During a separate conference panel focusing on recent private credit market pressures, DoubleLine CEO Jeffrey Gundlach warned about risks associated with increased payment-in-kind arrangements, where borrowers add unpaid interest to their loan principal. He also criticized lenders for inflating loan valuations.
“They’re not performing, but they’re on the books as performing,” Gundlach explained. “You should be marking that loan down very significantly,” he added.
PIMCO’s global co-head of asset-based finance, Kristofer Kraus, identified another concern: a significant volume of private credit loans to software and technology companies approaching maturity dates.
“I think in ’28 and ’29 is when you really begin to have some pretty material sizes that need to work their way through the system,” Kraus explained. “So I think that that’s going to be part of that opportunity set that, I think, has become a lot more interesting as we look at direct lending and how some of these names are, frankly, going to have to be refinanced.”
Representatives from DoubleLine and PIMCO did not provide immediate responses to requests for additional comment.
Agricultural markets showed stability Wednesday as wheat pricing held firm across the southern Plains region, even as commodity traders kept close watch on dangerous weather patterns that could damage already drought-stressed crops.
Weather forecasters predict frost and freezing conditions will sweep across Plains states Thursday morning, with the cold front potentially reaching into the northern sections of the Texas panhandle, according to federal agricultural weather monitoring reports.
The incoming cold weather poses serious risks to winter wheat crops currently in their heading development phase, particularly after plants have endured months of severe drought conditions, according to a commodity trader.
Kansas City hard red winter wheat futures reached their highest levels in multiple years last week due to concerns about crop losses from the ongoing drought.
Wednesday’s trading saw Kansas City July wheat futures close 3 cents lower at $6.87 per bushel.
Market participants will examine weekly export sales figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday to determine whether recent price increases have reduced international demand for American wheat.
Regional wheat pricing data showed no changes from previous levels across major markets. In Kansas, Wichita wheat traded at $6.47 per bushel, Newton at $6.22, and Goodland at $6.00. Texas Gulf track wheat commanded premium pricing at $8.10 per bushel, while Galveston wheat sold for $7.90. Oklahoma markets showed Enid wheat at $6.60 per bushel and Catoosa at $6.75.
JPMorgan Chase attempted to negotiate a settlement with a former investment banker before he proceeded with a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and harassment, according to a bank representative who spoke Wednesday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the nation’s largest bank proposed a $1 million settlement to resolve the allegations, citing sources with knowledge of the discussions. The report indicated the former banker turned down the offer and sought additional compensation.
The former employee, identified in court documents as John Doe, filed suit against JPMorgan and leveraged finance executive Lorna Hajdini last week. His lawsuit claims he experienced sexual assault and racial harassment during his employment at the financial institution.
After being previously withdrawn, the legal action was refiled Monday in New York state court.
“While we cannot comment on confidential discussions, we did try to reach an agreement to avoid the time and expense of litigation and to support an employee who was being threatened with the very reputational harm now unfolding,” a JPMorgan representative stated.
The spokesperson added: “We continue to believe these allegations have no merit and new information raised as a result of the public filing only reinforces that conclusion.”
Daniel Kaiser, the attorney representing Doe, confirmed to Reuters via email that he was not part of the settlement negotiations, which occurred before he took on the case.
“However, I will note that in my 30-plus year career as an employment litigator I have never had an employer defendant make such a substantial offer if they truly believed the allegations to be a ‘complete fabrication,’” Kaiser stated.
According to the lawsuit, Doe alleges that Hajdini exploited her position of authority to force him into unwanted sexual encounters. The complaint also claims members of the leveraged finance team used racist language against him.
The plaintiff, described as a New York resident of Asian heritage, began working in JPMorgan’s leveraged finance division in March 2024 as a senior vice president, court documents show.
In May 2025, the employee filed an internal grievance with JPMorgan, claiming he faced discrimination based on race and gender, as well as sexual abuse. Following his complaint, John Doe was put on administrative leave, the lawsuit states.
JPMorgan reported finding no validity to the accusations following an internal review that involved multiple staff members. The bank stated the complainant declined to cooperate with their investigation.
Legal representatives for Hajdini have rejected the accusations and stated the two individuals never engaged in any intimate or romantic relationship.
“She maintains that his false claims are entirely fabricated and tarnishing her reputation,” Hajdini’s legal team said.
A major snack food manufacturer has pulled several of its products from store shelves following concerns about potentially contaminated ingredients.
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., an Illinois-based company traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol JBSS, announced the voluntary recall of various snack mix items on May 5, 2026. The decision comes after California Dairies, Inc. previously recalled dry milk powder that was used in seasonings for the affected products.
The Elgin, Illinois company’s recall specifically targets snack mix varieties that contain seasonings made with the questionable milk powder ingredient. The move represents a precautionary measure to protect consumer safety following the earlier dairy ingredient recall.
Company officials have not yet provided details about the specific health risks associated with the recalled products or the extent of potential contamination in the milk powder supply.
A six-story glass building nestled among hotels, spas and cafes in Manhattan’s Chinatown has become the center of a federal espionage case that began in Brooklyn court this week.
Federal prosecutors allege the unremarkable structure housed a covert Chinese police station designed to target and intimidate democracy advocates living in America, complete with signage reading “Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York USA.”
Defense attorneys for the accused operator, 64-year-old Lu Jianwang, argue the facility served as nothing more than a gathering place for Chinese-Americans to handle administrative tasks like driver’s license renewals during pandemic travel restrictions while enjoying recreational activities like ping-pong and mahjong.
Lu’s federal trial commenced Wednesday in Brooklyn, over three years since his arrest at his Bronx residence on allegations of conspiring to operate as an unregistered foreign agent and destroying evidence, including WeChat communications with an alleged Chinese government contact.
“Lu was living in New York City but he was working for the Chinese government,” prosecutor Lindsey Oken declared during opening arguments.
According to Oken’s statements, Lu and co-defendant Chen Jinping created the Chinatown facility in 2022 following Lu’s attendance at a Fujian province event where China’s Ministry of Public Security revealed plans for 30 clandestine police stations worldwide.
Oken explained to jurors that China’s communist leadership employs these stations to surveil individuals it “views as enemies of its interests.” She indicated that testimony will include a dissident who allegedly became a target of Lu’s operation.
The disputed Manhattan location operated within the same premises as the America ChangLe Association, a community group managed by Lu and his brother Jimmy that identified itself in tax documentation as a “social gathering place for Fujianese people.” Defense counsel noted that ChangLe translates to “eternal joy.”
While Oken conceded the organization openly provided driver’s license services, she emphasized such activities violated U.S. law without proper registration.
The prosecution contends Lu served Chinese interests “without asking or telling the U.S. government,” breaching the Foreign Agents Registration Act that mandates individuals representing foreign governments register with the Justice Department.
Defense lawyer John Carman characterized the proceedings as a routine administrative oversight rather than international espionage drama.
“Lu was arrested for essentially failing to file a form,” Carman informed the jury.
Carman’s opening statement emphasized that evidence will demonstrate Lu is “not a spy, not a part of Chinese intelligence services, not a part of the Chinese Communist Party, the CCP, and he’s not an agent of the Chinese government.” He referenced two concepts: “No good deed goes unpunished” and “Guilt by association.”
Following a tip from an organization tracking Chinese international suppression efforts, FBI agents conducted a comprehensive search of the alleged New York outpost on October 3, 2022, examining documents, forcing open secured storage areas and confiscating electronic devices, according to Carman.
“They turned the place upside down,” Carman described to jurors.
The following day, Oken stated, Lu acknowledged to federal agents that he created the Manhattan operation, maintained contact with his handler through WeChat and had erased those conversations. Carman noted that neither of Lu’s two-hour FBI questioning sessions were recorded. Authorities arrested Lu in April 2023.
Chen, Lu’s co-defendant, entered a guilty plea in December 2024 to conspiracy charges for acting as an unregistered foreign agent. He awaits sentencing following Lu’s trial while remaining free on bond.
Lu, also known as Harry Lu, sat Wednesday beside Baimadajie Angwang, a former NYPD officer who was exonerated three years ago of accusations that he served as a Chinese government “intelligence asset.” Angwang, currently pursuing legal action to return to police work, now assists Lu’s defense team as an investigator.
Dressed in a dark suit with a light blue tie and glasses, Lu relied on an interpreter who translated the proceedings into Fujianese through an earpiece due to his limited English proficiency. Both Lu and Angwang wore American flag pins on their clothing.
Dozens of supporters, including Lu’s fellow church members, demonstrated outside the courthouse with signs declaring “Justice for Harry Lu” and “Chinese Americans Are Americans!” while waving small American flags as Lu and his legal team arrived.
“No one controls him,” Carman told jurors. “If Harry Lu is an agent of anyone, he is an agent for his community — the local people in his community.”
“You have the life of an innocent man in your hands,” the attorney concluded.
Federal investigators announced Wednesday they determined UCLA’s medical school violated federal law by factoring race into student admissions decisions, as the Trump administration increases oversight of how universities select their incoming classes.
This determination intensifies the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and UCLA, which has primarily centered on how the main campus handled complaints about antisemitic harassment. The medical school at UCLA did not immediately provide a response when contacted for comment.
College admissions programs that consider race have been prohibited since the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision that banned such practices. While that ruling allowed schools to continue evaluating how students’ personal experiences might reflect broader qualities, Trump has alleged that universities are circumventing the law by using personal essays and other indirect methods to factor in race during admissions, which conservatives consider unlawful discrimination.
The Justice Department launched investigations in March into potential race-based discrimination at medical schools including Stanford, Ohio State, and UC San Diego. The current administration has also focused on undergraduate admissions at competitive universities, requiring them to provide documentation proving compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision.
Following a year-long investigation into UCLA, federal officials concluded the medical school engaged in discrimination against white and Asian American applicants while giving advantages to Black and Hispanic candidates.
The department pointed to statistics revealing that admitted Black and Hispanic students had lower average GPAs and test scores during 2023 and 2024. For instance, Black students admitted in 2024 had an average GPA of 3.72, while Asian Americans averaged 3.84 and white students averaged 3.83.
Federal officials argue this data demonstrates the medical school relied on non-academic criteria to meet diversity objectives.
“As a result of these practices, highly qualified White, Asian, and other students were denied admission on the basis of their race,” said Harmeet Dhillon, head of the department’s Civil Rights Division, in a letter of findings.
Investigators also criticized an application section that asked students to voluntarily identify if they belonged to a marginalized group and describe how that affected them. This question appeared on applications for 2024 and 2025, according to the department.
California voters prohibited affirmative action in college admissions through a 1997 ballot initiative. In court documents filed during the Supreme Court case, the UC system reported this change caused a dramatic decline in underrepresented minorities, particularly at the most competitive campuses.
The filing stated UC subsequently adopted “numerous and wideranging race-neutral measures designed to increase diversity of all sorts, including racial diversity.” Despite these efforts, the system acknowledged continued difficulties in boosting campus diversity.
The Trump administration’s findings create an opportunity for UCLA to voluntarily address the Justice Department’s concerns or potentially face legal consequences. Possible sanctions include the loss of federal funding.
In March, a group of 17 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit opposing a Trump administration requirement that higher education institutions provide data proving they don’t factor race into admissions decisions.
Delaware State Police are working to determine what led to a deadly motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a Newark man Tuesday evening.
The fatal collision happened around 6:00 p.m. on May 5, 2026, along Christiana Road close to Harmony Road. According to investigators, a Honda CBR motorcycle was heading east in the left lane when an Audi Q5 began making a left turn from the opposite direction into McIntosh Plaza. The motorcycle’s front end collided with the SUV’s passenger side, throwing the rider from his bike.
Emergency responders transported the motorcyclist, a 34-year-old Newark resident, to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. Police are not releasing his identity while they notify his family members.
The 37-year-old Bear man driving the Audi was not hurt in the crash.
Traffic along the busy roadway came to a standstill for about two and a half hours as investigators documented the scene and crews cleared the wreckage.
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into the deadly accident. Authorities are asking anyone who saw what happened or has video footage to reach out to Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483. Tips can also be submitted through private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Families affected by sudden death or crime can access support services 24/7 through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center by calling 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or emailing [email protected].
A senior Federal Reserve official warned Wednesday that the ongoing U.S.-supported conflict with Iran is primarily driving up prices across the American economy rather than damaging employment markets.
Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee expressed mounting anxiety about supply chain disruptions and sustained price increases during a video conference with reporters following his appearance at a Milken Institute conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
According to Goolsbee, the economic effects have not yet reached the level of stagflation, which would simultaneously harm both employment and price stability, forcing the central bank to choose which priority to address first.
“It has not yet been a stagflationary-direction shock,” Goolsbee explained during the call. “It has just been an inflationary shock. And the longer that continues, the more nervous that makes me.”
The Fed official noted that while job markets and economic growth have remained relatively stable so far, concerns are mounting about increasingly complex supply chain issues and price pressures that could prove more lasting than initially anticipated.
What was supposed to be an adventure cruise to some of the world’s most isolated islands has turned into a nightmare for passengers aboard the MV Hondius, as a deadly hantavirus outbreak has claimed three lives and left the Dutch-flagged vessel searching for a safe harbor.
The expedition ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been dealing with three deaths and eight confirmed or suspected hantavirus cases. Passengers, some of whom boarded the vessel on March 20, describe their experience as alternating between anxiety and tedium as they remain confined to their quarters.
After spending four days anchored off the West African nation of Cape Verde, the ship departed Wednesday evening for Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. Specialist medical teams evacuated three individuals before the vessel’s departure, with local authorities granting permission for the journey to continue.
Approximately 150 passengers and crew members remain on board and are expected to disembark under medical supervision once they reach their destination, though quarantine requirements remain unclear.
The cruise line has instructed all passengers to adhere to “isolation measures, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring,” according to company statements. Martin Kriz, a Swedish physician who has worked aboard the Hondius, explained this means passengers must eat their meals while confined to small four-person cabins.
“It’s quite a small space,” Kriz explained to reporters.
Despite the cramped conditions, passengers report that spirits remain relatively high. Kasem Hato, one of those on board, described the atmosphere as composed and cooperative.
“People are taking the situation seriously but without any panic, trying to keep social distancing and wearing masks to be safe,” Hato said. “Our days have been close to normal, just waiting for authorities to find a solution, but morale on the ship is high and we’re keeping ourselves busy with reading, watching movies, having hot drinks, and that kind of things.”
Social media footage reveals the ship’s elegant wood-paneled common areas sitting completely vacant, with upholstered furniture arranged on vibrant carpeting and ocean views visible through large windows. Photos show medical workers in protective gear delivering supply bags to the vessel’s deck – a sharp contrast to the breathtaking Antarctic scenery passengers had shared from earlier portions of their journey.
American passenger Jake Rosmarin gained attention after sharing a worried video message from his cabin on Instagram, expressing concern about the uncertain situation facing travelers. He later posted a more optimistic update.
“I’m feeling well, getting some fresh air, and continuing to be well fed and taken care of by the crew,” Rosmarin wrote in his follow-up message.
Turkish content creator Ruhi Cenet, who left the ship at Saint Helena on April 24, offered criticism of the initial response. He said that after the first passenger died on April 11, travelers were informed the deceased was not contagious, so normal dining and social activities continued.
“I think this problem could have been small before spreading too much,” Cenet told reporters from Istanbul, suggesting faster isolation protocols might have contained the outbreak.
Oceanwide Expeditions defended their actions in a Wednesday statement, saying information provided by the ship’s captain was accurate when given, and that proper health and safety procedures were followed after the death occurred at sea.
Belgian traveler Helene Goessaert told VRT broadcaster that conditions aboard remain “relatively good,” with fresh produce still being delivered to the vessel. She commended the crew’s efforts during the crisis.
“We are all in the same boat, literally,” Goessaert remarked.
She noted that passengers who weathered rough seas earlier in the voyage are proving resilient during this health emergency as well.
“I think the people on board can take a few lumps,” she observed.
Military officials are pushing to complete work on a luxury aircraft donated by Qatar’s royal family in time for Fourth of July festivities, according to a government source and someone close to the project.
The White House received the Boeing 747 from Qatar earlier this year and directed the Air Force to quickly bring the plane up to presidential flight standards. L3Harris has been chosen to handle the extensive modifications needed for the aircraft.
Should the company meet its target date, President Donald Trump would have access to a new presidential aircraft for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. Sources indicate there have been discussions about potentially finishing the work by June 14th to coincide with Trump’s birthday, rather than waiting until the July deadline.
The acceptance of this gift has sparked controversy among Democratic lawmakers and government ethics watchdogs, who argue it creates potential conflicts of interest that might sway presidential policy decisions. Trump has rejected these concerns about taking the 13-year-old aircraft valued at $400 million, calling it “stupid” to refuse such an offer. The current presidential fleet consists of two specially modified 747-200B planes, though any Air Force aircraft carrying the president receives the Air Force One designation.
