The nation’s highest court showed signs it may back the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate temporary protected status for migrants from Haiti and Syria currently living in the United States.
During court proceedings, the justices demonstrated openness to arguments supporting the administration’s position to end these special protections that have allowed thousands of migrants to remain in the country legally due to dangerous conditions in their home nations.
The temporary protected status program provides relief from deportation for individuals whose countries face ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances that make return unsafe.
A final ruling from the Supreme Court could affect the legal status of thousands of Haitian and Syrian nationals who have been living and working in the United States under these protections.
WASHINGTON — In a 235-191 vote, the House passed legislation Wednesday extending a controversial U.S. surveillance program for three years, just days before it’s set to expire on Friday. The measure includes additional oversight provisions but falls short of requiring warrants that privacy advocates have pushed for.
Most Republicans were joined by a significant number of Democrats in supporting the extension. However, the legislation’s future remains unclear as it awaits action from the Senate and President Donald Trump.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Wednesday evening that his chamber probably won’t quickly approve the House version, suggesting a temporary extension will be necessary to avoid Friday’s expiration deadline.
The House vote represented a victory for Republican leadership after Speaker Mike Johnson spent the day winning over several GOP holdouts to move the measure to a final vote. Previous attempts to pass a long-term extension had failed after chaotic late-night sessions earlier this month.
“Two-thirds of the president’s daily national security briefing comes from intelligence collected by that statute,” Johnson said about the program. “We cannot allow it to go dark.”
At the heart of the controversy is a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that permits the CIA, NSA, FBI and other intelligence agencies to gather and examine communications from foreign subjects without obtaining warrants. This process can inadvertently capture communications involving Americans who communicate with those foreign targets, which many legislators view as problematic.
“The intel community always just comes in and says, ‘People will die if you do this,’” Republican Rep. Chip Roy said Tuesday, advocating for warrant requirements. “Well, I’m sorry. A lot of Americans died to give us and protect that Fourth Amendment right that we don’t have government looking at our stuff.”
Rather than including warrant requirements, the House legislation establishes new oversight mechanisms. These include monthly civil liberties reviews of searches involving U.S. citizens by an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, with violations reported to the Intelligence Community’s inspector general.
Additional provisions would establish criminal penalties for officials who deliberately abuse the system or falsify compliance records, mandate a government audit of targeting procedures, and create new protocols to give Congress greater access to FISA court proceedings.
House Democrats criticized the extension during floor debate before Wednesday evening’s vote. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called the measure a “three-year blank check” that comes “without any meaningful guardrails.”
“Under this bill, FBI agents will still collect, search and review Americans’ communications without any review from a judge,” Raskin stated.
However, Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, supported the extension, describing the program as “without question, the most important foreign intelligence tool.” Himes, who voted for the measure, said the legislation makes oversight of the program “marginally and modestly stronger.”
While Thune said he has maintained contact with Johnson throughout the process, the next steps remain unclear even if the House passes the bill.
“We’re probably going to end up doing a short term,” Thune told reporters following the House vote.
A complicating factor is that House Republicans have tied the surveillance renewal to separate legislation that would prohibit a central bank digital currency — a proposal Thune has described as “very, very hard to pass” in the Senate.
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, who has long advocated for FISA reforms, characterized the House deal as “deeply flawed,” though he declined to specify whether he would back an extension.
Thune suggested Wednesday that another temporary extension might be needed while lawmakers work out final details. He indicated a 60-day extension “could be a landing spot.”
Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, delivered first-quarter financial results on Wednesday that surpassed Wall Street projections, though the tech giant simultaneously raised its capital investment outlook for the coming year.
During the first three months of 2024, the social media company generated profits of $26.77 billion, translating to $10.44 per share – a substantial 61% increase from the $16.64 billion, or $6.43 per share, recorded during the corresponding period in 2023. Total revenue climbed 33% year-over-year to reach $56.31 billion. Wall Street analysts had anticipated earnings of $6.67 per share with revenues of $55.6 billion, according to FactSet Research data.
“We had a milestone quarter with strong momentum across our apps and the release of our first model from Meta Superintelligence Labs,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. “We’re on track to deliver personal superintelligence to billions of people.”
Looking ahead to the second quarter, Meta projects revenues will fall between $58 billion and $61 billion, which aligns closely with analyst predictions averaging $59.48 billion.
The company has revised its annual capital expenditure projections upward to a range of $125 billion to $145 billion, marking an increase from its earlier forecast of $115 billion to $135 billion. Meta attributed this adjustment to anticipated higher component costs and additional expenses related to data center operations.
During Meta’s previous spending forecast announcement at year-end, the company explained that increased investments in Meta Superintelligence Labs initiatives were driving the year-over-year growth. The company has since announced plans to eliminate approximately 10% of its staff – roughly 8,000 positions – while simultaneously expanding investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and recruiting high-compensation AI specialists.
As of March’s conclusion, Meta employed nearly 78,000 people, representing a modest 1% increase from the previous year.
Following the earnings announcement, Meta’s share price declined by more than 6% during after-hours trading.
WASHINGTON — Historic preservation advocates appeared in federal court Wednesday asking a judge to stop President Donald Trump’s proposed major construction work at the Kennedy Center, Washington’s renowned performing arts complex that has undergone significant changes since Trump returned to the presidency.
The coalition of cultural and preservation organizations wants U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper to grant a preliminary injunction stopping all construction before the planned July 6 beginning date. They express concern that Trump and the center’s board of trustees may ignore historic preservation regulations designed to protect the building that welcomes millions of annual visitors.
Following Wednesday’s court session, attorney Greg Werkheiser explained that the governing statutes address “the very fundamental question of: Do we slow down and take stock before we make changes to properties that define the American experience?”
Federal prosecutors defending the president and board contended Wednesday that the proposed building modifications are narrow in scope and fall clearly within the board’s existing powers, requiring no additional governmental approvals.
Trump has focused considerable attention on the Kennedy Center since resuming the presidency. He removed the facility’s former management team and installed his own chosen board members, who subsequently appointed him as chairman. These leadership changes sparked significant criticism from the arts community and worsened the center’s budget problems. Trump’s name was subsequently added to the building’s exterior, and he revealed the renovation plans earlier this year.
Beyond serving as a top-tier arts and cultural institution, the Kennedy Center functions as a “living monument” honoring President John F. Kennedy, who secured funding for the project’s construction but was killed before its completion. Located along the Potomac River, the enormous building with its distinctive white marble exterior has become an iconic feature of Washington’s skyline.
This marks the second consecutive day of legal proceedings concerning the Kennedy Center’s future. Representative Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat, has filed a separate lawsuit seeking to prevent the renovations in her capacity as an ex officio board member. Judge Cooper is presiding over both cases. For the second straight day, the judge’s balanced questioning of both legal teams made it challenging to predict his eventual decision.
During his testimony, executive director Matt Floca, a former facilities manager promoted by the Trump-appointed board, described the planned work as necessary maintenance to address years of deterioration, including significant water damage to a section of the building staff dubbed “the swamp.”
“The most efficient and effective way to complete the magnitude of projects we need to complete is to close the center,” Floca testified.
Lawyers representing the preservation groups questioned whether the project scope is truly limited, citing Trump’s public comments about plans to “fully expose” the building’s steel framework.
Yaakov Roth, the Justice Department lawyer defending the president, dismissed these concerns as excessive.
“There’s no risk that there will be unilateral changes … that we’ll wake up and the building will be gone,” Roth argued.
The Kennedy Center legal battles reflect broader disputes over Trump’s initiatives to make permanent changes to Washington’s landscape. Since taking office, the former New York real estate developer has frustrated preservationists by renovating the White House’s historic Rose Garden. Last October, the administration demolished the White House’s East Wing to construct a $400 million ballroom.
In addition to the Kennedy Center, Trump has also placed his name on the United States Institute of Peace building. The president is also pursuing plans for constructing a 250-foot “triumphal arch.”
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Federal investigators carried out extensive searches across Minnesota this week, seizing documents and evidence as part of a continuing probe into fraudulent activities within publicly funded children’s programs.
The Tuesday operations involved 22 search warrants executed by federal agents, with armed officers visible at multiple childcare facilities throughout the state. The searches represent the most recent chapter in Minnesota’s ongoing battle against widespread fraud within social service programs.
Minnesota has faced numerous interconnected fraud investigations spanning multiple years, with federal prosecutors estimating that potentially billions of dollars in government funding may have been misappropriated.
The state’s fraud problems gained national attention through the Feeding Our Future scandal, a pandemic-era school meal program that federal authorities say resulted in $300 million in fraudulent losses. Since initial charges were filed in 2022, nearly 80 individuals have faced prosecution, with at least 65 convictions secured. Defendants allegedly falsely claimed to have provided millions of meals to children.
Federal prosecutors noted that most defendants in the Feeding Our Future case were of Somali heritage and held U.S. citizenship, though the alleged mastermind, Aimee Bock, is white. Bock received convictions on multiple charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery, with sentencing scheduled for May 21.
This wasn’t Minnesota’s first encounter with social service fraud. State legislative auditors reported in 2019 that suspected fraud in a single childcare program was costing $100 million or more each year.
President Donald Trump has cited these scandals as grounds for implementing extensive immigration enforcement in Minnesota, initially targeting the state’s substantial Somali population. However, the majority of over 4,000 arrests involved Hispanic individuals, most without criminal histories, despite administration claims of targeting “the worst of the worst.”
Trump characterized Minnesota as “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” under Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, writing on social media around Thanksgiving: “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!”
The administration launched Operation Metro Surge in early December, deploying approximately 3,000 federal officers in what officials called the largest immigration enforcement operation in history. The crackdown triggered widespread protests, with residents attempting to shield immigrants from arrest. Demonstrations intensified following fatal shootings of two individuals by federal officers.
In December, federal prosecutors unveiled a new wave of Medicaid fraud charges involving child nutrition services, housing assistance, and autism support programs. Autism rates are notably elevated within the Somali community for unexplained reasons. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who spearheaded the Feeding Our Future prosecutions, estimated that half or more of approximately $18 billion in federal funding distributed through 14 Minnesota programs since 2018 may have been stolen.
“The magnitude cannot be overstated,” Thompson stated before later resigning amid an exodus of career officials protesting Trump administration policies. “What we see in Minnesota is not a handful of bad actors committing crimes. It’s staggering, industrial-scale fraud.”
While frequently referenced, Thompson’s dollar figure represents an estimate, with actual losses alleged in filed cases totaling significantly less.
Conservative influencer Nick Shirley posted an extensive video the day after Christmas alleging that Minneapolis Somali community members operated fraudulent childcare centers to collect federal subsidies. The video gained attention from Trump administration officials and conservative activists, though state inspectors dismissed the claims.
Tuesday’s federal searches involved multiple state and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension officers removed boxes from several locations. Democratic state Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit participated in searches at five sites alongside federal law enforcement. The state’s child welfare agency provided supporting information.
The timeline for potential criminal charges remains unclear, as fraud investigations typically require extensive time to complete due to their complexity.
BOSTON — Federal authorities have concluded that the gunman responsible for a deadly shooting at Brown University and the murder of an MIT professor deliberately selected his targets based on deep-seated personal resentments, rather than striking at random.
According to a comprehensive behavioral analysis made public Wednesday, Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese citizen and former Brown University student, chose locations and individuals that symbolized what he perceived as personal setbacks, lost chances, and unfair treatment in his life.
The FBI report details how Neves Valente spent years in solitude developing his attack plan before opening fire in an engineering facility on December 13, resulting in two student deaths and nine injuries. He subsequently murdered MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro at the educator’s Brookline, Massachusetts residence two days afterward. Law enforcement discovered Neves Valente’s body at a Salem, New Hampshire storage unit, apparently dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, concluding a manhunt across multiple states.
Federal investigators characterized the perpetrator as someone who lived in extreme isolation for years, frequently changing locations and lacking the typical support networks of family members, friends, or mentors who might have detected concerning behavior and contacted authorities.
Investigators determined that he gradually constructed a worldview centered on personal grievances and feelings of inadequacy, with “little to no opportunity for bystanders to observe and contextualize the significance of his behaviors.”
“He appeared to struggle with how he viewed his life achievements and felt he was considerably marginalized by others,” the FBI wrote in the report. “As his failures outweighed successes, his paranoia increased, compounding his continued inability to thrive and leading to him being mentally unwell and committed to dying.”
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the violence carried symbolic meaning. Both Brown University and Professor Loureiro embodied what the shooter viewed as “his personal failures and injustices he perceived were inflicted by others over time,” according to investigators.
“By attacking them, Neves Valente was likely able to overcome his shame and envy by using violence to punish those communities that he perceived contributed to his downfall,” the FBI said.
However, investigators recognized the limitations of their analysis, acknowledging that only Neves Valente truly understood his complete motivation and that psychological stress factors alone cannot provide a full explanation for the attacks.
Following the shootings, authorities discovered that Neves Valente had created multiple video and audio recordings where he admitted to the crimes, showed no regret, and discussed some of the resentments detailed in the FBI analysis, though he provided no definitive rationale for his actions.
