After enduring 28 years of wrongful imprisonment, an exonerated Louisiana man successfully won election to serve as New Orleans court clerk, only to see state legislators vote to eliminate the very position he had been chosen to fill.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those who have been cleared of crimes they never committed, even after achieving what appeared to be a significant personal and professional victory through the democratic process.
A California community newspaper is getting a second chance at life thanks to new owners determined to restore local journalism to their area.
Laura and Tim Schneider recently sat down with NPR’s Scott Simon to discuss their efforts to revive the Palisadian-Post, which ceased operations after Los Angeles wildfires forced its closure.
The husband-and-wife team has taken over the publication and is working to bring it back to serve their community once again. The newspaper had been serving local residents before the devastating fires disrupted operations and led to its shutdown.
During their conversation with Simon, the Schneiders outlined their plans for relaunching the community-focused publication under their stewardship.
KYIV, Ukraine — A deadly Russian drone assault on a civilian minibus in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region claimed two lives on Saturday, according to local authorities, marking another instance of Moscow targeting non-military areas throughout its ongoing invasion.
Regional administrator Oleksandr Prokudin reported that seven additional individuals sustained injuries in the initial strike. Later that day, Russian forces launched a second attack on another minibus in Kherson, injuring the vehicle’s operator, Prokudin stated.
Along Ukraine’s Black Sea coastline, Russian forces struck port facilities in Odesa, causing infrastructure damage but no reported injuries.
Ukrainian citizens have faced continuous aerial bombardments since Moscow initiated its comprehensive invasion more than four years ago. Diplomatic efforts facilitated by the United States between Russian and Ukrainian representatives over the past year have failed to provide relief, with Russia turning down Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal. Recent developments in the Iran conflict have shifted global focus away from Ukraine’s ongoing crisis.
On the battlefield spanning approximately 1,250 kilometers (750 miles), Russian military officials announced Saturday they had seized the village of Myropillia in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region.
Independent confirmation of these military developments was not available, and Ukrainian officials had not yet responded to the claims.
Within Russian territory, authorities in the Krasnodar region reported that firefighters successfully extinguished a blaze at an oil terminal in the Black Sea port of Tuapse on Saturday, following a Ukrainian attack the previous day.
Ukrainian unmanned aircraft have targeted the Tuapse oil processing and export facility four times within slightly more than two weeks, igniting fires that forced local residents to evacuate and created enormous smoke clouds.
Ukraine has intensified its long-range attacks on Russian petroleum installations as part of a strategy to reduce Moscow’s oil revenue, which provides crucial financing for its sustained military campaign. However, the economic consequences remain uncertain, as increased oil prices resulting from the Iran conflict and corresponding relaxation of U.S. sanctions have helped restore Russian government revenues.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an unusual public wellness initiative, Seoul’s municipal authorities recently hosted a unique competition along the Han River where residents gathered to participate in organized napping sessions.
The event was designed by city officials to highlight the critical role that adequate rest plays in maintaining health and well-being within South Korea’s rapidly moving capital city.
Competitors stretched out along the riverbank as part of the municipal program aimed at drawing attention to sleep health in one of the world’s most dynamic urban centers.
ROME — During a Saturday meeting at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo XIV urged affluent American Catholics to maintain their financial support for his charitable initiatives, demonstrating how the selection of America’s first pope has energized Catholic donors nationwide.
The pontiff, originally from Chicago, addressed members of The Papal Foundation during their yearly Rome pilgrimage. This organization serves as a significant source of funding for papal development initiatives across developing nations.
Speaking to the foundation’s leaders, Leo expressed gratitude for their financial contributions, stating they have enabled “countless people to experience in a concrete fashion the goodness and kindness of God in their own communities.”
The pope specifically highlighted clergy from impoverished nations who receive educational opportunities at Rome’s pontifical universities through foundation-sponsored scholarships. Over four decades, the organization’s combined grants have exceeded $270 million.
Although The Papal Foundation maintained consistent contributions throughout Pope Francis’ twelve-year leadership, other Vatican donations declined significantly during economic downturns, the pandemic, and various challenges. Additionally, some American Catholics became reluctant to support the Holy See after ongoing reports of financial mismanagement, corruption, and scandals, compounded by Francis’ public criticism of American capitalism.
Leo’s appointment appears to have revitalized the American Catholic community, particularly among major donors. The Papal Foundation revealed Saturday that members had authorized over $15 million in grants for 2026, establishing a new record in the organization’s 38-year existence.
Furthermore, the foundation reported that 25 additional families had become members since Leo’s election one year ago, providing the clearest indication that selecting an American, English-speaking pope with mathematical training and financial acumen has benefited church fundraising efforts.
“The growth we’re seeing is incredibly encouraging, as it reflects a shared commitment to serve, to give, and to bring the church’s mission to life in meaningful ways across the globe,” stated David Savage, the foundation’s executive director.
The late Cardinal John Krol of Philadelphia established the foundation in 1988 to provide wealthy American Catholics a direct avenue for supporting papal charitable programs.
Membership requires a $1 million contribution to a fund supporting papal projects, including constructing orphanages and monasteries. Among the 2026 approved initiatives are building a secure school for marginalized tribal children in India and providing professional technical education for vulnerable women in the Philippines.
The foundation’s membership includes all American cardinals and operates under a board of trustees comprising Catholic laypeople and bishops.
Russian military forces are advancing toward Kostiantynivka, a strategically vital city in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as they attempt to gain control near one of Ukraine’s most heavily fortified defensive positions, according to Ukraine’s top military commander on Saturday.
The city serves as part of what military officials describe as a fortress network across eastern Ukraine — a zone that has been extensively fortified by Ukrainian defense forces.
“We are repelling the Russian occupiers’ persistent attempts to gain a foothold in the outskirts of Kostiantynivka using infiltration tactics. Counter-sabotage measures are going on in the city,” stated Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s army chief, in a message posted to the Telegram platform.
According to DeepState, a Ukrainian military tracking initiative, Russian forces have gained control of territory approximately one kilometer (0.6 mile) from Kostiantynivka’s southern perimeter.
Portions of southeastern Kostiantynivka are currently designated as contested territory, indicating that neither Ukrainian nor Russian forces maintain complete control over these areas.
Moscow’s defense ministry announced Wednesday that its forces had secured Novodmytrivka, located directly north of Kostiantynivka. Russia’s top military commander Valery Gerasimov stated in April that troops were making progress both north and south of the city.
According to Syrskyi, Russian offensive operations increased significantly throughout April. He reported that since Monday alone, Russian forces have launched 83 assault operations in this area using small infantry units.
Moscow is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from territories in Donetsk and the adjacent Luhansk region that Russia has been unable to capture during its four-year full-scale invasion. Peace negotiations facilitated by the United States have stalled over this issue, as Ukrainian leadership maintains that Kyiv will not surrender territory it currently holds.
Over recent years, Russian forces have been unable to seize any major urban centers in Ukraine, instead making gradual progress by capturing smaller communities, primarily in the country’s eastern regions.
The capture of Pokrovsk, a small city whose pre-war population of over 60,000 residents largely evacuated, represented Moscow’s most significant territorial gain in the past year. Russian troops required months to advance on the city, and Kyiv maintains it still holds certain positions within the area.
Greg Abel faces a monumental task this Saturday as he conducts his inaugural Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting as chief executive, with legendary investor Warren Buffett observing from the crowd in Omaha, Nebraska.
The 63-year-old Abel, who assumed the CEO role in January, must win over investors who have increasingly turned their attention to technology and artificial intelligence companies, a stark contrast to Berkshire’s portfolio of insurance firms, retail chains, and traditional businesses spanning energy, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.
Despite Berkshire’s reputation as a reflection of America’s broader economy, the company’s stock performance has disappointed investors. Since Buffett’s surprise announcement at last year’s meeting that he would step down as CEO while remaining chairman, Berkshire shares have trailed the S&P 500 by 39 percentage points.
Abel had been identified as Buffett’s chosen successor since 2021, though the timing of the transition caught many off guard. The 95-year-old Buffett will sit in the audience at the downtown Omaha arena while Abel and fellow executives field shareholder questions and discuss company operations.
Money manager Paul Lountzis, attending his 34th Berkshire meeting, acknowledged the magnitude of Abel’s position. “Greg has a formidable challenge, replacing the greatest investor who ever lived,” Lountzis said.
He continued, describing Berkshire’s current market position: “is not snazzy, it’s not exciting … It’s not a fast-growing technology stock. That’s what people are jumping on today.”
The Commerce Department’s preliminary data shows that AI-focused investments significantly contributed to the 2% increase in first-quarter U.S. economic growth, highlighting the market’s current preferences.
Questions remain about how rising inflation and declining consumer confidence may have affected demand for products and services from Berkshire’s various subsidiaries. More clarity may emerge when the company releases first-quarter earnings results, anticipated before the meeting begins.
Financial analysts expect Berkshire to announce billions in operating profits while revealing details about its substantial cash holdings, share buyback activities, and adjustments to its nearly $300 billion stock portfolio.
The annual meeting serves as the highlight of a weekend filled with shareholder activities throughout Omaha, featuring investment seminars, private gatherings, and a downtown exhibition hall showcasing products from Berkshire-owned companies.
Abel inherits several significant obstacles that also challenged Buffett, particularly the question of how to deploy Berkshire’s enormous $373 billion cash reserve accumulated by year-end.
Although the company resumed share repurchases in March after a nearly two-year pause, Berkshire hasn’t completed a major acquisition in ten years. Additionally, many business units have shown weak performance, with overall operating profits declining 6% in 2025 and revenue remaining flat.
Investors may question Abel’s ability to effectively oversee Berkshire’s investment portfolio. Unlike Buffett, Abel lacks professional experience in stock selection, yet by February he was managing 94% of Berkshire’s equity investments, rather than delegating more responsibility to investment manager Ted Weschler, who handles the remaining 6%.
Buffett’s perspective on the leadership transition evolved over time, particularly in 2024 when he expressed confidence that someone like Abel, who comprehends entire businesses, could also understand individual stocks.
This year’s meeting will feature a different format compared to previous gatherings. Abel plans to spend an hour discussing Berkshire’s operations before engaging in a 2.5-hour question-and-answer session.
Joining Abel in answering questions will be insurance division head Ajit Jain, along with first-time participants Katie Farmer, CEO of BNSF railroad, and Adam Johnson, a Berkshire president who oversees consumer, service, and retail operations.
Tom Russo, a money manager who began attending Berkshire meetings in 1985, described the significance of the moment: “It’s watching history unfold, a reset for the next generation.”
The meeting will likely concentrate more heavily on Berkshire’s business operations compared to previous sessions led by Buffett and the late Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, which frequently covered broader economic topics, market analysis, and life philosophy.
The engaging dialogue between Buffett and Munger was unmatched in corporate America and remains deeply missed by shareholders.
However, attendees at Friday’s annual shareholder shopping event, purchasing souvenirs including Squishmallows and spatulas featuring images of both Abel and Buffett, demonstrated confidence in the leadership change.
Lori Boyd, a retired special education teacher from Blue Springs, Missouri, expressed her trust in the transition: “Warren wouldn’t turn it over to somebody who wasn’t competent.”
Following the question session, shareholders will cast votes on several proposals, including non-binding approval of executive compensation, the frequency of future compensation votes, and whether Berkshire should produce a report addressing oversight of its more than 387,000 employees.
The company’s board endorses the executive compensation proposals while opposing the employee oversight report requirement.
A courtroom battle commencing Monday in New Mexico has the potential to fundamentally alter how Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp function — changes so significant that Meta Platforms has suggested it might cease operations in the state entirely.
The proceedings in Santa Fe represent the continuation of legal action initiated by New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat, who alleges the tech giant deliberately engineered its services to create addiction among youth while inadequately safeguarding minors from sexual predators using the platforms.
The central question before the court is whether Meta’s social media services constitute a “public nuisance” according to New Mexico statutes. Such a determination would empower the presiding judge to mandate extensive reforms designed to reduce purported dangers to underage users. Legal experts nationwide are monitoring this case closely as numerous states, local governments, and educational institutions pursue comparable litigation aimed at industry-wide transformation.
This week’s proceedings represent the second stage of New Mexico’s legal challenge. Earlier in March, a jury determined that Meta had violated state consumer protection regulations by mischaracterizing the security of Facebook and Instagram for younger demographics. The jury assessed $375 million in financial penalties against the corporation.
Concerns regarding youth safety across social media platforms have intensified over recent years. This past Wednesday, Meta cautioned shareholders that regulatory and legal consequences in both the European Union and United States “could significantly impact our business and financial results.”
According to legal documents, Torrez’s legal team plans to pursue additional billions in monetary damages alongside court orders mandating substantial platform modifications for New Mexico residents.
Meta maintains it has already responded to numerous state concerns and implemented comprehensive protections for young users. Company attorneys argued in recent filings that many requested modifications are technically unfeasible and could compel complete withdrawal from the state.
“The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores the hundreds of other apps teens use daily,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement ahead of the trial. “Rather than providing comprehensive protections, the state’s proposed mandates infringe on parental rights and stifle free expression for all New Mexicans.”
Judge Bryan Biedscheid will determine whether Meta’s business practices satisfy legal criteria for public nuisance designation under state law, potentially enabling court-imposed corrective measures.
Public nuisance claims address conduct that unreasonably threatens community health and welfare. Traditional applications include road obstructions, water contamination, or toxic emissions. State authorities have expanded this legal framework in recent years to challenge various industries, including tobacco manufacturers, opioid distributors, climate change contributors, and vaping companies, according to USC Gould School of Law Professor Adam Zimmerman.
New Mexico’s lawsuit joins an expanding collection of cases alleging Meta and competing social media corporations deliberately craft addictive products targeting young people. While numerous families have filed individual injury claims, more than 40 additional states and over 1,300 school systems have initiated similar public nuisance litigation seeking court-mandated reforms and financial compensation.
State officials plan to request judicial orders requiring Meta to implement age verification systems, redesign algorithms promoting quality content for minors, and eliminate autoplay features and endless scrolling for underage users.
“It will be an opportunity for us to explore more deeply the size and scale and effectively the monetary value of the public nuisance harm that was a product of this business’s behavior for the last, you know, 10 or 15 years,” Torrez told reporters at a press conference on Thursday ahead of the trial.
Meta’s legal team contends the company cannot have generated a public nuisance because it has not disrupted public rights. The corporation also disputes scientific evidence linking social media usage to mental health issues, characterizing many state demands as “technologically impractical or completely impossible.”
Under public nuisance law, states may seek monetary compensation to address identified harms. Such amounts could prove substantial when alleged impacts affect broad population segments. Torrez’s office has not specified the exact financial recovery it will pursue.
Meta revealed in court documents that New Mexico intends to seek $3.7 billion in damages to finance a 15-year mental health initiative including new medical facilities and healthcare provider recruitment — a demand the company claims would require funding mental health services for all state teenagers regardless of underlying causes.
BAMAKO, May 2 (Reuters) — Mali’s government has launched an investigation into military personnel believed to have assisted insurgents in last week’s devastating coordinated strikes against army installations nationwide, according to a judicial official’s announcement.
A military tribunal prosecutor in Bamako revealed that five soldiers are under suspicion, including three currently serving members, one retiree, and a dismissed soldier who died during combat near Kati, the nation’s primary military base located 15 kilometers from the capital. The statement was broadcast on state television Friday evening.
“The first arrests have been successfully carried out, and all other perpetrators, co-perpetrators, and accomplices are actively being sought,” the prosecutor’s statement declared, though officials did not disclose the total number of suspects identified or specify who has been detained.
The synchronized assault that began April 25 demonstrated how militants from various factions with differing objectives managed to penetrate the core of this West African nation’s military leadership, which seized control through successive coups in 2020 and 2021.
The attacks resulted in the death of Mali’s defense minister and compelled Russian forces supporting the government to withdraw from Kidal, a strategic northern town.
The violence has triggered widespread combat throughout Mali’s expansive northern desert regions, creating opportunities for armed groups that have demonstrated growing boldness in targeting neighboring nations and potentially expanding their reach beyond the region, according to security analysts.
The insurgents affiliated with al-Qaeda, operating under the name Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have urged Malians to rebel against their government and embrace Sharia law implementation.
The group has also threatened to surround Bamako, with security sources reporting Friday that militants had established roadblocks around the four-million-person city.
In a Tuesday television broadcast, military leader Assimi Goita declared the situation remained manageable and promised to “neutralise” the insurgent organizations responsible for the attacks.
A high-ranking Iranian official disclosed Saturday that Tehran has presented a plan to President Donald Trump that would restore shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz and halt the American blockade of Iran, while postponing nuclear program discussions until a future date.
The conflict has now entered its fourth week since bombing operations by the United States and Israel against Iran were paused, yet no agreement has emerged to conclude a war that has created unprecedented disruptions to worldwide energy markets.
For over two months, Iran has prevented virtually all Gulf shipping except its own vessels from passing through the waterway. The United States responded last month by implementing its own embargo on ships departing Iranian ports.
On Friday, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Iran’s most recent offer, though he declined to provide specific details about which aspects he found objectionable.
“They’re asking for things that I can’t agree to,” Trump stated to White House reporters.
The administration has consistently maintained that any war resolution must include provisions preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities, which Trump identified as his main objective when initiating military strikes in February during ongoing nuclear negotiations. Tehran maintains its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes.
The Iranian official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of diplomatic discussions, explained that Tehran views its newest proposal to postpone nuclear discussions as a major concession designed to make an agreement more achievable.
The plan would conclude hostilities with assurances that Israel and the United States would refrain from future attacks. Iran would reopen the strategic waterway, while America would end its shipping embargo.
Subsequent negotiations would address restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, with Iran insisting that Washington acknowledge its right to uranium enrichment for peaceful applications, even if it agrees to temporarily halt such activities.
“Under this framework, negotiations over the more complicated nuclear issue have been moved to the final stage to create a more conducive atmosphere,” the official explained.
While news organizations have previously reported Tehran’s intention to reopen the strait before resolving nuclear matters, the official confirmed that this revised timeline has now been formally presented to the United States through intermediaries.
The families of two pilots who died in a December aircraft accident that also killed former NASCAR star Greg Biffle and his family have initiated legal action this week, filing multimillion-dollar wrongful death claims.
The tragic December 18th incident near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina took seven lives, including 55-year-old Biffle, his wife Cristina, their two children, family friend Craig Wadsworth, and pilots Dennis Dutton and his son Jack.
Estates representing the Dutton family have each filed claims seeking $15 million in compensation, as reported by ESPN on Friday.
The legal filings contend that Biffle, who owned the aircraft, bore responsibility for maintaining the plane in proper working condition. The claims assert that insufficient maintenance played a role in the fatal accident that happened moments after departure.
A preliminary investigation report released this winter by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that Dennis Dutton was piloting the Cessna 500 Citation II with Jack Dutton serving as copilot.
The NTSB findings indicated that several aircraft instruments malfunctioned during flight, and Dennis Dutton temporarily handed control to his son before the aircraft crashed and caught fire.
Federal investigators determined that both Biffle and Jack Dutton lacked the required certification endorsements on their pilot licenses to legally act as second-in-command for this particular aircraft, which requires two qualified pilots under FAA regulations.
The NTSB continues its investigation into the accident and has yet to issue a final determination.
Biffle enjoyed a distinguished NASCAR career, securing 19 victories at the Cup Series level and earning titles in both the Truck Series in 2000 and the Busch Series in 2002. Beyond racing, he gained recognition for his charitable contributions, including disaster relief work in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization announced Saturday that it is coordinating with American officials to gather more information about the United States’ plan to reduce its military presence in Germany.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart addressed the situation in a statement posted on social media platform X, explaining the alliance’s position on the troop adjustment.
“We are working with the U.S. to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany. This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security — where we’re already seeing progress since Allies agreed to invest 5% of GDP at the NATO Summit in The Hague last year,” Hart stated.
The spokesperson expressed confidence in the alliance’s future capabilities despite the planned changes to American troop levels.
“We remain confident in our ability to provide for our deterrence and defence as this shift towards a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO continues,” she added in her statement.
BERLIN — Rescue workers successfully freed a humpback whale into North Sea waters on Saturday after the marine mammal had been trapped in shallow coastal areas near Germany for several weeks, according to witnesses.
German media gave the whale the nickname ‘Timmy’ after it was first observed swimming close to Germany’s Baltic Sea shoreline on March 3, hundreds of miles away from where it should naturally be found in Atlantic waters.
The creature’s condition worsened as it kept getting stuck in shallow areas near Wismar, a German coastal community, while worldwide audiences watched live broadcasts of failed attempts to guide it toward deeper ocean waters.
Despite concerns from some researchers that the rescue effort might prove too stressful for the animal, the environment minister for Germany’s Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region authorized the privately-organized rescue mission to proceed.
According to German news agency dpa, Jens Schwarck from the private rescue group reported that the whale was set free at approximately 9 a.m. local time. The release took place roughly 70 kilometers (45 miles) off the Danish coast near Skagen.
Video captured by drones showed a whale swimming and breathing near the rescue vessel, though officials could not immediately verify the footage showed Timmy.
The situation created controversy over whether the whale should be allowed to die naturally or receive human assistance to return to Atlantic waters. Protesters gathered on Wismar’s beach demanding the animal’s rescue, while others proposed alternative transportation methods.
Several scientists theorized the whale had deliberately sought shallow waters because it was weakened and required rest. However, veterinarians working with the private rescue team determined the animal was healthy enough for the transport operation.
Reports indicate a GPS tracking device was placed on the whale before its release to monitor its movements, according to dpa.
NAIROBI – Severe weather conditions in Kenya have claimed the lives of at least 10 people as torrential rains caused devastating floods and deadly landslides throughout multiple regions, according to police reports. Officials are now expressing concern that rising water levels may pose serious threats to communities located below a significant hydropower dam network.
Eastern Kenya experienced the highest number of casualties, with seven fatalities recorded in that region. Law enforcement officials confirmed that bridge infrastructure sustained damage in both Kwale county along the coastline and Kitui county to the east. Meanwhile, dangerous landslides struck portions of Elgeyo Marakwet county within the Rift Valley area.