Converting the luxury jet provided by Qatar’s monarchy involves extensive security enhancements, upgraded communication systems to prevent electronic surveillance, and defensive capabilities against missile attacks, according to aviation specialists.
A military spokesperson confirmed, “The aircraft is on schedule to deliver this summer.” Officials announced Friday that modification work and test flights have been completed, with painting currently underway.
OFFICIAL REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FACES SETBACKS
Meanwhile, Boeing’s official Air Force One replacement initiative – converting two 747-8 aircraft into modern presidential jets – continues to face significant delays, running four years past the original timeline. Current projections show delivery won’t occur until summer 2028, potentially leaving Trump without his new aircraft before his presidency concludes in January 2029.
Boeing remains bound by a fixed-price agreement valued at $3.9 billion from 2018, though actual expenses have grown beyond $5 billion, forcing the company to absorb $2.4 billion in project losses. To address ongoing challenges, Boeing brought in Steve Sullivan in 2025, a former Northrop Grumman leader with experience on the B-21 bomber project.
Military officials recently revealed updated paint colors featuring red, white, dark blue and gold for the executive aircraft fleet – bringing back a design scheme Trump had long advocated for. A similar color scheme had been abandoned in 2022.
This new appearance will be used on the VC-25B – the military’s term for the Boeing 747-8 – replacing the white and blue design that has been standard since President Kennedy’s administration. Four Boeing 757-200 aircraft used by the vice president, cabinet officials and other senior leaders will also receive the updated paint scheme.
Last December, the Air Force acquired two former Lufthansa 747-8i planes for $400 million – designating one for crew training and maintenance practice, while the other will provide replacement parts as officials prepare to eventually phase out the existing fleet that entered service in 1990.
Health authorities in Argentina announced Wednesday they will begin capturing and testing rodents in the southern port city of Ushuaia following a fatal hantavirus outbreak on a cruise vessel that departed from there.
According to a Wednesday statement from Argentina’s health ministry, officials are also working to piece together the complete travel history of Dutch passengers who visited both Argentina and Chile before developing hantavirus symptoms while aboard the cruise ship.
The investigation focuses on Ushuaia, which served as the departure point for the affected cruise vessel where the deadly virus outbreak occurred.
Fishing enthusiasts across Maryland have numerous species to pursue this week as spring conditions continue to improve. Striped bass fishing has commenced for the 2026 season throughout much of the Chesapeake Bay region, while black sea bass season has begun in Ocean City’s offshore waters. Freshwater anglers can still find recently stocked trout in waterways statewide, plus a diverse selection of other species including the invasive Chesapeake Channa, also known as northern snakehead.
Water Conditions Forecast: May 6-12
Monitoring station data shows main Bay surface temperatures and river mouth readings are maintaining levels near 60 degrees. Smaller waterways and tributaries are also registering temperatures in the 60s, though protected coves and sun-exposed areas on clear days will experience faster warming, often reaching the upper 60s.
Most Maryland rivers and streams are experiencing below-normal flow rates. Water clarity should remain typical throughout most Maryland sections of the Bay and its tributaries, except for reduced visibility in tidal portions of the Bush and Gunpowder rivers due to algae blooms. Tidal movements will be stronger than usual on Wednesday and Thursday following the May 1 full moon.
Upper Chesapeake Bay
Anglers working the lower Susquehanna River and Susquehanna Flats are concentrating on white perch and blue catfish. White perch are responding well to small jig heads baited with grass shrimp, small minnows, or bloodworm pieces. These same baits perform effectively on bottom rigs. Blue catfish in the river are taking various cut baits and scented offerings. Largemouth bass are providing catch-and-release action on the flats, with Chesapeake Channa also being caught in weedy areas.
Striped bass restrictions remain in effect above the Abbey Point to Worton Point boundary line until June 1, with catch-and-release only between that line and the Brewerton Channel until the same date.
Waters below the Brewerton Channel are producing solid striped bass fishing within the 19- to 24-inch slot limit. Weekend anglers experienced good success trolling umbrella rigs and tandem-rigged medium bucktails with sassy shads or twister tails. Light tackle enthusiasts are finding success casting paddle tails along shoreline structure and jigging. Love Point rocks remains a favored location this week.
White perch are transitioning to summer habitat near structure including submerged rocks, old piers, docks, bulkheads, and oyster bars around tidal river mouths. Small jigs, spinners, and spin jigs work well when cast to shoreline structure. These fish will soon be found on various underwater humps and ridges in the upper Bay. Grass shrimp and bloodworms remain the top bait choices for bottom rigs.
Large blue catfish are roaming open Bay waters this time of year, typically on flats adjacent to channel edges down to the Bay Bridge area. Despite elevated salinity levels from limited rainfall, large blue cats seem unaffected. Smaller to medium blue catfish are more commonly found in tidal rivers, with the Chester River being among the most productive upper Bay locations.
Middle Bay
Bay Bridge piers continue attracting anglers casting soft plastic jigs near pier foundations. Some fishermen are also drifting small white perch or cut bait toward the pier bases, using required circle hooks while avoiding prohibited eel baits.
Striped bass fishing within slot parameters has anglers trolling umbrella rigs with medium lures or jigging and casting medium baits. Medium bucktails fitted with sassy shads or twister tails are favored trailer choices for umbrella rigs. Jigging with 3/4-ounce soft plastic jigs along channel edges when fish appear suspended off bottom is proving effective. Casting paddle tails near shoreline structure also produces slot-sized striped bass. Popular areas include Poplar Island rocks, Thomas Point Light, and rocks fronting the Naval Academy. The Choptank River remains closed to striped bass targeting.
White perch are appearing in lower sections of tidal rivers and beginning to provide quality fishing at traditional spots. Prominent points, deepwater docks and piers, and shoreline structure offer good targeting opportunities. Shallow shoreline waters fish best during morning and evening hours using small paddle tails, jigs, spin jigs, and spinners. Deeper areas can be worked with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces on simple bottom rigs.
Blue catfish inhabit all regional tidal rivers, with the Choptank holding the highest concentrations. The Cambridge to Denton area contains large blue catfish populations. High salinity levels from limited rainfall mean the area above Dover Bridge holds many medium-sized blues, while larger specimens tend to be farther downriver.
Lower Bay
Lower Bay striped bass anglers enjoyed their first weekend opportunity to harvest fish within the 19- to 24-inch slot. Many trolled umbrella rigs while others jigged with soft plastic lures or worked shallow lower Bay shorelines. Casting paddle tails and poppers during morning and evening hours proved successful.
The Potomac River won’t open for striped bass fishing until May 16, and Maryland tidal rivers remain closed to striped bass targeting.
Channel edges off Cove Point and from the 76 Buoy south to the 72B and 72A buoys provided good trolling. Jigging along these same channel edges where suspended fish can be located with electronics also worked well. Soft plastic 3/4-ounce jigs in 5- to 6-inch sizes and bright colors are popular choices. Hoopers Island cuts, Tangier Sound sedge banks, and Cedar Point rocks rewarded anglers casting paddle tails, jigs, and poppers this past weekend.
Black drum are being reported in the Tangier Sound area and near the Target Ship at Mud Leads. Anglers are spotting them on fish finders and using soft crab baits, with large red drum expected to follow soon.
White perch are moving into summer habitat in lower sections of tidal rivers and creeks, as well as Bay areas. Casting small jig heads tipped with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces works well in moderate depths. Evening hours are productive for casting small jigs, spin jigs, and spinners near shoreline structure for light-tackle fun.
May provides excellent blue catfish opportunities as cooler temperatures allow these fish to move freely across various depths near channels. Larger blue catfish are in pre-spawn aggressive feeding mode. Most cut baits and scented offerings prove effective. The Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke all support large blue catfish populations.
Freshwater Fishing
Trout anglers in put-and-take areas continue benefiting from ongoing stockings in central and western regions. As May progresses and temperatures rise, stockings will decrease in central areas and increase in western regions where cooler water persists. March stockings provided over 91,000 trout at more than 100 locations.
Smallmouth bass and walleye have finished spawning and are active in the upper Potomac River and Deep Creek Lake. Very low water flows and clear conditions in the upper Potomac favor long casts with light lines near current breaks and underwater ledges. Emerging grass beds offer exciting topwater action when casting poppers during early morning hours near bed edges. The Monocacy River and Prettyboy and Liberty reservoirs also support smallmouth bass populations.
Largemouth bass have completed or are nearly finished with spawning activities everywhere except western regions. Male largemouth remain at nest sites protecting larvae, while females can be found in waters away from shallow spawning areas.
May offers excellent opportunities for various sunfish species found abundantly in most state waters. These fish often provide first catches for young anglers while offering entertainment for adults using appropriate tackle. Lightweight fly rods with small poppers or ants, or ultra-light spinning gear with small lures can enhance any fishing trip.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays
Surf anglers are experiencing consistent action with striped bass, black drum, and large bluefish along Assateague and Ocean City beaches. Striped bass typically measure well beyond legal slot limits but provide exciting catch-and-release opportunities. Black drum are medium-sized, while bluefish are large but thin. Striped bass and bluefish are taking cut bait, black drum prefer sand fleas and clams. Dogfish and clearnose skates are unfortunately also present.
At the inlet and Route 50 Bridge area, anglers are catching tautog, flounder, and large catch-and-release striped bass. Tautog are responding to sand fleas, flounder to Gulp baits and squid strips, and striped bass to drifted cut bait. Small striped bass often falling short of the 28-inch minimum are being caught by casting soft plastic jigs near dock and bridge piers, bulkheads, and jetty rocks.
Flounder continue migrating through the inlet into back bay areas, with channels leading from the inlet being prime drifting locations. Striped bass provide excellent catch-and-release fishing at Route 611 and Route 90 bridge piers. Casting paddle tails and soft plastic jigs are the most popular techniques, though most striped bass fall short of the 28-inch minimum.
Offshore and nearshore wreck and reef site anglers are enjoying quality fishing for tautog, black sea bass, and mixed flounder. The 2026 black sea bass regulations for federal waters include a 15-fish daily limit per angler and 12.5-inch size limit. The 2026 black sea bass season runs from May 1 through December 31. Tautog season remains open until May 16, then closes until July 1.
SALISBURY, MD — Drivers should prepare for major traffic delays and road closures this week as Salisbury University hosts its Spring Commencement ceremonies across two days in May.
The university’s graduate ceremony kicks off Wednesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. inside the Maggs Physical Activities Center. Campus parking lots near Chesapeake Hall and the Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons will be designated exclusively for graduating students and their families. Special accessible parking will be set up at Perdue Hall for those who received advance permits from the university.
Additional parking for the graduate event will be open at the Guerrieri University Center, Commons area, and the Wayne Street Garage. Motorists can expect minor backups on Route 13 near the campus starting around 4 p.m. as families begin arriving.
Thursday’s undergraduate ceremony at Sea Gull Stadium at 9 a.m. will create much more significant disruptions. Wayne Street between Bateman and Power streets will be completely shut down from 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17 through 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21 for event setup and cleanup.
The most severe congestion is anticipated Thursday morning from 6-9 a.m. and again from noon-2 p.m. on all major campus approaches, including Route 13, Milford Street, Beaglin Park Drive and College Avenue. Several campus-area streets including Avery, Bateman, Wayne and Power will be off-limits to regular traffic from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Families driving from Route 13 via Bateman Street will be routed to the Wayne Street Garage, while those coming from South Division Street should head to the Avery Street lot. A special drop-off zone for guests needing mobility assistance will operate on Power Street near the stadium, with designated accessible parking available at the East Campus Complex.
Additional parking spaces will be available in campus lots near the Guerrieri Student Union for overflow crowds and those planning to watch the ceremony from remote viewing locations at the Academic Commons and Physical Activities Center.
Regular shuttle service will connect multiple parking areas to the graduation venue, including stops at the Commons, Student Union, and College Avenue solar installation lot.
University officials warn that street parking near campus and athletic facilities will be prohibited. Graduates and guests are also reminded that unauthorized parking at nearby businesses or schools could result in tickets or towing. The university encourages carpooling when possible to reduce congestion.
Detailed parking maps and additional ceremony information can be found on the university’s commencement website at www.salisbury.edu/administration/academic-affairs/commencement.
Delaware transportation crews will begin storm drain inspection work along Route 1 in Dover next week, creating temporary lane restrictions for nearly two months.
The Delaware Department of Transportation announced the inspection project will run from May 11, 2026, through June 30, 2026, affecting both northbound and southbound traffic on the busy highway.
Drivers can expect rolling single-lane closures between the Dover Toll Plaza and Dover Air Force Base while crews conduct their inspection work.
State transportation officials are reminding drivers to follow the “move over” law when approaching work zones. Motorists should change lanes when safely possible or reduce their speed by at least 20 mph when the posted limit is 50 mph or higher if they see vehicles with flashing emergency lights stopped along the roadside.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Seven contenders seeking California’s top executive office engaged in a spirited televised debate Tuesday evening, sparring over contentious issues including a proposed wealth tax and government healthcare for undocumented residents.
The CNN-broadcast forum represented one of the final opportunities for candidates to make their case to voters before the June 2nd primary to replace term-limited Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. With mail-in ballots already circulating, the top two vote-getters will move forward to November’s general election regardless of political affiliation.
While no Republican has occupied the governor’s mansion for over ten years, the crowded field suggests uncertainty with less than four weeks remaining until election day.
Tuesday’s debate featured Democrats Xavier Becerra, former Biden administration health secretary; Katie Porter, ex-congresswoman; billionaire environmental advocate Tom Steyer; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Republicans Steve Hilton, a conservative media personality, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco also participated.
Healthcare policy sparked intense exchanges among the candidates.
The contenders battled over eliminating private insurance for a government-controlled system, a concept that has repeatedly stalled in the state legislature.
Porter, an advocate for government-managed healthcare, challenged Becerra directly about his shifting position on the matter.
“Do you support CalCare — California having its own state-run, single-payer system, yes or no?” Porter asked.
Becerra provided an ambiguous response.
“The most important thing about having a Medicare for All plan is that it includes everyone,” he said. “What we have to do is get to the point where we are covering everyone with something like Medicare for All.”
Mahan, opposing a state-controlled system, later interjected that Becerra “was unable to clearly answer the most important question on healthcare.”
Becerra pushed back: “I did answer that question.”
Steyer aligned with Porter in supporting the proposal, while Bianco, Hilton, and Villaraigosa dismissed it as impractical or financially unrealistic.
Immigration discussions revealed stark partisan divisions.
Steyer, Porter and Becerra endorsed state-funded medical coverage for low-income undocumented immigrants, a program Newsom initially expanded but later reduced. Bianco labeled the approach “ridiculous.”
Steyer argued the state should pursue legal action against federal agents and immigration officials who engage in racial profiling or violence against Californians. Mahan noted that San Jose business owners have seen customers disappear because many immigrants fear leaving their homes.
Bianco defended Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities, stating agents were upholding federal law and working to remove individuals he described as “criminals” without legal status.
Hilton, who emigrated from England, emphasized he was the debate’s only immigrant participant. He cautioned against mixing legal and unauthorized immigration issues.
“Although it is the federal government’s responsibility to determine and implement immigration policy, I think it’s important that all the laws are peacefully enforced,” Hilton said. “As governor, I would make sure that we work with the federal government to enforce our laws.”
Democratic candidates repeatedly stressed their opposition to Trump’s immigration agenda.
Neither Hilton, who has Trump’s backing, nor Bianco frequently mentioned the former president, except to argue that Democrats wrongly hold him responsible for state problems.
Becerra referenced Trump most frequently, highlighting his numerous lawsuits against the administration during his tenure as state attorney general from 2017 to 2021, before Biden appointed him health secretary.
“I’m going to repeat Donald Trump as often as I have because he’s the menace,” Becerra declared.
When Villaraigosa pressed Hilton to confirm Trump’s 2020 election defeat, Hilton declined to respond.
“Endlessly going on about Donald Trump doesn’t serve the needs of the struggling families and small businesses,” Hilton said.
Mahan attempted to stake out centrist ground. He criticized Becerra for attributing high fuel costs entirely to Trump, while noting San Jose has challenged the Trump administration’s immigration policies in court. He called Republican support for Trump’s “cruel and ineffective policies” disqualifying.
Porter offered a blunt assessment: “Donald Trump sucks.”
Tax policy discussions centered on wealth inequality measures.
Steyer stood alone in endorsing a proposed billionaire tax likely appearing on November ballots. The one-time levy would restore funding eliminated by Trump-era cuts that reduced healthcare access for low-income residents.
Porter supports higher taxes on California’s wealthiest residents but characterized the proposed tax as a short-term solution to systemic problems.
Mahan proposed suspending gasoline taxes to ease burdens on working families.