Law enforcement has determined that Neves Valente operated independently and that the incidents had no established links to terrorist activity.
Officials revealed that Neves Valente was enrolled briefly as a doctoral candidate at Brown during the early 2000s but failed to finish his studies, a detail that investigators believe influenced his later perception of the institution. The weapons used in both attacks were purchased legally in Florida several years before the incidents, according to authorities.
These revelations emerge as victims wounded in the shooting initiated legal action this week, claiming the university disregarded previous warnings about the gunman and failed to implement sufficient security measures that might have prevented the tragedy.
LOS ANGELES — Legal authorities in Los Angeles County announced Wednesday that recording artist D4vd fatally attacked 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez with a knife in what they describe as a calculated murder.
The District Attorney’s Office revealed new details in court documents Wednesday, outlining what prosecutors claim is evidence showing the musician’s attempts to destroy the victim’s remains and eliminate proof of the crime.
According to the filing, D4vd, legally known as David Burke, first encountered Rivas Hernandez when she was just 11 years old, initiated an illegal sexual relationship when she turned 13 while he was 18, and murdered her after she threatened to expose their illicit affair.
“Knowing he had to silence the victim before she ruined his music career as she had threatened, very soon after her arrival at his home, defendant stabbed the victim to death multiple times and stood by while she bled out.”
Authorities discovered her decomposing remains inside a Tesla vehicle that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills area last September.
Investigators recovered text communications between Burke and the victim from April 22, 2025 — the final day before her phone went silent and officials believe she was murdered.
“The messages reveal the victim’s jealousy over defendant’s relationships with other women, as defendant led her to believe they had a future together. She became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with defendant to end his career and destroy his life,” the document says.
Court papers allege Burke purchased two chainsaws through online retailers, which he then used to dismember the teenager’s body inside an inflatable swimming pool. Investigators reportedly discovered the girl’s DNA evidence in Burke’s garage, where they believe the dismemberment took place.
“Defendant took horrifying measures to destroy and discard the victim’s body,” prosecutors said in the brief.
The victim’s remains had deteriorated so severely that medical examiners could not identify basic physical characteristics like eye color. At the time of her death, she wore dental braces and had gotten a tattoo reading “Shhh…” on her finger along with Burke’s name, according to official reports. Two fingers were absent from the body, along with portions of her arms and legs.
Until now, prosecutors had not publicly outlined their theory of how Rivas Hernandez died or provided specifics about her connection to the defendant. Medical examination results indicated she died from stab wounds.
Burke has entered a not guilty plea to first-degree murder charges and additional counts. His legal representatives maintain his innocence and deny he caused Rivas Hernandez’s death.
Defense lawyers requested that Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo seal the prosecution’s filing during Wednesday’s hearing, but the judge rejected their motion. The attorneys declined to speak with reporters after court proceedings.
A father-daughter team from New Jersey has admitted to orchestrating an elaborate art forgery scheme that fooled some of New York City’s most prestigious auction houses out of at least $2 million.
The case began unraveling just over a year ago when Karolina Bankowska, 26, walked into art dealer Robert Rogal’s private showroom carrying what appeared to be an authentic Andrew Wyeth watercolor. She claimed it was a family heirloom and hoped to sell it through consignment for an estimated $20,000 to $30,000.
“The provenance was a little fuzzy,” Rogal recalled. “But she seemed credible. It wasn’t an obvious counterfeit.”
Federal prosecutors now say that painting was among more than 200 sophisticated fakes that Bankowska and her father, 50-year-old Erwin Bankowski, attempted to sell to unsuspecting buyers. On Tuesday, both Polish citizens entered guilty pleas to fraud charges.
The counterfeit artworks were created by an unidentified accomplice in Poland and included reproductions of lesser-known pieces by renowned artists such as Banksy and Andy Warhol, according to prosecutors. Their biggest payday came from a fake Richard Mayhew painting that sold through DuMouchelles auction house last October for $160,000.
A DuMouchelles spokesperson confirmed cooperation with federal investigators but declined further comment. Other targeted auction houses, including Bonhams, Phillips, Freeman’s and Antique Arena, either refused to comment or did not respond to requests.
The defendants face wire fraud conspiracy charges and additional counts for misrepresenting Native American-produced artwork after forging pieces attributed to Luiseño artist Fritz Scholder. Federal sentencing guidelines call for more than three years imprisonment, plus $1.9 million in restitution payments and potential deportation to Poland.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, Bankowska acknowledged to the judge that her “conduct was wrong and I am guilty.” Her lawyer, Todd Spodek, noted that his client has already placed over $1 million in an escrow account.
Speaking through a Polish translator, Erwin Bankowski also expressed remorse. His defense attorney, Jeffrey Chabrowe, explained that his client had “regrettably made a terrible decision in an effort to support his family.”
Art world experts say this type of fraud is more common than many industry insiders care to acknowledge.
“The only unusual thing about this case is that the forgers got caught,” said Erin Thompson, who teaches art crime at the City University of New York.
“People think of the art world as a genteel place full of cultured people who just want to share the wonder of beautiful art,” she continued. “You should assume there are a lot more fakes out there.”
According to prosecutors, the scheme launched in 2020 when the pair began hiring a Polish artist to produce the fraudulent works. They used vintage paper and created fake gallery stamps, choosing names of defunct galleries where the supposed artists might have realistically displayed their work.
Red flags began appearing by March 2023, when representatives for artist Raimonds Staprans discovered a forged painting called “Triple Boats” being offered at auction. Despite the artist’s representatives contacting the auction house, the piece still sold for $60,000 just days later, prosecutors stated.
Thompson, the art crime expert, spotted additional warning signs. The gallery stamp on the counterfeit Wyeth listed 1976 as the year but used a zoning address format that had been discontinued in 1962.
Ironically, the fake stamp carried the name and address of M. Knoedler & Co., one of New York’s most prestigious galleries until it shuttered in 2011 following its own forgery scandal involving fake works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and other masters.
Rogal ultimately decided against listing the Wyeth painting, partly because the stamp appeared “too clean.” When he contacted Bankowska to retrieve the artwork, she never responded.
On Tuesday, while examining the painting again in his Queens warehouse filled with consigned pieces, Rogal reflected on the experience.
“You try to do a service and provide it correctly,” he said. “Can we be fooled? Absolutely.”
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to extend a controversial U.S. surveillance program for three more years, passing the measure 235-191 despite ongoing concerns about privacy protections.
The legislation received support from most Republicans and a significant number of Democrats, though its future remains unclear as it heads to the Senate. The program is set to expire Friday, creating pressure for quick action.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Wednesday evening that the upper chamber likely won’t fast-track the House version, suggesting a temporary extension may be needed to meet the Friday deadline.
The House vote marked a victory for Republican leadership after Speaker Mike Johnson worked throughout the day to win over GOP holdouts who had previously blocked the legislation. Earlier attempts this month to renew the surveillance authority had failed on the House floor.
“Two-thirds of the president’s daily national security briefing comes from intelligence collected by that statute,” Johnson stated regarding the program. “We cannot allow it to go dark.”
The controversy revolves around a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that permits intelligence agencies including the CIA, NSA, and FBI to gather and examine communications from foreign subjects without obtaining warrants. During this process, the agencies sometimes inadvertently collect communications involving Americans who communicate with foreign targets, which many legislators find problematic.
“The intel community always just comes in and says, ‘People will die if you do this,’” stated Republican Representative Chip Roy on Tuesday while advocating for warrant requirements. “Well, I’m sorry. A lot of Americans died to give us and protect that Fourth Amendment right that we don’t have government looking at our stuff.”
Rather than including warrant requirements, the House measure establishes new oversight mechanisms. These include monthly civil liberties reviews of searches involving U.S. citizens by an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, with any violations being reported to the Intelligence Community’s inspector general.
The legislation would also establish criminal penalties for officials who deliberately abuse the system or falsify compliance records, mandate a government audit of targeting procedures, and require new protocols to give Congress greater access to FISA court proceedings.
House Democrats voiced strong opposition to the extension during floor debate before Wednesday’s vote. Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, criticized the measure as a “three-year blank check” that arrives “without any meaningful guardrails.”
“Under this bill, FBI agents will still collect, search and review Americans’ communications without any review from a judge,” Raskin argued.
Representative Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, defended the extension, describing the program as “without question, the most important foreign intelligence tool.” Himes, who supported the extension, said the legislation makes protective measures “marginally and modestly stronger.”
While Thune reported staying in communication with Johnson throughout the process, the bill’s next steps remain unclear even if it passes the House.
“We’re probably going to end up doing a short term,” Thune informed reporters following the House vote.
One complication involves House Republicans connecting the surveillance renewal with separate legislation that would prohibit a central bank digital currency — a proposal Thune described as “very, very hard to pass” in the Senate.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, who has long pushed for FISA reforms, called the House agreement “deeply flawed,” though he wouldn’t specify whether he would back an extension.
Thune suggested Wednesday that another temporary extension might be necessary while lawmakers work out final details. He indicated a 60-day extension “could be a landing spot.”
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s softball squad wrapped up their final home games of the season Wednesday with a doubleheader split against Catholic University at Margie Knight Sea Gull Softball Stadium.
The Sea Gulls dominated the first contest, securing a convincing 7-2 victory over the visiting Cardinals. However, Catholic University responded in the second game, edging out a narrow 2-1 win to even the day’s competition.
With the split results, Salisbury’s record now stands at 23-13 for the season, while Catholic University improved their mark to 27-11. The doubleheader marked the conclusion of home play for the Sea Gulls’ 2026 campaign.
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez was forced to leave Wednesday’s matchup with the Texas Rangers after taking a pitch to his left elbow that left him visibly injured.
The incident occurred during the fourth inning when Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi’s cutter, traveling at 89.1 mph, struck Dominguez in the elbow. The impact left the player doubled over in discomfort, though he initially remained in the game following treatment from New York’s medical staff.
Medical personnel conducted X-rays on Dominguez, and team officials plan additional examinations once the Yankees conclude their Texas series and return home to New York.
Max Schuemann took over Dominguez’s position when the Yankees returned to the field. The young outfielder had just been promoted from the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier this week and had appeared in two games as designated hitter before taking his first start in the outfield Wednesday.
The switch-hitting player made an impressive debut in September 2023, launching four home runs across eight contests before requiring Tommy John surgery on his elbow. During the previous season, Dominguez posted a .257 batting average while contributing 10 home runs and 47 RBIs over 123 games, though his appearances became less frequent following the All-Star break.
The nation’s highest court indicated during oral arguments that it may be inclined to terminate Temporary Protected Status protections for certain immigrant populations, a move that could impact thousands of people currently residing in the United States.
The Supreme Court justices heard arguments regarding the humanitarian program that shields migrants from deportation when conditions in their home countries are deemed unsafe due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances.
TPS provides temporary relief from removal proceedings and work authorization for eligible nationals whose countries face ongoing crises that prevent safe return. The program currently covers individuals from multiple nations experiencing various forms of instability.
Legal experts monitoring the proceedings noted the justices’ questioning suggested skepticism about continuing certain designations under the program. The court’s eventual ruling could significantly alter immigration policy and affect the legal status of numerous individuals who have built lives in American communities.
Immigration advocates have argued that ending TPS protections would force people to return to dangerous conditions, while opponents contend the temporary nature of the program should be enforced more strictly.
A final decision from the Supreme Court is expected in the coming months, with potential implications for immigration enforcement nationwide.
WASHINGTON – The White House confirmed Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s administration is conducting an assessment of American military personnel stationed in Germany, with the possibility of reducing troop numbers under consideration.
Speaking on the matter, Trump indicated that his team would reach a conclusion on potential changes to the military presence soon.
The announcement comes as part of ongoing evaluations of U.S. military deployments overseas.
Align Technology surpassed financial analysts’ expectations for first-quarter earnings on April 29, driven by robust sales of its dental alignment products, while simultaneously unveiling a $200 million stock repurchase initiative that pushed shares higher by up to 4% during extended trading hours.
Industry experts anticipate the dental market will find stability by 2026, though they maintain a reserved outlook regarding complete recovery following last year’s turbulent period characterized by inconsistent patient appointments that has made investors wary.
The company behind Invisalign reported minimal effects from Middle Eastern conflicts during the first quarter, although healthcare providers in that region have observed some reduction in patient visits and treatment acceptance rates.
“Overall, we think this is a much better than expected print and like that many of the underlying longer-term growth drivers are beginning to bear fruit,” said Evercore ISI analyst Elizabeth Anderson.
The manufacturer of dental retainers, oral scanning equipment, and laboratory software projects second-quarter revenues between $1.04 billion and $1.06 billion, closely matching analyst projections of $1.06 billion based on LSEG data compilation.
Company leadership also maintained their annual forecast of 3% to 4% revenue expansion and mid-single digit volume increases for their primary Clear Aligner product line.
For the quarter concluding March 31, Align reported adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share with revenues reaching $1.04 billion, surpassing analyst predictions of $2.28 per share profit and $1.02 billion in sales.