While these precipitation levels align with Kenya’s typical rainy season from March through May, government officials emphasize that the extraordinary intensity of the downpours combined with waterlogged soil conditions has significantly heightened the danger of both flooding and landslides occurring.
Major transportation routes faced significant disruption when a landslide completely blocked the Iten-Kabarnet roadway near Kolol, according to the Kenya National Highways Authority. Officials stated that restoration work is currently in progress and alternative routes have been established for vehicle traffic.
The Kenya Red Cross reported receiving unverified accounts of individuals who remain missing and families trapped in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, a heavily populated section of Nairobi. The organization confirmed it is actively delivering emergency aid to affected residents.
In a separate development, the interior ministry issued a high-alert status for the lower Tana River basin region. Officials cautioned that substantial rainfall in upstream areas has dramatically increased water flow into storage facilities within the Seven Forks dam network, creating elevated flood dangers for downstream communities. The ministry specifically noted that the Tana River Delta, which serves as home to over 100,000 residents, represents one of the areas that could face significant impact.
Military forces from the United States and Philippines conducted a demonstration of advanced anti-ship missile technology during their yearly joint training exercises on Saturday, positioning the weapons system in a strategically important location near Taiwan.
The demonstration took place in Batanes province, the Philippines’ northernmost region home to approximately 20,000 people. This area sits roughly 100 miles south of Taiwan along the Luzon Strait, a crucial waterway that has become a focal point in the ongoing strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing for influence across the Asia-Pacific.
The military exercise featured the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, which was transported to the area aboard a US C-130 cargo plane and set up in Basco, the provincial capital.
“Training out here in Batanes allows us a different environment than what we’re normally allowed to operate in,” said U.S. Staff Sergeant Darren Gibbs. “So it gives us unique opportunities to actually utilize the system and train within our capabilities, and it offers experiences we don’t normally get offered in our day-to-day training.”
According to Gibbs, the NMESIS system operates with significant autonomy. “The purpose of this system is for it to be fully autonomous, for us not to require a driver or passenger inside the vehicle itself,” he explained. “We will tell it where to go and then we program what it needs to do.”
The mobile coastal defense system can engage surface ships from land positions at distances reaching approximately 115 miles, making it a formidable defensive tool for island nations.
Francisco Lorenzo, who serves as the Philippine exercise director, explained to reporters that bringing American weapons like the NMESIS to Batanes serves to evaluate how well such systems can operate in isolated areas. This marks the second consecutive year the missile system has been deployed to Batanes for the exercises.
“It is part of training so as to test the feasibility or rehearse their deployment there when need arises,” Lorenzo stated. He noted that one key goal of the Balikatan exercises – the Filipino term meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” – involves practicing “defence of our territory with our allies.”
Lorenzo clarified that the missile system would not fire live rounds during the exercises and was brought solely for deployment practice and simulation purposes. The equipment will be removed from Batanes when the training concludes. The US previously brought its Typhon missile system to the Philippines in 2024 for similar joint exercises.
The exercises also included maritime attack training in Itbayat, a Batanes municipality located about 155 kilometers from Taiwan at the country’s northernmost point.
This year’s war games involve more than 17,000 military personnel, with roughly 10,000 coming from US forces, even as America maintains significant military commitments in the Middle East.
Beijing consistently condemns the presence of American military equipment in the Philippines, arguing such deployments increase regional instability.
Chester Cabalza, who leads the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation think tank, told reporters that “the NMESIS can spark a powder keg for Beijing and asymmetric deterrence for Manila and Taipei in the Bashi Channel along the Luzon Strait.”
Cabalza noted that the system’s ability to be airlifted and positioned along any Philippine coastline within hours makes it particularly concerning to Beijing, which likely views its Batanes placement as part of a “U.S.-led encirclement” strategy.
Recent months have seen China expand its military activities in both the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, boosting its naval presence around Taiwan and moving an aircraft carrier through the strait. Satellite imagery analyzed by Reuters also shows China erected a barrier this month at the entrance to Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has acknowledged that any military conflict over Taiwan would force his country to evacuate Filipino workers and residents from the island, potentially pulling the Philippines “kicking and screaming into the conflict.”
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed in an April 28 interview that Manila has developed contingency plans for evacuating Filipinos from Taiwan should fighting break out, though he declined to provide specifics about those preparations.
The Philadelphia Phillies maintained their perfect record under interim manager Don Mattingly, securing a narrow 6-5 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night in a road matchup.
Zack Wheeler delivered six solid innings for Philadelphia, marking just his second appearance since being sidelined for more than eight months due to a blood clot in his shoulder. Wheeler (1-0) surrendered only one run on three hits while walking two batters and recording eight strikeouts.
Bryson Stott powered the Phillies’ offense with a three-run home run, while Edmundo Sosa and Alec Bohm each contributed two hits and drove in one run apiece. The victory improved Philadelphia to a flawless 4-0 record since Mattingly took over as interim manager.
Miami’s starting pitcher Eury Perez (2-3) was tagged for two runs on four hits across five innings of work. Otto Lopez led the Marlins’ offensive effort with three hits and two RBIs.
Brewers 6, Nationals 1
Jacob Misiorowski carried a no-hitter deep into the sixth inning before exiting with a cramp, while William Contreras collected four hits as Milwaukee dominated Washington on the road.
Misiorowski departed after developing a right hamstring cramp while facing James Wood with one out in the sixth frame. Aaron Ashby entered and preserved the no-hit attempt until the seventh, when Daylen Lile broke it up with a one-out bloop double.
Misiorowski (2-2) struck out eight batters in his commanding performance, helping Milwaukee complete a combined two-hitter. Washington’s Jake Irvin (1-4) surrendered four runs, three of them earned, over five innings.
Blue Jays 7, Twins 3
Kazuma Okamoto launched two home runs and recorded three RBIs as Toronto pulled away from Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Yohendrick Pinango went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Blue Jays, while Lenyn Sosa matched that hit total with a double included. Patrick Corbin (1-0) permitted two runs on six hits across 5 1/3 innings.
Minnesota starter Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5) surrendered six runs, four earned, on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Byron Buxton finished 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for the Twins.
Mets 4, Angels 3
Ronny Mauricio delivered a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning as New York completed its largest comeback of the season to defeat Los Angeles in Anaheim.
The Mets overcame a 3-0 deficit to win just their fourth game in the last 21 contests. Five New York pitchers, including reliever Huascar Brazoban (2-0) and closer Devin Williams (third save), combined to retire the final 21 batters they faced.
Jorge Soler connected on a two-run homer for the Angels, who dropped their 11th game in 12 tries. Jose Fermin (0-1) allowed one run in his only inning of work.
Rangers 5, Tigers 4
Alejandro Osuna drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning double as visiting Texas opened a three-game series with a victory over Detroit.
Danny Jansen belted a solo home run and Josh Jung recorded two hits with two RBIs for the Rangers, who took the lead on consecutive doubles by Jake Burger and Osuna in the eighth against Burch Smith (0-1). Tyler Alexander (1-0), one of five Texas relievers, threw a scoreless seventh inning. Jacob Latz earned his third save with a clean ninth.
Riley Greene collected two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who have dropped three of their last four games. Wenceel Perez added a two-run single. Detroit starter Jack Flaherty gave up four runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Cubs 6, Diamondbacks 5
Michael Busch recorded two hits, including a two-run single, as Chicago utilized two three-run frames to fend off visiting Arizona.
Busch sparked a three-run first inning with a bases-loaded single, and the Cubs tacked on three more runs in the fourth against Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third victory in four games and ninth consecutive home win.
Arizona second baseman Ildemaro Vargas achieved a career-high four hits, boosting his batting average to a major-league-leading .404 and extending his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games.
Red Sox 3, Astros 1
Jarren Duran connected on a three-run homer and Jake Bennett excelled in his major league debut to lead Boston past visiting Houston.
Bennett (1-0) gave up one run on five hits across five innings, while the Red Sox bullpen contributed four scoreless frames from four relievers. Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his sixth save.
Carlos Correa tallied three hits, including a home run, while Isaac Paredes and Yainer Diaz each collected two hits for the Astros. Houston starter Mike Burrows (1-4) allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings.
Rays 3, Giants 0
Shane McClanahan posted his second consecutive scoreless outing, while Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero homered as Tampa Bay began a six-game homestand with a victory over struggling San Francisco.
McClanahan (3-2) scattered five hits over six innings. Diaz launched a solo home run in the second inning and Caminero added a towering solo shot in the fourth. Taylor Walls went 2-for-3 with a double, run and stolen base.
Giants starter Robbie Ray (2-4) limited Tampa Bay to just four hits in 6 1/3 innings, but three runs crossed the plate. Luis Arraez doubled for the team’s only extra-base hit as San Francisco suffered its fourth straight loss and was blanked for a major-league-high seventh time.
Yankees 7, Orioles 2
Ben Rice launched a three-run homer in the second inning as host New York defeated Baltimore.
Jose Caballero also went deep and Cody Bellinger contributed an RBI double as the Yankees captured their 11th victory in 13 games. Will Warren (4-0) permitted two runs, one earned, on three hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Former Mets star Pete Alonso hit a tying homer in his first at-bat in New York since joining the Orioles during the offseason. Cade Povich (1-1) was charged with five runs on seven hits in four innings.
Pirates 9, Reds 1
Bryan Reynolds extended his success against Cincinnati pitching with a tape-measure homer and an RBI triple, supporting seven strong innings from Mitch Keller as host Pittsburgh routed Cincinnati.
Henry Davis broke out with two home runs and three runs scored, Marcell Ozuna contributed a two-run shot and Nick Gonzales went 3-for-4 for the Pirates, who ended a five-game losing streak. Keller (3-1) permitted only three hits and one run in seven innings.
The Reds managed just three hits, with TJ Friedl collecting two of them. Brady Singer (2-2) was battered for four runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
White Sox 8, Padres 2
Munetaka Murakami crushed his big-league-leading 13th homer and rookie starter Noah Schultz held San Diego to two hits in six shutout innings as visiting Chicago dominated the Padres.
Murakami capped a six-run second-inning explosion against German Marquez, driving a hanging knuckle-curve an estimated 413 feet. That three-run blast essentially decided the contest as Schultz (2-1) overcame early control problems.
Marquez (3-2) saw his three-game winning streak end after allowing seven runs on five hits and five walks over five innings. Fernando Tatis Jr. managed three hits in the Padres’ third straight defeat.
Cardinals 7, Dodgers 2
Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson homered, Jordan Walker collected four hits and host St. Louis stretched its winning streak to five games by beating Los Angeles.
Matthew Liberatore (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. George Soriano, Gordon Graceffo and Matt Svanson kept Los Angeles scoreless the remainder of the game.
Emmet Sheehan (2-1) surrendered four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings as the Dodgers dropped their third consecutive contest.
Royals 7, Mariners 6
Pinch hitter Lane Thomas delivered a run-scoring single with one out in the eighth inning to break a tie as Kansas City defeated host Seattle, overcoming two two-run homers by Julio Rodriguez.
Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone connected for the Royals, who won just their fourth road game in 16 tries this season. Connor Joe and Randy Arozarena also homered for Seattle, which had captured six of its previous seven games.
Royals reliever Daniel Lynch IV (1-0) gave up two runs in his only inning. Lucas Erceg worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save.
Braves 8, Rockies 6
Michael Harris II blasted a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth inning as Atlanta rallied from six runs down to defeat Colorado in Denver.
Matt Olson also homered, while Austin Riley, Mauricio Dubon and Ronald Acuna each recorded two hits. Didier Fuentes (1-0) earned the victory in relief for the Braves, who won their fourth game in the last five.
Mickey Moniak homered among his two hits and Troy Johnston also collected two hits for the Rockies, who have dropped three of their last four games.
Guardians 8, A’s 5
Rhys Hoskins homered, doubled and drove in three runs while Chase DeLauter went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, leading Cleveland past the Athletics in West Sacramento.
Steven Kwan had two hits and a walk while making a spectacular catch that prevented three runs for the Guardians. Cade Smith retired the final four batters for his eighth save.
Brent Rooker went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs for the Athletics. Nick Kurtz finished 0-for-4 but drew a walk in the seventh to reach base for the 26th consecutive game. He has walked in 20 straight games, tied for the majors’ second-longest streak ever.
China’s extensive rail network shattered its previous single-day passenger record on May 1st, carrying 24.8 million travelers according to figures released by the China State Railway Group.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported Saturday that railway officials anticipated transporting an additional 19.7 million passengers on May 2nd as holiday travel continued.
To accommodate the massive influx of holiday travelers, several major rail corridors expanded their service by deploying additional trains, Xinhua reported.
Railway operators on the Zhengzhou route deployed 140 extra passenger trains to meet demand, while the Chengdu corridor added 184 additional trains, according to the news agency.
The surge in railway travel highlights the strength of China’s domestic tourism sector, which continues to provide economic stimulus to a national economy grappling with sluggish consumer spending and ongoing challenges in the real estate market.
DELMARVA — Grain growers across the Delmarva Peninsula are watching basis levels closely as planting operations continue across the region. Excellent field conditions through late April allowed farmers to take advantage of ideal planting weather, and last week’s rainfall came at the right time to support continued operations.
Market watchers are monitoring whether rising input costs might push more acreage into soybeans. The full picture won’t emerge until USDA releases its June 30 Planted Acreage report.
Current projections show corn plantings at 95.338 million acres nationally, down from last year’s 98.788 million. Soybean acreage is forecast to climb from 81.215 million to 84.7 million acres.
November soybean futures settled yesterday at $11.68, gaining roughly $0.25 since late March. December corn closed yesterday at $4.96, climbing from $4.72 in early April.
At Laurel Grain Company, July corn is bringing $5.25 a bushel, while July soybeans are at $11.44.
Cattle futures ended the week lower yesterday. August live cattle fell $0.85 to $247.82 per hundredweight. August feeder cattle dropped $1.35 to $372.17. Analysts say the weakness stems from rising corn prices increasing feed costs.
Temperatures today are expected to reach 61° with a slight chance of rain showers. Tomorrow looks sunny with highs near 62°.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, May 2, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius responded Saturday to the Pentagon’s announcement of a planned 5,000-troop withdrawal from his country by emphasizing that European nations need to shoulder more responsibility for their own defense.
Speaking about Germany’s progress in this area, Pistorius stated, “Germany is on the right track,” highlighting his nation’s efforts to expand the Bundeswehr military forces, accelerate equipment purchases, and build necessary infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of Defense revealed Friday its intention to pull 5,000 military personnel from the NATO partner nation. According to Pistorius, approximately 40,000 American service members are currently based in Germany.
Following sustained pressure from Washington regarding defense expenditures, Germany and other European NATO nations have committed to assuming greater responsibility for their regional security.
However, financial constraints and significant gaps in military capabilities mean it will require several years for the region to adequately address its security requirements independently.
“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the United States,” Pistorius remarked.
Despite this, he noted it was “foreseeable that the U.S. would withdraw troops from Europe, including Germany.”
KYIV, Ukraine — Two people died and seven others sustained injuries when a Russian drone struck a public bus in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson during the early morning hours of Saturday, according to local authorities.
Regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported via Telegram that the majority of victims were municipal utility employees. Prokudin shared photographs from the scene displaying the damaged vehicle with shattered windows and bloodstains visible on the bus floor.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets characterized the incident as evidence of deliberate targeting of non-combatants. “Such attacks are part of a systemic policy of terror against the civilian population,” Lubinets stated on the Telegram messaging platform.
The city of Kherson holds strategic significance as the sole regional capital that Russian military forces managed to capture during their comprehensive 2022 invasion. While Ukrainian forces successfully retook the city later that same year, it has faced increasing bombardment from Russian positions situated across the Dnipro River.
Both Ukrainian authorities and international human rights organizations have documented what they describe as intentional and coordinated small-drone strikes targeting civilian populations in frontline areas, with Kherson experiencing particularly frequent attacks.
The southern Odesa region also faced overnight strikes, continuing a pattern of near-daily Russian attacks that has persisted for several months, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper. He reported damage to a port warehouse and surrounding structures via Telegram.
Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 142 of the 163 long-range drones that Russia deployed during the overnight assault, military officials announced.
Iranian officials carried out death sentences Saturday against two men convicted of conducting espionage operations for Israel, according to reports from Iranian media outlets.
Judicial authorities confirmed that Yaghoub Karimpour and Nasser Bakarzadeh were executed by hanging following their convictions for working with Israeli intelligence services, specifically the Mossad agency.
According to the reports, Karimpour was found guilty of transmitting classified information to an Israeli intelligence operative. Bakarzadeh faced charges for gathering intelligence on government officials, religious leaders, and strategic locations, with particular focus on activities around the Natanz nuclear facility area in central Isfahan province.
The executions took place on May 2nd as part of Iran’s ongoing crackdown on suspected foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
Iranian human rights champion Narges Mohammadi, recipient of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, has been rushed to a hospital following a severe heart emergency, according to a foundation established by her family.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee’s secretary voiced alarm Thursday regarding the deteriorating health of the imprisoned activist, who reportedly suffered a heart attack while incarcerated.
Mohammadi, now in her fifties, received the prestigious award while behind bars for her efforts promoting women’s rights and working to eliminate capital punishment in Iran.
According to a Friday statement from the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, the activist “was urgently transferred to a hospital in Zanjan today following a catastrophic deterioration of her health, including two episodes of complete loss of consciousness and a severe cardiac crisis.”
The foundation explained that “This transfer was done as an unavoidable necessity after prison doctors determined her condition could not be managed on-site, despite standing medical recommendations that she be treated by her specialized team in Tehran.”
Reuters was unable to independently verify the foundation’s statement, which characterized her hospital transfer as a “desperate, last-minute” action that may be insufficient to address her critical medical situation.
According to the foundation, Mohammadi received an additional 7-1/2 year prison sentence in February, with the Nobel committee demanding Tehran release her without delay.
Her December arrest followed her public criticism of attorney Khosrow Alikordi’s death. Prosecutor Hasan Hematifar stated at the time that she delivered inflammatory comments during Alikordi’s memorial service in Mashhad and urged attendees “to chant norm-breaking slogans” and “disturb the peace.”
Friday morning brought a medical crisis when Mohammadi collapsed after experiencing days of severely elevated blood pressure and intense nausea, the foundation reported. Following repeated vomiting episodes, she lost consciousness and required emergency transport to the prison’s medical facility for urgent intravenous treatment.
Having previously undergone three angioplasty procedures, the activist now faces what her family describes as a “direct and immediate” danger to her survival. “We call for all charges to be dropped immediately and for all sentences imposed for her peaceful human rights work to be unconditionally annulled,” they stated.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a warning Friday that maritime companies may face penalties for compensating Iran to secure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
This latest advisory intensifies the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran regarding authority over the strategically vital waterway.
During peaceful periods, roughly 20% of global oil and natural gas commerce flows through this narrow passage at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
Following the commencement of hostilities between the U.S. and Israel on February 28, Iran essentially shut down the strait to regular maritime traffic by launching attacks and issuing threats against vessels. Subsequently, Iranian authorities began permitting certain ships to navigate through alternative pathways nearer to Iranian coastal waters, sometimes imposing charges for this service.
This fee collection system has become the target of Washington’s sanctions alert.
According to OFAC, the payment requirements may encompass not just monetary transfers but also “digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments,” including charitable contributions and payments made at Iranian diplomatic missions.
“OFAC is issuing this alert to warn U.S. and non-U.S. persons about the sanctions risks of making these payments to, or soliciting guarantees from, the Iranian regime for safe passage. These risks exist regardless of payment method,” the agency stated.
Washington responded to Iran’s blockade by implementing its own naval embargo on April 13, blocking Iranian oil tankers from departing and cutting off crucial petroleum revenues that Iran requires to support its struggling economy.
U.S. Central Command reported that 45 commercial vessels have been ordered to reverse course since the blockade’s implementation.
The sanctions warning emerged as President Donald Trump quickly dismissed Iran’s most recent proposal to resolve the conflict between the nations.
“They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump stated Friday from the White House. He declined to specify what aspects he found inadequate but voiced displeasure with Iranian leadership.
“It’s a very disjointed leadership,” Trump remarked. “They all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up.”
Iran’s official IRNA news service reported that Iranian officials delivered their proposal to Pakistani mediators Thursday evening.
The fragile three-week truce between Washington and Tehran continues to hold, despite mutual allegations of violations from both sides. The crisis is placing mounting strain on the worldwide economy, pushing up costs and creating shortages of fuel and other petroleum-related goods.
Diplomatic discussions have continued via telephone after Trump canceled his representatives’ planned visit to Pakistan last week, the president confirmed. Trump recently proposed a new initiative to reopen the essential shipping channel that America’s Gulf allies depend on for oil and gas exports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has updated numerous regional counterparts about his country’s efforts to end the conflict, according to his social media posts. He also conducted discussions Friday with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who maintains communication with the EU’s Gulf partners.
Fu Cong, China’s United Nations ambassador, said Friday that preserving the ceasefire represents “the most urgent issue” while bringing the parties together for sincere negotiations “to make sure that the ground is laid for reopening of Hormuz.”
Foreign Minister Wang Yi “has been on the phone almost constantly” with officials from all parties, Fu noted, emphasizing that China backs Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the conflicting sides.
Fu emphasized that the fundamental cause of the enormous hardship in Iran and surrounding nations, along with increasing global economic instability, particularly affecting developing countries, “is the illegitimate war by the U.S. and Israel.”
Kansas City secured a thrilling 7-6 victory over Seattle Friday night when substitute batter Lane Thomas drove in the decisive run with a single during the eighth inning, capping off a home run-heavy battle between the two clubs.
The Royals overcame two powerful two-run blasts from Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez to claim their fourth road win in 16 attempts this season and snap a brief two-game losing streak by taking the series opener.