Hilton suggested eliminating income taxes on the first $100,000 of earnings.
Both Mahan and Steyer advocated taxing artificial intelligence companies and directing revenue toward worker support programs, including job training initiatives.
“The answer is to tax these companies, not to regulate them to the point that they simply go to other places,” Mahan said.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence linked to the individual found guilty of murdering 19-year-old California Polytechnic State University student Kristin Smart nearly three decades ago.
Smart’s body has never been recovered, leading to her being legally declared deceased in 2002. Paul Flores received a conviction for her murder and was handed a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars.
According to a statement from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the search conducted in Arroyo Grande on California’s central coast is part of the continuing investigation into Smart’s vanishing. Public records and podcast reporting indicate the residence belongs to Susan Flores, Paul Flores’ mother.
“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to bringing Kristin home to her family,” officials stated. “No further information is available.”
The “Your Own Backyard” podcast, which played a crucial role in helping investigators solve the case by encouraging additional witnesses to come forward, broke the news of Wednesday’s search and confirmed the home’s ownership. Efforts to contact Susan Flores for a response were unsuccessful.
Smart vanished from California Polytechnic State University in May 1996. Legal authorities contended she died during an attempted sexual assault and that Flores, a fellow student, was the final person observed with her.
Both Flores and his father, Ruben Flores, faced arrest in 2021.
Prosecutors claimed Smart’s body was initially interred on Ruben Flores’ land before being relocated elsewhere. He was cleared of accessory charges. The property searched Wednesday differs from that location.
Paul Flores received his prison sentence in March 2023, where he has suffered physical assaults on multiple occasions.
A court ruling in 2024 ordered Paul Flores to compensate Smart’s family with more than $350,000 for expenses related to her death.
The family has indicated they would waive financial compensation if Flores revealed the location of Kristin’s remains. Defense attorney Harold Mesick stated in 2024 that the legal team has no knowledge of where her body lies. Flores continues to deny guilt.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jurors in Columbus started weighing evidence Wednesday in the second murder trial of a former law enforcement officer accused of killing a young Black man in 2020.
Jason Meade, a white former Franklin County sheriff’s deputy and Baptist minister, faces murder and reckless homicide charges for the December 2020 death of Casey Goodson Jr., 23. Prosecutors say Meade shot Goodson five times in the back while Goodson attempted to enter his grandmother’s home. The initial trial concluded in a mistrial over two years ago.
The fatal encounter occurred during a period of nationwide demonstrations following George Floyd’s death, adding to a series of incidents involving white Ohio police officers killing Black residents throughout the prior decade.
Earlier this year, Goodson’s relatives secured a $7 million settlement in their federal civil rights lawsuit against the county.
Unlike the previous trial where he took the stand, Meade’s legal team chose not to have him testify this time. In his earlier testimony, Meade claimed he followed Goodson after witnessing him display a weapon while their vehicles passed each other. He stated he feared for his safety and others’ wellbeing, ultimately firing when Goodson allegedly turned toward him while armed.
Defense lawyer Mark Collins addressed jurors during Wednesday’s closing statements: “Jason had to decide, ladies and gentlemen, whether the gun he had already seen twice was going to be the gun that killed him. He had no pause button. He had no crystal ball. And he had no duty to wait for the first shot. The law does not require perfection from our law enforcement officers. It requires reasonableness.”
Collins urged the panel to find his client not guilty.
State prosecutor Howard Tim Merkle challenged the jury, asking “Who’s got a motive here to deceive?” He contended the defense failed to prove Meade acted in self-defense when he killed Goodson.
“So what evidence is there against the idea, the suggestion that Casey turned and pointed the gun?” Merkle questioned. “We can start with he’s got six shots in his back. They’re not in his front.” Medical evidence showed one of the six gunshot wounds was to Goodson’s side.
No body camera footage captured the incident, and prosecutors maintain Meade stands alone in claiming Goodson held a weapon. Goodson’s relatives and attorneys assert he carried a Subway sandwich bag in one hand and keys in the other when shot. While they acknowledge Goodson may have possessed a firearm, they emphasize he held a valid concealed carry permit.
Investigators discovered Goodson’s gun beneath his body on his grandmother’s kitchen floor with the safety engaged.
SALISBURY, Md. — Officials in Salisbury have called off the Maryland Folk Festival for 2026 after facing significant financial obstacles during their latest round of seeking sponsors and grant money.
City leaders concluded they could not deliver the high-quality event that residents and visitors have grown accustomed to experiencing over the years.
“This was not an easy decision,” said Caroline O’Hare, Events & Culture Manager for the City of Salisbury. “The folk festival has become a meaningful tradition for our community—bringing people together through music, dance, food, and shared experiences. We are incredibly proud of what has been built over the years.”
Following its evolution from the National Folk Festival, this annual celebration has drawn tens of thousands of people to Salisbury’s downtown area, showcasing performers from across the nation and around the world alongside local artists and cultural heritage displays. The festival has served as a central piece of the city’s cultural offerings and a major economic boost for the downtown district.
Salisbury officials extended their gratitude to the numerous sponsors, volunteers, performers, area businesses, and municipal staff members who helped make the festival successful throughout the past ten years. Their contributions helped establish a welcoming, family-oriented celebration that highlighted cultural diversity and brought the community together.
Although the festival won’t happen this year, Salisbury’s Arts, Business, and Culture Department continues working to provide opportunities for both locals and tourists to enjoy artistic performances, experience different cultural traditions, and build community connections.
“We’re taking this time to reflect and look ahead,” said O’Hare. “Our goal is to continue building meaningful experiences for our community in new and thoughtful ways. We’re already beginning conversations around future community-centered programming and exploring what a new event in Fall 2027 could look like for Salisbury.”
The City of Salisbury Arts, Business, and Culture Department plans to announce more information about upcoming programming as plans develop.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A prominent Virginia state senator who has championed cannabis reform throughout her political career now finds herself at the center of a federal investigation after law enforcement raided her marijuana business this week.
Senator L. Louise Lucas, known for her passionate advocacy on cannabis legalization, has built much of her legislative agenda around reforming drug laws that she believes unfairly target African American communities. Her commitment to the cause led her not only to author legalization legislation but also to establish her own cannabis retail operation.
Federal agents conducted a court-authorized search at Lucas’s business on Wednesday, though the FBI has not disclosed the specific focus of their investigation. The raid has thrust the longtime politician’s three-decade career back into the spotlight.
Lucas made history in 2019 when she became Virginia’s first Black woman to serve as Senate president pro tempore following the Democratic takeover of the chamber.
Her political journey has not been without controversy. In 2020, she faced felony accusations related to her participation in a demonstration against a Confederate memorial, though a judge ultimately threw out those charges.
A Portsmouth native, Lucas broke barriers early in her career as the first woman to work as a ship fitter at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, according to state library records. She currently leads a Portsmouth company that provides housing, daily programming, and transportation services for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Lucas launched The Cannabis Outlet in her hometown of Portsmouth in 2021, selling legally permitted hemp and CBD merchandise.
“Let’s talk about pot,” Lucas wrote on social media platform X in 2022. “Yes, we legalized it and I even opened the Cannabis Outlet after we did! But the job isn’t done. People are still in jail for something that is legal today.”
Witnesses reported seeing an armored FBI vehicle and multiple federal agents at Lucas’s cannabis shop on Wednesday. The FBI confirmed only that agents were executing a court-approved search warrant in Portsmouth.
The nation’s chicken industry is showing signs of growth, with new federal statistics revealing a 3 percent increase in broiler-type egg production across the United States.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the placement of broiler-type chicks also climbed by 3 percent during the same period.
This upward trend in both egg setting and chick placement suggests strengthening demand in the poultry sector, which represents a significant portion of American agriculture.
The statistics reflect the ongoing activity in commercial chicken operations nationwide, where broiler chickens are raised specifically for meat production rather than egg laying.
Cheese manufacturing across the United States showed strong growth in recent months, according to new federal agriculture data released this week.
Production figures reveal that cheese makers produced 1.26 billion pounds of cheese products during the reporting period, not including cottage cheese varieties. This represents a 1.2 percent increase compared to March 2025 figures and a substantial 8.1 percent jump from February 2026 levels.
The statistics come from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which tracks dairy production trends nationwide as part of its regular industry monitoring efforts.
The production increases suggest continued strength in America’s dairy sector, with cheese manufacturing showing particular resilience and growth during the measured timeframe.
More than 500 religious leaders from over 35 states descended on the nation’s capital this week for a coordinated advocacy effort supporting Israel and addressing growing concerns about antisemitism.
The interfaith delegation, comprised of rabbis, pastors, and other faith community leaders, conducted 115 separate meetings with lawmakers and senior congressional staff from both sides of the political aisle during Israel Advocacy Day.
Four organizations collaborated to coordinate the effort: Eagles’ Wings, American Christian Leaders for Israel, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA, and the Israel Allies Foundation. Event organizers emphasized the unique approach of pairing Jewish and Christian leaders together for their Capitol Hill visits.
The religious coalition concentrated their advocacy efforts around three main priorities: bolstering bipartisan congressional support for Israel, tackling the rise of antisemitic incidents both domestically and internationally, and securing enhanced safety measures for houses of worship and religious institutions facing security concerns.
The day’s activities wrapped up with addresses from Rep. Don Bacon, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, and senior staff representatives from both House Republican and Democratic offices.
Robert Stearns, who founded and leads Eagles’ Wings, emphasized the importance of moving beyond symbolic gestures. “This moment calls on faith leaders and elected officials to transform words into meaningful action,” Stearns stated. “For years, many have stood with Israel in sentiment. This initiative is about translating that support into tangible engagement- meeting with policymakers, building relationships, and advancing solutions that can be seen, measured, and felt.”
The advocacy day also featured an evening gala that brought together Jewish and Christian leaders from across the United States. The event included presentations by Eric Fingerhut, who serves as president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, and Rabbi Pini Dunner from the Beverly Hills Synagogue.
During the gala ceremony, Dr. Susan Michael and Bishop Robert Stearns were honored with the White Rose Society Award, a recognition given to non-Jewish individuals who have demonstrated exceptional support for Jewish communities during times of increasing antisemitism.
Dr. Susan Michael, who leads ICEJ USA, highlighted the power of interfaith cooperation in their advocacy efforts. “Our advocacy has much greater impact when we speak with one voice and stand in unity for truth, justice, and goodness,” Michael explained. “We demonstrate that support for Israel is not just a Jewish issue – it is important to Christians and to tens of millions of Americans.”
A Pakistani journalist and content creator has been placed behind bars in Lahore following counterterrorism charges that accuse him of supporting al-Qaida and holding forbidden materials – claims that his family, coworkers, and several experts are vigorously challenging.
Muhammad Saad bin Riaz, who works as both a journalist and YouTuber, was ordered to remain in custody by judicial authorities after the terrorism-related accusations were filed against him.
Those defending Riaz argue that the charges are inconsistent with his professional background as a researcher and journalist who specializes in covering regional warfare and information campaigns.
This detention has sparked broader discussions throughout Pakistan about whether government officials are addressing a legitimate extremist danger or are misusing extensive counterterrorism authority in ways that could damage public confidence, media freedoms, and the trustworthiness of intelligence-based law enforcement.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between national security concerns and journalistic independence in Pakistan’s media landscape.
Media visionary Ted Turner, the audacious entrepreneur who established CNN and revolutionized television journalism with continuous news coverage, passed away Wednesday at age 87, marking the end of an era for a man whose bold ventures transformed broadcasting, athletics, charitable giving, and how global audiences witnessed history as it happened. In 2018, Turner revealed he was battling Lewy body dementia.
Robert Edward Turner III was born November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati and constructed one of the most influential media legacies of the late 1900s after inheriting his family’s advertising billboard company. Following his father’s passing, Turner assumed leadership of the business, ventured into television broadcasting, and pioneered the “superstation” concept by beaming an Atlanta television station via satellite to cable providers nationwide. This strategic decision transformed a regional broadcaster into a nationwide media powerhouse.
Turner’s most significant risk occurred in 1980 when he established the Cable News Network. During that period, the concept of a television station delivering news around the clock was broadly rejected as costly, unrealistic, and somewhat crazy. Turner, who appeared to use doubt as motivation, forged ahead regardless. CNN emerged as the inaugural 24-hour cable news service and eventually became one of the globe’s most identifiable news organizations.
For Middle Eastern viewers, CNN’s defining achievement occurred during the 1991 Gulf War, when the channel’s live broadcasts from Baghdad transformed warfare into an ongoing worldwide transmission. CNN’s Iraq coverage demonstrated the strength of satellite journalism and altered how political leaders, armed forces, and audiences comprehended immediate conflict reporting. The conflict also elevated CNN to international recognition beyond America and stimulated satellite news expansion throughout the Arab region.
While Middle Eastern affairs weren’t central to Turner’s professional focus, he became involved in a significant Israel-related dispute in 2002. During a Guardian newspaper interview, he implied that both Israelis and Palestinians participated in terrorist activities, prompting harsh criticism from Israeli authorities and Jewish groups. Turner subsequently retracted his statements, expressing regret for any suggestion that Israel’s protective measures equaled terrorism and acknowledging a “fundamental distinction” between Israeli government actions and Palestinian violence.
Outside CNN, Turner developed an extensive media conglomerate encompassing Turner Broadcasting System, TNT, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, and additional channels. He also possessed the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks, captured the 1977 America’s Cup sailing championship, and established the Goodwill Games, a Cold War-period athletic competition designed to promote international rivalry beyond Olympic boycotts of that time.
Turner ranked among America’s most prominent billionaire charitable donors. In 1997, he committed $1 billion toward United Nations initiatives, a contribution that resulted in establishing the United Nations Foundation. He subsequently helped launch the Nuclear Threat Initiative alongside former US Senator Sam Nunn, concentrating on diminishing nuclear, chemical, and biological dangers. His environmental activities encompassed significant land preservation projects, bison recovery efforts, and backing climate-focused causes.
He gained recognition for his confidence, outspoken nature, bold personality, and readiness to express thoughts that more reserved executives would never voice publicly. Known as the “Mouth of the South,” Turner could display brilliance one moment and volatility the next. He wed three times, notably to actress Jane Fonda, and fathered five children.
Turner’s influence remains complex, much like the individual himself. He contributed to establishing global television news infrastructure while simultaneously creating the continuous news environment that later faced criticism for haste, drama, and perpetual emergency atmosphere. He promoted worldwide cooperation, yet his own statements occasionally sparked the exact disputes he claimed communication could resolve.
Nevertheless, the essential truth persists: before Turner, television news appeared at scheduled times. Following Turner, news broadcasting became constant. For positive and negative outcomes—and throughout the Middle East, frequently during periods of conflict, uprising, terrorism, negotiations, and catastrophe—the world adapted to observing history unfold in real time.
Iranian leadership is currently examining a comprehensive 14-point framework proposal delivered by the United States designed to halt ongoing regional conflicts and reopen discussions about Tehran’s nuclear activities, according to statements made by an Iranian foreign ministry representative to CNBC. The spokesperson emphasized that Iran will only agree to conditions deemed “fair” by their government.
The U.S. administration anticipates receiving Iran’s response on key elements of the proposal within the coming 48 hours. Though no final deal has been secured, sources referenced by Axios indicate these current discussions mark the most promising progress toward an agreement since hostilities commenced on February 28.
American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are conducting negotiations on this single-page agreement framework with Iranian leadership through both face-to-face meetings and third-party mediators.
The draft memorandum would create a month-long negotiation window concentrating on restoring ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz, placing restrictions on Iran’s nuclear development, and reducing American economic sanctions.
According to the terms being considered, Iran would agree to halt nuclear enrichment activities, while the United States would unfreeze billions in Iranian assets and remove existing sanctions. The framework also incorporates mutual agreements regarding shipping limitations through the Strait of Hormuz.
Before news of the 14-point framework emerged, President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that Operation “Project Freedom,” which controls vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, would be temporarily suspended.
Trump stated that the wider American blockade would continue during ongoing negotiations.
In his Truth Social message, Trump stated: “While the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
The president explained his decision came after appeals from Pakistan and other nations, while noting advancement in communications with Iran.
Tensions erupted Tuesday evening outside a Manhattan synagogue when approximately 100 protesters confronted New York City police during a demonstration against an Israeli real estate event taking place inside Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side.
Video footage captured demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and using drums while positioned about half a block from the synagogue. The crowd voiced chants including “Palestine will never die” and “Stop the sale of stolen land.”
Other slogans heard throughout the evening included: “We don’t want no two states, we want all of it,” “End the settler Zionist state,” “Death to the IDF,” and “There is only one solution, intifada revolution.” Participants also called out in Arabic “From the water to the water, Palestine is Arab” as they marched to drum rhythms.