Financial markets are shifting their expectations about Federal Reserve policy, with traders now wagering that interest rates will climb in the first half of 2027 rather than fall this year. This change comes after the central bank maintained its current borrowing costs unchanged during its April 28-29 meeting, marking the third consecutive session without a rate adjustment.
According to CME Group data tracking futures contracts tied to Fed policy decisions, market participants now see approximately a 55% probability of a rate increase by April 2027. This represents a significant jump from the roughly 20% chance traders were pricing in before the Fed’s latest announcement.
The central bank maintained its benchmark rate within the 3.50%-3.75% range during the recent two-day meeting. However, the decision faced opposition from three regional Fed presidents who disagreed with the institution’s current policy direction.
Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan all voted against maintaining what’s known as an “easing bias” in the Fed’s official communications. These officials believe the central bank should stop indicating that rate reductions are the most likely next policy move.
Despite keeping the dovish language in its post-meeting statement, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that modifications to this messaging could potentially occur as early as the June meeting.
Market sentiment shifted dramatically on Wednesday when oil prices surged amid concerns about potential extended U.S. restrictions on Iranian shipping routes. This development led traders to nearly eliminate expectations for rate cuts this year while simultaneously introducing small wagers on rate increases.
Wednesday’s meeting marked Powell’s final session as Fed chair, concluding his tenure amid regular criticism from President Donald Trump regarding his reluctance to lower borrowing costs. Trump has consistently advocated for reduced interest rates throughout Powell’s leadership.
The president has nominated Kevin Warsh to replace Powell beginning May 15, with expectations that Warsh will implement rate reductions. However, Warsh has publicly stated he made no commitments to Trump regarding future policy decisions.
Meanwhile, Fed Governor Stephen Miran, Trump’s other appointee during his current term, voted in favor of a rate cut at Wednesday’s meeting. This continues Miran’s consistent pattern of supporting lower rates at every meeting since he assumed his position in September.
Thursday night brings pivotal moments for three NBA playoff series, as the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics each seek to eliminate their opponents with away-game victories, while the defending champion Denver Nuggets battle to extend their season against an injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves squad.
The Atlanta Hawks find themselves in a difficult position after dropping two straight games, prompting coaching staff to explore different defensive strategies and player rotations to counter New York’s potent offensive attack. While Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a triple-double performance in Saturday’s contest as Atlanta successfully contained Jalen Brunson, Tuesday’s game told a different story with Brunson breaking free for 39 points.
“Everyone’s going to make adjustments,” Towns said. “So just being prepared for whatever the defense throws at us and being able to react accordingly.”
New York’s defensive adjustments have effectively neutralized CJ McCollum, who had previously dominated Games 2 and 3 with crucial scoring performances. Atlanta’s leading scorers, Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, have been unable to match their regular-season production levels.
“Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said after Tuesday’s 126-97 loss. “We need to execute on who we are and what we’ve done to be a good team, and like I said, that’s hard against a team of their caliber.”
In the Eastern Conference’s other series, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid demonstrated his value to the team in just his second appearance following appendix surgery. The former MVP led all scorers with 33 points, powering Philadelphia to a convincing 113-97 victory on Boston’s home court.
“He (Embiid) was dominant, especially in the second half,” Tyrese Maxey said after the game. “He did a really good job of just inserting himself, and you know, I was proud of him tonight, man.”
Philadelphia enters Game 6 with renewed energy, hoping to level the series on their home floor, while Boston aims to secure their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said Tuesday. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.”
Minnesota may have maintained their competitive spirit despite injuries to star player Anthony Edwards and key contributor Donte DiVincenzo, but their execution and concentration clearly suffered during Game 5’s loss in Denver. The Timberwolves trailed by as much as 27 points in the final quarter, with their 25 turnovers representing their most significant weakness.
While Edwards and DiVincenzo serve as the team’s premier three-point threats and offensive playmakers, Minnesota’s path to victory lies in rediscovering the suffocating defensive intensity that sparked their Game 2 comeback and dominant performances in Games 3 and 4.
“There’s no doubt that we miss Donte and Ant and all the things they do offensively and defensively, but we played a large part of Game 4 without those guys, so we still have really good defenders elsewhere,” coach Chris Finch said. “I didn’t like our attack mindset the other day. I thought we kind of waited on our heels a little bit too much. We’ve just got to be better getting back to what we know will work for us better.”
Game 6 between New York and Atlanta tips off at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN, with the Knicks favored by 2.5 points while holding a 3-2 series advantage. New York ranks second among all playoff teams in scoring at 113.2 points per game, shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.4% from three-point territory. Atlanta lags behind in each statistical category, averaging 102.6 points on 44.8% field goal shooting and 32.2% from beyond the arc.
Brunson’s 39-point explosion marked his finest offensive showing of the series, extending his franchise record to 22 career playoff games with 30 or more points. Towns has emerged as an improved facilitator, recording 16 assists across the last two contests and averaging 2.2 more assists per game compared to the regular season. Hawks guard Alexander-Walker has seen his scoring dip to 14.2 points per game in the postseason, down 6.8 points from his regular-season average.
Boston and Philadelphia square off at 8 p.m. EDT on Peacock, with the Celtics holding a 3-2 series lead and favored by 6.5 points. The Celtics lead all playoff teams with 84 made three-pointers and 47.6 rebounds per game. Jaylen Brown paces Boston’s scoring at 25.8 points per contest, while Jayson Tatum contributes across multiple categories with averages of 10.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
Payton Pritchard established a postseason career-high with 32 points against Philadelphia on Sunday. Through two playoff meetings with Boston, Embiid has averaged 29.5 points primarily through field goals and free throws, connecting on just 1 of 11 three-point attempts while shooting 21 of 44 from the field overall. Maxey has logged over 40 minutes per game in the playoffs, contributing 25.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per contest.
The final game of the evening features Denver hosting Minnesota at 9:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN, with the Nuggets favored by 5.5 points despite trailing 3-2 in the series. Ayo Dosunmu and Mike Conley Jr. received their first starting assignments of the series for Minnesota due to the Edwards and DiVincenzo injuries. Dosunmu leads the team in postseason scoring at 21.8 points per game, seven points higher than his regular-season average.
For Denver, both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are averaging more than 25 points per game, with Jokic adding team-leading totals of 14 rebounds and 9.4 assists per contest. The reigning Finals MVP has recorded two triple-doubles during the series.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have implemented a temporary speed limit reduction on Interstate 495, lowering the maximum speed to 55 miles per hour due to current weather conditions.
The speed restriction has been put in place as a safety precaution to help motorists navigate the highway more safely during the ongoing weather event. DelDOT monitors road conditions continuously and adjusts speed limits when necessary to protect drivers.
Motorists traveling on I-495 are advised to reduce their speed, maintain safe following distances, and exercise extra caution while the weather-related speed limit remains in effect.
The temporary speed reduction will remain in place until weather conditions improve and normal driving conditions return to the area.
ARLINGTON, Va. — A major agriculture trade organization is celebrating congressional action on a funding bill that would bolster America’s grain and feed sectors.
The National Grain and Feed Association announced its support on April 29, 2026, after the House Appropriations Committee moved forward with the fiscal year 2027 agriculture appropriations measure.
The proposed legislation contains multiple provisions aimed at enhancing the dependability, openness, and worldwide competitiveness of America’s grain and feed operations, according to the association.
Key elements of the bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create and execute backup plans ensuring grain inspection and weighing services continue during future disruptions. The measure emphasizes clear operational procedures and input from stakeholders, including export elevators and officially designated agencies.
The legislation also promotes better collaboration between USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration to speed up approvals for grain reconditioning plans, boosting efficiency at export locations when grain shipments need corrective measures.
Additional provisions highlight the critical nature of uninterrupted grain terminal operations for U.S. exports and reinforce the need for dependable data by instructing USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to preserve important reports and surveys while giving Congress advance warning before major changes to data gathering programs.
The bill also acknowledges the significance of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to America’s food supply by ensuring adequate funding for its operations.
“NGFA commends the House Appropriations Committee for advancing an agriculture appropriations bill that addresses several top priorities for the grain and feed industry,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “From safeguarding the continuity of export inspection services to maximizing coordination across federal agencies and preserving essential market data, these provisions help ensure that U.S. agriculture remains competitive, reliable, and resilient in the global marketplace.”
The association indicated it plans to continue collaborating with both chambers of Congress as the legislative process moves forward.
Weather officials have issued a coastal flood advisory that went into effect Monday evening and will remain active until early Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey issued the advisory at 5:41 PM on April 29th, with the warning set to expire at 1:00 AM on April 30th.
Residents in coastal areas should be prepared for potential flooding conditions during the advisory period. The weather service typically issues these advisories when tidal flooding is expected in low-lying coastal areas.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s men’s tennis squad wrapped up their regular season campaign with a disappointing 4-2 defeat against UC Santa Cruz’s Banana Slugs on Wednesday at the Sea Gulls’ home facility.
The match, held at Salisbury University’s Outdoor Tennis Center, marked the conclusion of regular season play for the local team as they faced off against the visiting California squad.
Despite competing on their home courts, the Sea Gulls were unable to secure a victory in what proved to be their final regular season contest of the year.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — April 29, 2026
DELMARVA — Soybean futures climbed higher Wednesday, fueled by strength in both soybean oil and crude oil markets. Investment funds and technical traders drove purchasing activity, pushing soy oil to new peak levels on favorable crush margins.
Weather forecasts showing drier conditions ahead should help farmers accelerate planting operations across growing regions. National soybean planting progress continues to advance despite some weather-related delays.
Policy
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson said he’s confident lawmakers will pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act Thursday. Thompson told agricultural media at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Washington Watch event he expects the bill to clear the House by noon Thursday. The legislation sets major policy direction for the nation’s agricultural sector over the coming years.
Markets
June live cattle finished up $1.75 at $255.25. August live cattle gained $0.62 to close at $249.72. Feeder cattle moved lower, with May contracts down $0.22 at $371.50.
For local grain, Laurel Grain Company in Laurel, Delaware is paying $5.23 per bushel for corn with July delivery. Soybeans at Laurel are bringing $11.37 for July.
Forecast
Showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight with lows around 50°F. Thursday looks mostly sunny with highs near 66°F and northwest winds at 10-15 mph.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, April 29, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
AUSTIN, Texas — Satirical news publication The Onion is making a renewed attempt to acquire conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars media empire and convert it into a parody platform.
A Texas judge will decide Thursday whether to greenlight the comedy outlet’s latest acquisition proposal, even as Jones has submitted eleventh-hour appeals in both state and federal courts attempting to block the proceedings. This legal battle stems from ongoing disputes over the more than $1 billion Jones must pay to families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims after he falsely claimed the 2012 Connecticut tragedy was staged.
This isn’t The Onion’s first attempt to secure the Infowars brand, and the publication is preparing for potential success. The comedy site has already begun marketing Infowars products through its own online store, featuring shirts and bags displaying an Infowars logo modified to include The Onion’s signature symbol replacing the letter ‘o.’
Jones has promised to resist any Onion acquisition. Should the takeover proceed, he plans to maintain his broadcasts through personal social media profiles, new websites, and the numerous radio stations that carry his show. He also intends to continue his merchandise operations, including nutritional supplements and apparel that generate millions annually.
Multiple family members of the 20 children and six staff members murdered at Sandy Hook filed lawsuits against Jones and his business in both Connecticut and Texas courts for defamation and emotional harm after he claimed the massacre was performed by ‘crisis actors’ to promote stricter gun legislation.
Family members provided testimony describing how Jones’ followers sent them death and sexual assault threats, confronted them in person, and bombarded them with hostile social media messages.
Jones maintained there was insufficient evidence connecting him to his followers’ behavior, though he acknowledged under oath that the shooting actually occurred.
Connecticut courts awarded victims’ families more than $1.4 billion in damages against Jones, later reduced by approximately $150 million during the appeals process. Texas courts ordered Jones to pay nearly $50 million in damages, with his Texas appeal still ongoing.
Jones declared bankruptcy in late 2022.
Throughout three decades, Jones promoted numerous conspiracy theories, including claims that the U.S. government orchestrated or allowed the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11 attacks.
As his false statements became increasingly extreme, his reach expanded across radio networks, the Infowars website, and social media platforms.
Following his dismissal from an Austin radio station in the mid-1990s, he started broadcasting from his residence using his Infowars website. He purchased the domain name for just $9.
In 2004, his operation consisted of two staff members and a small office. By 2010, Jones employed more than 60 people. By 2024, he operated four Austin studios and a warehouse for his product sales.
Jones claims he has prepared a new Austin studio facility in case he loses Infowars.
Jones’ bankruptcy proceedings included a 2024 auction to sell Infowars’ assets to help satisfy the court judgments, with The Onion selected as the successful bidder. However, the bankruptcy judge rejected that arrangement, pointing to issues with The Onion’s offer and the auction procedures.
The bankruptcy judge subsequently permitted the Sandy Hook families to pursue asset liquidation through state court. Jones has challenged that decision.
The Onion’s current proposal involves a six-month licensing agreement with renewal options while a court-designated receiver works toward eventually selling the assets of Free Speech Systems, Infowars’ parent company. Money from the asset sale would go to the Sandy Hook families.