Home runs flew throughout the contest, with Kansas City getting long balls from Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone, while Seattle answered with solo shots from Connor Joe and Randy Arozarena in addition to Rodriguez’s pair of two-run homers.
Kansas City reliever Daniel Lynch IV earned the win despite surrendering two runs in his single inning of work, while closer Lucas Erceg secured his eighth save by retiring Seattle in order during the ninth.
The game-winning rally began when Salvador Perez opened the eighth with a double down the left field line, his second two-bagger of the evening. After advancing to third base on Carter Jensen’s ground out, Perez crossed home plate when Thomas lofted a single into right-center field off Seattle reliever Jose A. Ferrer, who took the loss.
Kansas City jumped ahead early as Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr. and Pasquantino each collected singles to start the game, with Pasquantino’s hit plating the first run. Perez then drove a two-run double to right field for a 3-0 lead, and Isaac Collins added another run with a two-out double that deflected off third baseman Leo Rivas’ glove.
Seattle responded immediately in the bottom of the first when J.P. Crawford walked to lead off and Rodriguez launched a two-run homer deep into the left field upper deck to cut the deficit in half.
The Mariners crept closer in the fifth inning when Joe connected on a leadoff home run to left field, making it 4-3.
Kansas City extended their advantage in the sixth as Pasquantino led off with a liner that struck the right field upper deck facade. Two batters later, Caglianone barely cleared the right field corner fence with a towering drive to push the Royals ahead 6-3.
Arozarena answered with a one-out solo homer to right field in the bottom of the sixth to bring Seattle within two runs.
The Mariners completed their comeback in the seventh when Crawford singled and Rodriguez blasted a two-out homer to straightaway center field, evening the score at 6-6.
Both starting pitchers had difficulty containing the opposing offenses throughout the evening.
Kansas City southpaw Cole Ragans lasted 5 1/3 innings, surrendering four runs on four hits while allowing three home runs. He issued three walks and recorded eight strikeouts.
Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo encountered early trouble by giving up four runs in the opening frame, then found his rhythm by retiring 13 straight batters before yielding the two solo homers in the sixth. Woo completed six innings, allowing six runs on seven hits without issuing a walk while striking out two.
Tampa Bay forward Gage Goncalves found the back of the net during overtime Friday night, delivering a crucial 1-0 road victory against Montreal and setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 showdown in their Stanley Cup playoff matchup.
The series finale will take place Sunday at Tampa Bay’s home arena, with both clubs vying to advance to face Buffalo in the second round.
Friday’s dramatic contest reached its conclusion when Goncalves capitalized on a chaotic net-front sequence, burying a rebound 9:03 into the extra period for his first overtime playoff goal.
The game-winner came moments after Tampa Bay successfully defended a Montreal man-advantage opportunity.
“I liked how we stayed even-keeled the whole game,” Goncalves told Sportsnet. “Some calls there. Some calls (were) not (made). A bunch of chances for them and for us throughout the night, but we stayed even-keeled and didn’t let it get to us.”
Tampa Bay netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy bounced back from earlier series struggles with a stellar 30-save shutout performance, recording his eighth career playoff clean sheet.
“I’ve watched him the past few years and you think you’ve seen the best of it and then he does something like this,” Goncalves said of his netminder. “We’re pretty happy for him to be on our team.”
Montreal’s Jakub Dobes matched his counterpart’s excellence, turning aside 32 shots in an outstanding goaltending battle.
The entire series has featured razor-thin margins, with each contest settled by a single goal. Both teams have captured two overtime victories apiece.
Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis expressed optimism about the decisive seventh game ahead.
“Tons of confidence. We’re a confident group,” St. Louis said about going to Game 7. “We believe in what we do and how we do it. … That was probably the best game I’ve seen this young group play.”
“You’ve just got to embrace the situation. Things are meant to be. I think it was meant to be for our growth to play a Game 7. It’s going to help for what’s next for us.”
Despite the low-scoring affair, both teams created numerous high-quality scoring opportunities throughout the evening.
Tampa Bay nearly broke through early in the middle frame when Corey Perry’s shot squeezed between Dobes’ pads, only to have Phillip Danault sweep the puck away from the goal line.
Later in the second period, Vasilevskiy denied Ivan Demidov twice with spectacular saves during a Montreal power play, leaving the forward staring at the ceiling in disbelief. Danault also came close on a partial breakaway as time expired in the period.
Alexandre Texier, who provided the Game 5 winner, struck the goalpost early in the final frame, while Jake Guentzel was denied on a breakaway chance at the opposite end.
During Tampa Bay’s subsequent power play, both Nikita Kucherov and Guentzel hit the iron with their attempts.
Dobes continued his outstanding play during another Lightning man-advantage later in the third period, highlighted by a crucial save on Brayden Point.
Buffalo secured their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals Friday night with a decisive 4-1 victory against Boston in Game 6, marking the Sabres’ first playoff series victory in nearly two decades.
The Sabres took control early, with Alex Tuch and Mattias Samuelsson finding the net during the first period to establish a commanding 2-0 advantage. Buffalo maintained their lead throughout the contest, adding third-period goals from Zach Benson and Josh Norris to seal the victory.
This marks Buffalo’s first advancement to the conference semifinals since 2007, ending a lengthy postseason drought. The Sabres dominated their road games in the series, capturing all three contests played at Boston’s home venue.
Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin contributed significantly to the offensive effort, each recording two assists in the victory. Goaltender Alex Lyon was solid between the pipes, turning away 25 shots to help secure the series-clinching win.
For Boston, David Pastrnak managed the team’s only goal, while Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves in the losing effort.
In other playoff action, Vegas eliminated Utah 5-1 in Game 6, with Mitch Marner leading the way with two goals and an assist. The Golden Knights will face Anaheim in the Western Conference semifinals.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay kept their season alive with a 1-0 overtime victory over Montreal, forcing a decisive Game 7. Gage Goncalves netted the game-winner at 9:03 of overtime, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 30 saves for his eighth career playoff shutout.
The governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state announced Friday evening that he will temporarily leave his position, according to a New York Times report published Saturday.
Ruben Rocha’s decision comes after the U.S. Justice Department filed charges Wednesday against him and several other Mexican officials, accusing them of collaborating with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. The federal charges represent a major expansion of American efforts to combat drug trafficking organizations and are expected to strain diplomatic relations between Washington and Mexico City.
The Sinaloa Cartel is one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations, known for smuggling massive quantities of narcotics into the United States.
In the capital city of Ashgabat, 38-year-old entrepreneur Azat Seyitmuhammedov operates his e-commerce business Wabrum from a well-lit, modern workspace – a scene that would seem ordinary in most parts of the world but represents something revolutionary in Turkmenistan, long considered among the planet’s most closed-off nations.
“This may sound normal in Europe or the United States, but for Turkmenistan this is new,” the father of six explained. “E-commerce here is still in its very early stages, and we consider ourselves pioneers.”
Seyitmuhammedov’s venture, launched nearly ten years ago, represents part of an emerging trend of sophisticated private enterprises taking root in this desert nation of Central Asia, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan. His delivery teams distribute primarily Turkish-manufactured clothing and footwear from their warehouse facility to customers throughout the former Soviet territory.
Reuters journalists were recently granted unusual permission to travel independently throughout Turkmenistan and report without restrictions on a nation where digital innovations like online retail are gaining acceptance, even as President Serdar Berdymukhamedov and his administration maintain strict political oversight.
Following its break from Soviet rule in 1991, the country’s first leader Saparmurat Niyazov – known as “Turkmenbashi” meaning leader of the Turkmen people – proclaimed the nation “permanently neutral” and implemented severely restrictive entry policies that remain largely effective more than twenty years following Niyazov’s passing.
Government representatives justify their nation’s isolation by pointing to regional security challenges, emphasizing the importance of defending against extremist threats and narcotics trafficking from nearby Afghanistan.
During Niyazov’s reign, an extensive personality cult developed around the leader, while Ashgabat underwent massive reconstruction as a marble monument funded by the country’s enormous natural gas deposits – ranked fourth globally in reserves. Succeeding administrations have maintained this basic framework with minimal alterations.
However, since President Serdar Berdymukhamedov assumed power from his father Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in 2022, observers have noted indicators of gradual warming in policies.
The nation, which official data indicates has approximately 7.7 million residents, has expressed intentions to streamline visa procedures, pursue World Trade Organization membership, and expand economic opportunities beyond state-controlled sectors.
The current president has expanded international relationships, undertaking foreign visits more frequently than his predecessors.
Several international diplomatic representatives in Ashgabat informed Reuters they perceive gradual transformation, though progress remains slow, influenced by generational shifts within the governing class.
A Western diplomatic source stationed in Turkmenistan noted that segments of the leadership show interest in implementing reforms, with individual liberties experiencing modest improvements in recent years.
Nevertheless, Turkmenistan continues presenting obstacles for international business investment, operating dual official and unofficial currency exchange systems while maintaining unclear political processes.
Turkish companies comprise the majority of foreign businesses operating locally. Cultural connections and substantial Turkmen communities in Turkey have resulted in widespread Turkish language use among younger generations.
Beyond political spheres, Turkmen society is experiencing transformation, particularly in digital spaces, despite relatively limited internet penetration rates.
Internet access remains slow and heavily restricted, which authorities claim is essential to prevent radical ideological content that has influenced other Central Asian countries through online platforms.
Despite restrictions, social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok, officially blocked but reachable through virtual private networks, have grown increasingly popular recently.
Within Ashgabat’s upscale retail centers, young people film dance performances on mobile devices for TikTok while friends in mandatory red traditional-style uniforms worn by female university students provide encouragement.
Social media entrepreneur Enejan Velmuradova began using Instagram in 2020 to market her travel business, organizing international vacations for affluent Turkmen clients to European and Southeast Asian destinations.
Speaking from her expansive downtown office, adorned with social media awards and international souvenirs, Velmuradova expressed satisfaction with her country’s gradual opening.
“As a resident of Turkmenistan, I am also very happy that stereotypes are finally being broken, (the idea) that Turkmenistan is closed,” she stated.
At a local athletic facility in Ashgabat, instructor Muhammet Bayramgulyyev conducts breakdancing lessons for teenagers during his free time.
Bayramgulyyev explained to Reuters that this street dance form, which originated in New York, existed primarily as an underground movement in Turkmenistan during his younger years.
“It was around the year 2000. Back then, we didn’t have breakdancers. We only watched it on cassette tapes, on television — we saw how it was done and wanted to do it ourselves.”
Currently, he reports that his classes in a newly constructed studio have waiting lists and breakdancing has achieved mainstream acceptance.
“We want our guys, our Turkmen athletes, to compete — for example, at Asian championships, world championships. And in the future, God willing, at the Olympics too,” he said.
The budget airline Spirit Airlines has permanently shut down all operations following prolonged financial difficulties that ultimately proved insurmountable.
The ultra-low-cost carrier, which had been battling economic challenges for an extended period, made the announcement to halt all flights and services. Company officials had been pursuing emergency federal assistance totaling $500 million from White House administrators, but those discussions ultimately broke down without securing the needed funding.
The airline had previously filed for bankruptcy protection on two separate occasions since 2024 as it worked to restructure its mounting debts and operational costs.
Spirit’s closure marks the end of one of the nation’s most recognizable discount airlines, which built its business model around offering bare-bones flights at rock-bottom prices to cost-conscious travelers.
The Los Angeles Lakers put an end to Houston’s playoff run on Friday night, defeating the Rockets 98-78 in Game 6 to capture their Western Conference first-round series with a 4-2 victory.
LeBron James dominated the opening half, netting 18 of his game-high 28 points as Los Angeles built a commanding early advantage on the road. The veteran superstar also contributed seven rebounds and eight assists in the decisive win.
With the series victory secured, the Lakers will now advance to the Western Conference semifinals where they’ll face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 1 of that matchup is scheduled for Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
Rui Hachimura provided crucial support for Los Angeles, contributing 21 points while connecting on an impressive 5-of-7 attempts from beyond the three-point line. Austin Reaves, making his first start of the series, chipped in 15 points for the Lakers.
Los Angeles cleaned up a major weakness that had plagued them throughout the series, turning the ball over just 11 times while holding Houston to a poor 35% shooting performance. The Rockets struggled mightily from long range, making only 5 of 28 three-point attempts for a dismal 17.9% success rate.
Alperen Sengun led Houston’s effort with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but the Rockets played their fifth game of the series without top scorer Kevin Durant.
In other playoff action, RJ Barrett delivered a clutch three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Toronto over Cleveland 112-110, forcing a decisive Game 7. Barrett’s shot bounced high off the rim before dropping through the net. Scottie Barnes recorded 25 points and 14 assists for the Raptors, while Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter each added 24 points.
Cleveland got 26 points and 14 rebounds from Evan Mobley, with Donovan Mitchell contributing 24 points. James Harden nearly recorded a triple-double with 16 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. The deciding game will take place Sunday in Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Detroit staged a remarkable comeback from a 24-point deficit to shock Orlando 93-79 and force Game 7 of their Eastern Conference series. Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons with 32 points as Detroit outscored the Magic 55-19 in the second half.
The top-seeded Pistons opened the final quarter with an 18-1 surge to take control after trailing by 22 points at halftime. Orlando endured a brutal cold streak, missing 23 straight field goal attempts over a 15-minute span in the second half. Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero each scored 17 points for the Magic, who managed just 12 points in the first 19 minutes of the second half.
The U.S. Air Force has completed work on converting a donated Boeing 747 from Qatar into a temporary presidential aircraft, with plans to have the modified jet operational for President Trump by this summer.
Military officials say the extensive modifications and testing phase for the former Qatari aircraft has been finished, preparing it to serve as an interim Air Force One while other presidential aircraft undergo maintenance or upgrades.
The converted 747 represents a unique addition to the presidential fleet, having been gifted by Qatar specifically for this temporary role in transporting the nation’s chief executive.
The Pentagon announced Friday that approximately 5,000 American military personnel will be removed from Germany within the next six to twelve months, according to defense officials.
The troop reduction represents the implementation of President Donald Trump’s previous warnings as tensions continue between the U.S. and German leadership over America’s ongoing military conflict with Iran.
Defense Department officials confirmed the withdrawal plans during Friday’s announcement, marking a significant shift in the American military presence that has been stationed in Germany for decades.
Ukrainian forces are deploying unmanned aircraft to target petroleum infrastructure deep within Russian territory, creating massive smoke clouds visible from orbit and causing contaminated rainfall in Black Sea resort areas.
These operations seek to reduce Moscow’s petroleum exports, which serve as a critical revenue stream for its ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. However, the financial consequences remain uncertain, as increased oil prices stemming from Middle East conflicts and relaxed U.S. sanctions have helped refill Russia’s treasury.
Nevertheless, the extensive reach of these operations and their environmental consequences are making the conflict a reality for Russian civilians living far from combat zones.
Ukrainian aircraft have targeted the petroleum refinery and shipping terminal in the Black Sea community of Tuapse four times within just over two weeks, igniting blazes that forced local residents to evacuate and created enormous smoke plumes. This location sits approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) from active fighting areas.
Following the third assault on April 18, local Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev shared a video where an emergency responder reported that heated petroleum products had spilled into streets, causing vehicle damage.
Ukrainian officials announced Thursday they struck a petroleum pumping facility in Russia’s Perm region, located more than 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) from Ukraine, on consecutive days. Russian news outlets confirmed the attacks, though Perm Gov. Dmitry Makhonin only acknowledged that drones had targeted industrial sites.
The Ust-Luga terminal on the Baltic Sea, among Russia’s most significant oil and gas shipping facilities, suffered three attacks within one week during late March. This location sits more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Ukraine.
Several weeks following these incidents, regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko announced in a broadcast that the St. Petersburg area, Russia’s second-largest metropolitan region, had become a “front-line region” due to airborne threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has likened these operations to international economic sanctions against Russia. They appear increasingly important as Moscow collects substantial profits from the global energy emergency connected to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Zelenskyy stated Friday that Russia has suffered losses of at least $7 billion since January directly from attacks on its petroleum industry. Earlier this week, he reported that Ukrainian intelligence shows reduced exports from major oil ports including Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
Unmanned aircraft strikes have also interrupted Russia’s oil processing capabilities, while sanctions complicate acquiring replacement equipment, according to experts.
However, the complete economic consequences remain uncertain as Russia gains from the Middle Eastern crisis.
Russian petroleum and oil product exports increased by 320,000 barrels daily month-over-month to reach 7.1 million in March, according to the International Energy Agency. Higher prices meant oil export income nearly doubled, rising from $9.7 billion to $19 billion. Whether April’s attacks will change this pattern remains unclear.
“U.S. action against Iran has saved both the Russian oil sector and the federal budget from a crisis that was clearly developing in late February,” said Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory Ltd. Consultancy.
The harm to Russia’s petroleum infrastructure has been much less severe than the enormous explosions might indicate, he explained.
“If you hit an oil tank, particularly an oil tank that’s not full, the vapors ignite and you get the flames. So it looks very spectacular.” However, this only postpones shipments by several days, he noted.
“It’s much less damaging than hitting the pump stations or the compressors or the loading infrastructure. And that appears to be well protected. The tanks are not.”
The capacity to attack critical infrastructure deep within Russia has demonstrated Ukraine’s expanding military abilities and stressed Moscow’s stretched air defense systems. It has also compelled more Russians to face the results of a conflict their leadership claims to be winning.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reports its forces have more than doubled their long-range strike capabilities since Russia’s comprehensive invasion in February 2022. The extended range also enables drones to approach targets from various angles, making defensive measures more difficult.
“Drone attacks have so far been a very successful case of leveraging simple technologies and domestically assembled technology to attack Russia in places that, at the start of the war, they just would have never expected to be attacked,” said Marcel Plichta, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews.
“This capability just didn’t exist” four years ago, he explained.
Russian authorities typically avoid discussing long-range strikes.
However, the Tuapse attacks and resulting footage gained attention in Russian media. Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned of “serious environmental consequences” while maintaining that situations remained manageable.
Authorities warned that dangerous levels of benzene, a cancer-causing substance present in petroleum products, had been detected in the atmosphere during fires and advised residents to minimize outdoor exposure.
Citizens also widely documented “black rain,” oily drops falling on their skin and clothing. Local media published photographs of stray dogs and cats with gray-stained fur. Petroleum spills along the shoreline have covered birds and fish, and Russian media recently shared images of beached dolphins.
These photographs are disturbing to Russians familiar with Black Sea coastal vacations.
Vladimir Slivyak, co-chairman of the Russian environmental organization Ecodefense, warned of potential long-term effects on human health and the regional ecosystem.
“There is a lot of oil in the sea,” he explained. “In the next few years, every storm will be bringing more oil pollution onto the coast.”
No public opposition to the strikes has emerged yet, as authorities maintain their suppression of dissent. However, this could shift as the damage expands.
“I think a lot of people understand that there is a very big difference between what Putin says and what regional authorities are saying, and what’s really going on,” Slivyak said.
DUBROVNIK, Croatia — Though summer remains months away, the historic streets of Dubrovnik are already bustling with international visitors. However, this early tourism boost comes with concerns about what lies ahead for the season.
Rising fuel costs and Middle East conflicts have created uncertainty for the travel industry, particularly affecting Dubrovnik, which welcomes millions of visitors each year to Croatia’s premier Adriatic coast destination.
The economic implications are significant for Croatia, as tourism represents a vital revenue source that relies heavily on international guests.
Despite increased visitor numbers in Dubrovnik, local authorities caution that nothing is certain. Escalating fuel costs and tensions in the Persian Gulf region may increase flight prices and reduce tourist arrivals during peak season.
Miro Draskovic, who heads the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, observed that while American visitors continue arriving in strong numbers, Australian tourists — traditionally ranking among the city’s top 10 visitor groups — are now “facing difficulties traveling toward Europe.”
“The situation for sure is very, very difficult, and we are following what’s happening every day,” he told The Associated Press.
Current indicators appear positive. During Easter, Dubrovnik’s airport saw visitor numbers climb 13% compared to the previous year. The city’s vibrant atmosphere and tourist boats circulating the harbor demonstrate its enduring popularity.
This UNESCO World Heritage site attracts visitors with its medieval architecture, coastal setting, and historic churches and palaces enclosed within ancient stone fortifications. The city gained additional fame after being featured as a filming location for the popular television series “Game of Thrones.”
Dubrovnik faces particular vulnerability to fuel price increases due to its position at Croatia’s southern Adriatic coastline. Approximately 80% of the city’s tourists arrive by aircraft.
Marina Ruso Mileusnic, representing the local airport that connects to roughly 70 international airports, stated “we are very cautious about the upcoming season.”
Forecasts for coming months have been mixed.
In early April, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned in an AP interview that Europe has only weeks of jet fuel reserves remaining and could experience its worst energy crisis in history.
However, this week European Union Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated there is “no actual evidence” of shortages across the 27-member bloc, encouraging people to make vacation plans without worry.
Singapore business owner Ramon Padiernos shares this optimism. Middle East tensions forced him to switch from his preferred Emirates and Qatar Airways to Turkish Airlines, but he still reached Dubrovnik successfully.
“We feel the impact maybe of oil prices but I think everybody just goes on with their lives and enjoy their holidays,” he said. “I think it is best for the world to see the lighter side of it, rather than focusing on the issues that we cannot control.”
Beyond tourism effects, the energy situation has pushed Croatia’s inflation rate to 5.8% in April, among the European Union’s highest levels.
Last year, Croatia welcomed nearly 22 million tourist arrivals. Of approximately 110 million overnight stays in 2025, Dubrovnik accounted for 4.28 million, according to national tourism statistics.
Draskovic expressed optimism that conditions will normalize soon. Meanwhile, he said, “we can only work on day to day basis to get the best possible season we can.”
WASHINGTON – After more than two months of military action against Iran, President Donald Trump confronts the possibility that an extended stalemate could create an even larger crisis than what existed before hostilities began.
Despite both nations expressing confidence in their positions, the gap between them remains vast, offering no clear path toward resolution. Iran recently submitted a new negotiation proposal, which Trump swiftly rejected on Friday.