Recorded footage revealed physical altercations between demonstrators and NYPD officers when protesters tried to break through police barriers that had been set up around the area.
During the demonstration, one participant was observed hitting a photograph of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the deceased spiritual leader of the Chabad Hasidic movement, while other protesters made triangle hand gestures linked to Hamas imagery.
A smaller opposing group assembled in the vicinity, displaying placards that read “Antizionism is a hate movement” and “Antizionism gets Jews killed.” Several counter-demonstrators performed “Hatikva,” Israel’s national anthem.
The anti-Zionist protesters directed hostile language toward the counter-demonstrators, calling them “Nazis,” “pedophiles,” and “baby killers,” and telling them “Go kill yourself.”
The activist organization Pal-Awda NY/NJ coordinated Tuesday’s demonstration. This same group previously organized a protest at the identical synagogue location in November during an event sponsored by Nefesh B’Nefesh, which helps facilitate Jewish relocation from America to Israel.
Reports indicate that the November demonstration drew approximately 200 participants who harassed attendees as they entered the synagogue for that event.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has been characterized as critical of Israel, had not issued any public statements regarding Tuesday evening’s protest.
Israel’s Health Ministry is moving to eliminate smoking medical cannabis within the next three years, even as the nation faces unprecedented levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and record numbers of licensed cannabis users.
A special ministry committee delivered its recommendations on Sunday to phase out smoked cannabis forms, citing emerging research that questions whether the treatment helps or harms PTSD patients. The proposal comes as approximately 140,000 Israelis currently possess medical cannabis permits, a dramatic increase from 33,000 just a few years earlier.
The timing coincides with alarming statistics showing roughly one-third of Israel’s population – about three million people – are experiencing PTSD symptoms, according to separate reports from the State Comptroller and independent researchers.
Dr. Shaul Lev-Ran, who co-founded and serves as academic director of the Israel Center on Addiction, emphasized that the recommendations focus on medical standards rather than personal freedoms. He stressed the need to evaluate cannabis like any other medical treatment, examining who prescribes it, which conditions warrant its use, and how to properly assess risks versus benefits.
“The medical cannabis industry in Israel has become a much larger operation than originally intended,” Lev-Ran explained. He noted this marks the first time the Health Ministry is implementing better screening tools to identify patients at risk for cannabis addiction or adverse effects.
Current data reveals that 98% of licensed purchases involve smoked cannabis, while 88% of permits are for high-THC products with greater addiction potential. Smoking inherently increases risks for heart and lung disease, according to Lev-Ran.
“Early signs of problematic use kind of define what the red flags are and establish criteria for either tapering or discontinuing your treatment,” Lev-Ran stated.
He referenced a recent JAMA Psychiatry study demonstrating that medical cannabis failed to improve PTSD and actually worsened long-term patient outcomes. The medical system must weigh immediate relief against future consequences, he argued.
“We definitely want to be compassionate, but I think what the report is trying to do is balance compassion and concern,” he said. “So, compassion for the short-term effects and to alleviate them, but concern that people may get stuck with medical cannabis, and they may actually be worse off in the long term.”
Cannabis users are responding negatively to the committee’s findings. M., a 50-year-old Tel Aviv area resident who requested anonymity, said he felt “jolted to hear of the recommendation by the committee.”
He criticized the ministry for not warning current patients through their psychiatrists before releasing the report, noting that sudden anxiety often triggers PTSD symptoms.
“Many of us who have PTSD have been smoking cannabis to assist us for many years,” M. explained. “It’s something we’ve been used to relying on.”
M. said alternative forms like oils and capsules proved less effective for his condition. He questioned why officials would issue such recommendations when PTSD cases are climbing and adequate treatment options remain limited.
However, Lev-Ran pointed out that the United States Veterans Association already advises against prescribing medical cannabis to veterans with PTSD due to harmful long-term effects.
The most comprehensive medicinal cannabis review, published in The Lancet this year, concluded that cannabis fails to effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD despite user claims. The analysis examined 54 randomized controlled trials spanning 45 years from 1980 to 2025, finding increased risks for psychosis and addiction while potentially delaying proven treatments.
A 2025 Centers for Disease Control report found 19% of Americans – approximately 52.5 million people – used illegal cannabis at least once in 2021. Medical cannabis remains legal in 47 states, three territories, and Washington D.C. Research from 2021 indicated around three million Americans were using cannabis medicinally.
Those numbers have likely grown significantly. Recent data shows about 27% of Americans and Canadians aged 16-65 report medical cannabis use, with half citing mental health management. The American Medical Association has expressed similar concerns to Israel’s Health Ministry regarding limited regulation and uncertain effectiveness.
Under the committee’s plan, medical cannabis prescribing will transfer to Israel’s four health funds within one year. These organizations will collaborate with research groups to monitor and evaluate cannabis treatment outcomes.
The recommendations also call for promoting new technologies, potentially including Israel’s SyqeAir inhaler system. The company markets its device as “the most innovative and safest route of administration of medical cannabis” compared to smoking, vaping, or oils. It represents the world’s first metered-dose cannabis inhaler, designed for consistent treatment while reducing overdose risks and side effects.
While the report doesn’t specifically mention SyqeAir, it states that new treatments will begin with extracts and precision inhalers, gradually replacing smoked forms with alternative delivery methods.
“I think when you look at cannabis, a lot of countries are realizing the limitations of medical cannabis, realizing the burden that it poses on the medical system,” Lev-Ran added. He noted that medical systems rely on research and precise dosing, both difficult to achieve with smoked cannabis.
Lev-Ran compared cannabis to other alternative treatments like forest therapy, where studies suggest benefits “and it’s really hard to think about severe risks. So the risk-benefit ratio leans a lot towards the benefits.”
He contrasted this with treatments like psychedelic-assisted therapy or ketamine, where patients don’t receive take-home prescriptions.
“Let’s say I’m receiving ketamine in a ketamine clinic,” Lev-Ran explained. “I’m not getting doses to take home, so that, for example, substantially reduces the risk of addiction.”
He noted that MDMA treatment for trauma in Israel involves structured protocols with three sessions and 16 therapy meetings, rather than simply providing medication without supervision.
Despite current recommendations, Lev-Ran expressed confidence that the Health Ministry would reconsider its position if future research supports cannabis use, including smoking forms.
Maryland officials have greenlit more than $1.8 million in state grants to enhance parks, develop trails, and preserve natural areas across eight counties, including Cecil and Queen Anne’s counties on the Eastern Shore.
The Maryland Board of Public Works authorized the funding distribution from the Department of Natural Resources to support local government initiatives in Allegany, Baltimore, Calvert, Cecil, Dorchester, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, and Washington counties.
Local park improvements received the largest share, with over $1.35 million allocated through the Program Open Space – Local initiative. These funds will finance nine separate projects, including upgraded field lighting at Allegany County’s Cresaptown Sports Complex, LED lighting improvements at Baltimore County’s Reisterstown Regional Park, and construction of a new 2-mile recreational trail connecting Rock Creek Regional Park and North Branch Stream Valley Park in Montgomery County.
Conservation efforts received $271,000 through the Rural Legacy program to secure a permanent conservation easement in Cecil County’s Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area. The Cecil Land Trust will protect a 65-acre agricultural property featuring 1,200 feet of wooded stream buffers along a Little North East Creek tributary.
An additional $213,000 was designated for a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program easement covering 35 acres in Queen Anne’s County. This protection will safeguard scenic Wye River views and establish over 4,000 feet of forested stream buffers. The wooded area also provides critical nesting habitat for Forest Interior Dwelling Species of birds, which need extensive undisturbed areas for successful reproduction.
State officials also approved $399,750 in Program Open Space – Stateside funding for two major acquisitions: a Forest Legacy easement protecting 53 forested acres in Cecil County and a 195-acre addition to Wills Mountain State Park in Allegany County. The Cecil County project will help maintain water quality in the Lower Elk River watershed while providing fish and wildlife habitat. The Allegany County expansion will increase public recreation access and create additional forest cover for bird populations.
The Wills Mountain State Park expansion supports the facility’s planned opening in late 2026.
Complete details about these initiatives and additional items appear in the Board of Public Works May 6, 2026 meeting agenda.
Governor Wes Moore, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman comprise the three-member Board of Public Works.
The Program Open Space – Stateside initiative protects natural areas statewide for public recreation and environmental conservation through property purchases and easement agreements. Properties acquired through direct purchase become state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas under department oversight.
Program Open Space – Local, established in 1969 under the Department of Natural Resources, distributes annual funding to all counties and Baltimore City for recreational land planning, acquisition, and facility development. Local governments determine specific project selections. The program operates through property transfer tax revenue and represents Maryland’s ongoing commitment to natural resource conservation and public recreation access.
The Rural Legacy Program, launched in 1997, protects large working landscapes across 36 designated areas throughout Maryland. Both the Rural Legacy Program and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation recently received national recognition from the American Farmland Trust.
Maryland’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program permanent easement option, active since 2009, acquires conservation easements from voluntary participants that maintain Conservation Reserve Program practices beyond federal contract expiration dates.
Delaware drivers are feeling the pain at the pump as gasoline prices have surged dramatically due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to AAA, the average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4.54 on Wednesday, representing a sharp 31-cent increase over just seven days.
This current price point marks a staggering 52% increase compared to what Americans were paying before hostilities with Iran commenced. The primary culprit behind these escalating fuel costs is Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor that typically handles one-fifth of global crude oil shipments.
The strategic waterway off Iran’s coastline has become a chokepoint for oil tankers, creating significant supply constraints that have driven crude oil prices higher over the past two months. Since crude oil serves as gasoline’s primary component, these increases directly impact what consumers pay at gas stations.
There was a brief period of relief in mid-April when fuel prices dropped consistently for nearly two weeks as diplomatic efforts suggested the conflict might be de-escalating.
“After the announcement of the initial ceasefire, there was kind of optimism that this really could be the beginning of the end of the conflict,” explained Rob Smith, who serves as director of global fuel retail at S&P Global Energy. “And so crude prices came down correspondingly, gasoline spot prices followed, and so on … the retailers lowered prices as well.”
However, that optimistic trend reversed course as tensions escalated once again around the strait, keeping oil supplies severely limited and prices climbing.
“There’s a fundamental shortfall that will exist globally or fundamental struggle to meet that demand that will drive up price,” Smith noted. “No matter what a government says or what any market person thinks, there is a true kind of upward pressure that’s being exerted on prices every day the Strait of Hormuz is constrained. And it is still severely constrained.”
While individual gas station operators determine their pricing, multiple factors influence their decisions. According to the Energy Information Administration, crude oil costs account for approximately 51% of gasoline’s price in the United States during 2025.
This direct correlation means that when oil becomes more expensive, gasoline prices typically follow suit. Reduced oil availability in global markets creates upward pressure on both commodities.
The International Energy Agency has characterized Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the most significant supply disruption in oil market history. This crisis pushed crude oil prices to peak at $112 per barrel during early April.
Recent diplomatic developments showed some promise, with oil prices dropping below $100 per barrel Wednesday as the United States and Iran appeared to make progress toward a preliminary agreement to end hostilities. If this trend continues, gasoline prices could potentially decline as well.
Bob Kleinberg, an adjunct senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, analyzed the relationship between gasoline prices and WTI crude oil benchmarks over recent weeks, finding their movements closely aligned.
“Not much of a mystery here,” Kleinberg observed. “It’s not exactly proportional but the shape of the curves follows the same pattern, and really with very little delay.”
Beyond crude oil costs, federal and state taxes represent about 17% of gasoline’s price, while refining expenses and profits contribute 14%, and distribution plus marketing add another 17%, according to EIA data. States like California experience even higher prices due to increased taxes and refining costs.
A significant escalation occurred in April when the United States imposed blockades on Iranian ports to prevent the country’s oil exports.
“Iran had been moving an unusually high amount of oil to global markets, so that was helping moderate prices,” said Jim Krane, an energy research fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute. “The Trump administration decides they’re going to punish Iran, and try to put more pressure on Iran by blocking their exports, so of course that does put pressure on Iran, but also puts pressure on global oil prices and forces them up. That was probably a big factor.”
Oil markets demonstrate extreme sensitivity to breaking news about Persian Gulf shipping attacks or stalled diplomatic negotiations. “The oil market is exquisitely sensitive to what’s coming out of the White House,” Kleinberg emphasized.
When the Iran conflict first erupted in early March, gasoline prices jumped 48 cents within a single week. For comparison, the largest weekly increase occurred in March 2022, when prices rose 60 cents following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to AAA data.
Predicting future gasoline price peaks remains impossible. Current prices exceed those from early May 2022, and during that period, costs continued climbing through Memorial Day weekend, AAA reported.
Smith warned that prolonged disruptions to Strait of Hormuz oil flows will result in higher prices and extended recovery periods.
“Even if there was a true and lasting resolution of the conflict, both sides agree to play nice and truly do commit to keeping Hormuz open, it will still take months to get back to what it was pre-war, if not even longer,” Smith explained. “There will still be within the industry a risk premium associated with going through that region. Not that it was ever a perfectly safe journey, but the past few months have shown that it’ll be hard to convince shippers and insurance companies that the risk level will be similar to what it was in February. It’ll be a long time before anyone can be convinced of that.”
NEW YORK — Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Wednesday evening’s Game 2 matchup against the New York Knicks due to a sprained right ankle and right hip soreness.
Initially, the 76ers had designated their All-Star center as probable for the contest, noting only the ankle issue. However, team officials later included the hip concern and declared him unavailable on their injury report roughly six hours before the Eastern Conference semifinals game.
During the Knicks’ dominant 137-98 victory in the series opener, Embiid endured a difficult performance, managing just 14 points while shooting 3-of-11 from the field across 25 minutes before Philadelphia’s starters were pulled due to the lopsided score.
Prior to that first game, Embiid had been designated as probable with a bruised right hip before receiving medical clearance. New York’s defense consistently exploited his limited movement to generate scoring opportunities.
The center made his return during Game 4 of Philadelphia’s opening-round matchup against Boston following a late-season appendectomy, contributing to the 76ers’ remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. Through five playoff contests, he has posted an average of 25.2 points per game.
Medical staff has not confirmed whether his current hip discomfort relates to the recent appendectomy. During the first game, Embiid appeared to grimace and clutch his midsection following a collision with Knicks guard Mikal Bridges during a first-half screen.
Following that incident, Embiid questioned the nature of the contact.
“Obviously based on what’s been going on I guess I’ve got to protect it more,” Embiid said. “I don’t know if it was dirty or not, so I guess I’ve got to do a better job of protecting, especially that part.”
Without their franchise player, Philadelphia faces the challenge of containing Knicks All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns while likely requiring an enhanced performance from point guard Tyrese Maxey. The dynamic guard also struggled in the opener, converting just 3-of-9 field goal attempts for 13 points after posting 26.9 points per game during the first round.
Nevertheless, the 76ers have grown accustomed to competing without Embiid’s presence. The former league MVP has dealt with health concerns for several seasons.
BANGUI, Central African Republic — A prominent opposition leader and former prime minister in the Central African Republic has condemned authorities for taking his diplomatic passport, calling it a misuse of government power.
Anicet Georges Dologuélé, who held the prime minister position from 1999 to 2001, was prevented from boarding his scheduled flight to attend an African Union conference in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
“It was at the airport that I learned I was forbidden from leaving the country after being declared stateless in my own country,” Dologuélé stated during a press briefing held in the nation’s capital, Bangui.
Since 2018, Dologuélé has served as a board member for the African Union Peace Fund.
Last year, Dologuélé gave up his French citizenship to comply with constitutional requirements when he challenged President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who sought a third term in office.
Dologuélé has called the previous year’s election “very far from the truth” and frequently voices opposition to Touadéra’s leadership. Official election results showed he received 13.1% of the vote.
Since then, he has relied on his diplomatic passport, which he received as a former prime minister, after alleging that government officials have declined to provide him with a new standard passport.
CASABLANCA, Morocco — An intensive multinational rescue operation involving more than 600 military personnel continues along Morocco’s Atlantic shoreline as teams search for two missing American Army soldiers, military officials announced Wednesday.
The extensive search effort has now stretched into its fifth day as the large-scale African Lion military training exercises approach their scheduled conclusion.
According to Moroccan military authorities, both U.S. Army personnel disappeared last week in the vicinity of the Cap Draa training zone near Tan-Tan, a coastal community in Morocco’s southwestern region. Officials believe the soldiers were engaged in recreational hiking activities when they potentially fell into ocean waters.
A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously due to authorization restrictions, confirmed that search teams from America, Morocco, and other participating nations have systematically covered more than 45 square kilometers of coastal waters and open Atlantic areas.
“Our two soldiers and their families remain our absolute priority,” the official stated.