The Onion would contribute $81,000 monthly to cover building rent for the Infowars studios, utilities, and other operational expenses.
The Onion recently revealed it has recruited staff to operate the redesigned Infowars platforms, including Tim Heidecker from the comedy partnership Tim and Eric, recognized for their Cartoon Network ‘Adult Swim’ programming. Beyond parody content, plans include featuring various comedy formats.
Headquartered in Chicago, The Onion launched in the 1980s and has spent decades satirizing politics and popular culture, frequently targeting Jones in mocking articles. The publication uses ‘America’s Finest News Source’ as its tagline.
Following mass shootings in America, The Onion typically republishes modified versions of one of its most famous recurring satirical pieces: “‘No Way to Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens.”
Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, delivered exceptional financial results for the first quarter, demonstrating that its massive investments in artificial intelligence technology are generating significant returns.
The tech giant reported earnings of $62.6 billion, equivalent to $5.11 per share, for the three-month period ending in March. This represents a remarkable 81% jump compared to the same quarter last year. Total revenue increased by 22% year-over-year, reaching $109.9 billion and surpassing Wall Street expectations.
Following the earnings announcement on Wednesday, Alphabet’s stock price jumped more than 6% in after-hours trading, positioning the shares to reach a new record high during Thursday’s regular trading session. The company’s market capitalization now stands at $4.2 trillion, more than doubling from $1.9 trillion just one year ago.
The strong quarterly performance led Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai to highlight the company’s strategic AI investments over the past three years. According to Pichai, these investments “are lighting up every part of the business.”
Google’s core advertising business, powered by its leading search engine, continued to drive growth with revenue increasing 16% compared to the first quarter of last year. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter where Google’s advertising sales have grown by more than 10% year-over-year.
The company’s Cloud division emerged as the fastest-growing segment, benefiting significantly from the AI revolution as it expands its offerings to business clients and government entities, including a recent contract with the U.S. military. Google Cloud revenue skyrocketed 63% from the previous year, reaching $20 billion.
This robust growth demonstrates that Alphabet’s substantial AI spending is yielding positive results, though some investors remain concerned about the massive capital requirements for this emerging technology across the tech industry.
Alphabet maintains its strategy of aggressive AI investment rather than risking falling behind competitors in this critical technology race.
In its February quarterly report, Alphabet revealed plans to allocate between $175 billion and $185 billion for capital expenditures this year, primarily focused on constructing AI data centers and related infrastructure. This spending plan builds upon the $91 billion in capital expenditures from the previous year.
“It’s really exciting to see how our AI investments are delivering value,” Pichai commented on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON — Federal officials announced sweeping changes to firearms regulations Wednesday, marking a significant policy shift favored by Second Amendment advocates within President Donald Trump’s political coalition.
The timing drew sharp criticism from gun safety advocates, coming just days after authorities reported an armed individual attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with intentions to harm the Republican president.
The comprehensive package includes more than 30 regulatory modifications, with the most notable being plans to eliminate a 2024 Biden-era requirement that would have mandated thousands of additional gun dealers nationwide to conduct background screenings for purchasers at gun shows and other venues beyond traditional storefronts.
The previous regulation targeted what critics termed the “gun show loophole,” which permitted unlicensed sellers to complete firearm transactions without verifying whether buyers were legally barred from gun ownership. Second Amendment organizations and GOP-controlled states had mounted legal challenges against the requirement, claiming it infringed on constitutional rights and exceeded Biden’s executive authority.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the regulatory overhaul as the “most comprehensive regulatory reform package in the history” of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Blanche explained the modifications align gun rules with Supreme Court decisions while reducing administrative obstacles for firearms retailers and legal gun purchasers.
“For too long, regulations were written without any real understanding of how firearms businesses operate, how lawful gun owners handle their firearms, or what truly improves public safety,” Blanche said.
Anti-gun violence organizations criticized the administration for prioritizing gun rights supporters through relaxed rules they believe will compromise national security.
“Four days after the nation watched gunfire break out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the Trump administration’s answer is to gut commonsense gun safety laws and sabotage the only federal agency dedicated to keeping guns out of criminal hands,” John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said in a statement.
The regulatory changes received approval shortly after the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Cekada, a veteran law enforcement professional, to head the ATF, the federal bureau tasked with enforcing America’s firearm statutes. Cekada, an ATF employee since 2005, has overseen the agency’s daily functions as deputy director for the past year.
Cekada becomes just the third confirmed director since Congress made the position subject to Senate approval in 2006. The bureau has predominantly operated under interim leadership, as both Republican and Democratic presidents have struggled to navigate the politically challenging confirmation process for ATF nominees.
While conservatives have historically criticized the ATF for its regulatory enforcement role, Trump’s Justice Department has emphasized the agency’s contributions to removing illegal weapons from communities and combating violent criminal activity.
“Rob is exactly the right person to lead the ATF at this moment,” Blanche said.
Amazon delivered impressive financial results for its first quarter on Wednesday, with the Seattle-based tech giant crediting much of its success to booming demand for cloud computing services.
The company’s Amazon Web Services division experienced a remarkable 28% surge in revenue during the January through March timeframe, marking the strongest quarterly performance for the cloud unit in nearly four years. This represents a significant acceleration from the 24% growth AWS posted in the previous quarter and the 20% increase recorded in the third quarter.
Despite beating analyst expectations, Amazon’s stock price dropped nearly 2% in extended trading following the earnings announcement.
Wall Street has been keeping a close eye on Amazon’s financial performance, particularly given the company’s ambitious plan to spend $200 billion this year on artificial intelligence infrastructure, robotics technology, computer chips, and satellite systems. This massive investment represents a 60% jump from the $128 billion Amazon allocated for capital expenditures in the previous year, causing investor concern when first announced in February and triggering an 11% after-hours stock decline.
During the company’s previous earnings discussion, CEO Andy Jassy stood by the substantial spending strategy, emphasizing Amazon’s expectation of strong long-term returns on these investments.
The latest quarterly performance demonstrates continued strong appetite for Amazon’s technological offerings and services.
“We’re in the middle of some of the biggest inflections of our lifetime, we’re well positioned to lead, and I’m very optimistic about what’s ahead for our customers and Amazon,” Jassy stated in Wednesday’s earnings release.
Amazon released its quarterly results alongside three other major technology companies – Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet – providing market observers with comprehensive insights into artificial intelligence investments and cloud computing expansion across the sector.
Several major partnership agreements Amazon secured this month with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta have strengthened the company’s market position.
On Tuesday, Amazon unveiled what it described as a “major expansion” of its collaboration with ChatGPT creator OpenAI, coming just one day after the AI company announced it was reducing its dependence on long-standing partner Microsoft.
In a separate development last week, Anthropic committed to investing more than $100 billion in Amazon’s AWS cloud infrastructure over the coming decade to develop and operate the AI firm’s Claude chatbot system. This arrangement will provide Anthropic with access to up to 5 gigawatts of Amazon’s specialized Trainium processors for training and running their artificial intelligence applications, according to Amazon.
Additionally, Amazon announced that Meta – the parent company of Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook – has signed a deal to utilize AWS’ Graviton chips for powering advanced AI capabilities.
However, Amazon faces some headwinds similar to other retail companies, including increased tariff expenses resulting from President Trump’s trade policies. The company also confronts rising shipping expenses as Middle East conflicts impact oil and fuel pricing, potentially affecting e-commerce profitability.
Earlier this month, Amazon implemented a 3.5% fuel and logistics fee for certain third-party merchants using its marketplace. This temporary surcharge took effect April 17 for many sellers utilizing Amazon’s fulfillment network, the company verified to The Associated Press.
At the same time, Amazon continues advancing delivery speed through enhanced robotics, artificial intelligence applications, and improved warehouse operations.
The company’s new Amazon Now service promises delivery of selected items within 30 minutes or less from thousands of available products. This ultra-rapid service currently operates in multiple cities across India, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, with pilot programs underway in several U.S. and UK locations, Amazon reported in February.
For the quarter ending March 31, Amazon posted earnings of $30.3 billion, equivalent to $2.78 per share, substantially higher than the $17.1 billion, or $1.59 per share, recorded in the corresponding period last year.
Total revenue climbed 17% to $181.5 billion during the quarter, compared to $155.7 billion in the prior year period.
Financial analysts had projected earnings of $1.63 per share on revenue of $177.28 billion, based on FactSet polling data.
Amazon Web Services generated $37.58 billion in revenue, exceeding analyst forecasts of $36.6 billion according to FactSet.
Looking ahead to the current quarter, Amazon projected net sales ranging from $194 billion to $199 billion.
This forecast suggests growth of 16% to 19% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts had anticipated $188.96 billion for the current period, according to FactSet research.
A landmark Supreme Court decision Wednesday delivered Republicans their most significant advantage yet in the ongoing fight for control of Congress and state legislatures nationwide, though the timing may prevent major changes to this year’s midterm races.
The court’s 6-3 conservative majority essentially dismantled key portions of the Voting Rights Act that required electoral districts to provide minority communities fair opportunities to choose their preferred candidates. This protection had previously safeguarded reliably Democratic majority-minority districts, even within Republican-dominated states where GOP lawmakers might otherwise create maps favoring their party.
Without this federal requirement, Republican state officials nationwide—particularly throughout the South—now possess greater freedom to dismantle Democratic-friendly districts and increase the number of seats they can capture to maintain House control. More than twelve such seats exist in GOP-controlled states.
Following Wednesday’s announcement, Republicans immediately began pushing for congressional map reviews in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and other states.
However, they face a significant obstacle: the decision arrived well past filing deadlines for 2022 primary elections, and some primaries have already occurred. This means ballots are finalized and early voting has commenced in several states.
These timing constraints make wholesale map revisions extremely difficult. Louisiana exemplifies this challenge—where the requirement to create a second Democratic-leaning, majority-Black House district prompted Tuesday’s court action, the federal primary is scheduled for May 16 with early voting beginning Saturday. Despite this, the state’s governor, attorney general and legislative leadership planned meetings to determine their response.
Republican officials have been working frantically to follow President Donald Trump’s instructions to redesign maps and create additional winnable House seats to prevent midterm losses. Demonstrating the urgency Republicans feel to capitalize on this opportunity, several gubernatorial primary candidates demanded immediate redistricting.
Georgia businessman and GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson emphasized urgency even as voting continued for the May 19 primary. “There is no time to waste,” Jackson declared while advocating for immediate redistricting. “Georgia must act now to ensure secure elections in Georgia and counter the Democrats’ national assault on our elections.”
Tennessee GOP gubernatorial nominee Sen. Marsha Blackburn demanded her state redraw its congressional boundaries to eliminate its single majority-Black Democratic congressional district in favor of one more favorable to Republicans—despite the March 10 ballot qualification deadline having passed.
While Democrats have largely neutralized Republican attempts to create more winnable seats during last year’s mid-decade redistricting cycle, they lack clear options to offset GOP gains from the effective weakening of the Voting Rights Act.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, criticized the timing in a statement referencing Republican-nominated Chief Justice John Roberts. “It should not be lost on anyone that the Roberts court makes this decision at a time when Republican leaders across the country are foaming at the mouth to draw the American people out of a meaningful say in our elections,” Holder stated. “They want to retain illegitimately obtained power through the use of, among other things, now Supreme Court-sanctioned racial and partisan gerrymandering.”
Florida stands as the only Republican state with a realistic opportunity to gain seats from Wednesday’s decision before the midterms. GOP Governor Ron DeSantis has scheduled a special session to approve his map potentially delivering four additional winnable House seats for his party. DeSantis had anticipated this Supreme Court outcome, and Florida’s primary doesn’t occur until August.
Wednesday saw the Florida Legislature approve the new congressional map.
Other states must navigate the unusual challenge of potentially revising maps while voting is already underway or candidate filing processes have concluded.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina acknowledged uncertainty about fall implications. “I don’t know what the implications are going be for the fall. It’s pretty late,” Hudson said.
He indicated that upcoming redistricting decisions would remain with governors and state legislatures.
Long-term, the ruling opens the door for dramatic changes to America’s political landscape, potentially taking full effect by the 2028 presidential election.
Carnegie Mellon University political scientist Jonathan Cervas, who has served as court-appointed special master and mapmaker in multiple Voting Rights Act cases, declared the law’s protective power essentially eliminated. “The Voting Rights Act as a means to protect minority voters from vote dilution is essentially dead,” Cervas explained. “It’s hard to imagine how this decision does not lead to additional GOP districts into the future.”
Cervas observed that the Voting Rights Act doesn’t exclusively benefit Democrats. Its primary application occurs in local, nonpartisan elections for positions like school board or city council. However, Republicans have long argued that Democrats exploited the law to secure winnable districts for Black voters in red states—advantages that Republican-leaning white voters could never obtain in blue states.
National Republican Redistricting Trust Executive Director Adam Kincaid celebrated the decision in a statement. “For decades the left has spent hundreds of millions of dollars seeking to divide Americans along racial lines in a cynical pursuit of partisan power masquerading as civil rights,” Kincaid said. “Today’s decision rebukes that divisive and unconstitutional effort.”