The continuing deadlock presents serious political challenges for Trump and the Republican Party.
A prolonged conflict threatens to maintain global economic disruption, including elevated gasoline costs for Americans, adding pressure on Trump as his approval numbers decline and potentially damaging Republican chances in November’s congressional midterm elections.
OBJECTIVES REMAIN UNACHIEVED
The ongoing situation underscores a fundamental issue: the military campaign has not accomplished many of Trump’s declared objectives.
Although successive American and Israeli military strikes significantly damaged Iran’s armed forces, Trump’s frequently changing war aims – ranging from government overthrow to eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons capability – have not been realized.
Concerns about an extended stalemate intensified after Trump canceled his negotiators’ planned visit to Islamabad last weekend and rejected Iran’s ceasefire offer, which has been in effect since April 8.
Iran’s proposal involved postponing nuclear program discussions until the conflict officially ends and an agreement is reached regarding the Strait of Hormuz reopening. Trump rejected this approach, insisting nuclear issues must be addressed immediately.
Hope briefly emerged Friday when Iran’s state news agency IRNA announced Tehran had submitted a revised proposal through Pakistani intermediaries, causing global oil prices to drop after sharp increases following Iran’s effective closure of the strait. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the offer to reporters, though he acknowledged ongoing telephone communications.
Failing to regain control of the crucial oil shipping corridor would significantly damage Trump’s presidential legacy.
“He’d be remembered as the U.S. president who made the world less safe,” said Laura Blumenfeld, a Middle East expert at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales stated that Iran’s “desperation” is growing due to military and economic pressure, and Trump “holds all the cards and has all the time he needs to make the best deal.”
POTENTIAL FOR RENEWED FIGHTING
With unclear next steps and no apparent conclusion, Trump has privately discussed implementing an extended naval blockade against Iran, potentially lasting months, designed to further restrict oil exports and compel a nuclear disarmament agreement, according to a White House official speaking anonymously.
Simultaneously, he has kept military options available. U.S. Central Command has developed plans for a “short and powerful” strike series and for securing portions of the strait to restore shipping access, Axios reported Thursday.
European diplomats indicated their governments, whose relationships with Trump have been strained by the conflict, anticipate the current Iranian situation will continue.
“It’s hard to see how this will end soon,” said one diplomat, requesting anonymity.
Iran maintains its defiant stance.
The country has wielded significant influence against America and its allies, creating an unprecedented energy crisis by restricting shipping through the strait, which previously carried one-fifth of global oil supplies.
Experts believe Iran will gain confidence knowing this capability will remain available even after the conflict ends.
“Iran has realized that, even in a weakened state, it can shut off the Strait at will,” said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “That knowledge leaves Iran stronger than it was before the war.”
NUCLEAR MATERIALS PERSIST
Trump – who campaigned on avoiding foreign military entanglements – has also failed to accomplish his primary stated objective when attacking Iran on February 28: eliminating its nuclear weapons potential.
Intelligence suggests highly enriched uranium stockpiles remain buried following American and Israeli airstrikes last June and could be retrieved and processed into weapons-grade material. Iran maintains it wants American recognition of its uranium enrichment rights for claimed peaceful purposes.
Wales, the White House spokeswoman, claimed Trump had “met or surpassed” all military goals, including action “to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Another declared war objective – stopping Iranian support for proxy organizations including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis and Palestinian Hamas – also remains unaccomplished.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied in congressional testimony that the conflict had become a “quagmire,” despite Trump’s initial prediction of a four-to-six week duration.
Future peace negotiations appear unlikely to produce rapid results given the substantial disagreements.
While Trump has insisted on accepting only comprehensive solutions to Iran’s threat, he has occasionally indicated interest in finding an exit strategy from the unpopular conflict.
At Trump aides’ request, intelligence agencies are examining how Iran might respond if he declared victory unilaterally and withdrew forces, according to U.S. officials speaking to Reuters.
Independent analysts suggest Tehran would view such action as its own strategic victory for surviving the military campaign.
Meanwhile, European and Gulf Arab diplomats worry Trump might eventually accept an inadequate agreement allowing a weakened Iran to remain threatening.
FROZEN CONFLICT POSSIBILITY
With negotiations stalled, some experts suggest the conflict could become a frozen dispute resisting permanent resolution. This scenario could prevent Trump from significantly reducing Middle Eastern military presence.
America is already experiencing new strategic consequences.
These include damaged relationships with traditional European allies, who were not consulted before Trump initiated hostilities.
He has severely criticized NATO partners for not deploying naval forces to help reopen the strait, and recently discussed potentially reducing troop levels in Germany, Spain and Italy.
Trump must also manage a more hardline Iranian leadership, controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which assumed power after American-Israeli strikes eliminated several officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The president’s early conflict appeal for Iranians to overthrow their government has been ignored.
Domestically, Trump faces pressure to end a war that has driven his approval rating to his term’s lowest point – 34%, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling – and pushed gasoline prices above $4 per gallon before midterm elections where Republicans risk losing congressional control.
A second White House spokeswoman, Taylor Rogers, said Trump remained committed to maintaining his party’s congressional majority and that elevated gasoline prices represented only “short-term disruptions” that would improve as the conflict diminishes.
However, Iranians are aware of Trump’s domestic challenges and may be willing to wait, though questions remain about how long they can prevent economic collapse.
“Iran isn’t fractured or folding, it’s playing for time,” Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy think tank in Washington, wrote on X.
Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner attributes the rush of adrenaline from high-pressure competitions to his ability to overcome exhaustion as he secured his first-ever appearance in the Madrid Open championship match.
The 24-year-old athlete has maintained an intense competitive calendar during the previous two months, advancing to late stages across multiple tournaments as the professional circuit transitioned from hard court surfaces to clay court play, capturing championships at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.
“I’ve played a lot in the last one and a half months, going very deep in tournaments,” Sinner explained to media following his 6-2 6-4 victory against Arthur Fils during Friday’s Madrid semi-final competition.
“It’s a good sign, of course, and at the same time you tend to get a little bit more tired.
“I think and I believe, when I play big matches, semi-finals, quarter-finals, finals, there’s also a little bit of adrenaline that pushes me.”
A championship win against Alexander Zverev in Madrid this Sunday would secure Sinner’s fifth consecutive Masters 1000 tournament victory dating back to Paris last year and would highlight his impressive performance during the clay court season, with Roland Garros scheduled to begin May 24.
Given that current French Open titleholder Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn due to a wrist injury, the world’s top-ranked player Sinner enters as the primary favorite in Paris, where he could achieve the career Grand Slam after previously winning the Australian Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon championships.
Currently, though, Sinner’s attention stays centered on Madrid and the upcoming Italian Open in Rome next week.
“I’m of course very happy to play my first final here. It means a lot to me … whatever (happens) on Sunday, it has been a great tournament,” Sinner stated.
“In between here and Rome I’ll try to recover again as much and then we’ll see.”
Professional soccer players and league officials have struck a tentative labor deal that promises stability for the United Soccer League through the end of the decade.
The United Soccer League and USL Players Association announced they’ve reached a collective bargaining agreement covering the next four years, with the possibility of extending through 2031 based on health insurance negotiations.
Both sides described the agreement as “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards” in their joint announcement.
Under the new contract terms, players in the USL Championship division will see their base pay jump to $42,000 annually, marking an $11,000 boost from current levels. Rookie contracts in that division will start at $34,000, representing an $8,000 increase.
The league also plans to launch USL Premier in 2028, a new top-tier division designed to rival Major League Soccer. Players in that division will earn a minimum of $67,500, while entry-level contracts will begin at $50,000.
The agreement still requires ratification but represents a major milestone for professional soccer’s lower divisions.
Federal food safety officials have eliminated specific regulatory standards that previously governed the production of canned tripe with milk products.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service announced it is scrapping the identity standards for these canned goods, determining that the regulations are no longer needed. While food processing companies can still manufacture these products, the federal oversight agency concluded the existing standards for the final canned items serve no essential purpose.
According to the agency, dropping these regulations will give food manufacturers more operational freedom. Officials believe current labeling rules provide adequate protection to ensure products aren’t misleadingly marketed to consumers.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Soaring fuel costs connected to the Iran conflict are speeding up an energy transformation already happening throughout Africa, where telecommunications companies are converting cell phone towers from diesel generators to solar power systems.
Fuel expenses for the approximately 500,000 telecommunications towers across Africa have climbed sharply in recent weeks, with some nations experiencing supply shortages as global energy markets tighten due to the Middle East war. Multiple African nations dependent on fuel imports have seen dramatic price increases and delivery problems, forcing both governments and private companies to reconsider their energy approaches.
The movement toward renewable energy for cellular infrastructure began before the current price surge, motivated by financial pressures and environmental commitments. However, the Middle Eastern conflict has intensified this transformation.
“Diesel has always been a major cost, but recent global events have made it even more volatile,” said Lande Abudu, senior energy specialist for Africa at GSMA, a global industry organization representing mobile operators. “That strengthens the case for solar and hybrid solutions.”
Throughout Africa, cellular network companies are increasingly implementing combined systems that integrate solar panels, energy storage batteries, and limited diesel backup power. Many companies plan to achieve completely solar-operated facilities eventually, especially in remote and off-grid locations where expanding electrical infrastructure proves expensive.
Traditional cellular towers across Africa have depended on diesel generators, typically large industrial machines requiring manual refueling by operators. Solar-powered alternatives use sunlight through photovoltaic panels to create electricity and battery systems to maintain continuous power supply.
In developed markets like the United States and India, most telecommunications towers connect to electrical grids, using diesel generators primarily for emergency backup during power failures. Throughout Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, companies have historically depended heavily on diesel but are now pursuing similar renewable energy conversions.
In recent months, American-owned Atlas Tower Kenya announced a $52.5 million investment to build 300 new solar-powered telecommunications towers serving major carriers including Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom Kenya. Currently, 82% of the company’s 500 towers operate on solar power.
“It’s a significant shift, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Abudu.
The financial advantages are becoming increasingly clear. Energy expenses represent up to 60% of operational costs for telecommunications towers in areas without grid access. Diesel fuel, previously the standard choice, has grown more costly and difficult to manage, with complications including transportation logistics, theft, and equipment maintenance.
Vodacom Africa reported energy expenses increased 5% to $300 million in 2025 compared to the previous year, attributing the rise to higher electricity rates and fuel costs. The corporation operates in Egypt, South Africa, Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania and Lesotho, and controls subsidiaries in Kenya and Ethiopia through Safaricom. Safaricom secured $153.6 million in green bonds last year to support its tower solar conversion project.
In nations like Nigeria, financial pressures have changed dramatically. Eliminating fuel subsidies in 2023 caused diesel prices to jump as much as 200% within twelve months, and operators now spend $400 million yearly maintaining tower operations. Recent global price increases related to the Iran situation have created additional strain.
Companies are responding by accelerating renewable energy installations. Organizations like iSAT Africa are deploying solar-powered towers supported by innovative financing arrangements, while major operators including Orange, Vodacom, MTN Group and Airtel Africa are expanding solar and hybrid systems throughout their networks.
“By replacing diesel-powered telecom towers with fully solar-powered infrastructure, we expect to reduce the carbon emissions associated with mobile network operations,” said iSAT Africa CEO Rakesh Kukreja in March, announcing new funding for clean energy tower projects.
Initial outcomes demonstrate substantial cost reductions. MTN operations in South Sudan have decreased fuel expenses by approximately 30% following solar power adoption, while Airtel Africa, partnering with ENGIE Energy Access, has reduced diesel consumption by more than half at locations in Zambia and Congo.
Vodacom Africa stated in its 2025 sustainability report that connecting towers to national electrical systems and implementing additional solar and battery technology were central elements of its plan to eliminate diesel generators.
The advantages extend beyond finances. Solar-powered towers face fewer risks from fuel shortages and generator breakdowns, enhancing reliability in underserved regions. In parts of northern Nigeria and Congo, cellular service interruptions caused by fuel shortages before the war have disrupted services from mobile banking to emergency communications.
Converting diesel generators to solar energy could help bridge Africa’s connectivity divide, where approximately 65% of people who could access mobile internet remain disconnected, according to GSMA data.
“Renewable energy systems enable faster and more cost-effective expansion into underserved areas,” Abudu said.
In rural Kenya, residents in some off-grid communities report that solar-powered towers have enhanced service reliability, providing more consistent access to mobile banking, education and health information.
“Before this telecommunication mast was installed, we struggled to process mobile money payment or even call for help during medical emergencies,” said Martin Imwatok, a teacher in northern Kenya. “When these towers go off, business and life stop.”
Africa’s dependence on diesel is more significant due to weaker electrical grid infrastructure, making the conversion both more difficult and potentially more transformative. Nevertheless, regulators indicate the transition could provide broader advantages. In Nigeria, the telecommunications regulator has encouraged operators to integrate towers into solar minigrids that can also power nearby communities.
“These telecom towers can act as anchor clients for solar minigrids, supplying electricity not only to the towers but also to nearby homes, businesses and public services,” said Aminu Maida, head of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
With fuel prices remaining unpredictable amid global tensions, industry analysts say the argument for cleaner energy will only strengthen.
“This is no longer just about climate,” Abudu said. “It’s about resilience, cost and keeping Africa connected.”
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Construction labor unions, traditionally representing working-class Americans, have formed powerful partnerships with some of the world’s wealthiest technology corporations as the nation builds its artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Union workers are handling construction on numerous large-scale data center developments while rushing to train new apprentices to meet surging demand.
These labor organizations have become advocates for technology companies and supportive government leaders, promoting the message that America faces a crucial national security competition with China over artificial intelligence dominance.
Labor groups serve as prominent supporters helping overcome strong community resistance and hostile congressional and state legislation, often joining forces with traditional Republican business interests and putting Democrats in difficult positions between unions and progressive activists seeking stricter regulations.
Union representatives have aggressively responded to data center criticisms in ways that technology executives and development companies typically avoid, boldly addressing concerns about power and water shortages, increasing utility costs, and noise or quality-of-life issues.
“When people say, you know, ‘data centers are the root of all evil,’ we’re just saying, ‘look, they do create a hell of a lot of construction jobs, which we live and work in your communities,’” said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.
Rather than “being just a blunt ‘no,’” Bair said, communities should figure out what they need and ask the tech companies for it — such as improvements to the project’s plans or millions of dollars for local schools. “If you don’t ask, you’re never gonna get,” he said.
As data center development speeds up, unions are expanding training facilities and experiencing membership growth at rates many union leaders have never witnessed.
Labor organizations across multiple states report dramatically increasing work hours, apprentice programs doubling in enrollment, and training centers undergoing expansions expecting additional projects ahead.
Data centers account for at least 40% of work hours completed by Columbus-Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council members, estimated top official Dorsey Hager. The figure reaches at least 50% for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 in metropolitan Washington, D.C., according to spokesperson Don Slaiman.
North America’s Building Trades Unions announced reaching record membership and apprentice numbers in 2025.
Organization president Sean McGarvey compared current conditions to building trades expansion during the 1950s. He credits today’s growth to data centers, power plants, and former President Joe Biden’s legislation subsidizing semiconductor and electric vehicle battery plant construction, energy efficiency projects, and power grid improvements.
Data centers’ massive energy requirements are triggering power plant construction growth and providing renewed opportunities for unions whose members also construct and maintain boilers, ductwork, pipelines, and other power infrastructure.
Boilermakers Local 154, whose members witnessed power plant closures in southwestern Pennsylvania, shifted from recruiting zero apprentices over four years to assembling a class exceeding 200 — with needs for more, according to union official Shawn Steffee.
Technology companies say they must train hundreds of thousands additional skilled trade workers. They’re investing tens of millions in training programs, including partnerships with unions they employ for multibillion-dollar construction projects.
“Across the country, highly skilled union construction workers are laying the foundation for the AI economy,” Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, said in a joint statement in March with McGarvey’s organization.
Google reported most labor building its data centers is unionized, highlighting a $10 million grant to a union-supported electricians training program expected to expand the electrician workforce pipeline by 70%.
Mark McManus, general president of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, whose members handle pipelines, data centers, and power plants, acknowledged criticism that organized labor is partnering with the world’s wealthiest, most powerful corporations.
However, he dismissed such criticism as impractical.
“If we chose as a union to have a moratorium on building the data centers because we didn’t believe it was right for America, the data centers would still be getting built,” McManus said. “They’re not stopping because of organized labor.”
His union maintains strong technology company relationships, achieves record membership levels, and based on internal surveys, has members working on over 90% of United States data center projects.
“That’s a market share that we don’t have in a lot of other industries,” McManus said. “So it’s pretty near and dear to us.”
Determining exact union involvement in data center projects remains challenging. An Associated General Contractors of America survey from late last year indicated data center construction labor composition likely matches commercial construction makeup, approximately one-third union, according to an AGC spokesperson.
National unions have secured labor agreements for major developments, including an Oracle and OpenAI Stargate campus in Michigan and the “Project Blue” data center campus in Arizona, with additional agreements under development.
When Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Amazon executives announcing the technology giant’s $20 billion investment in two eastern Pennsylvania data center projects, Bair appeared alongside them.
“This is really unique, what we’re building here in this commonwealth. People coming together with common purpose to get stuff done,” Shapiro said.
In state legislatures, unions have opposed Maine’s since-vetoed statewide data center moratorium proposal; standards proposed in Illinois, including requiring data centers to provide their own power; and ending Virginia’s sales tax exemption that helped establish it as the world’s largest data center hub.
Pennsylvania state Sen. Katie Muth said collecting fellow Democratic support for her data center regulation legislation has proven difficult when competing against union-supported legislation she considers insufficient.
“The unions don’t want to promote anything that would impede data center development,” Muth said.
Union representatives have attended crowded council meetings in municipal buildings from St. Louis to Spring City, Pennsylvania.
Sometimes their presence creates tension.
Addressing Joliet, Illinois City Council, Alicia Morales complained that union members — seated in front rows holding “vote yes for union jobs” signs — had been disrespectful and “bullied a lot of people” entering the meeting.
Sometimes union representatives are the only supporters speaking favorably about projects in packed municipal meeting rooms.
“I just want to commend you guys, thanks for being the adults in the room,” Chuck Curry, president of Ironworkers Local 395, told Hobart, Indiana City Council members at a January meeting regarding an Amazon data center. “Knowing the tax structure, knowing business, that most of the people here don’t know.”
Federal judges nationwide have been sounding warnings about the Trump administration’s repeated failure to comply with their legal directives across hundreds of immigration cases, according to a comprehensive Associated Press investigation.
The AP’s examination of court documents reveals that Trump administration officials have compiled an unprecedented pattern of court order violations across numerous lawsuits that began during the opening weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
Beginning in February 2025, federal district judges have determined that the Republican administration violated court orders in no fewer than 31 separate lawsuits covering diverse policy areas such as federal funding reductions, widespread government layoffs, deportation procedures, and immigration enforcement policies.
These court order violations come on top of more than 250 documented cases of non-compliance that judges have recently identified in individual immigration proceedings, ranging from failure to return personal belongings to detaining immigrants beyond court-mandated release deadlines.
While Trump administration officials ultimately complied in approximately one-third of the 31 major cases, constitutional law experts warn that this pattern of disregarding judicial orders undermines the nation’s system of governmental checks and balances.
Georgetown University constitutional law professor David Super emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: “The federal government should be the institution most devoted to the rule of law in this country. When it ceases to feel itself bound, respect for the rule of law is likely to break down across the country.”
The administration has already encountered more than 700 legal challenges since taking office.
The Associated Press conducted its research by analyzing hundreds of pages of court filings from cases identified by nonpartisan government oversight organizations. Additional cases were discovered through media coverage verification and subsequent court record examination.
While previous administrations have also faced court order violation findings from district judges, legal academics and former federal judges indicate they can remember only a handful of such instances during complete four-year presidential terms under recent presidents, including Trump’s first administration and the presidencies of Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s actions, claiming that district court judges were issuing “unlawful” decisions against Trump officials.
“President Trump’s entire Administration is lawfully implementing the America First agenda he was elected to enact,” Jackson stated in her written response.
Justice Department lawyers have consistently challenged allegations of government non-compliance through court filings. Their defense strategies have included disputing terminology interpretations, referencing supportive appellate court decisions, and arguing that their actions fell beyond the jurisdiction of specific court orders, among other legal tactics.
Beyond courtroom proceedings, Trump and White House officials have publicly criticized federal judges, with Vice President JD Vance even suggesting that the president might disregard judicial orders entirely.
The entities claiming harm from the administration’s failure to follow court directives represent a broad spectrum, including immigrants, nonprofit organizations, and media professionals.
Specific instances of non-compliance identified by judges include the White House’s defiance of court rulings when it sent dozens of alleged gang members to a high-security El Salvador prison, withheld billions in foreign assistance funding, and failed to reinstate Voice of America programming. These three cases occurred during the administration’s initial months, though judges have continued identifying violations through April, including two additional cases that month.
In 15 of the 31 lawsuits examined by the AP, either appellate courts or the Supreme Court permitted the administration’s core policy, restricted the district court’s ability to address or penalize the non-compliance, or implemented both measures.
Will Chamberlain, senior legal counsel with the conservative advocacy organization The Article III Project, argues these higher court decisions demonstrate that lower court judges are exceeding their authority.
Trump officials are “generally complying, appealing and winning,” Chamberlain explained. “If they were defying orders left and right, they’d be losing them.”
However, critics contend that higher courts are overlooking non-compliance issues.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a June dissent, joined by the court’s two other liberal justices: “This is not the first time the Court closes its eyes to noncompliance, nor, I fear, will it be the last. Yet each time this Court rewards noncompliance with discretionary relief, it further erodes respect for courts and for the rule of law.”
Federal judges across the country are expressing frustration with what they describe as an unprecedented pattern of Trump administration officials disregarding court rulings during the president’s second term.
The issue came to a head last December when a federal judge struck down the administration’s policy of detaining immigrants indefinitely without bail hearings. Despite the ruling, a senior Justice Department official declared the decision non-binding, and officials continued refusing release opportunities for detainees nationwide.