The missing personnel had been participating in African Lion 26, a major American-led training operation that began in April spanning Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. The exercise, featuring over 7,000 military members from more than 30 nations, represents America’s largest joint military training initiative on the African continent since its inception in 2004 and is scheduled to conclude Friday.
Video footage released Wednesday by Morocco’s Navy documented military divers investigating underwater cave systems, aircraft conducting ocean surface reconnaissance, and coordinated teams of uniformed personnel with search dogs methodically examining the rugged coastline. Multiple Moroccan military divisions have joined the rescue efforts.
Naval assets originally assigned to the exercise’s maritime training operations have been redirected to support search activities, including a Moroccan European multi-mission frigate and a French multipurpose supply ship. A U.S. logistics vessel continues dual responsibilities, maintaining exercise support while contributing to rescue operations, according to the defense official.
Aerial search capabilities include deployment of a U.S. UC-35 Citation aircraft, a U.S. Army C-12 Huron plane, and Moroccan Puma and Super Puma helicopter units.
Technology companies participating in the military exercise have contributed unmanned aerial surveillance systems to enhance monitoring of the designated search zones, the official added.
BOSTON – Federal authorities announced Wednesday that they have filed criminal charges against 30 individuals in connection with a widespread insider trading conspiracy that allegedly used confidential merger information obtained from prominent law firms.
The defendants include corporate attorneys and financial industry professionals who are accused of participating in the illegal scheme. According to federal prosecutors in Boston, 19 suspects have been taken into custody and are scheduled to appear before federal judges in multiple states including California, Florida, and New York.
Two additional defendants located in Russia and Israel remain at large and are currently considered fugitives by authorities.
Golf’s top-ranked player Scottie Scheffler has announced his participation in the Genesis Scottish Open, using the tournament as preparation for defending his title at The Open Championship.
The 29-year-old golfer is skipping this week’s Truist Championship before the PGA Championship, but has committed to competing in Scotland the week prior to the major championship.
“I always enjoy coming to the Genesis Scottish Open and taking on the challenge of links-style golf as part of an exciting couple of weeks in the UK,” Scheffler said. “The tournament always has a strong field and the Scottish fans help to make it a fun week.”
Last year’s Scottish Open saw Scheffler finish in a tie for eighth place, while Chris Gotterup claimed victory. World number two Rory McIlroy, who came up two strokes short of Gotterup alongside England’s Marco Penge in last year’s tournament, has also committed to this year’s competition. Scotland’s own Robert MacIntyre will round out the notable field.
The tournament runs from July 9-12 and carries dual sanctioning from both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, offering valuable points for both the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup standings.
Following the Scottish Open, The Open Championship will take place July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale, marking the year’s final major championship.
Professional golfer Jake Knapp has pulled out of the Truist Championship, marking the second major tournament in a row he’s had to skip because of an ongoing thumb injury.
Austin Smotherman will take Knapp’s place at Quail Hollow this week. Smotherman was originally scheduled to play in the Myrtle Beach Classic.
The 31-year-old golfer also had to bow out of the previous week’s Cadillac Championship. Both tournaments are major events featuring $20 million prize pools, guaranteed payouts with no elimination cuts, and enhanced FedEx Cup points — exactly the kind of high-stakes competitions Knapp has been striving to reach.
Last month, Knapp secured one of the final spots to compete in the Masters tournament, where he achieved an impressive 11th place finish. But his performance dipped at the RBC Heritage, another premier event, where he tied for 74th place before having to withdraw from the next two tournaments.
Despite these recent setbacks, Knapp maintains his career-high 36th position in the Official World Golf Ranking and sits 14th in FedEx Cup standings. This gives him breathing room to heal from his thumb injury, thanks to an exceptional early season that featured five straight tournaments finishing tied for 11th or better, including a tied-for-fifth showing at the Farmers Insurance Open.
This season, Knapp has posted seven top-11 results across nine tournament appearances, with his only missed cut occurring at The Players Championship. He remains scheduled to compete in next week’s PGA Championship.
The South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics announced Wednesday it will halt sales of certain consumer products in mainland China as the company struggles against fierce local competition.
“The company will make every effort to minimize any impact on customers resulting from this decision, and is reviewing various support measures for business partners,” Samsung stated following initial reports from South Korean news outlets about the withdrawal of TV and home appliance sales from China.
The decision comes as Samsung’s consumer electronics face increasing pressure from Chinese competitors both domestically and internationally, even as the company’s memory chip division experiences strong profits driven by artificial intelligence demand.
Earlier this week on Monday, Samsung announced a leadership change in its television division, replacing the department head for the first time in over two years.
The company’s struggles became evident last December when Chinese manufacturer TCL temporarily surpassed Samsung as the world’s leading TV seller, according to research firm Counterpoint. TCL has since formed a strategic alliance with Japan’s Sony.
Samsung’s television and home appliance operations recorded losses totaling 200 billion won, equivalent to $138.31 million, during the previous year due to competitive pressures and tariffs imposed by the United States.
The global smartphone market’s second-largest player has also seen its Chinese market position weaken against Apple and domestic competitors, while simultaneously facing new challenges from emerging rivals like ChangXin Memory Technologies in the semiconductor sector.
Despite these withdrawals, Samsung plans to maintain its mobile phone and chip sales operations in China.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentine health authorities are working urgently to trace whether their nation is the origin point of a fatal hantavirus outbreak that has claimed lives aboard an Atlantic cruise vessel.
This health crisis at sea coincides with Argentina experiencing a dramatic spike in hantavirus infections, which local medical researchers link to accelerating climate change impacts. The World Health Organization consistently ranks Argentina as having Latin America’s highest rates of this rare, rodent-transmitted illness, and the Antarctic cruise departed from Argentine shores.
Warming temperatures expand where the virus can spread because changing ecosystems allow hantavirus-carrying rodents to survive in new areas, according to medical experts. Humans typically become infected through contact with rodent waste, urine or saliva.
“Argentina has become more tropical because of climate change, and that has brought disruptions, like dengue and yellow fever, but also new tropical plants that produce seeds for mice to proliferate,” explained Hugo Pizzi, a leading Argentine infectious disease expert. “There is no doubt that as time goes by, the hantavirus is spreading more and more.”
Argentina’s Health Ministry reported Tuesday that 101 people have contracted hantavirus since June 2025, nearly twice the number of infections documented during the same timeframe last year.
The South American strain, known as the Andes virus, triggers a serious and frequently deadly respiratory condition called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This illness proved fatal in almost one-third of cases over the past year, according to Argentina’s Health Ministry, significantly higher than the 15% average death rate recorded in the five preceding years.
Officials confirmed that passengers aboard the MV Hondius vessel tested positive for the Andes virus strain.
Argentine investigators are working to determine where infected passengers visited within the country before they boarded the Dutch-registered cruise ship in Ushuaia, a southern Argentine city nicknamed “the end of the world.” After mapping their travel routes, authorities plan to track down contacts, quarantine those at risk and conduct active surveillance to halt additional transmission.
The World Health Organization reports that the initial fatality aboard the ship occurred April 11, when a 70-year-old Dutch passenger died. His 69-year-old wife, also from the Netherlands, passed away April 26. A German woman became the third victim on May 2.
The virus can remain dormant for one to eight weeks, making it difficult to determine whether passengers became infected before departing Argentina for Antarctica on April 1, during a planned stop at a remote South Atlantic island, or while aboard the vessel.
Tierra del Fuego province, where the ship docked for weeks before sailing, has never recorded a hantavirus case. Prior to boarding, the Dutch couple toured Ushuaia and visited other locations in Argentina and Chile, WHO officials said.
Argentine government investigators believe the couple most likely contracted the virus during a bird-watching excursion in Ushuaia, according to two researchers who requested anonymity because they lack authorization to speak publicly while examining incomplete evidence. Officials are also retracing the Dutch tourists’ movements through Patagonia’s forested mountains in southern Argentina, where some infections have been concentrated.
Early symptoms mirror flu-like fever and chills, making diagnosis challenging. “Tourists might think they just have a cold and not take it seriously. That makes it particularly dangerous,” said Raul González Ittig, a genetics professor at the National University of Córdoba and researcher with the state science organization CONICET.
The mountain resort community of Bariloche, Patagonia’s primary northern gateway, documented its first human hantavirus infection of 2026 on Tuesday, announced the Río Negro Province government. The patient was admitted to the hospital Wednesday.
Argentina recently suffered through a devastating drought while also experiencing periods of unusually heavy rainfall, reflecting broader extreme weather patterns that scientists connect to climate change.
This weather volatility has generated conditions allowing hantavirus to spread, experts explain. Drought forces animals from their normal territories as they seek food and water. Heavy rains promote plant growth, dispersing seeds that draw leaf-eating rodents.
“When precipitation increases, food availability increases, rodent populations grow, and if there are infected rodents, the chance of transmission between rodents — and eventually to humans — also increases,” Ittig explained.
While hantavirus infections were once confined to Patagonia’s southern regions, the Health Ministry now reports that 83% of cases occur in Argentina’s northern areas. In January, the ministry issued warnings about multiple deadly hantavirus outbreaks, including in Buenos Aires, the country’s most populated province.
“With the climate changing, the epidemiological picture has completely changed,” Pizzi noted. “The ship may be an isolated case. But this virus isn’t going anywhere.”
NEW YORK — Maritime companies continue facing enormous challenges as more than 1,550 vessels carrying approximately 22,500 crew members remain trapped in the Persian Gulf, with no clear timeline for when the Strait of Hormuz will fully reopen following two months of conflict with Iran.
President Donald Trump launched “Project Freedom” on Sunday as a U.S.-led initiative to escort ships through the strategic waterway. While two vessels successfully made the journey, Trump suspended the program by Tuesday to provide space for potential diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.
The dangers for maritime traffic persist despite these efforts. A container vessel operated by CMA CGM Group sustained damage during an attack while trying to navigate the strait, the French shipping company reported Wednesday. Concerns about Iranian speedboats and unmanned aircraft continue prompting major shipping operators to declare the passage too hazardous for regular transit.
“Ultimately, it’s still going to come back to the primary issues of risk and safety,” maritime lawyer Sean Pribyl from Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. explained regarding shipping companies’ calculations. “It seems as though we’re not anywhere near to returning to a free flow of traffic and navigation through the strait,” Pribyl noted.
Prior to the Iranian conflict, between 100 and 135 ships traveled through the Strait of Hormuz each day, data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows. That volume has dropped dramatically as Iran requires vessels to undergo approval procedures managed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, including routing near Iranian waters, providing crew and cargo details, and in some instances making payments. However, any transactions with the IRGC could violate U.S. and European Union sanctions, as both have classified the organization as a terrorist group.
The stranded cargo encompasses oil and petroleum-based products like fertilizer, along with thousands of maritime workers. Air Force General Dan Caine, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed Tuesday that over 1,550 ships with roughly 22,500 sailors aboard remain stuck inside the Persian Gulf.
As part of its pressure campaign against Iran, the U.S. Navy has established a blockade of Iranian ports, maintaining enforcement positions outside the strait in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
According to Holland & Knight’s Pribyl, shipping companies and their insurers continue evaluating the strait’s conditions. Vessels typically maintain two primary insurance types: protection and indemnity coverage for property and third-party responsibilities, plus war risk policies during conflicts that address combat-related damage and losses.
Insurance expenses for regional vessels have surged dramatically due to attack risks, climbing from under 1% of cargo value to between 3% and 10% during the current crisis, explained Ed Anderson, who teaches supply chain and operations management at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. Despite insurance availability, most shipping companies consider the crossing too dangerous to attempt.
“Ferrying out a couple of ships has not really affected the shipping industry in any way whatsoever,” Anderson observed.
Hapag-Lloyd AG, among the globe’s largest container shipping operations, reports the Hormuz crisis costs the company $60 million weekly, primarily through skyrocketing fuel and insurance expenses. With a 301-ship fleet including four vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, the company has suspended certain transportation services while seeking alternative routes through safe ports or overland options. “These options are however limited in capacity and cannot completely replace the regular maritime routes through the region,” the company stated.
Maersk confirmed its U.S.-flagged Alliance Fairfax vehicle carrier successfully departed the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz “accompanied by U.S. military assets” Monday. “The transit was completed without incident, and all crew members are safe and unharmed,” the company announced.
Oil markets and shipping operations will likely remain unstable until attack risks in the Strait of Hormuz clearly diminish, warned Kaho Yu, who leads energy and resources analysis at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft.
“Even with diplomatic engagement continuing, energy markets are unlikely to return quickly to pre-crisis assumptions,” Yu stated. “Refiners, shippers, and commodity traders will remain cautious until there is clearer evidence that Hormuz disruptions will not re-escalate.”
Wednesday’s diplomatic discussions between Iranian and Chinese officials focused on reducing tensions. However, “Hormuz remains the real metric that will be watched,” Yu emphasized. “Tanker traffic and energy flows over the coming weeks and months are likely to matter more than diplomatic language in assessing whether Beijing can translate influence with Tehran into practical stability.”
Even if ceasefires hold and ships gradually resume Strait of Hormuz passages, shipping operations won’t “snap back overnight,” cautioned Razat Gaurav, CEO of supply chain management firm Kinaxis.
“Even when conditions improve, carriers, insurers, and shippers need confidence that stability will hold before capacity and routes fully normalize,” Gaurav explained. “Air cargo can recover relatively quickly, but ocean shipping typically takes weeks or months because of longer lead times and contractual constraints.”
Gaurav predicted shipments of specific commodities like liquid natural gas and sulfur, where Middle Eastern sources dominate supply chains, may resume more rapidly as backlogs clear. However, “most shippers will remain cautious until stability proves durable,” he concluded.
Media visionary Ted Turner, the bold entrepreneur who revolutionized television journalism by creating CNN and establishing the round-the-clock news format, passed away Wednesday at 87 years old.
According to Turner Enterprises, which manages his extensive business portfolio, Turner died with family members by his side.
The Atlanta-based mogul built a media empire while pursuing diverse interests including professional sports ownership, competitive yacht racing, and massive land conservation efforts. Turner’s colorful character earned him memorable monikers including “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South,” and he was known for his three marriages, including a high-profile union with actress Jane Fonda.
“If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect,” he once boasted.
Turner’s health declined in recent years due to Lewy body dementia. After stepping away from media operations, he focused his energy on charitable giving.
Despite his flamboyant public persona often grabbing headlines, Turner possessed shrewd business instincts and appetite for risk. When he sold Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in 1996, he had transformed his inherited billboard operation into a worldwide media giant encompassing seven cable channels, three sports franchises, and successful film studios.
Former President Donald Trump responded to news of Turner’s passing by describing him as “one of the Greats of All Time.”
Turner’s most significant contribution to media was launching the Cable News Network in 1980, establishing the first continuous news channel. His own annoyance with limited news availability sparked the concept – he frequently worked beyond 8 p.m. when traditional network evening broadcasts had concluded.
He launched the venture during cable television’s infancy, even residing in an apartment above CNN’s Atlanta headquarters.
The network’s defining moment arrived during the 1991 Gulf War with Iraq. While other news organizations evacuated Baghdad, CNN remained to broadcast compelling footage of the conflict’s beginning.
Following his company’s sale to Time Warner, Turner expected to maintain influence over CNN but found himself gradually excluded, causing lasting disappointment.
“The mistake I made was losing control of the company,” he reflected later.
Born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Turner relocated with his family to Savannah, Georgia, at age 9. After Brown University dismissed him, Turner moved to Atlanta to join his demanding father’s billboard enterprise, Turner Advertising.
Following his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner assumed company leadership. In 1970, he purchased a struggling UHF television station with limited Atlanta-area coverage.
On December 17, 1976, he started broadcasting the station nationwide through satellite transmission to cable providers, creating the TBS SuperStation.
TBS featured an eclectic mix of classic films and syndicated comedies, enhanced by Turner’s purchase of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. The consistently struggling Braves gradually developed a national following through superstation broadcasts.
During the 1980s, Turner accumulated substantial debt acquiring MGM, a decision that drew widespread doubt. However, the purchase provided his company with an extensive classic movie collection that later became the foundation for TNT and Turner Classic Movies channels.
He described his youthful aspirations this way: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”
The athletic, mustached Turner maintained a reputation as a socialite who pursued relationships with prominent women throughout much of his life, marrying three times. His marriage to Fonda lasted from 1991 to 2001, ending when she grew weary of his infidelity, though they maintained their friendship afterward.
Turner’s deepest passion may have been land ownership. He accumulated millions of acres in ranch properties featuring roaming buffalo herds and became Nebraska’s largest individual landowner. Texas A&M University researchers recognized his 2005 donation of several bulls for helping expand genetic diversity among the remaining southern Plains bison population.
His wealth reached $2.5 billion in 2023, though he fell from Forbes magazine’s list of America’s 400 wealthiest individuals in 2021.
“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money,” Turner explained.