Although the Voting Rights Act helped maintain Democratic-leaning districts, those voters don’t disappear because of Wednesday’s ruling. Republicans in some states cannot simply eliminate all such districts without distributing enough Democratic voters to threaten their own incumbents.
Similarly, the mandate to concentrate Democratic-leaning minority voters in specific districts has occasionally disadvantaged Democrats in states like Michigan, reducing the number of competitive districts they might capture. The party could partially offset Republican gains by distributing minority voters more broadly in states under their control.
However, political pressure against this approach will likely come from some Black and Hispanic Democrats who want to ensure their communities maintain majority status in certain districts. Democratic-controlled states are also more likely to have nonpartisan redistricting commissions that make congressional maps less partisan and increasingly adopt state-level Voting Rights Act versions to protect marginalized communities.
While this will require time, it all indicates a much less regulated mapmaking environment ahead.
This prospect concerns Thomas Johnson, a Black voter from New Orleans who was at the state Capitol lobbying on unrelated legislation Wednesday when the Supreme Court ruling was announced. The majority-Black congressional district where he lives could now be divided by the state’s Republican legislature.
“We are going to do all we can and continue fighting so our voices are heard,” Johnson said. “That’s all we want, to be heard.”
WASHINGTON – Federal education officials announced Wednesday they have launched an investigation into Stanford University regarding the school’s diversity initiatives, which the current administration claims constitute discriminatory practices.
The investigation represents part of President Trump’s wider campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion programs throughout both government agencies and private organizations since he returned to office in early 2024. University officials at Stanford have not yet provided a response to requests for comment about the federal probe.
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo was forced to leave Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Yankees after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring.
The injury occurred during the fifth inning when Nimmo was advancing from second base to third on a ground ball hit by teammate Joc Pederson. Nimmo had reached base moments earlier with a single that deflected off Yankees first baseman Ben Rice’s glove. Sam Haggerty came in as a pinch runner to replace Nimmo and took over left field duties, while Alejandro Osuna shifted from left field to right field.
The injury happened just after Josh Jung delivered a two-run single that put Texas ahead 2-0.
The Rangers obtained Nimmo from the New York Mets in a November trade that sent Marcus Semien to New York. Through his first 30 games in a Rangers uniform, Nimmo has posted a .287 batting average along with four home runs and 12 RBIs.
While Nimmo dealt with frequent injuries during his early years with the Mets, he has been more durable recently, missing just 40 games total across the previous four seasons. During his last campaign with New York, Nimmo achieved personal bests with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs while appearing in a career-high 155 games.
Chipotle Mexican Grill delivered unexpected financial results Wednesday, beating Wall Street predictions with first-quarter sales growth fueled by customer appetite for high-protein menu additions and snacks.
The burrito chain’s stock price jumped approximately 7% during after-hours trading following the announcement.
Despite economic headwinds that have squeezed spending power for many lower-income families, Chipotle has benefited from a consumer trend favoring protein-heavy meals and minimally processed food choices. The chain’s signature burrito bowls and salad offerings align well with these dietary preferences.
Same-store sales climbed 0.5% for the quarter, defying analyst forecasts that predicted a 0.8% drop, based on LSEG data compilation.
Total quarterly revenue grew 7.4% to reach $3.09 billion, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $3.07 billion compiled by LSEG.
The Mexican food chain, which revealed plans in February to implement menu price increases of 1% to 2% this year due to rising ingredient costs, has maintained momentum through creative menu updates, competitively priced Tex-Mex items, and strengthened promotional campaigns. The brand’s higher-income customer segment has demonstrated continued spending power and brand loyalty.
Chipotle’s strategic initiative called “Recipe for Growth” focuses on reversing weak customer demand through operational improvements, expanded marketing reach, and menu revitalization. This approach has successfully increased customer visits, with overall foot traffic growing 5.8% according to Placer.ai analytics.
The research company also identified the Chicken al Pastor entrée, which Chipotle brought back to menus earlier this year, as the primary factor driving increased customer traffic to locations nationwide.
The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse squad has secured their position as the number one seed heading into the ASUN Conference tournament semifinals, where they will battle fourth-seeded Lindenwood.
The Blue Hens’ strong regular season performance has positioned them favorably for their postseason run as they look to advance to the conference championship game.
The semifinal contest will determine which team moves forward in the ASUN tournament bracket, with the winner earning a spot in the conference title game.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball squad is set to conclude their regular season schedule with a series against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
This matchup represents the final opportunity for the Blue Hens to compete in regular season action before potentially advancing to postseason play.
The series will take place on the Blue Hens’ home field as they welcome Western Kentucky to Delaware for what promises to be an important conclusion to their regular season campaign.
Delaware transportation officials are alerting drivers about upcoming overnight construction that will impact traffic flow on a busy Claymont roadway.
State highway crews will close lanes on eastbound Naamans Road between Society Drive and the northbound Interstate 95 entrance ramp beginning Wednesday, May 6th through Friday, May 22nd. The construction zone will be active nightly from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. while workers replace bridge deck joints.
Transportation department officials are advising drivers to exercise extra caution when traveling through the work zone and to plan for possible delays during the construction period.
Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms announced Wednesday it will increase spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure, raising its projected capital expenditure for 2026 despite ongoing plans for employee layoffs.
The social media giant now anticipates spending between $125 billion and $145 billion in 2026, marking an increase from its previous estimate of $115 billion to $135 billion.
This announcement follows recent reports about Meta’s upcoming workforce reductions, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg works to weave artificial intelligence technology throughout the company’s operations and restructure staffing around these new capabilities.
The company behind Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads has been investing heavily in AI systems and offering competitive salaries to attract talent, particularly for its Meta Superintelligence Labs division, which unveiled its inaugural AI model named Muse Spark this month.
Meta’s advertising platform continues to drive revenue growth, enabling the company to fund these substantial AI investments. The platform helps businesses automate and customize their marketing campaigns effectively.
The company’s Advantage+ advertising automation system operates using several AI technologies, including the Andromeda ad-retrieval system, Lattice ranking framework, and GEM generative recommendation engine. These tools have helped Meta draw more advertisers despite global economic uncertainties stemming from Middle East tensions.
Meta introduced advertising capabilities to WhatsApp messaging and Threads microblogging services last year, creating increased rivalry with platforms such as Elon Musk’s X. At the same time, Instagram’s Reels feature competes directly with TikTok and YouTube Shorts for dominance in the profitable short-form video space.
Research firm Emarketer projects Meta will surpass Alphabet as the world’s largest online advertising company for the first time, anticipating $243.46 billion in global net advertising revenue this year, excluding traffic acquisition expenses. The forecast places Google and YouTube’s parent company at $239.54 billion in annual advertising income.
The company recently expanded access to its Meta AI business assistant tool, created to help advertisers improve campaign results and address technical problems through immediate support.
Meta has begun installing monitoring software on employee computers in the United States to record mouse activity, clicks and keyboard inputs for AI model training purposes, according to recent reports. This initiative represents part of a broader effort to develop AI systems capable of completing workplace tasks independently.
Chinese authorities mandated Monday that Meta dissolve its acquisition of AI startup Manus, valued at over $2 billion, as Beijing increases oversight of American investments in domestic companies developing advanced technologies.
Fresh federal court documents filed Wednesday have created uncertainty around earlier government statements regarding who actually wounded a Secret Service agent during Saturday’s alleged assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, discharged a shotgun toward the staircase that led down to the ballroom where President Donald Trump, administration officials, and journalists had assembled, according to a pretrial detention filing that provides the most detailed government narrative of the incident to date.
While prosecutors mention in the filing that an officer discharged his weapon five times, the document makes no reference to that officer or any other agent being wounded. Investigators recovered one spent shell from Allen’s shotgun, the Wednesday filing states.
The paperwork does not allege that Allen targeted or hit the Secret Service agent who officials say sustained a chest wound but was shielded by body armor.
This account differs significantly from previous statements by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, and opens questions about the source of the gunfire that wounded the federal agent.
Following the incident, Pirro announced to media that Allen would face charges for “assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon,” though such charges have not yet materialized. Pirro indicated additional charges against Allen remain possible. Prosecutors have charged Allen with attempting to kill the president.
During a Sunday interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Blanche stated his belief that Allen’s shotgun rounds struck the officer. He maintained this position at Monday’s press conference while adding the qualifier, “We’re still looking at that.”
When Reuters sought clarification about who shot the Secret Service officer, a White House spokesperson directed inquiries to law enforcement agencies. Neither the Secret Service nor the Justice Department provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
The government’s version of events faced additional scrutiny Wednesday when the Washington Post analyzed security camera footage the publication acquired, which showed no evidence that Allen discharged his weapon.
The Post’s review revealed that a law enforcement officer fired his handgun repeatedly at Allen as he rushed through the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel. During the brief incident lasting only seconds, other security personnel appeared to be positioned in the shooting officer’s line of fire as Allen ran past.
Wednesday’s detention motion omitted any mention of a wounded Secret Service officer, though a Monday affidavit supporting the criminal complaint referenced the shooting without identifying the shooter.
The federal court affidavit stated that Secret Service personnel “heard a loud gunshot.” An agent identified only by the initials “V.G.” who was wearing protective gear sustained one gunshot wound, according to the document, which does not specify who fired the shot.
The affidavit indicates Officer V.G. fired several rounds at Allen, who was not wounded but collapsed to the ground.
Court documents reveal that Allen prepared a manifesto before his attack, writing that “in order to minimize casualties I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).”
When questioned at Monday’s news conference about whether Officer V.G. was the sole officer to discharge his weapon, Blanche said investigators were gathering evidence but acknowledged the process was not an “exact science.” He observed that buckshot specifically “scatters everywhere, and sometimes it just disappears.”
Wednesday’s court filing contains a photograph Allen captured of himself in his hotel room mirror prior to the attack. The image shows him dressed entirely in black except for what appears to be a red necktie tucked into his trousers, equipped with an ammunition pouch, shoulder holster, sheathed blade, pliers and wire cutting tools.
Amazon’s cloud computing division delivered stronger-than-expected financial results on Wednesday, surpassing analyst predictions as businesses increased their spending on artificial intelligence technology.
The company’s Amazon Web Services division reported first-quarter revenue of $37.6 billion, representing a 28% increase from the previous year. Financial analysts had projected a smaller growth rate of 25.08%, with revenue expectations of $36.61 billion, according to LSEG data.
These positive results come as Amazon, the leading global provider of cloud services, has strengthened investor confidence through recent strategic alliances with two prominent AI companies, OpenAI and Anthropic.
Just this week, Amazon announced the availability of OpenAI’s newest models and its programming tool, Codex, through AWS. This move capitalized on the weakening relationship between the ChatGPT developer and competing cloud provider Microsoft.
Additionally, Amazon recently finalized an agreement to invest as much as $25 billion in Anthropic, while the Claude AI developer pledged to spend over $100 billion on AWS services during the next decade.
These strategic moves, combined with Amazon’s earlier announcement that AWS AI services are producing more than $15 billion in yearly revenue, have contributed to a 14% stock price increase this year. This performance places Amazon among the top-performing companies in the elite “Magnificent 7” technology group.
The Seattle-based company has allocated approximately $200 billion for capital expenditures this year and continues working to convince investors that its AI infrastructure investments will yield quick returns.
In his recent shareholder communication, CEO Andy Jassy indicated that investments made in 2026 would likely generate revenue during 2027 and 2028.
However, the technology industry’s collective $600 billion AI spending plan for this year has strained company cash flows, creating some investor concern despite companies arguing the investments are essential to meet overwhelming AI demand that currently exceeds available computing resources.
Beyond cloud services, Amazon continues expanding its retail operations by extending same-day delivery to additional smaller communities and focusing more heavily on grocery delivery services to compete with retail giants like Walmart and Kroger.
Excitement is building among Chesapeake Bay fishing enthusiasts as new regulations take effect this Friday, May 1st, allowing anglers to harvest striped bass within specific size limits for the first time this season.
Fishermen will be permitted to keep one striped bass daily that measures between 19 and 24 inches in designated Bay waters stretching from the Brewerton Channel south to the Virginia border. The harvest zone excludes most bays, tributaries, creeks and rivers, with exceptions for Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds and Potomac River tributaries below the Nice Memorial Bridge on U.S. 301. Spawning rivers remain completely closed to striped bass fishing.
Trolling restrictions remain in place, limiting anglers to six lines with barbless hooks and prohibiting stinger hooks.
Meanwhile, freshwater fishing continues to provide excellent opportunities, with trout fishing remaining strong and both largemouth and smallmouth bass offering good action. Young anglers are particularly enjoying family fishing outings during the current fishing rodeo season.
Water Conditions for April 29 – May 5:
Bay surface temperatures and river mouth readings are steady around 60 degrees, according to monitoring buoys. Smaller waterways are also maintaining temperatures in the 60s, though shallow areas and downwind locations can reach the upper 60s on sunny days. These warmer zones in low-salinity areas remain prime spots for hickory shad, which prefer temperatures between 55-65 degrees during their spawning period over the next few weeks.