By February, District Judge Sunshine Sykes had reached her breaking point. The Biden-appointed judge accused Trump officials of attempting “to erode any semblance of separation of powers,” stating they could “only do so in a world where the Constitution does not exist.”
This immigration case represents part of a much larger trend, according to an Associated Press analysis of court documents. During the administration’s first 15 months, federal district judges determined officials violated their orders in no fewer than 31 policy-related cases covering mass layoffs, deportations, budget reductions, and immigration procedures.
This violation rate equals roughly one out of every eight cases where courts have issued temporary blocks against administration actions. The White House’s aggressive policy implementation has triggered more than 700 lawsuits to date.
Beyond these 31 policy cases, judges have identified over 250 additional instances of non-compliance in individual immigration petitions, including failures to return personal property and keeping immigrants detained beyond court-mandated release dates.
Legal experts and former federal judges say they can remember only a handful of similar violations across entire four-year terms of previous administrations, including Trump’s first presidency. They note that past administrations typically expressed regret when confronted by judges, while the current Justice Department has adopted a confrontational stance.
“What the court system is experiencing in the last year and a half is just qualitatively completely different from anything that’s preceded it,” stated Ryan Goodman, a New York University law professor who monitors federal courts and tracks Trump administration litigation.
While Trump officials eventually complied in approximately one-third of the 31 cases, legal scholars warn their approach to court orders creates serious risks.
“The federal government should be the institution most devoted to the rule of law in this country,” explained David Super, a Georgetown University constitutional law expert. “When it ceases to feel itself bound, respect for the rule of law is likely to break down across the country.”
The AP investigation revealed that higher courts, including the Supreme Court, reversed district court decisions and supported the White House in nearly half of the 31 cases. Critics argue these reversals are encouraging the administration to disregard judicial orders.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said higher courts had reversed “unlawful district court rulings.” The administration will “continue to comply with lawful court rulings,” she stated in a written response.
“President Trump’s entire Administration is lawfully implementing the America First agenda he was elected to enact,” the statement declared.
Additional violations identified by judges include the administration deporting dozens of alleged gang members to a dangerous El Salvador prison, withholding billions in foreign assistance, and failing to reinstate Voice of America programming. These three incidents occurred during the administration’s initial months, but judges have continued finding violations, including two cases in April.
“The danger is that this gets normalized,” warned JoAnna Suriani, an attorney with the nonpartisan organization Protect Democracy, which monitors non-compliance cases and participates in administration litigation.
Last October, U.S. District Judge William Smith, appointed by George W. Bush, quickly determined Homeland Security officials were defying his directive. Smith had prevented them from making billions in state disaster relief funding dependent on cooperation with presidential immigration objectives.
DHS responded by maintaining the immigration requirement on certain grants while making it conditional on a higher court overturning Smith’s injunction. The judge labeled the action “ham-handed” and accused DHS of attempting to “bully the states.”
In litigation over refugee admission suspensions, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, a Biden appointee, accused the Justice Department last May of “hallucinating new text” in an appellate ruling and “rewriting” it to achieve the government’s desired result.
In four additional cases reviewed by the AP, judges criticized the administration’s response to their orders without making explicit non-compliance findings.
Among judges who confirmed violations, 22 were Democratic appointees and 7 were Republican appointees.
Former federal judges Jeremy Fogel and Liam O’Grady said judges are losing confidence in Justice Department integrity.
This is making them “more aggressive in accusing the government of bad faith,” explained O’Grady, who along with Fogel now works with the nonpartisan democracy organization Keep Our Republic.
Fogel noted judicial frustration is mounting.
“They make orders and the orders don’t get complied with and then they have to inquire why the orders are not being complied with, and that’s where it gets very mushy and very political,” he said.
In Eureka, California, school administrator Lisa Claussen worries about student mental health impacts if a judge doesn’t find the Education Department violated a court order regarding federal grants.
Grant funding enabled the school district in the economically disadvantaged Northern California coastal community to employ more than a dozen psychologists and social workers helping students with substance abuse and suicide prevention.
Trump administration Education officials informed California and other state schools last year they were terminating the grants, opposing diversity considerations in grant allocation.
U.S. District Judge Kymberly Evanson permanently blocked the action in December, but California and 15 additional states claim the administration is circumventing her injunction through new regulations, including an initial six-month funding limitation.
Education Department lawyers said they wanted to evaluate school progress on performance objectives before releasing additional funding. They added in court documents that the judge’s order didn’t prohibit the six-month restriction.
Evanson, a Biden nominee, hasn’t yet decided.
Without one-year funding guarantees, Eureka City Schools and other districts report they’ve already issued layoff notices to mental health staff or eliminated positions entirely.
“We have many kids who don’t trust adults for very good reason and to be able to just swipe this grant like they’re doing…” Claussen said during a phone conversation, her voice fading. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”
In court documents, Justice Department attorneys have typically disputed government non-compliance allegations. They’ve debated word meanings, referenced favorable appellate decisions, and claimed they were operating beyond court order scope, among other legal strategies.
Outside courtrooms, Trump and White House officials have criticized federal judges. Vice President JD Vance has even suggested the president might disregard court orders.
Will Chamberlain, senior attorney with the conservative legal advocacy organization The Article III Project, said many judges finding violations are ignoring laws that clearly prevent their rulings.
Trump officials are “generally complying, appealing and winning,” he stated. “If they were defying orders left and right, they’d be losing them.”
In March, a federal appeals court determined Sykes, the California judge, had likely overstepped her authority in mandating bond hearings nationwide and blocked her February ruling.
This outcome wasn’t uncommon.
In 15 of the 31 lawsuits the AP examined, an appellate court or Supreme Court either permitted the administration’s underlying policy, restricted the district court’s ability to address or penalize non-compliance, or both.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized her colleagues following one such decision.
“This is not the first time the Court closes its eyes to noncompliance, nor, I fear, will it be the last,” she wrote in a June dissent joined by the court’s two other liberal justices. “Yet each time this Court rewards noncompliance with discretionary relief, it further erodes respect for courts and for the rule of law.”
The budget airline Spirit Airlines moved dangerously close to ceasing operations as Friday’s deadline passed without securing a crucial government rescue package.
President Trump announced Friday that his administration had presented the financially struggling carrier with a “final proposal” for a taxpayer-backed takeover designed to prevent the company’s collapse, though the lack of an agreement has cast serious uncertainty over the airline’s survival.
An individual with knowledge of the situation indicated that plans were underway for operations to halt on Saturday. The source requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to share private details. Neither Spirit Airlines nor the Trump administration provided immediate statements.
The bailout concept emerged last week after the carrier entered bankruptcy proceedings for its second time in under two years, amid skyrocketing jet fuel costs due to the Iran conflict. Spirit attorney Marshall Huebner noted that approximately 17,000 positions could be affected if operations cease.
The low-cost airline has faced severe financial challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, burdened by increasing operational expenses and mounting debt obligations. When Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024, the company had accumulated losses exceeding $2.5 billion since early 2020.
The carrier returned to bankruptcy court in August 2025, reporting liabilities of $8.1 billion against assets valued at $8.6 billion, based on legal documents.
Federal regulators have given the green light for construction of a cutting-edge nuclear power facility in Wyoming, marking a significant milestone in what supporters are calling a nuclear energy revival across the United States.
The project, which has received backing from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, represents the first advanced nuclear reactor to gain federal approval in more than two decades. The facility is being developed with partial funding from the federal government.
Terra Power, the company spearheading the initiative, claims their technology has been thoroughly tested and validated. However, industry experts note that nuclear power development continues to face significant regulatory and technical challenges.
The Wyoming project is being hailed as a breakthrough in nuclear technology, featuring advanced safety systems and design elements that differ substantially from traditional nuclear power plants built in previous generations.
Construction activities have already begun at the Wyoming site, with officials expressing optimism about the project’s potential to demonstrate the viability of next-generation nuclear technology in the United States.
MIAMI – Four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen expressed renewed optimism about his Red Bull team’s performance following Friday’s qualifying session at the Miami Grand Prix, where he secured fifth position for Saturday’s sprint race.
The Dutch racing star, who has claimed victory twice at the Miami circuit, indicated his team has made substantial progress in narrowing the performance deficit to their competitors this season.
Verstappen has struggled with Formula One’s current regulatory framework and has even questioned his long-term commitment to the sport. Through three races and one sprint event this season, his highest finish has been sixth place.
“It feels a bit more normal, a bit more together,” Verstappen commented about his team’s upgraded vehicle before the first race weekend in over a month.
“There are still, of course, things we are working on, but it’s been a really positive step for us. The last few races, we were like over a second behind. I would say we have almost halved that gap now, so that’s very positive.”
During Friday’s qualifying session, Verstappen’s fastest lap was 0.592 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who secured pole position. Norris captured the championship title from Verstappen last season.
Verstappen’s French teammate Isack Hadjar will start ninth, finishing 1.553 seconds off the pole time.
MIAMI – Formula One champion Lando Norris secured the top starting position for Saturday’s Miami Grand Prix sprint race, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli claiming second place and preventing McLaren from sweeping the front row.
Norris recorded the fastest lap around Hard Rock Stadium with a time of one minute and 27.869 seconds, finishing 0.222 seconds ahead of Antonelli, who had claimed sprint pole position as a teenager last season.
McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri from Australia will start in third position, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc joining him on the second row for Saturday’s sprint event.
The full Miami Grand Prix, which serves as the season’s fourth round, takes place on Sunday.
“A perfect result for us. A nice way to reward the team,” Norris commented after qualifying, having won last year’s sprint race and placed second to Piastri in the main event.
“We have a lot of new upgrades on the car. It’s nice to feel some grip again and to reward the guys and the girls that have put a lot of work into this,” he continued.
“I’ve always loved Miami on and off the track. It’s the beginning of the weekend, so still a long way to go but nice to tick things off by doing this.”
McLaren has claimed victory in the previous two Miami Grand Prix races. The event is now in its fifth year, and Mercedes – despite winning the first three races of this season – has never triumphed in Miami.
Norris becomes the first driver this season to prevent Mercedes from claiming any type of pole position, demonstrating that the team’s significant car upgrades have improved performance and provided better track grip.
Sunday’s race marks the first U.S. event of the year and the first since new engine regulations were modified to enable more aggressive qualifying sessions and enhance safety measures.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull will start fifth in the 100-kilometer sprint race, which awards eight points to the winner.
Mercedes driver George Russell, currently second in the championship standings but trailing Antonelli by nine points, qualified sixth. He finished ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto at a circuit known for providing more overtaking opportunities than most tracks.
“Pretty surprising how big a jump McLaren and Ferrari made. That’s pretty damn impressive,” Russell observed, having won the season opener in Australia.
“From my side, I’ve been struggling. Miami is not a track I love, especially in those hotter conditions but it’s only Sprint Qualifying, so let’s see what tomorrow brings.”
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten starting positions.
Aston Martin’s challenging season persisted as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished at the back of the field, once again trailing behind the newcomer Cadillac team.
University of Minnesota’s starting quarterback Drake Lindsey found himself in legal trouble Friday after being taken into custody on charges involving fraudulent identification and underage alcohol possession.
The incident occurred in Arkansas, Lindsey’s home state, when Fayetteville law enforcement officers responded to a local establishment’s report of suspected fake identification use.
According to preliminary police documentation, the 20-year-old athlete confessed to possessing the fraudulent ID and acknowledged consuming alcohol prior to arriving at the establishment.
Lindsey remained in custody at the Washington County Detention Center for approximately seven hours before securing release on $470 bond, detention records show. Court appearances are scheduled for June 1 and June 29 in district court.
When contacted by ESPN, a University of Minnesota representative stated the institution is “aware of the situation and will address it internally.”
During his freshman campaign last season, Lindsey served as the Golden Gophers’ primary signal-caller and established a new program milestone with eight victories as a first-year quarterback. His statistical performance included 2,382 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, six interceptions, and a 63.2% completion percentage.
ORLANDO, Fla. — When Orlando’s Paolo Banchero was asked to describe his team’s second-half meltdown against Detroit on Friday night, the forward kept his explanation brief.
“They went on a pretty big run there,” Banchero explained. “And we didn’t score.”
That simple assessment captured the essence of what became one of the most remarkable playoff turnarounds in recent memory.
Detroit, staring down elimination while trailing by 24 points on the road, mounted an extraordinary rally to defeat Orlando 93-79 in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference opening round matchup. The victory prevented the Pistons from becoming another top seed eliminated by an eighth-seeded opponent.
“We weren’t going to lay down,” declared Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. “For anything.”
The numbers behind this dramatic reversal tell the complete story:
Through the game’s first 25 minutes, Orlando dominated 62-38. However, Detroit completely flipped the script over the final 23 minutes, outscoring the Magic 55-17.
The fourth quarter proved devastating for Orlando, as Detroit outpaced them 31-8 during those crucial 12 minutes.
Orlando’s shooting completely disappeared in the final period, connecting on just one of 20 attempts for a dismal 5% success rate. This marked the poorest shooting performance by any NBA team in any quarter since Washington managed the same percentage against Charlotte on November 25, 2015 — representing the worst such display across the league’s previous 20,238 games.
The Magic’s shooting woes reached historic proportions as they missed 23 consecutive field goal attempts, setting a new record for the longest such streak in any playoff contest during the play-by-play tracking era that began in 1996-97.
Key Orlando players struggled mightily during the drought. Both Banchero and Desmond Bane failed to connect on all six of their attempts, while Jalen Suggs went scoreless on four shots. Eight different Magic players contributed to the missed shot parade, with 13 of those 23 misses coming from beyond the three-point arc.
When Orlando’s shooting struggles began, they held a comfortable 70-54 advantage. By the time they finally made another basket, Detroit had surged ahead 89-75, completing a devastating 35-5 run that lasted 13 minutes and 50 seconds of game time.
Cunningham led Detroit’s second-half surge with seven field goals, while Duncan Robinson contributed four baskets during that span. Remarkably, Cunningham alone outscored the entire Magic roster 24-19 in the second half, while Orlando managed just four team baskets over those final two quarters.
“I mean, we just have amazing spirit and never quit,” said Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “This is a testament to what we’ve built.”
Detroit’s shooting wasn’t spectacular in the comeback, as they connected on 40% of their second-half attempts. However, their defensive intensity and rebounding dominance — they grabbed 35 rebounds compared to Orlando’s 17 in the second half — proved decisive.
Looking ahead to the series-deciding seventh game, Cunningham emphasized the significance of extending their season.
“It keeps us alive. It allows us to fight another day. And now it’s about us going and finishing the job. None of this stuff means anything if we don’t go win Game 7. But we’ll be back at home, we’ll have a lot of energy in there, and these last two games have given us a lot of life,” Cunningham said.
Federal emergency officials have started contacting disaster response workers who lost their positions in January to offer them new employment opportunities, according to court documents filed Friday evening. The reversal comes after unions, scientific organizations, and local governments challenged the Trump administration’s controversial staffing decisions in federal court.
U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian notified the U.S. District Court in San Francisco that FEMA has “initiated contact to offer new appointments” to temporary employees whose employment ended during the first three weeks of January.
This development follows months of confusion surrounding the fate of FEMA’s temporary disaster response workers, who comprise approximately half of the agency’s total workforce. The announcement also comes after news emerged earlier this week that FEMA had brought back 14 workers who spent eight months on paid administrative leave after they publicly criticized policies at FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.
These recent moves suggest that current Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is shifting away from the more aggressive personnel policies implemented by former DHS leader Kristi Noem before her dismissal. The changes also spark questions about whether officials are concerned about the agency’s readiness for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season and major events such as the FIFA World Cup.
FEMA officials declined to provide immediate comment Friday regarding the court filing or specify how many workers received return offers. However, on Thursday an agency representative stated that while FEMA doesn’t discuss specific personnel matters, the organization is “addressing outstanding personnel actions to ensure workforce stability and a strong, deployable surge force for upcoming national events and potential disasters.”
The affected workers belong to FEMA’s Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees, known as CORE, who typically serve two- to four-year terms that have historically been renewed regularly. This flexible system enables the agency to expand and contract its workforce based on operational needs. Approximately 10,000 CORE employees work for the agency, with current and former staff members telling the Associated Press that workers often remain in these temporary roles for decades or until retirement.
FEMA suddenly ceased renewing certain CORE contracts when they expired at the beginning of 2026, while extending others for just 90-day periods. The agency halted these non-renewals in late January, just before a major winter storm affected several states. At that point, 159 CORE workers had lost their positions, according to testimony from FEMA’s interim director, Karen S. Evans.
The American Federation of Government Employees led a legal challenge against the administration’s non-renewal decisions, claiming they were part of a broader strategy to reduce FEMA’s workforce by 50 percent and violated FEMA’s congressional responsibility to maintain national disaster readiness.
In her sworn statement, Evans rejected claims of any “blanket” CORE elimination plan and argued that the non-renewals “do not threaten FEMA’s ability to perform its statutory mandate.”
The impact of FEMA’s latest decision on the ongoing legal case remains uncertain. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs stated Friday evening they would respond “after proper factual investigation.” Legal representatives for the plaintiffs are set to question former DHS Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Guy next week as part of their investigation into the decision-making process behind the CORE dismissals.
One FEMA worker, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed knowing of at least two CORE employees who have already received callbacks.
FEMA leadership also announced this week that CORE workers whose contracts expire between January and May and previously received 90-day extensions “may be reappointed for up to one year,” along with those whose agreements end after May, according to internal correspondence reviewed by the Associated Press. “Eligible” FEMA reservists will receive two-year renewals, the communication indicated. Approximately 7,000 reservists in the agency’s emergency response workforce face contract expirations on May 2.
“Our readiness directly impacts our ability to help Americans in need,” the internal message stated, “and every employee plays a critical role in meeting these challenges.”
The U.S. State Department voiced concerns Friday following a Cambodian appeals court’s confirmation of a 27-year prison term for former opposition leader Kem Sokha on treason charges.
The Thursday court ruling represents another setback for Cambodia’s opposition movement, which has faced sustained pressure from the governing party over many years.
Kem Sokha, age 72, helped establish the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which no longer exists. He has remained under house arrest since receiving his guilty verdict in March 2023.
The charges against him centered on allegations that he worked with foreign entities to overthrow Hun Sen, who served as premier at the time.
American officials have previously characterized his conviction as rooted in “fabricated conspiracy theories.”
His legal battle stands as one of the highest-profile cases in an extensive campaign targeting critics of the CPP, Cambodia’s ruling party for multiple decades.
“The United States is troubled by the decision to uphold activist and opposition leader Kem Sokha’s conviction of treason,” the State Department declared in Friday’s statement.
“Claims of U.S. involvement are patently false and irresponsible,” the department added.
Human rights advocates and Western nations have criticized Cambodia’s widespread prosecutions affecting over 100 opposition members, with numerous individuals sentenced while absent from the country on treason and incitement allegations.
“Limiting the exercise of freedom of expression and association hinders Cambodia’s international standing,” the State Department noted.
Meanwhile, Washington has also drawn criticism from human rights specialists and advocacy groups regarding what they view as violations of due process and free speech rights during President Donald Trump’s actions against universities, immigration policies, and political rivals.
Critics have also characterized his international policy strategy as imperialistic and harmful.
The financially troubled budget airline Spirit Airlines is expected to completely halt operations beginning at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, according to two individuals with knowledge of internal company discussions who spoke to Reuters on Friday evening.
The sources, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information, indicated that Spirit’s board of directors concluded their Friday meeting without successfully negotiating a plan to save the struggling carrier from its current bankruptcy situation.
The discount airline has been operating under bankruptcy protection as it attempts to restructure its finances and operations amid mounting financial pressures in the aviation industry.
The National Basketball Association issued financial penalties Friday to two players who engaged in an on-court confrontation during Thursday evening’s playoff matchup.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson received a $50,000 penalty, while Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was hit with a $25,000 fine. According to NBA head of basketball operations James Jones, Robinson’s penalty amount was elevated due to “an inappropriate post on social media in reference to the incident postgame.”
The confrontation occurred during the second quarter of New York’s dominant 140-89 victory in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series in Atlanta. The incident began when Robinson and Daniels became entangled while competing for a rebound. According to the league’s official statement, “Both players escalated the altercation with Robinson continuing to aggressively pursue Daniels after the players had been separated.”
The situation intensified when additional players entered the fray, apparently attempting to separate the two primary participants. During the commotion, an official was knocked to the ground.
Both Robinson and Daniels received technical fouls and were removed from the contest.
With the series-clinching victory, the Knicks have advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face either the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers. Those two teams are scheduled to play their decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.
Australian government officials expressed alarm Saturday regarding a severe rodent outbreak affecting western regions of the country, pledging continued collaboration with agricultural sectors to minimize disruption to food production chains.
“Obviously we’re concerned about the mice situation including in Western Australia,” Energy Minister Chris Bowen stated during broadcast comments from Sydney.
Reports from regional media indicate that rodents have overwhelmed agricultural operations throughout Western Australia’s grain-producing areas, where such pest issues have historically plagued farming communities. The crisis led agricultural producers last month to issue warnings about potential harvest damage while requesting authorization for stronger rodenticide treatments.
Bowen emphasized that the center-left administration remains committed to intensive collaboration with agricultural stakeholders to minimize the outbreak’s effects on both domestic and international food distribution networks.
“A mice plague is a very difficult situation for farmers and for industry and for governments,” he stated.
As the globe’s fourth-ranking wheat export nation, Australia experienced its most devastating rodent crisis in 1993, when the pests decimated vast agricultural areas and invaded livestock operations including swine and poultry facilities, according to the nation’s scientific research organization.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware baseball team delivered a thrilling comeback performance Friday evening, erasing a five-run deficit to defeat Florida International University 9-8 in the opener of their Conference USA weekend series at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The Blue Hens found themselves in an early hole, trailing 5-0 after the top of the third inning before mounting their impressive rally to secure the victory.