Turner’s direct speaking style frequently caused offense. After becoming atheist following his sister’s lupus death at 17, he labeled Christians as “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” subsequently apologizing for both comments.
The father of five children established himself as a major philanthropic leader with his September 18, 1997, announcement pledging $1 billion to United Nations charitable organizations.
He championed numerous humanitarian initiatives. Turner partnered with former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn to establish the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an American nonprofit organization working to minimize dangers from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
While contributing millions to international nonprofits, Turner also enjoyed smaller acts of generosity. He once donated $500 to volunteer firefighters who helped extinguish a blaze at one of his properties.
WASHINGTON — A Florida activist voluntarily ended his five-day demonstration Wednesday morning after camping on top of a Washington D.C. bridge to protest artificial intelligence and Iran military action.
Guido Reichstadter descended from the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge where he had been stationed since May 1st, creating intermittent traffic delays as D.C. police shut down lanes while attempting to negotiate his surrender.
Photos posted to Reichstadter’s social media account documented his time living in a tent positioned on one of the bridge’s arches. On Tuesday, he announced his intention to surrender and anticipated his arrest.
“I hope that this action has offered something to motivate and inspire you, and that it can serve as fuel for greater commitment and action in the cause of peace and in the fight for our future,” he wrote.
D.C. police arrested Reichstadter on charges including crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, unlawful entry and failure to obey an officer.
This marks Reichstadter’s second protest on the identical bridge structure, having previously demonstrated there in 2022 opposing a Supreme Court ruling.
Motorists traveling through the area should plan for potential delays as construction crews have temporarily shut down the right lane of westbound Commerce Street.
The lane restriction affects the stretch of roadway between Brown Street and Farmington Road and is scheduled to remain in place until 4 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid congestion during the closure period.
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Iranian officials are eager to enter negotiations and reach an agreement with the United States, describing the current diplomatic situation as progressing well.
Speaking during a White House event, Trump expressed optimism about the diplomatic efforts. “We’re doing very well in Iran. It’s going very smoothly, and we’ll see what happens. They want to make a deal, they want to negotiate,” the former president stated.
Trump further emphasized Iran’s apparent willingness to engage in talks. “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much, and we’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials confirmed Wednesday they are examining a fresh proposal from the United States. According to sources familiar with the matter, both Washington and Tehran are working toward finalizing a brief memorandum aimed at resolving Gulf region conflicts, though complex matters including Iran’s nuclear activities would be addressed in future discussions.
DENVER — While Nathan MacKinnon has built his reputation on lightning speed and prolific scoring, the Colorado Avalanche star showed Tuesday night he can also punish opponents with bone-jarring hits.
The dynamic forward leveled Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy during the third period, capping off an outstanding performance that included one goal and two assists in Colorado’s 5-2 victory. The win puts the Avalanche ahead 2-0 in their second-round playoff matchup against the Wild.
MacKinnon, who led the NHL with 53 regular-season goals, remained humble when discussing both his physical play and offensive contributions after the Tuesday night triumph.
“Just excited to play,” MacKinnon said. “Playoff hockey, obviously, the best the time of year. Just excited and just trying to have a good start.”
With his latest three-point effort, MacKinnon achieved a rare milestone by recording his third consecutive playoff game with three or more points. According to NHL statistics, only five other players have accomplished this feat in the past four decades: Leon Draisaitl (2022), Mikko Rantanen (2025), Joe Pavelski (2010), Joe Sakic (1997), and Dennis Maruk (1986).
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar praised MacKinnon’s complete two-way performance.
“He was unbelievable tonight on both sides of the puck,” Bednar said. “The physicality, the defending details, the hunger to check pucks back in all three zones, and the speed and pace that he played with early in the game — it was like he was shot out of a cannon.”
Team captain Gabriel Landeskog echoed his coach’s sentiments about MacKinnon’s impact.
“Having Nate makes my job a lot easier, for sure,” Landeskog said. “He’s our driving force offensively and tonight, really since the playoffs started, defensively, he’s been a beast as well.”
MacKinnon was officially credited with two hits during the contest — one that sent Hughes crashing to the ice and another that sent Boldy hard into the boards. Despite the effectiveness of his physical play, MacKinnon downplayed the contact.
“It wasn’t that big of a hit,” MacKinnon said regarding his collision with Hughes. “He’s one of the best players in the world and he’s so hard to contain and you’re just trying to do the best that you can. He’s going to create a lot of stuff. I think everyone’s being more physical. The whole team is trying to ramp that up.”
Minnesota now returns home for Saturday’s Game 3, desperately seeking solutions to slow down Colorado’s explosive offense. The Wild made a goaltending change for Game 2, starting Filip Gustavsson instead of Jesper Wallstedt, but still surrendered five goals. Combined with their nine-goal outburst in the series opener, the Avalanche have netted 14 goals through two games — the highest total for the first two contests of a playoff series since Calgary scored 15 against Los Angeles in 1988.
Wild forward Matt Boldy acknowledged the challenge his team faces against Colorado’s high-powered attack.
“They’re a great team. They play super-fast, super-dynamic,” Boldy said. “Obviously, they have some incredible players. The biggest thing is just staying above them and not giving them those odd-man rushes, because obviously they’re pretty special players make special plays.”
HOUSTON — Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa announced Wednesday that he will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn tendon in his left ankle.
The injury occurred Tuesday during batting practice before Houston’s matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Correa was taking routine swings in the batting cage when the injury happened.
“I was hitting in the cage, normal day, feeling great,” he said. “I went through my whole routine, took a swing and just felt a pop. It just completely snapped on me and then I fell to the ground and couldn’t put weight on it.”
The 31-year-old was seen Wednesday morning at the stadium using crutches and wearing a walking boot after consulting with a foot specialist. Correa indicated he plans to get additional medical opinions before moving forward with the surgical procedure.
According to Correa, the injury involves a “complete tear” and doctors expect his rehabilitation to last between six and eight months.
The setback adds to Houston’s lengthy injury list this season, which most recently included catcher Yainer Diaz being placed on the injured list Tuesday due to an oblique strain.
Correa returned to the Astros organization following a major trade from Minnesota last summer. While he primarily played third base during his first season back with Jeremy Peña handling shortstop duties, Correa has been filling in at shortstop recently due to Peña’s hamstring injury.
This season, Correa has posted a .279 batting average along with three home runs and 16 RBIs.
WASHINGTON — A new Federal Reserve study reveals that America’s poorest families bore the brunt of March’s gas price surge, dramatically cutting their fuel usage while still facing higher costs at the pump, according to research published Wednesday.
The New York Federal Reserve Bank report shows wealthy families took a completely different approach, maintaining nearly the same driving patterns while significantly increasing their gasoline expenditures. Families with moderate incomes landed somewhere between these two extremes.
These economic divisions proved more pronounced than during 2022’s fuel price crisis following Russia’s Ukraine invasion, researchers discovered. Four years ago, affluent households reduced their gas usage more substantially than they did this past March, while lower-earning families received greater assistance from federal stimulus initiatives in 2022.
The data highlights what economists describe as a “K-shaped economy” — a pattern where wealthy Americans continue thriving while working-class families struggle financially. This economic split helps explain why many Americans remain pessimistic about the economy despite strong employment numbers and steady growth.
“We find that households had very different experiences with gasoline spending,” the New York Fed researchers stated. “With the sharp increases in gasoline prices in March, a K-shaped pattern in gasoline consumption emerged—showing faster consumption growth for high income households relative to low-income households.”
Following the Iran conflict that started February 28, fuel costs jumped approximately 25 percent in March based on federal consumer pricing information. National gasoline usage dropped 3 percent overall during this period, the Federal Reserve reported.
Families earning under $40,000 annually slashed their fuel consumption by 7 percent but still faced 12 percent higher gas expenses in March, the study found. Wealthy households making $125,000 or more yearly boosted their gasoline spending by 19 percent in March while decreasing actual fuel usage by only 1 percent. The research did not provide specific data for middle-income earners.
A New Jersey university has pulled back its invitation to a business executive who was scheduled to address graduates next month after students objected to his social media posts critical of Israel.
Rami Elghandour, who leads biotech firm Arcellx and graduated from Rutgers University, was originally chosen to deliver the May 15 commencement address at the university’s School of Engineering.
The university reversed course after discovering that “some graduating students would not attend their graduation ceremony due to concerns about the invited speaker’s social media posts,” according to a statement from a Rutgers representative.
While the university representative would not identify the specific posts in question, they confirmed the content centered on Israel. Elghandour has not responded to requests for comment.
On his social media accounts, Elghandour regularly posts news stories and video footage showing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, accompanied by his own commentary that accuses Israel of war crimes and maintaining an apartheid system.
Elghandour also worked as executive producer on “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a documentary telling the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli Defense Forces.
This withdrawal adds to growing tensions surrounding graduation ceremonies this spring, as debates over Gaza war protests continue to disrupt college campuses nationwide, resulting in cancelled addresses and ceremony interruptions.
Just days ago, the University of Michigan distanced itself from remarks made by history professor Derek R. Peterson during commencement, where he briefly praised pro-Palestinian student demonstrators.
Peterson’s comments prompted Republican lawmakers and donors to threaten funding cuts, claiming the remarks fostered hostility toward Jewish students. The university president’s subsequent apology has faced criticism from free speech advocates and academic organizations.
On Tuesday, Elghandour posted a video excerpt of Peterson’s Michigan speech on X, writing: “Most people choose convenience. Professor Peterson chose principle. True leadership. Much respect.”
PRINCETON, NJ — Delaware State University’s men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams completed their final regular season competition at the prestigious Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational, with standout performances setting the stage for upcoming conference championships.
The Hornets used the elite New Jersey meet as their last tune-up before traveling to Norfolk, Virginia for the 2026 Outdoor MEAC Championships. The competition provided valuable experience against top-level competition as the team prepares for the conference’s premier track and field event.
Sims Jr.’s victory highlighted the team’s strong showing at the invitational, demonstrating the program’s readiness for the challenges ahead at the MEAC Championships. The performance caps off what has been a successful regular season for the Delaware State track and field program.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ukraine has recovered an $82 million shipment of cash and gold that Hungarian authorities confiscated earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Wednesday.
Hungarian counter-terrorism officials had intercepted the valuable cargo on March 5 as two armored vehicles attempted to transport it through the country. The seizure sparked anger in Ukraine, with government officials condemning Hungary’s pro-Russian leadership for what they called illegal actions and claiming the confiscation was being used as a political weapon in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s anti-Ukraine election strategy.
The two nations were already locked in a heated dispute over Hungary’s access to Russian petroleum via a pipeline running through Ukrainian soil.
However, Zelenskyy took to social media Wednesday to describe the asset recovery as “an important step in relations with Hungary” following Orbán’s overwhelming electoral loss last month, which has sparked optimism that the new administration will adopt a less hostile stance toward Kyiv.
“I am grateful to Hungary for its constructive approach and civilized step,” Zelenskyy wrote. “I thank everyone on Ukraine’s team who fought for a fair decision and defended the interests of our state and our people.”
When the confiscation occurred, Hungarian officials cited suspected money laundering activities, prompting Orbán to authorize holding the cargo — containing $40 million and 35 million euros in currency plus 9 kilograms (19.8 pounds) of gold — for as long as 60 days while the nation’s tax agency conducted an investigation.
Hungary’s tax authority has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
Hungarian authorities detained the Ukrainian bank personnel accompanying the shipment for more than 24 hours before expelling them from Hungarian territory.
Ukrainian leaders characterized the shipment as a standard asset transfer between government banks and alleged that Orbán’s administration was using extortion tactics against Kyiv to force restoration of halted Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which had sustained damage from a Russian drone attack.
Orbán directed the tax agency to investigate the shipment’s origins, destination and purpose, along with identifying the seven expelled Ukrainians “and their possible links to criminal or terrorist organizations.”
Without offering proof, Orbán also insinuated the shipment might have been meant to finance his main political rival, the center-right Tisza party, which eventually secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in last month’s election.
Orbán’s administration had previously blocked a massive 90-billion euro ($106-billion) European Union loan package to Ukraine due to the Russian oil pipeline disruption. However, after oil flows resumed following Orbán’s election loss, Hungary removed its opposition and permitted the loan to proceed.
France has repositioned its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group into the Red Sea, moving closer to the Strait of Hormuz as European nations prepare for a possible mission to reopen the vital shipping lane, French military officials announced Wednesday.
The strategic relocation brings Europe’s most formidable naval vessel within striking distance of the waterway whose blockade has become symbolic of the ongoing conflict with Iran, cutting off one-fifth of global oil supplies and creating what the International Energy Agency describes as the most significant supply shortage in oil market history.
The Charles de Gaulle carrier and its accompanying vessels have been moved south of the Suez Canal as part of a Middle Eastern deployment that French President Emmanuel Macron first revealed during a March 3 television broadcast, just one day before Iran sealed off the strait.
This repositioning marks the first time France’s sole aircraft carrier — the only nuclear-powered carrier beyond those operated by the U.S. Navy — has been positioned this close to the Persian Gulf’s critical chokepoint since hostilities commenced.
“Going south of Suez is new for us,” Col. Guillaume Vernet, spokesman for the French armed forces chief of staff, told The Associated Press. “Geographically, it’s closer to the Strait of Hormuz and will therefore enable us to react faster, once the conditions are met.”
“Planning has been done and is ready to go,” he said.
However, Vernet emphasized that the broader Hormuz coalition — organized by France, Britain and more than 50 countries — will not commence operations until two key conditions are satisfied: shipping threats must decrease, and the maritime sector must gain sufficient confidence to utilize the strait.
Additionally, he noted that any military action would need approval from regional governments.
“Today the Strait of Hormuz is stuck because of the threat, and the insurance premiums are so high. Not a single ship will jeopardize their trip or go there,” he said.
This European initiative operates independently from the U.S. “Project Freedom” operation, which President Donald Trump launched on Sunday but suspended Tuesday night.
The United States has remained outside the French-British coordination efforts, which analysts compare to the European “coalition of the willing” that Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously organized to aid Ukraine.
Unlike the American approach, the Franco-British alliance emphasizes a measured and protective strategy.
“The French position is the same since the beginning — defensive posture, respecting international law,” Vernet said.
Vernet explained that the proposal originated in early March, following Iran’s March 4 closure of the strait in response to combined U.S. and Israeli attacks that began February 28 and resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He stated that France sought a multinational approach to restore navigational freedom in the strait from the start of March.
“Right after that, we had the opportunity to build things with different countries,” including the U.K., Italy, the Netherlands and others, he said.
Macron and Starmer welcomed representatives from dozens of nations to a Paris conference on April 17, while military strategists from over 30 countries completed operational planning at Britain’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood during April 22-23.
Maritime war-risk insurance costs for strait passages have increased four to five times beyond pre-conflict rates, according to industry assessments, with approximately 2,000 vessels currently trapped in the Gulf.
Macron’s March 3 announcement ordered the Charles de Gaulle from the Baltic region to the eastern Mediterranean in what French officials called an “unprecedented” mobilization that also involves eight frigates and two Mistral-class amphibious assault vessels.
French Rafale aircraft stationed at Al Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates have been engaging Iranian drones and missiles over the Gulf nation since fighting began February 28, operating under a longstanding defense agreement with Abu Dhabi that maintains approximately 900 French military personnel on the Gulf’s southern coast.
The carrier group’s southern deployment positions French aviation assets — including 20 Rafale fighters and E-2C Hawkeye early-warning planes — within operational range of the Strait of Hormuz while avoiding entry into the Gulf, where U.S. Navy forces have maintained a blockade of Iranian ports since April 13.
Vernet declined to provide a specific timeline for the French-British mission, explaining that the carrier was being positioned strategically to respond quickly should circumstances permit action.
WASHINGTON — The White House revealed Wednesday that President Donald Trump has approved a new counterterrorism strategy placing the elimination of drug cartels throughout the Western Hemisphere at the forefront of national security priorities.
This strategic document follows the administration’s previously released national security framework that identified the hemisphere as America’s primary area of focus.
The Trump administration has taken bold steps to transform the region, including efforts to remove Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela’s presidency, conducting numerous military operations against suspected cartel vessels, and applying fresh pressure on Cuba’s communist leadership.
Sebastian Gorka, the White House’s counterterrorism czar who led the development of this new approach, explained that the priority shift reflects a stark reality: drug cartels have caused more American deaths through illicit narcotics than the number of U.S. military personnel killed in overseas conflicts since World War II.
“Whether it is strangling their illicit funds, whether it is tracking their drug boats, we will not permit them to kill Americans on a massive scale,” Gorka said in a telephone call with reporters to announce the strategy.
This initiative represents another demonstration of the administration’s dedication to concentrating U.S. foreign policy efforts on the Western Hemisphere while simultaneously managing global challenges.