Most Maryland rivers and streams are running below normal levels. Bay and river clarity remains average throughout most Maryland waters. Strong tidal currents are expected all week due to the full moon on May 1st.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Conditions
The striped bass spawning season near the Susquehanna River mouth is wrapping up, with post-spawn fish beginning their journey toward New England waters. Once these fish move south of the line between Abbey and Worton points, catch-and-release fishing becomes available. Starting May 1st, anglers south of the Brewerton Channel may harvest one striped bass daily within the 19-24 inch range.
Trolling and jigging along the main channel are proving effective this week. Light tackle enthusiasts are finding success in shallow Bay shoreline waters using paddletails, jerkbaits and glide baits.
Hickory shad continue offering catch-and-release opportunities in the lower Susquehanna River, Octoraro Creek, and near Deer Creek’s mouth, though numbers remain well below historical levels. Colorful flies, shad darts, and small gold and silver spoons are working well under various conditions.
Largemouth bass fishing remains strong at the Susquehanna Flats grass beds and area tidal rivers, with Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) also active in these waters.
White perch are entering the lower Susquehanna River, with larger females now arriving. Small jig heads tipped with grass shrimp or minnow pieces are effective, as are bottom rigs baited with grass shrimp or bloodworm pieces.
Blue catfish action is outstanding in upper Bay tidal rivers this week, with some of the largest specimens coming from the Conowingo Dam pool and open Bay waters. The Chester River holds particularly high blue catfish populations. Cut bait and scented baits work well whether fishing from boats or shore.
Middle Bay Report
Post-spawn striped bass are moving down from upper Bay spawning areas, while fish have been leaving the Choptank River for weeks. Middle Bay temperatures are holding at or slightly above 60 degrees.
Light-tackle anglers are enjoying excellent catch-and-release fishing in Bay shallows and will soon be able to harvest slot-sized fish. Exceptionally clear water conditions due to limited rainfall are creating ideal sight fishing opportunities. Topwater lures provide the most excitement, while paddletails remain another top choice.
Channel edge trolling will become popular once harvest season begins, but anglers must remember the six-line limit with barbless hooks and no stingers. When using bait, non-offset circle hooks are required and eels are banned.
White perch are moving into lower tidal river sections and transitioning to summer habitat. In deeper waters, small jigs with grass shrimp or minnows work well, along with bottom rigs using bloodworm pieces. Around structure like docks, points, jetties and oyster bars, simple bottom rigs with grass shrimp or bloodworms are popular.
The Choptank River holds good blue catfish numbers, with all regional tidal rivers and creeks supporting populations to varying degrees. The area between Choptank town and Denton typically holds the highest concentrations due to optimal salinity levels.
Lower Bay Fishing
While many larger post-spawn striped bass from the Potomac, Patuxent and Nanticoke rivers have moved through, smaller males continue lingering in the area. Light-tackle casting with topwater and paddletail lures works well in shallow Bay waters, while jigging succeeds in deeper channels.
Traditional striped bass locations include the steep channel edge on the Bay’s east side from Buoy 76R to 72B, plus Cove Point, Cedar Point, Point Lookout and Smith Point on the western shore. In the Potomac, the steep edge from St. Georges Island to Piney Point consistently produces fish, as does the Route 4 Bridge area on the Patuxent River.
White perch are present in lower tidal river sections and steadily moving toward summer areas. Black drum are being caught in Tangier Sound using peeler or soft crab baits.
Hickory shad and American shad spawning runs in the Potomac River near Washington D.C. have been hampered by extremely low water levels this month. Anglers are finding better catch-and-release action near the Cain Bridge, while Fletchers Landing pool waters have been unproductive. Expected rainfall later this week may improve this fishery significantly.
Blue catfish are providing excellent action in the Potomac River from the Route 301 Bridge to Wilson Bridge, with better fishing typically found upriver due to higher salinity levels. The Patuxent River above Benedict to Jug Bay and the Sharpstown area on the Nanticoke offer good blue catfish opportunities.
Freshwater Opportunities
Trout fishing continues benefiting from weekly stockings in put-and-take and special regulation waters. As temperatures warm, stockings will become less frequent and focus on the cooler western regions. Low stream flows due to limited rainfall are creating challenging trout conditions.
Largemouth bass are beginning to spawn statewide, though western areas typically start later due to cooler conditions. The catch-and-release season continues until June 16th, when harvest season opens for both tidal and non-tidal waters with a 12-inch minimum and five-fish daily limit. Targeting larger females in transition waters outside shallow spawning areas often proves more productive than focusing on males near spawning beds.
Chesapeake Channa remain active in areas where tidal largemouth bass are found. White paddletails excel when fishing near grass or structure. Developing grass beds will provide summer cover, while fishing large minnows under bobbers or popping corks in open water works well during spring.
Smallmouth bass have been spawning in the upper Potomac River and Deep Creek Lake for several weeks. The upper Potomac continues experiencing low flows with clear water, requiring long casts with light line toward emerging grass beds, current breaks and deep pools. Tubes, swimbaits, crankbaits and craw jigs all prove effective.
Crappie completed spawning in late March and early April and now hold near structure. Marina docks, fallen trees, bridge piers, sunken wood and brush attract crappie in both tidal and non-tidal waters. Small minnows under slip bobbers remain popular, though marabou jigs also work well.
Youth fishing rodeo events continue providing excellent opportunities for young anglers to find success in safe, family-friendly environments.
Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Areas
Surf anglers are experiencing a strong black drum run along Assateague and Ocean City beaches this week, with sand fleas and clams serving as preferred baits. Large striped bass and bluefish are also moving along beaches during their northward migration. Cut menhaden, particularly the head section, resists damage from clearnose skates and dogfish better than other baits.
At Ocean City Inlet and Route 50 Bridge areas, anglers are catching and releasing large striped bass by drifting cut bait during evening and nighttime hours. Smaller striped bass are being caught during early morning and evening using paddletails and soft plastic jigs. Tautog are active near jetty rocks, bulkheads and bridge piers, taking sand flea baits. Flounder continue moving through the inlet toward back bay waters.
Channels leading from the inlet are producing the best flounder action this week. Striped bass continue providing excellent catch-and-release opportunities during morning and evening hours near the Verrazzano and Route 90 Bridge piers, with paddletails and soft plastic jigs being the preferred methods.
Charter and private boats fishing inshore and offshore wreck and reef sites are finding good numbers of tautog and flounder, with crab pieces being the most effective bait.
WASHINGTON — Tuesday evening’s state dinner honoring King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House represented one of the most sought-after invitations in the nation’s capital, featuring nearly 130 distinguished guests who enjoyed Dover sole meunière and a unique beehive-themed chocolate dessert made with honey from the White House’s own beehive.
The guest roster for President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s formal dinner revealed a strong emphasis on corporate executives, technology company leaders, and personal acquaintances from the Trump family’s Palm Beach social circle.
Notably, every conservative Supreme Court justice received an invitation — including those who have previously ruled against Trump’s key tariff policies. However, the court’s three liberal justices were absent from the evening’s festivities.
The attendee list featured numerous personalities from Fox News, Trump’s preferred television network, along with representatives from two additional conservative media organizations. Three of the president’s five children attended alongside their spouses, and Trump’s father-in-law was also present. The gathering included several prominent athletic figures and multiple members of Congress, including top leadership from both the House and Senate.
ORLANDO, Fla. — A recently released police report reveals troubling details about the mental state of a man now facing murder charges in the deaths of two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh.
Family members described a dramatic deterioration in Hisham Abugharbieh’s behavior following his marijuana use, according to documents from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released Wednesday. The report stems from a May 2023 incident where Abugharbieh struck his brother in the face and kicked his mother in the back.
During that arrest three years ago, Abugharbieh displayed signs of severe mental distress, making statements such as “I am son of Mary” and “I created my brother. I am his god.” Authorities placed him under Florida’s Baker Act, which permits emergency mental health evaluations lasting up to 72 hours.
“HIsham used to be a cool guy, a supportive and helpful eldest son, until he started smoking cannabis, especially medical marijuana,” a relative whose name was redacted wrote in a victim impact statement more than a week after Abugharbieh’s May 2023 arrest. “It turned him mentally ill, with hurtful behavior and anger problems which is affecting the family life. We lost Hisham as a normal family member.”
When questioned by law enforcement during the 2023 incident, Abugharbieh claimed he acted defensively because his brother had threatened him. His family chose not to pursue criminal charges but requested substance abuse treatment instead. He subsequently participated in a first-time offender diversion program.
The 26-year-old now faces two first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of the USF students. He remains in custody without bail.
Investigators discovered the body of Abugharbieh’s roommate, Zamil Limon, in a trash bag on the Howard Frankland bridge last Friday. Authorities announced Sunday that another body was recovered from waters near the bridge, though the medical examiner has not officially identified it as Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristy.
Both victims vanished on April 16. Limon was last observed at the off-campus housing complex he shared with Abugharbieh, while Bristy was last seen at a university science facility. Limon pursued studies in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy focused on chemical engineering.
Jennifer Spradley, a public defender representing Abugharbieh in Tampa, declined to provide comment when contacted earlier this week.
MINERAL WELLS, Texas — Authorities verified Wednesday that a devastating tornado struck this small Texas community, hospitalizing five individuals while destroying manufacturing facilities and tearing roofs from residential properties.
City leaders said they prepared for the worst Tuesday when they witnessed structures crumbling as severe weather hammered Mineral Wells, a community of approximately 15,000 residents located west of Dallas.
“We are most grateful for no loss of life in this event yesterday,” Mayor Regan Johnson stated during Wednesday’s press briefing. “When you see the destruction that’s here, you can tell that’s really amazing.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Prater from Fort Worth confirmed the tornado struck Mineral Wells with wind speeds reaching at least 120 mph. Weather officials dispatched a survey team Wednesday to assess the devastation in the area situated 80 miles west of Dallas.
Severe weather conditions have been battering regions throughout the South and Midwest. Two fatalities occurred in North Texas over the weekend when thunderstorms generated destructive tornadoes, while a Michigan resident died Monday after being struck by a storm-toppled tree.
Tuesday brought a hailstorm that damaged roofing, skylights and parked cars at a Springfield, Missouri zoo, also claiming the life of one of its large birds. A female emu named Adam succumbed to head injuries during the hailstorm at Dickerson Park Zoo, according to spokesperson Joey Powell’s Wednesday statement.
Additional severe weather remained possible Wednesday throughout the South and portions of the Mid-Atlantic region. Weather forecasters indicated a moderate risk of damaging winds and large hail across sections of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
In Mineral Wells, city officials addressed media Wednesday amid a neighborhood littered with broken lumber, downed trees and scattered debris.
Fire Chief Ryan Dunn reported that five storm victims required hospital treatment, while emergency responders treated others for minor injuries at the scene.
“As we arrived on scene, we noticed there was a lot of debris, a lot of roofs off,” Dunn explained. “And then we started seeing buildings collapse.”
Dunn noted that the tornado primarily impacted commercial and industrial zones, though residential properties also sustained damage. At least two manufacturing companies experienced significant destruction.
Ventamatic, a company producing large fans and ventilation systems in Mineral Wells, was among those affected. The business announced on its website that workers evacuated before the storm arrived and no employees were hurt. Wednesday operations ceased “due to severe damage and ongoing safety hazards,” the company reported.
More than 9,000 residences and businesses remained without power across Texas Wednesday afternoon, based on PowerOutage.us tracking data. Approximately 230 of those outages affected the Mineral Wells vicinity.
Mineral Wells authorities announced a local disaster declaration and established an overnight curfew continuing through Wednesday, Police Chief Tim Denison confirmed.
Chip manufacturer Qualcomm disappointed Wall Street investors Wednesday when it projected third-quarter earnings and revenue below analyst expectations, citing continued challenges from memory chip shortages that are dampening consumer electronics demand.
The San Francisco-based company’s stock dropped approximately 4% in after-hours trading following the announcement.
Despite the lackluster projections, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon expressed optimism during a Reuters interview, stating he believes the smartphone industry has reached its lowest point and will begin recovering following the company’s third fiscal quarter.
“We can now call the bottom,” Amon stated, noting that insights from the company’s licensing division, which exceeded Wall Street projections, provide visibility into smartphone manufacturers’ upcoming plans.
The semiconductor giant anticipates third-quarter revenue ranging from $9.2 billion to $10 billion, falling short of analyst estimates of $10.27 billion compiled by LSEG.
As one of the world’s leading smartphone chip suppliers, Qualcomm serves major clients including Apple, Samsung, and prominent Chinese smartphone brands.
Throughout this year, the company has navigated significant uncertainty as rising memory chip costs have driven up smartphone and PC prices, leading consumers to reduce their purchasing.
Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter are projected between $2.10 and $2.30, below analyst expectations of $2.45 per share.
The company announced second-quarter revenue of $10.6 billion, meeting market expectations.
According to Counterpoint Research, worldwide smartphone shipments dropped 6% during the first quarter due to the memory shortage crisis, with the supply constraints potentially continuing through late next year.
Given Qualcomm’s extensive involvement in consumer electronics through chips for wireless audio devices and automotive computing systems beyond smartphones, industry analysts view the company’s performance as a key indicator of market conditions and supply-demand trends.