The dramatic turnaround showcased Delaware’s resilience as they battled back against the visiting Panthers to claim the series opener in front of their home crowd in Newark.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report that southbound lanes of US Route 13 at the DE-299 intersection are currently blocked following a motor vehicle accident.
The crash has resulted in the complete closure of southbound traffic in the area as emergency crews respond to the scene. Motorists traveling south on Route 13 should expect delays and consider alternate routes while authorities work to clear the incident.
DelDOT has not yet provided an estimated time for when the roadway will reopen to normal traffic flow. Updates on the situation are being monitored through the department’s traffic incident reporting system.
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — Leon Botstein, who has served as president of Bard College for five decades, revealed his plans to step down at the end of June following months of investigation into his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The 79-year-old administrator shared his retirement decision in an email distributed to The Associated Press through the college. While Botstein avoided directly addressing the Epstein controversy in his message, he noted that he delayed making his departure public until an external investigation into his relationship with the disgraced financier was completed.
Following his departure from the presidency, Botstein plans to continue his association with the small liberal arts institution as both an educator and musician on the faculty.
While no allegations surfaced suggesting Botstein participated in Epstein’s criminal activities involving the exploitation of young women and girls, he joined numerous other high-profile individuals who maintained social connections with Epstein despite his criminal history.
Federal documents made public this year revealed extensive contact between the two men, including instances where Epstein traveled to the campus via helicopter. Correspondence showed Botstein extending an invitation for Epstein to attend the college’s 2013 commencement ceremony and proposing they attend an opera together.
Additional communications demonstrated that Botstein contacted Epstein following The Miami Herald’s 2018 reporting on new developments in Epstein’s legal troubles, writing “I want you to know that I hope you are holding up as well as can be expected.” In separate correspondence, Botstein characterized their connection as a “friendship.”
Financial records indicate Epstein provided $150,000 to Botstein in 2016, money the president stated he transferred to the college. Botstein had previously maintained that his interactions with Epstein were purely professional, focused on securing donations for the institution rather than personal friendship.
The college’s board of trustees commissioned the law firm WilmerHale to examine all correspondence between the two men. Their investigation concluded that while Botstein committed no crimes, he “made decisions in the course of that relationship that reflect on his leadership of Bard.”
“In his public statements and his statements to the Bard community, President Botstein minimized and was not fully accurate in describing his relationship with Epstein,” investigators determined.
The review revealed that Botstein disagreed with a senior faculty member who opposed the college’s engagement with Epstein. The president argued that someone “convicted of crimes involving sex with a minor—’an ordinary sex offender’, in his words—could be presumed to be rehabilitated in the same way that any other convicted person should, in his view, be given that presumption.”
“President Botstein forcefully argues that Bard’s need for funds was paramount. His view was, ‘I would take money from Satan if it permitted me to do God’s work,’” the investigation found.
In a statement from Bard’s Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, officials expressed appreciation for Botstein’s lengthy tenure while acknowledging that the “concerns raised in recent months have been serious and deeply felt.”
The trustees announced that any money connected to Epstein would be donated to organizations supporting survivors of sexual violence.
The college’s media relations department issued a statement describing Botstein as “a transformative leader with the vision and unwavering commitment that has shaped Bard into the world-class educational institution it is today.”
Former President Donald Trump drew criticism Friday after comparing U.S. naval operations to piracy while discussing the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports during the current conflict between America, Israel, and Iran.
During Friday evening remarks, Trump referenced a recent vessel seizure by American forces when he made the controversial comparison.
“We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” Trump stated. “We’re like pirates. We’re sort of like pirates but we are not playing games.”
American forces have confiscated multiple Iranian vessels after they departed from ports, including sanctioned cargo ships and oil tankers operating in Asian maritime areas.
Iran has restricted nearly all maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz except for its own ships since hostilities began. Trump has established a separate blockade targeting Iranian ports.
The conflict began February 28 when American and Israeli forces launched attacks against Iran. Tehran retaliated with strikes against Israel and Gulf nations hosting U.S. military installations. The combined U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran and Israeli military action in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of casualties and millions of displaced civilians.
The ongoing warfare has driven up petroleum costs and created a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately 20% of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transportation.
Trump, who has provided varying timelines and objectives for the widely unpopular war, has received broad criticism for his statements regarding the conflict, including last month’s threat to eliminate Iran’s entire civilization.
Numerous American analysts stated last month that U.S. military strikes against Iran could constitute war crimes after Trump made threats targeting civilian infrastructure.
Vietnamese and Japanese officials are working to strengthen diplomatic and economic relationships as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi conducts high-level meetings in Hanoi this Saturday with Vietnamese leader To Lam.
The diplomatic visit comes at a crucial time as Japanese business investment in Vietnam has experienced a dramatic decline. According to Vietnamese government statistics, new investment commitments from Japanese companies dropped approximately 75% during the first quarter compared to the same period last year, falling to just $233 million.
A Japanese foreign ministry representative indicated that discussions will center on expanding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that both nations established in 2023. Priority areas include collaboration on energy initiatives, technological advancement, critical mineral resources, and maintaining regional security.
While Japan continues to rank among Vietnam’s top foreign investors with numerous multinational corporations running major manufacturing operations throughout the country, Takaichi plans to address specific obstacles that Japanese businesses are encountering. These include delayed compensation for completed projects and restricted access to major infrastructure development opportunities, according to the foreign ministry official.
The business relationship has faced additional setbacks, including Japan’s decision last year to abandon a nuclear energy project in Vietnam due to what officials described as an unreasonably tight construction schedule.
In a potentially positive development for Japanese interests, Hanoi recently announced it is reconsidering its proposed prohibition on gasoline-powered motorcycles in the city center, a policy that Honda had consistently opposed.
Despite the investment challenges, commercial trade between the two countries has shown resilience. Vietnamese customs records indicate bilateral trade increased 12.3% year-over-year to reach $13.7 billion during the first quarter.
Takaichi’s agenda also includes a meeting with Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung and a presentation at Vietnam National University discussing the development of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” diplomatic strategy. Following her Vietnam visit, the Prime Minister will continue to Australia.
A federal magistrate judge in Minnesota has determined that military attorneys can legally prosecute civilian defendants in criminal cases that have no connection to military matters.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Shannon Elkins delivered the ruling Friday in Minneapolis during a high-profile case that drew national scrutiny. The decision involved Paul Johnson, a Minnesota man facing charges for allegedly attacking a Customs and Border Protection officer this past January.
The incident occurred during an intensified immigration enforcement operation under the Trump administration in Minnesota. To support these efforts, the Defense Department deployed Judge Advocate General’s Corps attorneys to work alongside the local U.S. Attorney’s Office, similar to deployments that had already taken place in Washington, D.C., and Tennessee.
Johnson’s defense team contended that using JAG attorneys to handle civilian prosecutions without military connections violated the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 federal statute that typically prohibits military involvement in civilian law enforcement activities. They also cited Defense Department regulations in their challenge.
The defense motion to remove the military prosecutor from the case attracted significant attention, including support from eleven former JAG officers who filed a legal brief stating the “government has crossed a perilous line.”
However, Judge Elkins ruled in favor of the government, determining that Congress had established exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act through separate legislation. These exceptions grant the attorney general authority to designate JAG lawyers as special assistant U.S. attorneys for civilian prosecutions.
“If Congress passes statutes giving the Department of Justice the authority to appoint active military personnel as SAUSAs to prosecute civilians, that is the law,” Elkins stated in her written decision.
The judge acknowledged that Defense Department guidelines consider it “ill-advised” for JAG attorneys to handle civilian cases without military connections, but noted these internal regulations do not provide legal grounds to remove the military lawyer from Johnson’s prosecution.
Johnson’s attorney Kevin Riach announced plans to challenge the ruling through an appeal. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota has not provided comment on the decision.
MEXICO CITY, May 1 – President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico has chosen agronomist Columba Jasmin Lopez to serve as the nation’s upcoming agriculture and rural development minister, taking the place of existing minister Julio Berdegue, according to an announcement from her administration on Friday.
The agriculture ministry noted in an official statement that “Her appointment represents the arrival of the first woman to lead Mexican agricultural policy.”
The University of Delaware softball squad made history Friday afternoon, securing a guaranteed top-four position in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament following a 4-2 triumph over Western Kentucky University on May 1st.
The Blue Hens extended their remarkable home winning streak to 12 games with the victory, while also reaching the 30-win milestone for the third consecutive season – an unprecedented achievement in the program’s history.
Delaware now has an opportunity to claim the tournament’s second seed if they can secure another victory while Liberty falls to Kennesaw State in Saturday’s action.
The win held special significance for three senior players – Katie Scheivert, Sydney Shaffer, and Kristen Luzon – who made program history by becoming the most successful senior class ever recorded. Their collective 136th victory together surpassed all previous senior groups in Blue Hens softball.
The Blue Hens will look to build on their momentum heading into next week’s Conference USA Tournament, where their strong regular season performance has positioned them favorably for postseason success.
The U.S. Air Force announced Friday evening that a Boeing 747 aircraft gifted by Qatar has completed its modification and testing phase and will be available for President Donald Trump’s use as a temporary presidential aircraft this summer.
According to the Air Force’s news release, the aircraft is currently receiving its patriotic red, white and blue paint job.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved accepting the luxury aircraft one year ago, despite ethical and legal questions surrounding the acceptance of such an expensive gift from a foreign government, along with security and cyber intelligence worries. Trump has justified accepting the gift as a cost-saving measure for taxpayers.
Trump has stated he will not continue using the aircraft after his presidency concludes. He indicated the plane would be donated to a future presidential library, following the precedent set when President Ronald Reagan’s Boeing 707 was retired and placed on museum display.
According to Air Force officials, the former Qatari aircraft will function as a temporary solution while Boeing prepares to deliver two new aircraft, which are now scheduled for completion in 2028.
The current presidential aircraft have been in service for almost 40 years, and Trump is anxious to replace them. Throughout his first presidency, he showcased a model of a new jumbo jet in the Oval Office, featuring an updated paint design that mirrored the red, white and dark blue colors of his personal aircraft.
Boeing has been working to retrofit 747s that were originally constructed for a Russian airline that no longer exists. However, the program has experienced almost ten years of setbacks due to various problems, including a key subcontractor’s bankruptcy and challenges in finding and keeping qualified personnel who could obtain high-level security clearances.
The replacement aircraft won’t be completed until close to the conclusion of Trump’s term, and his patience has worn thin. He has called the situation “a total mess,” and has expressed frustration that Air Force One doesn’t match the quality of aircraft used by some Arab leaders.
The Qatari aircraft, valued at $400 million, has been characterized as a “palace in the sky,” featuring luxurious amenities and premium finishes.
However, security remains the top priority for presidential transportation. The existing Air Force One aircraft were constructed from the ground up during the final years of the Cold War. They feature nuclear blast protection and include various security systems, such as anti-missile defense technology and an onboard surgical suite. They also have air-to-air refueling equipment for emergency situations, though this capability has never been utilized with a president aboard.
The specific security enhancements added to the former Qatari aircraft remain undisclosed. The Air Force has not revealed the modification costs, though legislators indicated last year that expenses could exceed $1 billion.
Air Force officials reported they leased a 747-8 freighter from Atlas Air from October through February to allow pilots to train on the newest model variant. The U.S. has also acquired two aircraft from German airline Lufthansa for training purposes and spare parts. Boeing ceased 747 production in 2023.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks baseball squad claimed a decisive 9-3 victory over Norfolk State in the second game of a doubleheader, with standout performances from Esteban Torres and teammate Shipley leading the charge.
The win marked the Hawks’ seventh conference triumph of the season, demonstrating their continued strength in league play despite splitting the day’s two-game series with the Spartans.
Torres took the mound for UMES and delivered a commanding pitching performance that helped secure the victory. His efforts on the hill, combined with solid offensive support, allowed the Hawks to control the game from start to finish.
The doubleheader split keeps the Hawks competitive in conference standings as they continue their push through the season. The team’s ability to bounce back after the first game showed resilience that will serve them well in upcoming matchups.
UMES will look to build on this momentum as they advance through their conference schedule, with Torres and the rest of the roster aiming to add more wins to their tally in the coming weeks.
A major cryptocurrency exchange announced Friday that federal lawmakers have successfully negotiated a compromise on contentious language within groundbreaking digital currency legislation, potentially paving the way for the bill’s advancement through the U.S. Senate.
The proposed legislation had hit a roadblock earlier this year when banking institutions raised objections to language that would permit stablecoin companies and cryptocurrency businesses to provide yield-generating products and customer rewards tied to digital coins. Banks argued these offerings could attract deposits away from traditional financial institutions, hampering their ability to finance loans.
Major cryptocurrency platforms like Coinbase argued that offering customer rewards remains essential for attracting new users, and that preventing such incentives would create unfair market conditions.
“In the end, the banks were able to get more restrictions on rewards, but we protected what matters – the ability for Americans to earn rewards, based on real usage of crypto platforms and networks,” stated Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, in a social media post.
According to Punchbowl News, which obtained details of the negotiated compromise crafted by Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks, the updated language establishes extensive limitations on rewards that function “in a manner that is economically or functionally equivalent to the payment of interest or yield on an interest-bearing bank deposit.”
The revised legislation also instructs federal regulators to develop comprehensive stablecoin oversight rules, including establishing new disclosure requirements and defining acceptable reward programs, Punchbowl News reported. Reuters was unable to independently confirm these details.
Digital currency businesses have faced challenges operating without clear regulatory guidelines, which industry leaders claim has hindered growth opportunities. The proposed Clarity Act seeks to establish definitive rules that could encourage broader cryptocurrency acceptance.
President Donald Trump, who actively sought cryptocurrency industry support during his campaign and whose family has benefited financially from their own digital token venture, has made cryptocurrency regulatory reform a priority during his second term in office.
A promising no-hit bid came to an abrupt end when Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski was forced to exit with an injury during the sixth inning against Washington on Tuesday night.
Misiorowski had been cruising through his outing, holding the Nationals hitless for 5⅓ innings before the injury occurred. The moment came after he delivered a 98.9-mph fastball for a strike to James Wood with one out in the sixth. The right-handed pitcher then signaled toward Milwaukee’s dugout, prompting manager Pat Murphy and trainer Brad Epstein to visit the mound and remove him from the contest.
Up to that point, Misiorowski had been masterful on the mound, recording eight strikeouts while issuing just two walks. His control was particularly sharp late in his appearance, as he set down 12 consecutive batters, finishing off the final four via strikeout.
Relief pitcher Aaron Ashby entered the game with Milwaukee holding a 4-0 advantage and successfully preserved the combined no-hit effort through six complete innings. Ashby struck out Wood and induced a ground out from Luis Garcia Jr. to maintain the streak before the Nationals eventually broke through with a hit.
The St. Louis Blues announced Friday they have secured forward Dylan Holloway with a five-year contract extension valued at $38.75 million.
The deal keeps the 24-year-old player with the franchise through the 2030-31 season, with the new contract taking effect for the upcoming campaign. Holloway will celebrate his 25th birthday in September.
During the most recent season, Holloway emerged as a key offensive contributor for St. Louis, finishing as the team’s runner-up in both total points with 51 and goals scored with 22 across 59 contests.
Since joining the Blues as a free agent following the 2023-24 campaign, Holloway has compiled impressive statistics with 48 goals and 114 total points over 136 games played.
The forward’s professional journey began when Edmonton selected him in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. During his time with the Oilers, Holloway appeared in 89 regular season contests across two years, recording nine goals and 18 total points.
Holloway’s breakout performance came during Edmonton’s 2023-24 playoff run, where he netted five goals across 25 postseason games as the Oilers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Florida Panthers. Following that playoff appearance, he departed Edmonton to sign with St. Louis.
Motorists traveling on Route 1 at the Rehoboth Boulevard overpass are experiencing periodic lane restrictions that will remain in effect until 5 AM.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that drivers should expect intermittent lane closures in the area. Traffic may experience delays as lanes are temporarily restricted during this time period.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Salisbury University’s track and field athletes delivered outstanding performances during the opening day of the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Outdoor Championships held at the University of Mary Washington’s Battleground Athletic Complex.
The Sea Gulls demonstrated exceptional talent throughout the competition, earning numerous All-Conference recognitions while several athletes achieved personal record performances.
Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams from Salisbury University participated in the championship event, showcasing their skills against other conference competitors in various field and running events.
Delaware drivers are facing significant delays this morning after a vehicle accident closed two westbound right lanes at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 7.
The crash has created a bottleneck for commuters traveling west through the area. DelDOT crews are currently on scene working to clear the roadway and restore normal traffic flow.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes or allow extra travel time if they must pass through this corridor. The duration of the lane closures has not yet been determined.
This is a developing situation and drivers should monitor traffic conditions before heading out.
In a stunning turn of events, Goldey-Beacom’s baseball team mounted an unlikely comeback in the final inning to defeat Holy Family 6-5, securing a sweep of their opening-round CACC Tournament matchup.
The Lightning pulled off what seemed impossible, plating four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to claim victory in the second game of their best-of-three series. The dramatic finish allowed Goldey-Beacom to advance in the tournament without needing a third game.
The comeback capped off a successful first-round performance for the Lightning, who now move forward in the CACC Tournament after eliminating Holy Family in just two games.
The Houston Texans have locked up one of their defensive stars for the long haul, announcing a three-year contract extension with Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair that will keep him in Houston through the 2029 season.
While the organization did not disclose financial details when making the announcement Friday, reports indicate the extension is valued at $54 million.
“Truthfully, I just wanted to be authentically myself and I always felt like if I got the opportunity to be at a place and show everybody who I was, then things would go well for the team and myself,” he said. “I’m grateful for that.”
The contract extension follows another major deal for Houston, as defensive end Will Anderson recently inked a three-year, $150 million extension that established him as the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
Al-Shaair has been a key contributor for Houston over the past two seasons, participating in 27 games while recording 173 tackles, eight tackles for losses, two sacks, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
His breakout campaign last year earned him his inaugural Pro Bowl selection after starting 16 games for a Houston defense that ranked first in the league by surrendering just 277.2 yards per game while allowing the second-fewest points at 17.4 per contest during the regular season.
The linebacker arrived in Houston following a stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Originally entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Al-Shaair spent his initial four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, where he compiled 199 tackles and 11 tackles for losses across 56 games.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Al-Shaair earned recognition for his community involvement last season when he received Houston’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. He actively supports various charitable organizations focused on helping homeless youth, drawing from his own childhood experience with homelessness after his family lost their home in a fire.
During Friday’s announcement, Al-Shaair reflected on a promise he made to his mother as a child, when she was reluctant to let him play football due to injury concerns.
“We were staying in a motel at the time, (and I said) ‘I promise you, if you let me play football I’m going to make it to the NFL, I’ll take care of our family one day,’” he said. “I had no clue if I was ever actually going to be able to do it or not. I never saw it done. … So, to sit here years and years later, to be actually living that out, is absolutely amazing.”
The founding member of the acclaimed hip-hop trio Fugees has begun serving his federal prison term after being convicted of illegally channeling foreign funds into Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign.
Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, 53, entered a minimum-security federal facility in Arizona on Thursday to start his 14-year sentence, according to prison records and his representative.
“Today is a painful day for Pras, for his family, and for everyone who believes in a fair system of justice. Pras honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence,” his spokesperson Erica Dumas stated, noting that his attorneys continue to challenge the conviction.
“This chapter is difficult, but it is not his final one,” Dumas added.
A jury found Michel guilty in 2023 on ten criminal charges, including conspiracy and operating as an unregistered foreign agent. The court imposed his sentence in late 2023.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Michel received more than $120 million from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, then illegally funneled portions of those funds to Obama’s reelection effort using intermediary donors. Authorities also accused Michel of attempting to halt a Justice Department probe into Low’s activities, interfering with witnesses, and lying under oath during his trial. Low continues to deny wrongdoing.
Michel achieved fame as one-third of the Fugees alongside childhood companions Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The groundbreaking group earned two Grammy Awards and achieved massive commercial success, selling millions of records worldwide.
Ghana has declined a proposed health partnership with the United States, raising concerns about insufficient protections for sensitive medical information, according to a Ghanaian official who spoke with The Associated Press on Friday. The decision makes Ghana another African nation to turn down such agreements due to similar data privacy issues.
According to Arnold Kavaarpuo, who leads Ghana’s Data Protection Commission, the extent of data access being sought “went far beyond what would typically be required for the purpose for which it’s stated.”
The State Department has not yet provided a response to AP’s request for comment regarding the Ghanaian official’s statements.
These health partnerships have been established with approximately two dozen African countries through the Trump administration’s “America First” strategy for international health funding. This new framework, which began implementation in late 2023, has replaced various previous health agreements that existed under the former United States Agency for International Development structure.
The partnerships provide hundreds of millions of dollars in American funding to nations severely affected by U.S. aid reductions, aimed at strengthening their public health infrastructure and combating disease outbreaks.
However, these agreements have sparked concerns about data privacy protections. Earlier this year in February, Zimbabwe officials announced their rejection of a similar proposal due to concerns about health data handling, fairness, and national sovereignty. Zambia has also reportedly expressed resistance to certain sections of their proposed agreement, though no final determination has been reached.
African advocacy groups argue that these agreements frequently lack sufficient protections for data usage and can be restrictive, pointing to Nigeria’s agreement where U.S. support was primarily directed toward Christian faith-based healthcare organizations.
Jean Kaseya, who serves as Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has also expressed “huge concerns” about data and pathogen sharing requirements when discussing these agreements with media.
The proposed Ghana agreement, valued at approximately $300 million, would have provided the country with roughly $109 million in U.S. funding over a five-year period, with additional investments from Ghana’s government, according to Kavaarpuo.
Kavaarpuo, whose commission participated directly in the negotiations, highlighted a concerning provision that would allow individual identification when considered necessary for sensitive health information.
“That, in effect, was outsourcing the health data architecture of the country to a foreign body,” he said. “The proposed data sharing agreement looked at access not only to health data sets, but also to metadata, dashboards, reporting tools, data models and data dictionaries.”