Since early September, the Republican administration’s campaign of destroying suspected drug-trafficking boats in Latin American waters has continued, resulting in at least 191 total fatalities.
Simultaneously, Trump has worked to encourage regional leaders to collaborate more extensively with the United States in combating cartels and conducting their own military operations against drug traffickers and international gangs that he characterizes as an “unacceptable threat” to hemispheric security.
According to Gorka, the administration’s additional counterterrorism objectives include targeting and eliminating Islamic military organizations capable of conducting operations against the United States; identifying and neutralizing violent secular political groups with anti-American, “radically pro-gender,” or anarchist ideologies; and strengthening efforts to prevent non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
Gorka indicated that administration officials plan to meet with allies later this week to explore ways they can strengthen their counterterrorism approaches.
“As the president made very clear, we will measure your seriousness as a partner and ally by how much you bring to the table,” he said. “So we expect more — from our partners in the Middle East, as well as elsewhere.”
Federal agents executed a search warrant at the district office of Virginia Senate President L. Louise Lucas on Wednesday as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The Portsmouth office belongs to the Democratic state senator, who played a prominent role in Virginia’s recent redistricting efforts.
Federal Bureau of Investigation officials confirmed they were executing a court-approved search warrant in Portsmouth but provided no additional details. The source who verified the search of Lucas’s office requested anonymity because they were not permitted to publicly discuss the active investigation.
Delaware taxpayers who received penalties from the Internal Revenue Service during the COVID-19 pandemic may be entitled to get their money back, but time is running out to file a claim.
Millions of Americans who were hit with fines for late tax filings or missed payments between January 2020 and July 11, 2023, could qualify for refunds or penalty cancellations following a recent federal court decision. The relief isn’t handed out automatically, though – most people must submit paperwork by July 10 to recover their funds.
An independent IRS watchdog, the national taxpayer advocate, is sounding the alarm about the approaching deadline after a court ruled late last year that taxpayers weren’t obligated to meet standard filing deadlines during the coronavirus crisis.
The tax agency imposed over 120 million penalties on tens of millions of people for submitting late returns, missing payment deadlines, or skipping required estimated tax payments throughout the pandemic period.
The legal case, known as Kwong v. U.S., determined that COVID-19 emergency legislation pushed back filing requirements and that the IRS must return penalty money to taxpayers. Legal proceedings in the case continue.
The taxpayer advocate describes the situation as “widespread and not limited to a small or specialized group of taxpayers.”
Ken Kies, assistant secretary at the Treasury Department, shared with The Associated Press that President Donald Trump’s Republican administration considers Kwong “was wrongly decided because it is a misreading of the plain language of the statute.”
“We will continue to defend the statutory language as written,” he stated.
Despite the administration’s position, taxpayers should complete the necessary paperwork to protect their interests, according to Alyssa Maloof Whatley, a director at Frost Law, a tax firm operating nationwide.
“Either it holds up or it doesn’t,” she observed regarding the court decision. “So by preserving your claim, you’re actually preserving your right to that money.”
Those who may receive refunds or penalty eliminations include individuals who submitted tax returns after deadlines between Jan. 20, 2020, and July 11, 2023; paid fines for late filing or payment during that timeframe; face outstanding IRS penalties whether paid or not; or filed international information returns past their due dates.
Through multiple blog entries on its website, the taxpayer advocate offers guidance – including suggestions that people examine their IRS tax account records through online portals – to verify penalty charges from those time periods.
“Many taxpayers affected by this issue have low and moderate incomes,” the taxpayer advocate noted. “These taxpayers are less likely to have professional representation and to learn about complex legal developments like this one. As a result, they face a greater risk of missing the opportunity to claim refunds to which they may be entitled.”
Maloof Whatley explained that individuals must complete Form 843, available on the IRS website, and mail it through postal service.
The IRS states that people who received pandemic-era penalties must send the form to the service center where they would normally file their current tax returns.
Given the approaching July 10 cutoff, “taxpayers should not delay reviewing their situation and considering potential claims for refund and abatement,” the taxpayer advocate urged.
Residents of Spain’s Canary Islands are expressing anxiety as a cruise vessel affected by a hantavirus outbreak prepares to arrive this weekend, bringing back memories of the COVID-19 quarantine measures they endured.
The cruise ship MV Hondius, with 150 individuals on board, is scheduled to arrive at Tenerife on Saturday. Spain has agreed to accept the vessel following requests from the World Health Organization, despite objections from local authorities.
The island chain was among Europe’s earliest locations to implement quarantine protocols during the pandemic’s initial phase. In February 2020, more than 700 tourists were confined to a Tenerife hotel for two weeks when officials sealed the facility to contain virus transmission, occurring weeks before the disease spread throughout Europe.
The archipelago has previously dealt with other health crises, including a 2014 Ebola outbreak, which have impacted the tourism-dependent economy. Local officials have also expressed frustration about handling migration pressures from Western Africa.
“We are a community that’s already quite flexible when it comes to helping others and being accommodating to people, but I think this is excessive,” said local resident Margarita Maria, 62. “People are scared, people are worried. Spain is a huge country with plenty of ports where the cruise ship could go.”
According to the World Health Organization, public risk remains minimal, and the strain identified among passengers can only transmit between people through extended, close contact.
However, an unnamed nurse reported that news of the ship’s arrival has sparked concerns about potential lockdowns of medical facilities and hospitals on Tenerife.
“It will be just like Covid … People are worried about their children, elderly relatives and the vulnerable,” the nurse said, adding that the islands’ quarantine protocol for viruses, if one was declared, would affect schools and healthcare centres.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia announced Wednesday that all remaining passengers aboard the vessel showed no disease symptoms and would return to their home countries. The 14 Spanish nationals on board will be transported to a Madrid hospital for quarantine.
Some locals criticized that the Canaries’ reputation as a secure destination means it consistently bears responsibilities that other tourist areas avoid.
“Tourist destinations competing with the Canary Islands in the international market, such as Morocco, have not been taken into account, and the decision has been made to bring the cruise ship to the Canary Islands – there must be a reason for that,” said Jorge Marichal, president of Tenerife’s hotels association, Ashotel.
Regional tourism minister Lope Afonso stated that Madrid has not clearly communicated expectations for the archipelago, making it challenging to reassure the tourism sector.
Some islanders expressed worry about potential impacts on Pope Leo’s planned June visit to the Canaries.
“Can you imagine the Pope with hantavirus? That’s a headline we don’t want,” local comedian Omayra Cazorla said on Instagram.
Investment management firm Apollo Global Management achieved a significant milestone Wednesday, reaching $1 trillion in assets under management while exceeding analyst expectations for first-quarter earnings.
The company reported record quarterly fee-related earnings, marking success for CEO Marc Rowan’s ambitious strategy launched in 2021. Rowan had established an aggressive five-year goal to double Apollo’s managed assets to $1 trillion through expanded retirement services and credit operations.
With this achievement, Apollo is now closing the gap with industry frontrunner Blackstone, which manages $1.3 trillion. The company has set its sights even higher, targeting $1.5 trillion in assets under management by 2029.
Apollo’s adjusted net income climbed 8% to $1.21 billion, translating to $1.94 per share compared to the same quarter last year. This growth was fueled by a 30% surge in earnings from asset management and debt and equity transaction arrangements.
Wall Street analysts had projected earnings of $1.93 per share, according to LSEG data compilation.
The company did face some challenges, with its asset-backed finance portfolio recording a 1% decline due to reduced contributions from its Atlas SP division. This unit had provided financing to UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions, which collapsed in February, raising questions about lending practices across banks and credit funds. HSBC reported unexpected losses Tuesday, which sources indicated were connected to Atlas lending and MFS financing.
Apollo stock showed modest gains during volatile morning trading. While shares have recovered 30% from their March 52-week low, they remain approximately 9% lower for 2024, compared to a 5% decline in the S&P 500 Financials sector index.
The company and its competitors have faced pressure over concerns about lending standards, growth prospects, and private capital’s vulnerability to artificial intelligence disruption in the software sector.
Despite these headwinds, Apollo saw strong capital inflows totaling $115 billion during the quarter. This influx was partially driven by acquiring UK insurer Pensions Insurance Corporation through Athora, Apollo’s European subsidiary. Wealthy individual investors contributed $4 billion to the inflows.
On an unadjusted basis, Apollo recorded a net loss of $1.9 billion, contrasting with $418 million in net income from the previous year. This loss stemmed from a $2.1 billion unrealized loss on insurance unit investments.
The company’s direct lending funds, which have faced increased scrutiny recently, generated modest 0.5% returns in the first quarter, compared to 8.5% over the past year. Competitors Blue Owl and KKR also reported negative performance in this sector during the same timeframe.
Apollo’s main private equity fund posted a 0.3% loss, while its hybrid value strategy, which CEO Rowan has highlighted as a key growth area, delivered 4% returns.
Marriott International has upgraded its annual revenue projections following a surge in travel demand that’s driving bookings at hotels nationwide, the company announced Wednesday.
The hospitality giant’s optimistic outlook reflects a broader recovery in the U.S. travel industry after a difficult period marked by inflation concerns and economic uncertainty that previously strained consumer spending habits.
The hotel chain expressed continued confidence in international tourism growth, particularly with the FIFA World Cup providing additional momentum that’s expected to extend through the third quarter.
Marriott now projects its 2026 revenue per available room – a critical industry benchmark measuring pricing strength – will increase between 2% and 3%. This represents an improvement from the company’s previous forecast of 1.5% to 2.5% growth. Following the announcement, Marriott shares climbed approximately 2%.
According to CEO Anthony Capuano, consumers across all income levels continue prioritizing travel and experiences over purchasing physical goods, with this trend evident even among lower-income families.
The company saw its budget hotel segment bounce back during the first quarter, while luxury properties in the United States and Canada maintained strong performance thanks to continued spending by wealthy travelers.
Marriott exceeded Wall Street expectations with adjusted earnings of $2.72 per share, surpassing analyst predictions of $2.55 according to LSEG data.
However, ongoing Middle East tensions present challenges that could potentially increase consumer costs and reduce travel spending. While Marriott has factored these continued impacts into its projections, competitors including Hilton and Booking Holdings have also noted effects from the regional conflict.
Truist analyst Patrick Scholes noted that Marriott faces the highest Middle East exposure among major U.S. hotel corporations at approximately 4%.
The company reported a 1.9% decline in room revenue for the Middle East and Africa region during the first quarter, with occupancy rates dropping 5.4%.
New Chief Financial Officer Jen Mason indicated that booking patterns are showing improvement since hitting lows in March. “We are back to kind of pre-conflict trends in terms of domestic versus international travel bookings from the U.S.,” Mason stated.
An Indian entertainment company has filed a major lawsuit against the country’s largest media conglomerate, claiming millions in damages over alleged music copyright violations.
Zee Entertainment launched legal action against JioStar, the joint venture created from Disney and Reliance’s $8.5 billion merger, demanding $3 million for what it calls unauthorized use of its copyrighted music catalog.
According to court documents filed in New Delhi on April 14, Zee claims the Disney-Reliance partnership used its music at least 50 times after licensing deals expired in 2024 and 2025. The companies failed to renew these agreements due to disputes over payment terms.
“The illegal exploitation thereof amounted to copyright infringement,” Zee stated in its 1,800-page court filing, requesting the court order an immediate halt to any ongoing violations of its music rights.
The lawsuit represents the latest battle between Zee and the entertainment giant led by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries. The two companies are already engaged in separate arbitration proceedings in London, where Reliance is pursuing $1 billion in damages from Zee for allegedly abandoning a cricket broadcasting agreement in 2024.
Both Zee and JioStar representatives declined to provide statements regarding the music copyright case.
JioStar operates an extensive entertainment empire, controlling thousands of television programs and broadcasting rights for major sporting events across multiple TV networks and its JioHotstar streaming service, which serves approximately 500 million monthly users throughout India.
Zee, established as one of India’s pioneering media companies, operates numerous television channels and its own streaming platform while maintaining ownership of more than 19,450 songs across 17 different languages.
During a brief court session on Tuesday, the presiding judge instructed JioStar to prevent any continued infringement of Zee’s musical works on its platforms and ordered compliance within 15 days, according to a source familiar with the proceedings. The case is scheduled to resume on July 23.
This legal action forms part of Zee’s broader campaign to protect its music library from unauthorized usage. The company recently filed a separate lawsuit against beauty and fashion retailer Nykaa, alleging the company used Zee’s copyrighted songs in Instagram promotional videos and seeking $210,000 in compensation.
Court records reveal that Zee claims its music was improperly used in various music and dance programs broadcast on JioStar’s television networks and streaming platform.
Documentation shows both companies have engaged in months of negotiations, exchanging multiple letters and legal warnings regarding the disputed music usage.
In December, JioStar informed Zee it had “taken extensive steps to remove any infringing content across its portfolio,” including older programming content.
However, JioStar argued that maintaining archived content in passive storage did not constitute infringement or illegal distribution, a stance that Zee strongly contests.
In a March 16 correspondence, JioStar “categorically rejects” what it termed “coercive demands” for financial damages, while expressing willingness to pursue “an amicable and commercially sensible solution.”
A billionaire Indiana University graduate played a crucial role in the Hoosiers’ historic College Football Playoff championship victory, according to a new report.
Mark Cuban, the former Dallas Mavericks owner worth an estimated $6 billion, provided the final funding needed to bring quarterback Fernando Mendoza to Indiana, he revealed in an interview with Front Office Sports for their Portfolio Players series.
The financial commitment came about during a December 2024 conversation between Cuban, Indiana Athletic Director Scott Dolson, and university President Pam Whitten at the school’s playoff opener against Notre Dame.
According to Cuban’s account, Dolson approached him about a quarterback prospect who would fit perfectly in coach Curt Cignetti’s offensive scheme, but the program needed additional resources to complete the deal.
“[Dolson]’s like, we’ve got this quarterback that we really, really like that we think would be great in (coach Curt Cignetti) Cig’s system, we just need a litttttle bit more,” Cuban explained. “I’m like, ‘How much is a little bit?’ And so he told me, and I’m like, ‘OK, you know, we’re on a roll, I’ll put up the money to get this quarterback.’”
Despite losing that initial playoff game to Notre Dame 27-17, Indiana bounced back the following season. The Hoosiers completed a perfect campaign by defeating Miami 27-21 in the championship game.
Cuban’s connection to the program extended beyond his alma mater loyalty. The 67-year-old businessman had previous ties to Cignetti and knew Mendoza’s brother Alberto, who also plays for Indiana and would chat with Cuban during Heat-Mavericks games as a Miami fan.
The additional funding helped Indiana outbid Cal for Mendoza’s services. While he earned $1.6 million at California, his Indiana contract was worth $2.6 million, according to Yahoo Sports reporting.
Mendoza’s performance justified the investment. He captured the Heisman Trophy and was subsequently selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in April’s NFL Draft.
While Cuban had previously donated to Indiana’s academic programs, his recent athletic department contributions mark his first venture into university sports funding. The entrepreneur maintains a hands-off approach with athletic director Dolson, a fellow Indiana alumnus.
“I just give Scott money, and it’s up to him,” Cuban stated. “We talk a lot, we talk about approach, understanding how to put together a team. Because I did it for 20-something years. So it’s not like I have to direct him to something specific. I understand how they’re approaching things.”
Cuban declined to specify his total athletic department investment, telling Front Office Sports only that university officials are “happier this year than last year.”
CAMDEN, DE – Amateur photographers across Delaware now have the opportunity to showcase their skills through the Delaware Farm Bureau’s 2026 Annual Photo Contest, announced by the organization’s Promotion and Engagement Committee.
The competition welcomes photography enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages who want to document the state’s agricultural heritage through their camera lens.
Submission period runs from May 1 through October 31, 2026, giving photographers plenty of time to capture Delaware’s farming community in action.
Contest winners will be revealed at the Delaware Farm Bureau’s Annual Banquet in December 2026. The four top photographers will earn cash awards and see their work featured at both the Farm Bureau’s Camden headquarters and the Delaware Agriculture Museum in Dover. Six additional participants will be recognized with honorable mention certificates.
Delaware Farm Bureau President Bill Powers will also choose his personal favorite for the President’s Pick award, which comes with Farm Bureau merchandise for the winning photographer.
“We look forward to seeing how photographers capture the creativity, dedication, and tradition behind Delaware agriculture,” said P&E Member Casey Collier-Betts. “It’s always inspiring to see our industry through other perspectives.”
The Delaware Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Engagement Committee works alongside local farming families to build connections with consumers and neighbors while promoting agriculture as Delaware’s leading industry and providing educational opportunities for both farmers and the general public.
Complete contest regulations, submission requirements, and further information can be found at www.defb.org/promotion-and-education/photo-contest/. Contest inquiries should be sent to DEFB Assistant Executive Director and Marketing Coordinator Mikayla Paul at [email protected].