Chinese smartphone manufacturers are expected to present additional challenges for Qualcomm as domestic brands experience declining sales amid the memory chip shortage. Budget and mid-range devices are anticipated to face greater impact compared to premium smartphone producers.
Qualcomm shares have declined roughly 10% year-to-date after gaining more than 11% in 2025, as investors assess the effects of tight memory supplies driven by artificial intelligence data center demand.
Last month, the company announced a $20 billion share repurchase program aimed at reassuring investors during the demand slowdown.
Beyond smartphones, Qualcomm is pursuing entry into the expanding data center chip sector, with product shipments scheduled to begin before year-end.
During Wednesday’s announcement, Amon revealed the company is collaborating with clients on three chip categories: central processing units, inference accelerators, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a growing market where competitors like Broadcom and Marvell are active.
“We have engagement on a custom ASIC, which is what we wanted to do when we bought AlphaWave,” Amon explained, “and now we have a lot of connectivity (intellectual property) that enables us to do that. We’re executing on all three” chip categories.
Industry analysts suggest that increased chip usage in smartphones and computers driven by premium and AI-enhanced devices should benefit companies like Qualcomm through higher chip revenues.
Second-quarter chip segment revenue reached $9.08 billion, falling short of $9.21 billion estimates.
The company projected third-quarter chip revenue between $7.9 billion and $8.5 billion, below analyst estimates of $8.93 billion.
Congressional leaders made progress Wednesday toward extending the federal government’s controversial surveillance capabilities, following intense lobbying efforts by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump administration representatives who successfully swayed reluctant Republican lawmakers.
Following an extended voting period lasting more than two hours, during which GOP leadership applied significant pressure on dissenting members to change their positions from opposition to support, the procedural motion to begin floor debate succeeded by a narrow 216-210 margin. This procedural vote was bundled with measures addressing immigration enforcement funding and agricultural policy.
The successful procedural vote clears the way for consideration of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act renewal without including provisions that would mandate court approval before federal law enforcement agencies can search through Americans’ communications data gathered by intelligence services. Several resistant lawmakers had insisted on such warrant requirements as a condition for their backing.
Following the vote, Johnson expressed his intention to expedite the legislation through the chamber quickly.
“We’ll move forward on FISA reauthorization. We’ll do that first,” Johnson stated to members of the media following the procedural vote. “We can still get it done tonight. The schedule’s been pushed back.”
The three-year extension of FISA authorities requires approval from both congressional chambers before becoming law. According to Elizabeth Goitein, who serves as senior director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program, the outcome remains uncertain.
“It’s rare for members to cross party lines on a rule vote, so the fact that the rule passed is not a strong indicator of what the vote will be on the underlying bill,” she explained via email.
President Donald Trump, who previously criticized FISA but now strongly supports it, has been applying pressure on congressional members to back the measure. The administration sent officials to the House floor Wednesday as part of their successful strategy to influence wavering lawmakers, according to Republican Representative Tim Burchett, who described FISA as “a nightmare.”
Burchett initially cast a vote against the procedural measure before changing his position to support it.
The NHL Department of Player Safety issued its maximum allowable financial penalty to Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn on Wednesday following an illegal cross-checking incident against Minnesota Wild player Ryan Hartman.
The league imposed a $2,604.17 fine on Benn, representing the highest monetary punishment permitted under the current collective bargaining agreement for this type of infraction.
The 36-year-old team captain committed the violation during the closing moments of Tuesday night’s fifth game in their Western Conference opening round playoff matchup, striking Hartman twice with his stick – first targeting the ribs, then making contact with the head area.
Officials assessed Benn a two-minute cross-checking penalty during the game, while Hartman received an unsportsmanlike conduct citation for his role in the incident.
Minnesota claimed a 4-2 victory in Tuesday’s contest, giving the Wild a 3-2 advantage in the seven-game playoff series. The teams will meet for Game 6 on Thursday night in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The University of Delaware men’s lacrosse program made an impressive debut in the Atlantic 10 Conference, collecting seven postseason honors as announced by the league on Wednesday.
In their first season competing in the A-10, the Blue Hens saw three players earn All-Conference Second Team recognition: Nick Cowen, Tyler Owings, and Brendan Powers.
The conference also recognized three Delaware newcomers with spots on the All-Rookie Team: Scott Conte, Keegan Lathrop, and Colton Silverstein.
Cowen added to his accolades by also securing a place on the A-10 All-Academic Team, bringing the team’s total award count to seven.
The strong showing reflects the program’s successful transition to their new conference home and establishes a solid foundation for future seasons in Atlantic 10 competition.
Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources honored its finest conservation officers during an awards ceremony held March 18, recognizing outstanding achievements in law enforcement, public safety, and community service throughout 2025.
2025 CONSERVATION POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Senior Officer Kevin Webb
Senior Officer Webb earned the top honor through remarkable leadership, training expertise, and investigative excellence during 2025. Webb mentored officers as a Field Training Officer, conducted extensive driver training for DWR and academy personnel, and participated in 11 community outreach programs including youth camps and school presentations.
Webb’s investigative prowess shone in complex cases, including volunteering as lead investigator for a late-night predator hunting fatality outside his assigned area. The intricate case required search warrants, crime scene recreations, and comprehensive interviews, ultimately resulting in felony murder and reckless handling charges. His quick response, evidence preservation, and coordination proved crucial for successful prosecution.
Throughout the year, Webb built substantial cases through thorough investigations. His determination in an antler possession case led to convictions on all 12 charges by disproving fake documentation through database research and social media examination. He filed 18 charges in a major baiting and trespassing case, handled four spring turkey tagging violations, and secured felony charges in separate hunting-related shootings. His work resulted in multiple felony convictions and earned high praise from a Commonwealth’s Attorney.
2025 VIRGINIA BOATING OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Officer First Class B. Tyler Dagliano
Officer First Class Dagliano excelled in boating safety enforcement and officer mentorship throughout 2025. As primary Field Training Officer for two trainees, he balanced teaching responsibilities with aggressive enforcement against impaired and unsafe boaters, recording 30 boating violations and making five primary OUI arrests while assisting with four additional arrests.
His mentorship directly built confidence in newer officers, including guiding a trainee through two OUI arrests during one shift. Dagliano strategically targeted peak boating periods and coordinated joint operations with neighboring areas, extending his enforcement reach to major events like the Lake Anna Glow Party.
Beyond enforcement, Dagliano responded to four boaters-in-distress calls and multiple search and rescue incidents, while investigating two boating incidents including one fatality. His exceptional service earned him Region 1 Operation Dry Water Officer of the Year, the 2025 MADD Award for OUI enforcement, and an Excellence in Police Service certificate for his response to the Reagan National Airport aircraft collision.
2025 SPECIAL OPERATIONS CPO OF THE YEAR
Senior Special Agent Zach Howlett
Special Agent Howlett stepped up when the Special Investigations Unit lost both Marine Fraud & Theft positions, recovering three stolen vessels, two trailers, and identifying $58,000 in marine fraud while recovering $1,725 in taxes and penalties. He sacrificed personal time responding to 10 critical incidents statewide, including multiple fatal hunting and boating incidents.
Howlett showcased advanced investigative techniques, utilizing 43 search warrants, digital forensics, surveillance technology, and social media analysis to solve complex cases. His certification as a Cellebrite Operator and Physical Analyst enhanced his effectiveness. Notably, he coordinated a successful bait boat operation using a covert IP camera that allowed real-time viewing of the theft.
Beyond investigations, Howlett significantly impacted training and outreach. He helped develop and instruct DWR’s first-ever IHEA Academy and led regional hunting incident training. He also enhanced agency visibility through community events and media engagement, including the widely viewed “True Wildlife Crime: The Hollywood Buck Case” video episode, which has garnered over 236,000 views.
2025 COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Renee Brown
Dispatcher Brown demonstrated exceptional skill and composure during 2025, particularly when safeguarding a Conservation Police Officer who suffered a medical emergency while on duty. As the sole dispatcher present, she simultaneously managed emergency coordination, dispatched medical resources, and maintained full radio and phone operations across multiple channels.
Her performance metrics reflect excellence: thousands of calls for service, extensive CJIS transactions, numerous public tips managed, and zero unverified addresses – crucial for officer safety across Virginia’s varied terrain. Brown maintained perfect attendance and volunteered for additional shifts during high-demand periods. She also serves as Dispatch COOP and Sunshine Coordinator, strengthening continuity planning and team morale.
COLONEL’S LEADERSHIP AWARD
First Sergeant Derrick Kekic
First Sergeant Kekic, who began his DWR career in 2000, returned in 2018 and quickly advanced to District 41 Sergeant in 2021 and First Sergeant for Region IV-A in 2022. His leadership was particularly evident during the January 2025 Reagan National Airport aircraft collision response, where he coordinated DWR operations within a Joint FBI-NTSB command post.
Kekic leads the Region IV Hunting Incident Investigation Team and serves as a peer support member and Internal Affairs investigator while contributing to statewide training initiatives.
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS PROFESSIONALISM DECREE
K-9 Sergeant Richard Howald
Sergeant Howald, a Marine Corps veteran who joined DWR in 2005, helped establish the Conservation Police K-9 Program in 2011 and was promoted to K-9 Sergeant in 2022. He designed the entire training curriculum and served as lead instructor, with his expertise extending to West Virginia DNR’s K-9 Program training in 2023 and 2024.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Senior Officer Justin Chambers
On July 19, 2025, Senior Officer Chambers prevented a suicide attempt under extremely dangerous conditions. He encountered a distressed individual on a bridge above the flooded, fast-moving South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Despite a malfunctioning radio, Chambers remained calm and attempted de-escalation. When the individual began climbing over the railing, Chambers physically intervened, risking his own life to prevent the jump until additional officers arrived.
Additional Awards
Excellence in Police Service awards went to Senior Officer Corey Gardner, Senior Officer Derrick Rickels, Sergeant Matthew Meade, Officer First Class Trace Hughes, and Sergeant Matt Arnold.
Regional Officers of the Year included representatives from all four regions, with Officer First Class B. Tyler Dagliano earning both statewide and Region 1 recognition, while other regions honored officers including Tyler Thompson, Matthew Sandy, Ethan Goodman, Andrew Rohrer, Justin Chambers, and David Rogers for their outstanding service in their respective areas.
Florida’s state legislature has given final approval to a new congressional redistricting map that political experts believe could deliver up to four additional House seats to Republican candidates.
The redistricting plan, which was championed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, represents a significant component of former President Trump’s broader strategy to influence electoral boundaries in advance of the upcoming midterm elections.
Political analysts suggest that Republicans now maintain a narrow advantage over Democrats in the national redistricting process, as states across the country redraw their congressional maps following the 2020 census.
The approved map reflects the ongoing partisan battle over electoral district boundaries, a process that occurs every decade and can significantly impact which party controls Congress.
MEXICO CITY — Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that they have filed criminal charges against Ruben Rocha, the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, along with several current and former government officials for their suspected connections to a powerful drug trafficking organization.
According to the Justice Department, Rocha and the other defendants allegedly worked together with high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel in a scheme to smuggle enormous amounts of illegal drugs across the border into the United States. In return, prosecutors say the officials provided political protection and accepted corrupt payments from the criminal organization.
Federal prosecutors in Chicago announced they will dismiss conspiracy charges against four individuals who were arrested during immigration protests last September, according to defense lawyers.
The defendants include Kat Abughazaleh, a former journalist who previously ran for Congress as a Democrat, along with Andre Martin, Michael Rabbitt, and Brian Straw. Defense attorney Chris Parente confirmed that prosecutors revealed their decision during a Wednesday court session.
While the conspiracy charges represented the only felony counts against the group, the four still face misdemeanor charges for impeding a federal officer. The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The protesters became known as the “Broadview Six” after their demonstration at a detention center in Broadview, Illinois. Two other defendants, Catherine Sharp and Jocelyn Walsh, had all charges against them dismissed last month.
“The conspiracy charge was the most serious count, and it’s the most troubling because it was intended to silence dissent,” Parente stated.
According to prosecutors, the four defendants surrounded a federal agent’s vehicle and deliberately blocked its path as the agent attempted to enter the Broadview facility during the September 26 demonstration.
The protest occurred during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign called “Operation Midway Blitz,” which sparked widespread demonstrations throughout the Chicago area involving residents, political candidates, and elected officials.
During the operation, federal agents fatally shot one person and wounded another, while also using tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against demonstrators. The Broadview detention center emerged as a central point of conflict during the enforcement action.
Federal health authorities announced Wednesday that American baby formula contains minimal levels of harmful substances following an extensive contamination study described as the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted.
The examination was part of the Food and Drug Administration’s Operation Stork Speed initiative, which officials characterized as the most thorough investigation of its kind. Results indicated the nation’s infant formula supply poses no safety concerns, according to agency representatives and independent specialists.
“There’s no reason not to use any available formula” in the U.S., said Dr. Steven Abrams, a pediatrics professor at the University of Texas at Austin who reviewed the findings.