The terms would have granted up to 10 U.S. organizations access to such information without requiring Ghana’s prior consent for data usage purposes, he explained.
“We did not get a sense that Ghana had any real governance oversight when it came to how the data was going to be utilized. It was more or less if they undertook an exercise, they will notify the country. So it was not a prior approval arrangement,” he said.
Kavaarpuo confirmed that Ghana has informed the United States of its decision to reject the current proposal and has requested better terms for a future agreement.
The streaming giant Netflix announced Friday it will break new ground by giving director Greta Gerwig’s upcoming ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ a full nationwide theater release lasting more than six weeks before the movie appears on its platform.
Gerwig both wrote and directed this first-ever film adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ 1955 novel, which tells the backstory of how the magical world of Narnia came to be. Movie theaters will show the film starting February 12, while Netflix subscribers will have access beginning April 2.
The decision represents a significant shift for Netflix, which has traditionally kept its movies exclusively on its streaming platform. The company has made limited exceptions, particularly for films with Oscar potential, since Academy Award eligibility requires a theatrical debut.
According to Netflix, the company chose this broader theater strategy for ‘Narnia’ due to the beloved series’ universal appeal spanning different age groups and countries worldwide.
Movie theater executives welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm.
‘This is welcome news,’ Cinema United President Michael O’Leary said in a statement, adding, ‘Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ is a movie audiences will want to see on the big screen. Now they’ll have that opportunity.’
Netflix has demonstrated growing interest in theater partnerships, including last year’s theatrical release of a sing-along edition of its animated hit ‘KPop Demon Hunters.’ Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has also committed to maintaining traditional 45-day theater exclusivity windows for Warner Bros. films during the company’s Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition discussions.
Originally, Netflix planned to show ‘Narnia’ only in IMAX theaters for two weeks beginning Thanksgiving weekend. Gerwig praised the company’s decision to expand the release.
‘I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2,’ Gerwig said.
AMC Entertainment’s chairman and CEO Adam Aron promised his theater chain, the country’s largest, would fully support Netflix’s efforts.
‘We are in their corner fully,’ Aron wrote on the social media platform X. ‘We are and will be all in.’
Cameron Young has established a commanding five-stroke lead at the midway point of the Cadillac Championship after firing a 67 on Friday’s second round at Trump National Doral near Miami.
Young’s stellar performance pushed him to 13-under par through 36 holes. Meanwhile, Alex Smalley stumbled with a second-round 71, finding the water hazard on the 18th hole for a bogey that left him tied at 8-under alongside Canada’s Nick Taylor (70) and Jordan Spieth (71).
The strong showing puts Young in position for a potential Florida sweep, coming just six weeks after he claimed The Players Championship, the most significant victory of his professional career. The tournament marks the PGA Tour’s return to Trump National Doral’s legendary “Blue Monster” course for the first time since 2016, as part of the tour’s new $20 million signature event format with no cut.
Spieth managed to stay in the hunt despite a lackluster performance through most of his round. The former major champion was 1-over through 15 holes before rescuing his day with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes. Spieth is still searching for his first victory since claiming the 2022 RBC Heritage.
Gary Woodland holds down fifth place by himself at 7-under after shooting 69 on Friday.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler improved his position with a 67 to move into a six-way tie for sixth at 6-under. Joining him in that group are South Korea’s Si Woo Kim (68), Canada’s Taylor Pendrith (67), Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan (68), Brian Harman (70), and England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, who posted one of Friday’s best scores with a 66.
Alex Fitzpatrick, younger brother of World No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick, recently earned full PGA Tour membership status after the siblings captured the team title at last Sunday’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Just fourteen days removed from capturing his inaugural PGA Tour Champions major championship, Stewart Cink finds himself perfectly positioned to secure a second major victory.
The 52-year-old golfer posted a seven-under-par 65 during Friday’s second round at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, establishing a two-stroke advantage over Charlie Wi at the midway point of the 72-hole Regions Tradition tournament.
At 14-under 130 for the tournament, Cink holds a three-shot margin over South Africa’s Retief Goosen, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, and Alex Cejka from Czechia, while sitting five strokes ahead of New Zealand’s Steven Alker.
Cink duplicated his first-round scoring pattern, recording eight birdies against a single bogey for the consecutive day.
“I made a long putt on 17,” Cink explained. “Had a couple two-putt birdies, a couple pretty simple up-and-downs. It was really nothing for the history books, it was just some good play. The golf course is really receiving the ball really well. You know, the greens are soft, but they’re not spinning back that much so it’s really, it’s very scorable out there.”
Having been raised in Florence, Alabama, approximately 120 miles northwest of Birmingham, Cink expects increased gallery support throughout the weekend due to his proximity to home.
“And it has nothing to do with being on top of the leaderboard,” Cink noted. “They were already coming, so I’m glad they’re going to be here. I’m going to have some of my north and central Alabaman friends and family here the rest of the weekend, so that will be great to see them and hopefully give them something to cheer about.”
Goosen matched Cink and Ken Tanigawa as the only competitors in the 77-player field to post a 65 on Friday, though the South African remained critical of his round.
“If you can drive it well on this course, you’re going to have a lot of short irons in,” Goosen commented. “The greens at the moment are just perfect, but today I missed a lot of fairways in — a couple of really wild ones. Going to go hit a few now and try and see if I can smooth it out.”
Wi produced an outstanding beginning en route to his second straight 66. Starting on the back nine, the 54-year-old opened with five straight birdies, something he believes represents a career first.
“I’ve been hitting my irons really well,” Wi said. “I’ve been hitting them pretty close, so I (gave) myself a lot of opportunities, and I was able to make a couple putts.”
The world’s top-ranked women’s golfer Nelly Korda finds herself tied for the lead heading into the weekend at the Riviera May Open at Mayakoba, sharing the 36-hole lead with 345th-ranked Brianna Do after Friday’s action in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Coming off her recent major championship victory at the Chevron Championship and return to the number one ranking, Korda fired a 5-under 67 during Friday’s second round at El Camaleon Golf Course, bringing her total to 9-under 135.
Do, who entered the day sharing the first-round lead with Melanie Green, posted a 69 on Friday to match Korda’s total. The veteran golfer held a commanding position at 10-under through most of her back nine, but stumbled with her only mistake of the day – a bogey on the par-4 ninth hole that dropped her back into a tie.
Green finished Friday’s round with a 70, placing her alone in third position at 8-under, while Japan’s Minami Katsu sits fourth at 7-under after shooting 68.
Korda’s round featured five birdies – three on the front nine and two more on the back – with no bogeys to mar her scorecard. She found 16 of 18 greens in regulation despite hitting only half of the fairways.
“Overall just a solid day. You know, didn’t make any mistakes really. If I did, I bounced back really well,” Korda said.
The 27-year-old has been in exceptional form recently, recording two wins and three runner-up finishes in her five tournaments prior to this week.
Do presents a stark contrast to her co-leader. The 36-year-old veteran has spent over a decade grinding on the professional tour since turning pro in 2013, with just one top-10 finish to her credit – which came at this same tournament last year.
Currently ranked 345th globally, Do said she drew confidence from her opening-round 66, starting Friday strong with birdies on the 10th and 11th holes.
“I put myself in that position last year here and so I think I’m going to be a little more prepared for it this year,” Do said of being in contention. “I don’t think you’re ever very comfortable being in contention and leading, and so I’m going accept it and kind of just play within myself and feel the feels and kind of see what happens. Just accept what happens.”
China’s Yu Liu recorded the day’s best score with a 66 that included an eagle on the par-5 18th hole, moving her to 6-under and into a tie for fifth alongside Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who shot 71.
Four players are knotted at 5-under in a tie for seventh place: Germany’s Olivia Cowan (68), Paraguay’s Sofia Garcia (69), Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol (69), and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (71).
Lopez, who failed to make the cut when this tournament debuted last year, expressed gratitude for competing in her homeland while paired with Korda.
“It’s been really, really fun to play in Mexico, play with Nelly,” Lopez said. “Today wasn’t exactly my day. I didn’t hit it as good off the tee. Got myself a little bit in trouble.
“But very happy how I’m hitting my irons. The putts are just patiently hoping to drop. Yeah, very happy with how I’m feeling inside the golf course.”
An endangered Mexican wolf has crossed into Mexico from New Mexico for the first time in decades, but wildlife experts worry it may be the last such crossing due to ongoing border wall construction.
The radio-collared male wolf entered Chihuahua, Mexico, from a remote section of the New Mexico Bootheel last week, confirmed Aislinn Maestas, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson. The agency monitors this smallest and most threatened subspecies of North American gray wolf, known in Spanish as “lobo.”
These wolves once thrived throughout the American Southwest and Mexico but nearly vanished in the 1970s after government agencies and ranchers systematically killed them, claiming the animals posed a threat to cattle and other livestock.
For thousands of years, these wolves have wandered the Bootheel’s varied landscape of grasslands, desert terrain, and forested mountains, using ancient migration paths to hunt for food and find mates across what is now the U.S.-Mexico border.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations constructed steel border barriers extending westward through New Mexico as part of efforts to combat human and drug smuggling.
The ongoing construction of walls measuring 18 to 30 feet tall in this region could make last week’s border crossing the final one ever recorded for this species, according to conservationist Michael Robinson.
Such isolation would worsen the wolves’ existing inbreeding crisis, which has already resulted in higher puppy mortality rates, cancer cases, and birth abnormalities.
“Sealing off the Bootheel would isolate wolves and other rare mammals like jaguars and ultimately make them all less likely to survive,” said Robinson, who serves as a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity.
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agencies overseeing border barrier construction, have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Environmental organizations and some federal wildlife officials have expressed concerns that expanding border walls will break up natural habitats and interrupt animal migration patterns in areas including Texas’s Big Bend region, Arizona’s San Rafael Valley, and California’s Otay Wilderness. Homeland Security has invoked special legal powers to bypass environmental regulations, prompting legal challenges to the barriers.
While administrations from both political parties have recognized environmental concerns, they maintain the barriers are essential for national security. Officials have added some protective measures, including ground-level openings designed for smaller creatures like reptiles and rodents.
For Mexican wolves specifically, breeding between animals from both sides of the border could help address critically low genetic diversity, explained Cyndi Tuell, who directs Arizona and New Mexico operations for Western Watersheds Project, a conservation organization.
Every Mexican wolf alive today descends from just seven wolves that were successfully bred after capture as part of a joint U.S.-Mexico breeding initiative launched in the late 1970s.
Current population estimates show at least 319 wild Mexican wolves living in the United States, approximately 36 in Mexico, and roughly 380 in captive breeding facilities, according to USFWS and conservation organizations.
A Louisiana appeals court panel has blocked nationwide access to mifepristone, the medication used for abortion procedures.
The judicial decision eliminates telemedicine access to the abortion drug throughout the United States, at least temporarily.
BOSTON — An aircraft carrying a protest message spent more than an hour flying above Boston’s iconic baseball stadium on Friday, displaying frustration with the struggling Red Sox organization as players prepared for their game against Houston.
The aircraft pulled a large banner featuring bold red text that read: “FIRE CRAIG! SELL THE TEAM!”
The aerial demonstration targeted Craig Breslow, the team’s chief baseball officer, and principal owner John Henry as the Red Sox continue their disappointing season.
Boston entered Friday’s matchup with the Astros sitting at the bottom of the American League East division with a troubling 12-19 record.
The organization made a significant change on April 25 when Breslow dismissed manager Alex Cora following a dominant 17-1 road win against Baltimore.
The aircraft made continuous loops around the stadium for over sixty minutes while spectators gathering outside the ballpark stopped to look skyward and decipher the message.
Given the team’s struggles this year, supporters at Fenway have been vocal with “Sell the team!” chants. These protests became more pronounced following last week’s home sweep by their historic rivals, the New York Yankees.
The 50-year-old Cora previously guided Boston’s most recent championship squad in 2018, a team that established a franchise record with 108 wins during the regular season. Cora also played on the organization’s 2007 championship roster. During his managerial tenure, Cora compiled a 620-541 record and became this season’s first skipper to be let go.
Henry’s sports portfolio also includes ownership of Liverpool Football Club, where supporters recently demonstrated against increased ticket costs.
Toronto Raptors star forward Brandon Ingram will miss tonight’s pivotal Game 6 matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sore right heel injury, head coach Darko Rajakovic announced Friday.
The All-Star player exited during the middle portion of the second quarter in Toronto’s 125-120 defeat in Cleveland earlier this week. Ingram managed just one point during his 11 minutes on the court before leaving the game.
Following a stellar regular season debut with Toronto where he posted 21.5 points per contest, Ingram has faced challenges in postseason play, managing only 12 points per game through five contests versus Cleveland. His shooting performance has been below par, connecting on 19 of 58 field goal attempts and hitting 5 of 13 three-point shots.
The Cavaliers hold a commanding 3-2 series advantage and have the opportunity to close out the Eastern Conference first-round matchup with a victory on their home court Friday evening. Notably, the host team has emerged victorious in all five previous games of this playoff series.
Former President Donald Trump announced his backing of Kentucky Representative Andy Barr on Friday for the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate.
“Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky,” Trump declared on his Truth Social platform.
The congressman will compete against former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris in the Republican primary scheduled for May 19th.
Trump’s backing was highly sought after by all three GOP contenders in Kentucky, a deeply conservative state where the former president secured 64% of votes in the 2024 election. Both Barr and Morris have featured Trump prominently in their television advertisements, while Morris has also gained financial backing from conservative supporter Elon Musk.
Notably absent from the Republican campaign rhetoric has been any significant discussion of McConnell, highlighting how the party has shifted under Trump’s influence.
Interestingly, all three candidates have personal ties to McConnell. Cameron previously served as a staff member for the senator, Barr has described McConnell as his mentor, and Morris once worked as an intern in McConnell’s office. While Trump previously lauded McConnell as a political partner, he has become increasingly critical of the seven-term senator in recent years.
On the Democratic side, the primary features former state legislator Charles Booker and ex-Marine pilot Amy McGrath. Booker defeated McGrath in a close 2020 Democratic primary before going on to challenge McConnell in the general election.
Kentucky Democrats have not secured a U.S. Senate victory since 1992.
The Pentagon announced Friday that approximately 5,000 American military personnel will be removed from Germany within the next six to twelve months, making good on President Donald Trump’s recent warning following tensions with German leadership over the ongoing Iran conflict.
The troop reduction comes after Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Iranian leadership was “humiliating” the United States and criticized Washington’s approach to the war earlier this week.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell released a statement explaining that the “decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground.”
Germany currently houses multiple American military installations, including European and Africa command headquarters, Ramstein Air Base, and the Landstuhl medical facility that has treated wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The country also hosts U.S. nuclear weapons.
The planned departure represents 14% of the roughly 36,000 American service members currently based in Germany.
According to Nico Lange from the Center of European Policy Analysis, who spoke with The Associated Press this week, these forces mainly advance U.S. strategic goals, including “the projection of American power globally,” rather than providing German defense.
When reporters questioned Trump about the withdrawal Friday as he departed Ocala, Florida following an economic rally, the president declined to respond while boarding Air Force One.
This marks Trump’s second attempt at reducing German troop levels. During his previous presidency, he proposed removing about 9,500 of the approximately 34,500 troops stationed there at the time, though the plan never moved forward and President Joe Biden officially canceled it after taking office in 2021.
Trump has consistently questioned the American military footprint in Germany and criticized NATO members for not supporting Washington in the Iran war, which started February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
The president posted on social media Wednesday that his administration was examining potential German troop cuts, promising a “determination” would come soon. By Thursday, he continued targeting Merz online, suggesting the German leader should focus on “ending the war with Russia/Ukraine” and “fixing his broken Country” instead of commenting on Iran.
NATO allies have anticipated possible U.S. troop withdrawals since Trump returned to office, as Washington has indicated Europe must take greater responsibility for regional security, including Ukraine’s defense.
Between 80,000 and 100,000 American personnel are typically deployed across Europe, depending on ongoing operations, training exercises, and rotation schedules. For over a year, NATO partners have expected that troops sent after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine would likely be withdrawn first.
Ed Arnold, a European security specialist at London’s Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that Europe is more worried about potential U.S. transfers of Patriot missile systems and ammunition from Germany to Middle Eastern operations.
In October, the United States confirmed it would reduce forces along NATO’s Ukrainian borders. The sudden decision to cut 1,500-3,000 troops created concern among NATO ally Romania, where the alliance operates an air base.
Drivers traveling on Commerce Street should expect delays as construction crews have blocked the right lane of westbound traffic.
The lane closure affects the stretch of Commerce Street running from Farmington Road to Brown Street, with work expected to continue until 4 PM today.
Motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the construction zone and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential delays.
United Parcel Service’s chief executive believes the company’s expanding prescription medication delivery operations will provide financial protection during economic turbulence, as global conflicts threaten to impact business conditions.
CEO Carol Tome explained that the specialized healthcare delivery sector offers better stability than traditional industries during economic downturns. The business involves careful handling of temperature-controlled medications and radioactive treatments, commanding premium pricing.
“There have been lots of challenges over the past several years – high inflation, contractions in markets – but healthcare continues to grow,” Tome told Reuters this week. “I would argue that healthcare is pretty recession-proof.”
The pharmaceutical shipping segment has become a cornerstone of UPS’s multi-year restructuring effort as the company competes with FedEx while shifting toward fewer but more profitable deliveries.
Through strategic acquisitions, UPS now controls the largest share of the outsourced healthcare logistics industry, valued at over $80 billion. Industry experts predict this market could more than double within ten years, while competitors FedEx and Germany’s DHL Group also seek expansion in this area.
Tome emphasized that companies pursue complex healthcare logistics due to the substantial fees and strong profit margins these specialized services command.
She noted that shipping expensive medications generates profit margins in the mid-to-high teen percentages, while online retail delivery margins fall into very low single-digit ranges.
This strategy is already producing positive results as lightweight package deliveries for retailers like Amazon and Walmart continue pressuring company profits.
“We’ve just reported our first $3 billion healthcare revenue quarter in our company history and we’ve taken share in this space since 2021,” Tome said.
UPS generated $11.2 billion in healthcare revenue for 2025, representing nearly 13% of total company revenue. Healthcare comprised more than 14% of UPS’s consolidated revenue during the first quarter of 2026.
When asked about impacts from the Iran conflict, Tome indicated UPS’s core operations remain stable despite rising fuel costs affecting consumer and business spending due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
Industry observers are monitoring one healthcare business segment that could face recession vulnerability – home delivery of weight-loss medications that patients purchase directly rather than through insurance coverage.
UPS recruited Tome from retirement in June 2020, bringing the former Home Depot financial chief aboard as the company’s first external CEO in over a century of operations.
Her “better, not bigger” approach has transformed the world’s largest package delivery service, reducing Amazon’s portion of UPS business from over 13% to 8.8% in the most recent quarter while funding acquisitions to expand healthcare capabilities.
The Atlanta-headquartered company has been shuttering facilities and reducing staff, including unionized drivers earning over $100,000 annually, to offset the loss of millions of Amazon shipments.
UPS transferred its budget-priced Ground Saver service to the U.S. Postal Service as tariff policies reduced millions of low-value shipments from Chinese-connected retailers like Temu and Shein.
The company has also invested in hub upgrades featuring automation, package monitoring systems and efficiency tools designed to reduce delivery costs.
Most transformation work is approaching completion, generating billions in operational savings and positioning the company for improved profitability. Stifel analyst Bruce Chan described the progress in a research report titled: “Home Stretch: Heaviest Lift of Transformation Complete … Now for the Benefits to Materialize.”
The Pentagon has given the green light to defense equipment sales worth more than $8.6 billion to four Middle Eastern partner nations, the State Department announced Friday.
The major arms deals were revealed as the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran enters its ninth week, with a delicate ceasefire now in place for over three weeks.
Qatar received approval for the largest portion of the sales, including $4.01 billion for Patriot air and missile defense maintenance services and an additional $992.4 million for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems.
Kuwait was authorized to purchase an integrated battle command system valued at $2.5 billion, while Israel received approval for $992.4 million worth of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems.
The United Arab Emirates was cleared to buy Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems for $147.6 million.
According to the State Department, BAE Systems will serve as the primary contractor for the precision weapons sales to Qatar, Israel and the UAE.
For Kuwait’s battle command system and Qatar’s Patriot defense services, RTX and Lockheed Martin will handle the contracts as principal contractors. Northrop Grumman will also participate as a main contractor in the Kuwait deal.
American agricultural production of noncitrus fruits and nuts experienced a modest decline in 2025, according to new federal data released this week.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that farmers across the country harvested 15.8 million tons of 21 different noncitrus fruit crops during 2025. This represents a one percent decrease compared to production levels recorded in 2024.
The annual summary tracks production of various crops including apples, grapes, berries, and tree nuts, providing insight into agricultural trends affecting American farming operations.
The slight reduction in overall production comes as farmers continue to navigate various challenges affecting crop yields nationwide.
Manufacturing operations utilizing cotton processing equipment consumed 23.7 million pounds of synthetic fibers throughout March 2026, according to new federal data.
The figure represents the total amount of artificial fiber materials processed through cotton system machinery during the month, as tracked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
This measurement reflects industry activity where synthetic materials are processed using equipment traditionally designed for cotton fiber production, indicating continued adaptation in textile manufacturing methods.
The statistics are part of ongoing federal monitoring of fiber consumption patterns across various processing systems in the American textile industry.
A federal appeals court has significantly limited reproductive healthcare access nationwide by prohibiting the postal delivery of mifepristone, a medication commonly used for abortion procedures.
The court decision impacts what has become one of the most frequently used methods for terminating pregnancies in the United States. The ruling prevents the medication from being sent through the mail system, creating new barriers for patients seeking abortion care.
Mifepristone is widely prescribed as part of a two-drug regimen for medication abortions, which account for a substantial portion of abortion procedures performed across the country.