The ownership team behind the Cleveland Browns has made a substantial financial commitment to advancing blood cancer treatment, contributing $12.5 million to support research efforts.
Dee and Jimmy Haslam structured their philanthropic gift to support two key initiatives. The largest portion, $10 million, will support the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre in England, specifically targeting research and medication development for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other uncommon blood cancers. The remaining $2.5 million will benefit Cleveland’s University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, where it will create a permanent research position focused on CLL studies and establish a fund to advance patient care innovations.
The charitable contribution stems from personal experience, as Dee Haslam received a CLL diagnosis in 2021. “I am extremely grateful that I am living a full, healthy life after being diagnosed with CLL in 2021,” Dee Haslam said in a statement. “Together with UH Seidman Cancer Center and the Oxford-Harrington Centre, we hope to increase knowledge of CLL, generate new treatments and give others the confidence and information they need to navigate the disease. Ideally, cures for other blood disorders will be discovered in the process.”
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia represents the most prevalent type of leukemia affecting adult patients. While medical professionals have yet to develop a cure, current treatment approaches have transformed the condition into one that patients can manage long-term.
The Harrington Discovery Institute began operations in 2021 and has achieved significant milestones in its brief history. The organization currently oversees 227 potential medications in development, provides support to 75 medical institutions, has helped launch 47 companies, advanced 24 treatments to clinical trials, and secured 15 pharmaceutical licensing agreements.
Beyond their NFL ownership, the Haslam family maintains majority ownership stakes in the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, and a Columbus-based NWSL expansion franchise.
A decade ago, Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s detective comedy faced a brutal theatrical release, squeezed between superhero blockbusters and defeated by animated birds at the box office. Today, that same film has transformed into one of the most cherished comedies of recent years.
“The Nice Guys,” which marks its 10th anniversary this month, suffered a disappointing debut when it hit theaters in 2016. Released between major franchise films like “Captain America: Civil War” and “X-Men: Apocalypse,” the Shane Black-directed comedy couldn’t compete with its opening weekend rival. “They’re just so angry,” Gosling once remarked about the cartoon birds that overshadowed their film.
Despite its initial commercial failure, the 1970s Los Angeles crime caper has found remarkable success in the streaming era. The film consistently ranks among Netflix’s most-watched content whenever it appears on the platform, introducing new audiences to Gosling’s comedic abilities that would later shine in “Barbie.”
“There’s a lot of interest in ‘The Nice Guys’ today that wasn’t there when it opened. And the box office will attest to that,” Black noted in a recent conversation. “But people find these things. I think there’s kind of a joy of finding a movie on streaming or rental and then suddenly kind of realizing: How did I miss this? And ‘The Nice Guys’ was easy to miss.”
Black, who created the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, has experienced both box office triumphs and cult classics. He’s grown to appreciate his commercially unsuccessful projects, including “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which helped revitalize Robert Downey Jr.’s career a year before “The Nice Guys.”
“There’s something to being the king of the midnight movie,” Black explained. “It’s not the most lucrative thing in the world.”
The film’s theatrical struggles reflected broader industry changes. During the early 2000s, comedies dominated multiplexes with stars like Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow productions, and hits such as “The Hangover” and “Bridesmaids.” However, as franchise films gained prominence and international markets became crucial, studios abandoned theatrical comedies around the time Warner Bros. released “The Nice Guys” with its $50 million budget, earning approximately $71 million globally.
Recent years have seen comedies migrate primarily to streaming platforms, with Netflix’s Adam Sandler partnership representing an early strategic shift. Horror films largely replaced comedy as the preferred genre for theatrical releases.
Black developed the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi, drawing inspiration from classic detective fiction by authors like William Campbell Gault and Brett Halliday. His extensive reading in the genre has become almost supernatural in scope.
“I thought: There’s so much joy here,” Black reflected. “There’s so much fun in plot and twists and capers. You light a fuse and these guys go on this wild caper, and in the end, it’s just these two guys that are important. You can’t really remember the caper but it was there to service the idea, the shape of: These guys are at it again.”
The story pairs Gosling’s Holland March, a private investigator with an unusual handicap (he cannot smell), with Crowe’s Jackson Healy, an enforcer. Their partnership develops around a missing person case set against Los Angeles’s adult entertainment industry, with March’s perceptive young daughter Holly (Angourie Rice) joining the adventure.
The ensemble cast featured Kim Basinger, Keith David, and Margaret Qualley in an early significant role. However, the central dynamic between Gosling and Crowe drove the film’s success. Neither actor was particularly recognized for comedy at the time, with Crowe coming off the serious biblical drama “Noah.”
Black trusted his instincts about their partnership, following the comedy philosophy of writers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel from films like “Splash” and “Parenthood.”
“The thing is, Ryan is just a good actor,” Black observed. “He’s funny in everything he does. But he didn’t do a lot of outright comedies. For this, the character was not like a ‘Talladega Nights’ or ‘Step Brothers.’ It’s not that kind of comedy where everything is pushed. It was a story that an actor could do and basically play a real character.”
Black emphasizes character-driven comedy similar to “Midnight Run,” which successfully paired Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. This approach contrasted with the high-concept comedies that dominated the few studio releases during that period.
“The Nice Guys” showcased Gosling’s physical comedy talents through elaborate pratfalls and slapstick sequences. One memorable scene features him attempting to balance multiple tasks while trapped in a bathroom stall, creating what Black describes as choreography worthy of Buster Keaton.
“My favorite that he walked in with one day was where he said, ‘I saw this movie last night with Abbott and Costello where they meet Frankenstein,’” Black remembered. “He said, ‘I’d like to maybe give that type of energy a try.’ When he said that, what he really meant was: I’m going to do a pitch-perfect Lou Costello impression sitting next to a tree for 60 seconds.”
Both leading actors embraced appearing foolish, cowardly, or incompetent on screen. “They wanted to be antiheroes,” Black noted. Crowe has praised the experience, particularly crediting Gosling as the only co-star who consistently made him break character during filming.
The inevitable sequel question frequently arises in Black’s interviews, though he acknowledges the challenging reality.
“It’s one of the most common questions I get,” Black admitted. “The answer, unfortunately, is nebulous.”
“You’re saying to a studio: Hey, we want to get these two big stars. It’s going to cost even more this time. You’re going to spend maybe twice the money on a sequel to a movie that didn’t get you what you wanted back,” he explained. “It’s a tough sell to take a movie that bombed and make a sequel.”
Despite these obstacles, Black remains enthusiastic about the possibility.
“Of course,” he responded when asked about his interest in a sequel. “This was designed for that. Like I said, it’s a caper. There’s these two and they get in a bunch of trouble and here they go again. You want to see them do it again. There’s a whole bunch of mystery capers you could throw at these guys. You could make a grounded, potentially very interesting, touching movie set not in the ’70s but perhaps in the ’80s.”
At the 2016 London premiere, Gosling playfully compared the event to cinema history.
“I wasn’t at the premiere of ‘The Godfather’ or ‘Apocalypse Now,’ but I got a feeling it felt pretty much the same as it does today,” Gosling declared. “You’re looking down the barrel of cinematic history.”
While Gosling spoke in jest, the film’s growing cultural impact suggests his prediction may not have been entirely wrong.
Delaware State University senior Alonzo Sims Jr. has received recognition as the Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, according to an announcement made Tuesday from Norfolk, Virginia.
The conference also awarded Men’s Field Athlete of the Week recognition to Howard University sophomore Tarike Lavine.
The weekly honors recognize outstanding performances by student-athletes in collegiate track and field competition.
Writers across Delaware have a new opportunity to hone their craft in a scenic coastal setting as the state’s arts division opens applications for its annual retreat program.
The Delaware Division of the Arts announced Monday it is now seeking participants for the 2026 Delaware Writers Retreat, scheduled to take place at the Biden Environmental Center located within Cape Henlopen State Park.
The residential program spans four days and welcomes creative writers specializing in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Participants will have the chance to develop their writing skills while surrounded by the natural beauty of one of Delaware’s premier state parks.
The retreat represents part of the state’s ongoing commitment to supporting local artists and fostering creative expression throughout Delaware’s literary community.
The family of Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi is desperately pleading for Iranian authorities to allow her transfer to a Tehran medical facility, warning that her life hangs in the balance without proper treatment.
The 53-year-old women’s rights advocate underwent her second government-ordered medical evaluation on Wednesday since being rushed to a local hospital in Zanjan, a northwestern Iranian city, after losing consciousness in her prison cell last Friday.
Mohammadi’s brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, speaking from his base in Oslo, expressed hope that this latest examination might finally convince authorities to approve her relocation to the capital, where superior medical care is available. However, he revealed that security forces have repeatedly blocked such transfers despite medical recommendations.
“The problem is that somewhere in the system, the intelligence agency has the upper hand and they are the ones who are controlling everything,” he explained to The Associated Press. “But if it doesn’t happen, it means they are really intent on killing Narges.”
The women’s rights champion, who received the Nobel Prize in 2023 while behind bars, has faced repeated imprisonments throughout her activism career. Her current detention started in December following her arrest in Mashhad, a city in northeastern Iran.
According to her family, Mohammadi’s physical condition has steadily worsened during her incarceration, partly due to severe injuries sustained during her arrest. She experienced a heart attack in March and continues to battle a dangerous lung blood clot that existed before her imprisonment, requiring blood-thinning medication and constant medical supervision. Family members and legal representatives claim prison officials have consistently refused to provide adequate healthcare.
Since arriving at Zanjan hospital’s cardiac unit, Mohammadi has experienced dangerous blood pressure fluctuations and requires oxygen assistance while being unable to speak, her brother reported. Communication difficulties caused by internet restrictions implemented during the ongoing conflict have forced him to rely on sporadic text messages from family members in Iran.
Medical professionals worry the blood clot could migrate into her circulatory system. A neurosurgeon at the facility warned that her unstable blood pressure could damage both her heart and brain, according to her brother’s account.
“It is a really bad condition for Narges now,” he stated, emphasizing that the Zanjan facility lacks the capabilities to address her complex medical needs.
Hamidreza Mohammadi suggested that while global attention focuses on regional conflicts involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, Iranian leadership is using the distraction to “focus on eliminating the opposition.”
Chirinne Ardakani, Mohammadi’s legal counsel based in France, issued a stark warning Tuesday that Iranian officials are attempting to “slowly kill her.” Ardakani characterized the Islamic Republic’s “relentless pursuit against Narges” as “a signal of terror to the entire civilian population.”
The Nobel Committee issued an urgent appeal Saturday, demanding Iranian authorities “immediately transfer (Mohammadi) to her dedicated medical team in Tehran. Without such treatment, her life remains at risk.”
On Wednesday, medical transport brought Mohammadi from the Zanjan hospital to judicial medical examiners, with family members accompanying her.
The ongoing uncertainty has created tremendous stress for her brother, her spouse, and their children residing in Paris, he explained.
Mohammadi’s 19-year-old twins, Kiana and Ali, have been separated from their mother for more than a decade.
“They are devastated. They have experienced a lot of hard times. This time they are just afraid they would not hear their mother’s voice again,” Hamidreza Mohammadi shared.
As he continues waiting for updates from Iran, he reflected on the emotional toll: “My body and brain say no, but I know it might be the last chance I have.”
BRUSSELS — Financial watchdogs in Europe announced Wednesday they cannot properly monitor how member nations are distributing billions of dollars from a massive economic recovery program launched during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility emerged in 2020 when the 27-nation European Union faced border closures, widespread lockdowns and a scramble for vaccines as the deadly virus spread. The trading bloc experienced its worst economic downturn in history during this period.
The fund has distributed approximately 577 billion euros, equivalent to $679 billion, through January of this year.
However, the European Court of Auditors revealed in their latest assessment that tracking fund distribution across countries proves challenging. Numerous funding recipients, including major corporations and large business partnerships, remain unidentified in official records.
“Without this information, we cannot assess whether funds are fairly distributed, whether risks of concentration exist, whether EU money delivers value for citizens,” stated Ivana Maletić, who oversaw the financial review.
“Transparency is not a technical issue. It is a core condition for trust and accountability,” Maletić explained to the press.
The European Commission secured funding through capital market borrowing and allocated resources for initiatives aimed at strengthening economies through sustainability, environmental improvements and digital advancement.
Financial assistance was distributed only after recipients satisfied specific requirements. This marked a departure from previous procedures where funding typically depended on projected project expenses. Current regulations require national governments to publicly disclose their top 100 funding recipients.
Investigators examined 10 EU nations and discovered the largest beneficiaries consisted almost entirely of government ministries, agencies and regional authorities. Private sector recipients remain largely hidden from public view.
Maletić noted that European legislators investigating potential fund misuse frequently seek details “about transfers and money going to different companies, big companies, consortia and so on. This is something that we don’t see.”
Auditors faced particular difficulties obtaining recipient information from France. French officials cited administrative burden as the reason for withholding details about final recipients and payment amounts, according to the assessment.
“You can imagine in France we have thousands and thousands of recipients,” Maletić explained.
Previous misuse incidents have already surfaced. Law enforcement in Italy, Austria, Romania and Slovakia arrested 22 individuals two years ago during an investigation into suspected theft of 600 million euros in pandemic relief funding.
The European Commission disputed the auditors’ conclusions. The EU’s executive leadership argued their authority was limited by regulations established by all 27 member nations.
Commission officials defended their milestone-based payment system and achievement requirements for fund distribution.
The commission maintained that their process of payment requests, progress monitoring and detailed analysis of funding decisions, combined with ongoing member nation collaboration to “address inconsistencies,” functions effectively.
Auditors expressed concern that European support for milestone-based joint funding approaches could expand to the EU’s upcoming long-term budget for agricultural subsidies and infrastructure assistance, representing major portions of the seven-year spending plan.
Maletić described the milestone system as “not clear” and essentially “just a number of people getting different amounts. It’s really a model which cannot be applied to traditional policies.” The 2028-2034 budget could reach approximately 2 trillion euros, or $2.4 trillion.
Commission representatives dismissed these concerns, stating that “the design of future legislative proposals” remains the responsibility of member countries and the European Parliament.
Swedish authorities have seized an oil tanker believed to be operating as part of Russia’s covert shipping network, according to the nation’s civil defense minister.
Coast guard officials boarded and impounded the vessel Jin Hui on Sunday after discovering it was allegedly operating under fraudulent documentation while navigating through Swedish territorial waters.
The tanker was traveling through Baltic Sea waters displaying a Syrian flag when intercepted, coast guard officials announced in their statement. Authorities also expressed safety concerns about the ship’s operational condition.
As of Monday, the Jin Hui remained at anchor near Trelleborg and appears on sanctions lists maintained by the European Union, United Kingdom, and Ukraine, Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin posted on X.
Swedish prosecutors announced Monday that they have taken the ship’s captain, a Chinese national, into custody on charges including suspected use of fraudulent documentation and additional violations.
This marks the fifth vessel that Sweden’s coast guard has impounded in recent weeks.
“Ships with suspected deficiencies in their seaworthiness continue to sail in Swedish waters,” Daniel Stenling, deputy chief of operations at the coast guard, said. “This is not acceptable. We have intervened before, now we are intervening again.”
Russia’s diplomatic mission in Sweden had not provided a response to requests for comment as of Wednesday.
Last year, Sweden announced enhanced insurance verification procedures for international vessels as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of Russian ships suspected of hauling oil and gas or transporting grain stolen from Ukraine.
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors revealed disturbing details about a gunman who exchanged fire with law enforcement officers close to the Washington Monument earlier this week, including offensive statements he made about the White House following his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro disclosed in a Tuesday evening ABC News interview that the individual will face federal charges for assaulting a federal officer and using a firearm during a violent offense.
After being wounded several times in Monday’s shootout, the gunman made crude remarks while being transported for medical treatment, stating “‘F the White House,’ and ‘Kill me, kill me, kill me’ — three times,” according to Pirro’s account.
ABC News reported that a teenage bystander sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident and has since been discharged from the hospital. Law enforcement officials have not yet determined if the suspect had specific targets in mind.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn explained during Monday’s press briefing that undercover agents initially noticed the individual near the White House grounds and observed what appeared to be a concealed weapon. The agents tracked him briefly before alerting uniformed personnel.
When Secret Service officers moved to confront him, the suspect attempted to escape, Quinn explained. According to Quinn, the man opened fire on the officers, prompting them to shoot back in response.
The shooting occurred while President Donald Trump was conducting a small business gathering at the White House, resulting in a temporary security lockdown while authorities responded to the situation.
Quinn informed media representatives that he was uncertain whether the incident specifically targeted Trump “but we will find out.”
This incident follows another security breach from just over a week earlier, when California resident Cole Tomas Allen attempted to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while carrying firearms and bladed weapons. Allen faces charges of attempting to assassinate the president and shooting at a Secret Service agent.