Commercial activity between Colombia and Ecuador has ground to a virtual halt as both South American nations enacted steep tariffs this week, according to business organizations operating along their shared border.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa implemented a sweeping 100% tariff that became effective Friday, though his administration has not disclosed which specific goods will be subject to the levy. Meanwhile, Colombia’s government under President Gustavo Petro officially established varying tariff rates of 35%, 50%, and 75% on approximately 190 Ecuadorian products Thursday.
President Noboa has defended these measures, which were initially introduced at reduced rates in February, citing Colombia’s trade surplus and alleging that the neighboring country has failed to address drug trafficking concerns along their 586-kilometer shared frontier. President Petro has consistently denied these claims.
Colombia’s trade minister stated Thursday that the nation’s response represents a measured approach designed to minimize the economic impact of Ecuador’s tariffs on Colombian businesses.
“It’s a whim, the very inflated egos of the two presidents have kept escalating this,” Carlos Bastidas, the head of the Heavy Transport Association of Carchi in Ecuador, told Reuters. “The movement of goods is minimal, but from next week this drops to zero.”
Bastidas noted that the Rumichaca International Bridge typically sees up to 150 trucks awaiting passage, but Friday’s count showed only about five vehicles present.
“This is generating unemployment and people have to look for alternatives. There are many crossings here, so what are people going to do? Turn to smuggling,” he warned.
Ecuador’s administration did not provide immediate comment when contacted.
Government officials in Ecuador have claimed that the original tariffs succeeded in creating the country’s first-ever positive trade balance with Colombia, generating a combined $62.9 million surplus during February and March compared to a $146 million deficit during the same period in 2024.
“The measure practically shuts down exports,” said Ivan Florez, head of the Ipiales Chamber of Commerce on the Colombian side of the border. “What you see along the border is very different from the view in Quito and Bogota.”
In response to the dispute, Colombia has halted electricity exports to Ecuador, which also relies heavily on its northern neighbor for medical supplies and agricultural chemicals.
ORLANDO, Fla. — The fire alarm system at Orlando’s Kia Center apparently didn’t want to hear discussions about a potential Game 7 between the Magic and Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
During head coach Jamahl Mosley’s pregame press conference before Game 6, loud alarm horns suddenly began echoing through the arena. The timing couldn’t have been more ironic — a reporter had just asked whether injured forward Franz Wagner could potentially return for a seventh game.
As the question was posed, the emergency sirens kicked in.
“That’s not a good sign,” Mosley remarked.
The coach attempted to continue answering, noting that Wagner’s availability would depend on his response to ongoing treatment. Meanwhile, an automated announcement system began broadcasting evacuation procedures to anyone inside the facility.
When the alarms sounded again moments later, Mosley decided to wrap up the session.
“All right, that’s good, thank you, appreciate it,” Mosley said as he concluded the interview.
A team representative later verified the alarms were malfunctioning. Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s media session, which began roughly ten minutes after Mosley’s concluded, proceeded without any emergency interruptions.
Orlando entered Friday’s contest holding a 3-2 series advantage over the Pistons.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently claimed that a dramatic reduction in food stamp recipients stems from cracking down on fraudulent claims and economic improvements. However, food policy researchers are challenging this explanation, pointing instead to recent congressional legislation that tightened program requirements.
The data shows a significant decline in participation numbers, but the underlying causes tell a different story than what officials suggest.
During a recent statement, Rollins explained: “As of just a couple of days ago, we now have moved 4.3 million Americans off of the food stamp program. A lot of that is fraud. A lot of it is people taking the program that shouldn’t have been. And a lot of it is just a better economy. We’ve had wage growth that has outpaced inflation for the first time since early 2021. This is a really big day. So people don’t need food stamps.”
Government statistics confirm that SNAP participation dropped by approximately 4.3 million individuals between January 2025 and January 2026. However, academic researchers studying food insecurity point to legislative changes as the main factor driving this reduction.
The spending reduction legislation passed by Republicans last summer is expected to slash $186 billion from SNAP funding over a decade, representing a 20% decrease according to Congressional Budget Office projections.
“What we’ve seen in terms of the data is that the trend in participation declines seems to be related to the program being harder to access,” explained Roger Figueroa, a Cornell University assistant professor specializing in food insecurity research from a public health angle.
Research indicates that fraudulent activity within SNAP represents a minimal portion of overall cases, far too small to explain such a substantial participant reduction.
According to the most recent available statistics from fiscal year 2023, authorities disqualified 41,476 individuals for fraudulent activity. This figure encompasses both applicants who provided incorrect information and those who illegally traded benefits for cash or ineligible items. Among the total 42,176,946 participants, fraud cases represented less than one percent.
“I don’t see any evidence supporting a significant reduction in fraud as a driver of what we’re seeing as far as declining SNAP participation,” stated Caitlin Caspi, a University of Connecticut associate professor who researches food insecurity issues.
When asked to provide supporting data for Rollins’ fraud-related claims, USDA officials referred reporters to coverage from the New York Post and Foundation for Government Accountability regarding broad-based categorical eligibility policies. This policy allows SNAP applicants in most states to qualify if they receive non-cash benefits from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs or similar state initiatives.
Critics have targeted this eligibility approach for giving states excessive flexibility in determining qualification standards by eliminating asset limits, raising gross income thresholds, or implementing both changes. While the current administration aims to eliminate this policy, it remains legally permissible for now.
Economic performance in 2025 showed mixed results after initial challenges. The gross domestic product contracted during the first quarter for the first time in three years, but recovered during the latter half. Growth slowed in the fourth quarter but picked up momentum in early 2026, expanding at a moderate 2% rate from January through March following recovery from a record 43-day government shutdown.
Despite overall economic strength, food costs continue climbing. Prices increased 3.1% throughout 2025 and are projected to rise another 2.9% in 2026. For families experiencing persistent financial difficulties, broader economic improvements typically provide little relief.
“We have a persistent poverty problem in this country,” noted Kate Bauer, a University of Michigan associate professor of nutritional sciences. “And we have huge economic disparities. And most people, even in good economic times, are not able to pull their families out of poverty.”
While wage increases of 3.4% did exceed inflation rates of 3.3% in March, this wasn’t the first occurrence since 2021 as Rollins suggested. Additionally, higher-income Americans saw greater benefits in 2025 compared to lower-income families, who faced weaker income growth and continued high prices. Employment growth remained slow and unemployment rates increased.
“We’re not seeing a linear kind of drop-off,” Caspi observed. “We are not seeing, if you look at the unemployment rates, things that might be an indicator that a strong economy was driving this change. We don’t see, for example, a pattern of decline in unemployment that would match the pattern of decline in SNAP participation.”
Researchers identify the 940-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” also called H.R. 1, as containing the primary factors behind reduced SNAP enrollment. The legislation imposed work requirements on certain adults who previously qualified for exemptions.
SNAP includes two categories of work requirements for eligibility. Standard rules cover most individuals aged 16-59, while able-bodied adults without dependents must meet more demanding criteria that H.R. 1 made even stricter, unless they qualify for specific exemptions. Participants can satisfy these enhanced requirements by working or joining work programs for at least 80 hours monthly, with payment not required.
Previously, able-bodied adults over 54 without dependents were exempt from enhanced requirements. This age threshold has been raised to 64. The legislation also lowered the age of dependent children that qualifies someone for exemption from 18 to 14. Homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster children 24 or younger also lost their exempt status.
“Families have lots of really complicated situations and you can’t just say to people, in 10 days or in one month, go find 80 hours a week of work when you don’t have the skills and those jobs aren’t available in your community,” Bauer explained.
SNAP eligibility covers U.S. citizens and certain lawful immigrants, though H.R. 1 removed qualification for groups including refugees and asylum seekers.
When Trump began his second presidential term in January 2025, approximately 42.83 million people participated in SNAP. This number fell nearly 10% by January 2026 to roughly 38.55 million. Most of this decline occurred during the year’s second half, following Trump’s signing of H.R. 1 in July. Participation decreased by only 743,572 people from January through June 2025, but dropped by about 3.47 million from July 2025 through January 2026.
Congressional Budget Office analysts had predicted this sharp reduction, estimating in an August 2025 report that specific provisions would “reduce participation in SNAP by roughly 2.4 million people in an average month over the 2025-2034 period.”
“It shouldn’t be surprising that we are seeing this decline and it shouldn’t be a leap in logic to think that these declines are attributable to H.R. 1.,” Caspi concluded.
A federal appeals court has significantly limited nationwide abortion access by prohibiting the mail distribution of mifepristone, one of the most widely used abortion medications.
The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel mandated that the abortion medication can only be dispensed through in-person visits to medical facilities.
The court’s decision stated: “Every abortion facilitated by FDA’s action cancels Louisiana’s ban on medical abortions and undermines its policy that ‘every unborn child is human being from the moment of conception and is, therefore, a legal person.’”
Historically, federal judges have typically respected the Food and Drug Administration’s expertise regarding medication safety and regulatory standards.
Under the Trump administration, FDA officials have indicated they are conducting a fresh safety evaluation of mifepristone following presidential directives.
The court noted that the FDA “could not say when that review might be complete and admitted it was still collecting data.”
Louisiana’s attorney general, along with a woman claiming she was pressured into using abortion medication, filed court documents seeking to reverse FDA regulations back to when the pills required in-person prescription and distribution.
Last month, a Louisiana federal judge determined that current regulations conflicted with the state’s abortion restrictions but declined to immediately overturn the rules.
Following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision eliminating Roe v. Wade protections and enabling state abortion bans, mail-order prescriptions have emerged as a primary method for providing abortions, including in states with prohibitions.
“This is going to affect patients’ access to abortion and miscarriage care in every state in the nation,” said Julia Kaye, an ACLU lawyer. “When telemedicine is restricted, rural communities, people with low incomes, people with disabilities, survivors of intimate partner violence and communities of color suffer the most.”
The ruling is anticipated to prompt an appeal to the Supreme Court.
While the conservative-dominated Supreme Court eliminated constitutional abortion protections in 2022, it unanimously maintained mifepristone access two years afterward.
However, that 2024 ruling avoided addressing fundamental issues by determining that the anti-abortion physicians who brought the lawsuit lacked proper legal standing to pursue the case.
Comic book industry veteran Gerry Conway, the creative mind behind the iconic Punisher character and numerous other beloved superheroes, has passed away at the age of 73.
Conway died Sunday at his residence in Thousand Oaks, California, after battling pancreatic cancer, according to his wife’s statement to The New York Times. Marvel Comics announced his passing on Monday, calling him a legendary figure with an extraordinary career spanning decades.
“From Spider-Man to the Avengers, Iron Man to Captain Marvel, Gerry Conway has deftly written almost every character in the Marvel Universe,” stated Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski. “Gerry Conway’s legacy has made an undeniable and indelible impact on the Super Hero stories we know and love. He will be dearly missed.”
The comic book community paid tribute across social media platforms following news of his death.
“While many know his Marvel accomplishments … Gerry’s contributions to DC were equally impactful and significant: shaping Batman, Superman, the Justice League of America, and co-creating Firestorm, Jason Todd and Power Girl and so many more,” wrote Jim Lee, chief creative officer and president of DC Comics, in an Instagram tribute. “Thank you, Gerry, for the worlds imagined and the heroes created.”
Born September 10, 1952, in Brooklyn, Conway developed a passion for comics early in life. He began crafting comic stories during his teenage years and secured a position writing for “The Amazing Spider-Man” at just 19 years old — a role Marvel described as transformative for both his career and the entire comic book world.
Conway’s storytelling included groundbreaking narrative choices that fundamentally altered the Spider-Man series, including the controversial death of Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s love interest. He also helped develop the Punisher, the skull-emblazoned vigilante anti-hero who became one of Marvel’s most recognizable characters.
The distinctive skull symbol has generated debate in recent years due to its adoption by some law enforcement agencies. Conway previously criticized police departments for using Punisher imagery on their vehicles, explaining on social media that the character represented “a complex morally compromised anti-hero, not to be emulated by cops,” according to the Syracuse Post-Standard’s reporting.
Marvel praised Conway’s ability to create multi-dimensional characters with emotional complexity.
“Gerry Conway brought real stakes to his writing, able to weave together sensational super heroics with the human and relatable, and in doing so created some of the most memorable stories and characters of all time,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige.
Conway’s work extended far beyond Spider-Man, encompassing major titles like “Fantastic Four,” “Thor,” and “The Incredible Hulk.”
Speaking with The Comics Journal in 1981, Conway reflected on comic books’ broad appeal across age groups.
“I’m writing for the youthful part of myself, the primitive part of myself,” he explained to the publication. “If an adult likes the books it’s because of a nostalgic feeling for that primitive, easy conceptualization of heroic purpose.”
Conway leaves behind his wife, Laura Conway, and two daughters from earlier marriages.
The San Diego Padres activated right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Estrada from the 15-day injured list on Friday after a three-week absence due to right elbow tendinitis.
Estrada, 27, had been out of action for the past three weeks dealing with the elbow issue that has limited his early season availability.
This season, the relief pitcher holds a 1-1 record with a 5.14 earned run average across seven appearances, recording eight strikeouts while issuing five walks over seven innings of work.
To make space on the active roster for Estrada’s return, San Diego sent right-handed pitcher David Morgan down to their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.
Morgan, 26, compiled a 2-0 record this season with a 6.08 earned run average over 11 games, tallying 15 strikeouts and 11 walks in 13 1/3 innings pitched.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are conducting construction work that has forced the closure of one westbound lane on Garfield Parkway (Route 26) at Tree Top Lane.
The lane restriction began earlier today and is expected to continue until 4 PM this afternoon, according to DelDOT traffic officials.
Motorists traveling westbound on Route 26 should expect delays in the area and may want to consider alternate routes or allow extra travel time to reach their destinations.
DelDOT continues to monitor the construction progress and will reopen the lane once work is completed safely.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are performing inspection activities today underneath the Brandywine River bridge situated between Lovering Avenue and North Park Drive.
The maintenance work is part of DelDOT’s regular infrastructure assessment program to ensure bridge safety and structural integrity. Officials have not indicated any specific concerns that prompted today’s inspection.
Motorists traveling in the area should expect potential minor delays as crews complete their assessment work. The inspection is expected to be completed today.
Delaware State Police’s Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) has released public notifications regarding multiple registered sex offenders who are either missing from the system or currently homeless.
Authorities are actively searching for seven individuals who have violated registration requirements by failing to update or confirm their residential information with the state registry.
The wanted individuals include Arthur Baugh, Stefan Ewell, Charles Fulton, Deangelo Hoskins, Tori Lied, Michael Viscount, and Brian Walker. These cases represent a fraction of the total number of sex offenders currently being sought by law enforcement.
Police emphasize that anyone with knowledge of these individuals’ whereabouts should immediately contact SOAR at (302) 739-5882. Citizens can also submit anonymous tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 847-3333.
Additionally, authorities have issued a separate notification regarding Benjamin Perchalski Sr., a registered sex offender who has recently reported being homeless. While Perchalski is not considered wanted for registration violations, police are requesting information if anyone knows of him occupying a specific residence.
The same contact numbers are available for reporting information about homeless sex offenders. State Police note that both the wanted and homeless individuals mentioned represent only partial lists of current cases.
Complete profiles and updated information for all registered sex offenders can be accessed through the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website, which maintains separate searchable databases for wanted and homeless offenders.
Two former Israeli Prime Ministers have announced they will join forces for the country’s upcoming election, creating a unified opposition front against current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid revealed their partnership under the framework called Beyachad, with Bennett positioned to head the ticket and Lapid taking a supporting role.
The collaboration reunites the same duo who previously led Israel’s brief unity government from 2021 to 2022. This time around, the leadership structure is more clearly defined, with Bennett expected to spearhead the joint list while Lapid, who leads the Yesh Atid party, assumes a secondary position.
Political analysts suggest this alliance could significantly impact how Washington views Israel’s political landscape. Ofir Dayan, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, believes Netanyahu’s perceived indispensability in American circles has diminished. “I think that ship has sailed,” Dayan explained to The Media Line. “When Bennett and Lapid replaced Netanyahu in 2021, I think it became clear that Netanyahu is not irreplaceable.”
Michael Koplow, chief policy officer at Israel Policy Forum and a senior research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, offered a nuanced perspective on U.S.-Israel relations. “At the institutional level, under this administration, it’s very stable, and I don’t think that will change no matter who’s leading the Israeli government,” Koplow told The Media Line. “But when you get past the level of the president and the administration, there are definitely warning signs in Congress … and that’s where it probably makes a difference who the prime minister is.”
While the partnership appears straightforward on the surface, it introduces complex questions about governance and international relations, particularly regarding how a Bennett-led government might interact with President Donald Trump. Israel’s parliamentary system requires coalition-building after elections to form a governing majority, making the path to power uncertain despite the clear opposition leadership.
Dr. Assaf Shapira from the Israel Democracy Institute views the merger as strategically beneficial for both politicians involved. “If we are talking about the particular interests of Lapid and Bennett and their parties, then it is a success,” Shapira told The Media Line. “It will bring them only gains.”
For Lapid specifically, Shapira noted the alliance provides crucial protection against electoral decline. “The party, according to the polls, was about to crash,” he explained, referencing surveys that showed Yesh Atid approaching the electoral threshold. “Now, Lapid secures his place in the next Knesset. He secures the fact that he will be the deputy of a list that will certainly be a large list.”
The partnership could also position Lapid for a return to international diplomacy. “If Bennett forms a government, I think there is a good chance that we will see Lapid as foreign minister,” Shapira predicted. “You cannot know, but that seems a little like his natural role in the next government, and that may also be relevant to the United States.”
Bennett’s advantages from the merger are equally significant. Before the alliance, he faced competition for opposition leadership, including from Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief who entered politics with strong security credentials. “Now, with this union, Bennett is the leader of the bloc,” Shapira observed. “There are still six months until the election, but at the moment it looks like Bennett is completely the leader of the bloc, and he positions himself as the main, almost the only, competitor to Netanyahu.”
However, Shapira expressed skepticism about the alliance’s ability to expand beyond existing opposition voters. “I don’t see how this union can bring additional voters from Likud,” he stated. “There is probably no one who was debating whether to vote Bennett or Likud and now says, after Bennett united with Lapid, I will definitely vote Bennett.”
The merger’s impact may be more psychological than electoral, according to Shapira. Strong polling performance could generate momentum and enthusiasm among opposition supporters. “The very fact that people will suddenly see in the polls a list, the Beyachad list, that is like Likud, maybe even in some polls bigger than Likud, that is something that can create enthusiasm,” he explained. “And that enthusiasm is important. It has importance in itself.”
Several political questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding other opposition figures like Benny Gantz, the former defense minister who leads National Unity. “We don’t know what will happen, for example, with Gantz—whether he runs separately, whether he unites,” Shapira noted. Other potential moves involving Yoaz Hendel, Avigdor Liberman, or Eisenkot could further reshape the political landscape.
The alliance also highlights the evolving nature of Israeli political divisions. Shapira argues that traditional left-right distinctions have given way to divisions centered on Netanyahu, judicial authority, and democratic institutions. “You can call it the Bibi bloc and the anti-Bibi bloc,” he said. “You can call it a bloc that supports the Supreme Court and a bloc that opposes the Supreme Court.”
In this context, Lapid’s centrist positioning becomes complicated. “Lapid defines himself as a center party. That is nice. It is not a center party,” Shapira stated bluntly. “There is almost no center today in Israel.”
Regarding U.S.-Israel relations, the personal dynamics between leaders could prove crucial. Dayan emphasized the importance of the existing Netanyahu-Trump relationship. “You can’t underestimate the value of personal connection,” she said. “President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are good friends. They have been working together for many years, so it has influence.”
While Bennett could potentially work effectively with Trump, the relationship would lack the established history. “Even if future Prime Minister Bennett will have great relations with President Trump, still he doesn’t have that advantage of working with President Trump and being friends with him for so many years,” Dayan explained. “So, obviously, that’s going to change.”
The current opposition faces challenges in building Washington connections due to the close Trump-Netanyahu relationship. “There is no light between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Donald Trump,” Dayan observed. “So, the opposition is not really very much in touch with the American administration.”
Nevertheless, Bennett and Lapid are not unknown quantities in Republican circles, and Trump has previously praised Lapid publicly. “They are aware of them and have some sort of relations with them, even if not working directly together,” Dayan noted.
Koplow highlighted the unprecedented nature of the Trump-Netanyahu bond. “I don’t think there’s ever been a president and a prime minister who were so tightly linked … and who went out of their way to also give each other such high levels of political support,” he said. “They seem to have this bond that I don’t think you’ll see with Trump and a different Israeli prime minister.”
On security matters, institutional relationships may prove more durable than personal ones. Dayan argued that military and intelligence cooperation remains strong regardless of leadership changes. “In terms of security, the relationship is super close, super intimate,” she said. “And I think it will stay this way for the near future, again, unless something drastic changes in the administration.”
Political dynamics present different challenges. Netanyahu’s image has become polarizing in certain American circles, potentially limiting his effectiveness with future Democratic administrations. “Netanyahu’s image became toxic in certain American circles,” Dayan explained. “Not necessarily just the policies of the Netanyahu government, but Netanyahu himself. He is portrayed as the prototype of an illiberal leader.”
Interestingly, Dayan suggested Bennett might be better positioned to resist certain American pressures than Netanyahu. “Netanyahu has a soft spot with Trump,” she said. “Trump knows he can pressure Netanyahu, and there are many things that Bennett might be better positioned to refuse Trump than Netanyahu is, because Netanyahu feels like he owes Trump for things they did together in the past.”
The possibility of American intervention in Israeli elections remains open. “I think it is likely,” Dayan said when asked about potential Trump involvement. “I don’t know that it will happen.” At minimum, she expects Trump to publicly express support for Netanyahu’s continued leadership.
For now, the Bennett-Lapid partnership has clarified opposition leadership without guaranteeing electoral success. The alliance provides structural advantages for both leaders while raising new questions about governance and international relations. As Shapira concluded, “It’s good for both Bennett and Lapid. In terms of the blocs, I don’t think it changes very much.”