Between 2023 and 2025, FDA researchers examined more than 300 commercial infant formula samples, screening for heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. The investigation also looked for pesticides, plastic-related chemicals called phthalates, and PFAS compounds, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”
All contamination levels registered as either undetectable or extremely minimal, officials reported. Heavy metal concentrations fell significantly below Environmental Protection Agency standards for drinking water. Pesticides were absent in 99% of tested samples. Among 30 different PFAS compounds examined, 25 showed no presence whatsoever.
Independent specialists largely supported the government’s conclusions, explaining that trace amounts of substances like heavy metals occur naturally in the environment. However, other compounds including phthalates and PFAS are manufactured.
“These chemicals are completely synthetic,” said Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a pediatrics professor at UW Medicine and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute. “The detection of some of these compounds at all is concerning.”
She emphasized the importance of continued formula monitoring and broader food supply oversight.
The Trump administration initiated Operation Stork Speed in March 2025, pledging to examine infant formula safety and quality standards for the first time in decades.
This effort expanded upon earlier FDA investigations into substances like heavy metals in baby foods, which can harm brain development, learning capabilities and behavior in children, Abrams explained.
Currently, the FDA lacks enforceable heavy metal limits for infant formulas, unlike the European Union, Canada and Australia.
Consumer advocacy organizations have pressed the FDA for years to establish concrete contamination limits. Last year, Consumer Reports analyzed 41 American infant formulas and suggested many contained troubling levels of heavy metals and other contaminants.
That analysis applied its own safety standards, setting thresholds far stricter than European Union requirements. The report received widespread attention and caused some parents to abandon commercial formula even when medically necessary, Abrams observed.
Abrams urged the FDA to maintain ongoing formula monitoring and publish findings regularly.
Abbott, among the country’s major formula manufacturers, encouraged the FDA to establish scientific contamination standards for infant formula.
“We believe that producing infant formula at scale in the U.S. is a matter of national security,” Abbott spokesman John Koval said in an email. “These results affirm the safety of our current domestic supply.”
PANAMA CITY — A diplomatic war of words erupted Wednesday between Washington and Beijing after the US State Department criticized China for allegedly undermining Panama’s sovereignty in a port-related shipping dispute.
The latest friction began in early April when Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned China for “bullying” tactics, claiming Beijing temporarily detained or delayed dozens of ships flying Panama’s flag. This action came after Panama took control of two vital canal ports from a Hong Kong-based company’s subsidiary earlier this year. Chinese officials have rejected these accusations.
On Tuesday, the State Department issued a joint declaration alongside several regional allies — Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago — condemning what they called a “blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade.” The statement expressed unified support for Panama.
These developments unfold as President Trump has adopted an increasingly assertive approach toward Latin America, including capturing Venezuela’s leader in a nighttime operation, implementing sweeping Venezuelan reforms, establishing an oil embargo against Cuba, interfering in regional elections, and threatening military intervention against Mexican drug cartels.
“The sovereignty of our hemisphere is non-negotiable,” Rubio declared in a Tuesday evening social media message.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian pushed back forcefully during Wednesday’s press briefing, dismissing the American statements as baseless and reality-distorting.
“Who occupied the Panama Canal for a long time, invaded Panama with its military, and arbitrarily trampled on its sovereignty and dignity? Who covets the Panama Canal, seeks to turn this international waterway — meant to remain permanently neutral — into its own territory, and disregards the sovereignty of regional countries? The answer is self-evident,” Jian said.
“The one who has politicized and securitized the issue of ports is the United States,” he added.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded by thanking allied nations for their support regarding the detained vessels while attempting to calm rising tensions.
“We do not wish to engage in controversy, as we value respectful relations with all nations,” he said.
Washington has consistently worked to counter Beijing’s expanding influence across Latin America. Panama has become particularly significant in this superpower competition due to the canal’s essential role in global commerce, especially after Trump last year accused China of controlling the strategic waterway.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature has given final approval to a congressional redistricting plan designed to strengthen GOP control of the state’s House delegation in upcoming midterm elections.
The legislative action occurred merely 48 hours after Governor Ron DeSantis presented his redistricting proposal, coinciding with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that weakened key Voting Rights Act protections. This Supreme Court ruling may complicate Democratic efforts to contest Republican redistricting plans that potentially diminish minority voter influence.
Under DeSantis’ redistricting scheme, Florida’s congressional representation could shift dramatically from the existing 20-8 Republican split to a commanding 24-4 GOP majority. This potential pickup of four additional Republican seats matches what Virginia Democrats anticipate gaining from their own recent redistricting changes, though those face ongoing state court challenges.
Legal challenges to Florida’s new boundaries appear inevitable, particularly given state constitutional language that explicitly forbids redistricting for partisan political gain. However, DeSantis and his team express confidence that these constitutional protections have been significantly undermined by previous Florida Supreme Court decisions and Wednesday’s federal Supreme Court action.
During the hastily convened special legislative session, Florida Republicans holding supermajorities in both chambers offered minimal discussion about the new district boundaries. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka from Fort Myers, restricted her comments to cautious responses about the changing legal environment when pressed by Democratic lawmakers about the redistricting effort.
“I believe that there is a likelihood that that map will be upheld against legal challenge,” Persons-Mulicka said.
Democratic legislators condemned the redistricting as partisan manipulation designed to appease Trump while undermining the majority of Florida voters who aren’t registered Republicans.
“Y’all are doing this because y’all’s daddy in the White House is injecting national political objectives into what should be a state-driven process,” Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, told her Republican colleagues.
NEW YORK — A federal appeals court has declined to allow all of its active judges to review President Donald Trump’s challenge to an $83 million defamation judgment, court officials announced Wednesday.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted against holding what’s known as an “en banc” hearing, where the full court would reconsider the massive award to magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll. This development occurs as Trump has separately asked the Supreme Court to review a different $5 million judgment Carroll won after a jury determined he sexually assaulted her at Bergdorf Goodman in 1996 and subsequently made defamatory statements about her.
Trump’s legal representatives have not yet commented on the appeals court’s latest decision.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, released a statement saying her client was “eager for this case, originally filed in 2019, to be over so that she can finally obtain justice.”
The full court’s refusal to hear the case follows a September decision by a three-judge panel that upheld the $83 million award. One appeals judge had requested that all Manhattan-based appeals court judges consider the matter.
Wednesday’s vote showed five judges opposed the full court review while three supported it, according to the 2nd Circuit’s announcement.
Appeals Judge Denny Chin noted this marked the fourth occasion the court has refused to have all judges examine an appeal related to this litigation.
Chin referenced how Carroll initially made public allegations in her 2019 book, claiming Trump had sexually assaulted her during the 1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.
Following those revelations, Trump denied ever meeting Carroll, dismissed her allegations as false, and stated “she’s not my type” during a media interview. Carroll filed her defamation lawsuit in November 2019.
While Trump was absent from a May 2023 trial where jurors concluded he had sexually abused and defamed Carroll, he provided brief testimony during a second proceeding in January 2024 when the jury awarded Carroll the $83 million defamation judgment.
Chin supported the appeals court’s decision to maintain the substantial defamation award.
“The record showed that Trump made multiple statements over many years accusing Carroll of lying for political and financial gain, and suggesting that Carroll was too unattractive for Trump to have sexually assaulted her,” Chin explained in his opinion.
“As a result of Trump’s statements, Carroll was harassed and humiliated, subjected to death threats, and feared for her physical safety for years. And Trump showed no remorse, continuing his attacks against Carroll during and after two federal trials, and even proclaiming two days into the Carroll I trial that he would continue to defame her ‘a thousand times,’” Chin stated.
Three appeals judges — Steven J. Menashi, Michael H. Park and Debra Ann Livingston — supported having the complete 2nd Circuit review the appeal.
In their dissenting opinion authored by Menashi, these judges argued the appeals panel should have allowed the United States government to replace Trump as defendant after the attorney general determined he was operating within his official duties when the allegations emerged.
The dissenting judges also believed Trump should have been permitted to claim presidential immunity protections.
Additionally, they contended Trump deserved a new trial and determined the defamation award amount was “grossly excessive.”
“Put together, these proceedings represent a manifest miscarriage of justice,” Menashi concluded in the dissent.
A tragic structural collapse at a medical facility in Bengaluru, India has claimed seven lives, according to state officials reporting on the incident Wednesday.
The 8-foot hospital wall fell during severe weather, crushing a young child, four street vendors, and two individuals from Kerala state, announced D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka’s deputy chief minister. Officials have yet to identify one additional victim.
Three additional people sustained injuries in the collapse and are currently receiving medical care, Shivakumar confirmed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deadly incident as “unfortunate” in a social media statement.
A Reuters reporter observed medical personnel treating an injured woman who received emergency care before being transported for further evaluation.
The collapse occurred as Bengaluru experienced dramatic weather changes Wednesday. After enduring weeks of oppressive heat and high humidity, the city was suddenly hit by powerful storms featuring heavy rain, strong winds, and hail.
While the intense rainfall provided temporary relief from the sweltering temperatures, it also caused significant problems throughout the area, including flooding and downed trees across multiple neighborhoods.
WASHINGTON, April 29 – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced he will extend his tenure at the nation’s central bank beyond his original timeline, expressing deep concerns about ongoing legal challenges that could compromise the institution’s independence.
Speaking at a press conference following his final policy meeting as chair, Powell stated he will depart when “I think it’s appropriate to do so,” emphasizing his worries about sustained legal pressure on the Federal Reserve.
“I worry that these attacks are battering the institution and putting at risk the thing that really matters to the public, which is the ability to conduct monetary policy without taking into consideration political factors,” Powell explained during the news conference.
The Fed chairman stressed the critical importance of maintaining a central banking system that operates independently from political pressures, describing it as essential for American economic stability.
“It’s part of the absolute foundation of this amazing economy that we have. It’s just one of the many reasons why the U.S. economy is the envy of the world,” Powell remarked, clarifying that his concerns extend beyond typical verbal criticism from political leaders.
International oil giants are turning their attention back to Canada’s energy sector as ongoing Middle East conflicts make the North American nation appear increasingly attractive for major investments, with Shell’s massive $16.4 billion acquisition of ARC Resources serving as the most prominent example of this strategic shift.
Major corporations including TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips are reportedly examining potential Canadian acquisition opportunities, joined by Equinor and BP in reassessing the market. Investment banking sources indicate these companies have recently requested detailed analyses of viable takeover candidates, according to discussions with twelve industry insiders.
This renewed attention marks a dramatic reversal from the past ten years, during which international firms systematically reduced or eliminated their Canadian fossil fuel investments. Canada’s political landscape has become more favorable to oil and gas development since Prime Minister Mark Carney assumed leadership amid the Iran conflict, as investors increasingly prioritize stable operating environments. The nation has also established new export infrastructure for both crude oil and natural gas that could accelerate additional development, while maintaining extensive untapped resources to fuel expanding export operations.
Shell’s ARC acquisition represents the first tangible evidence of this broader strategic reassessment. The European energy major announced Monday its intention to acquire ARC, Canada’s leading natural gas producer concentrated exclusively in the Montney shale formation, in what would rank among the largest foreign acquisitions of a Canadian energy company in history.
“The fact they (Shell) are buying in Canada is an indication that we have tremendous, world quality resources,” stated Mike Verney, executive vice president at Calgary-based energy consultancy McDaniel & Associates, describing the foreign attention as “validating.”
However, industry sources caution that recent market instability means Total and other companies may not immediately pursue similar acquisitions. Most individuals who spoke with reporters requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of ongoing discussions.
TotalEnergies and Equinor have not responded to comment requests, while BP and ConocoPhillips declined to provide statements.
DEPARTURE AND COMEBACK
Canada’s constrained pipeline infrastructure and export limitations previously made it less attractive compared to U.S. shale developments, renewable energy projects, and other growth sectors. The world’s largest energy corporations particularly avoided Alberta’s oil sands – the country’s primary oil-producing area – due to investor concerns about the environmental consequences of extracting heavy, viscous crude.
This exodus concentrated Canada’s energy industry under domestic control, with Canadian ownership of oil sands operations increasing to roughly 89% in 2025 from 69% in 2016, based on Bank of Montreal research.
Current domestic policies and international conflicts have now shifted in Canada’s favor. Disruptions around the closed Strait of Hormuz have enhanced the appeal of the world’s fourth-largest oil producer as a more secure option for international energy companies. Carney has also adopted a more supportive approach toward oil and gas development compared to predecessor Justin Trudeau, promising industry growth assistance and reversing certain climate regulations.
“When you want energy and you look at the world and what could go wrong, Canada has a lot of things going for it,” observed Jose Valera, a partner at law firm Mayer Brown.
ACQUISITION TARGETS
Canada’s developing liquefied natural gas export capabilities from Pacific coast facilities, providing direct shipping routes to Asian markets, represent a major attraction for investors.
Total purchased an ownership stake last year in the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project along British Columbia’s northwest coastline, which could become Canada’s second-largest LNG export facility if approved. Shell and its partners initiated production from LNG Canada last June, with a decision on the project’s second phase anticipated shortly.
Participation in these projects is driving investors to examine upstream assets that supply these facilities, particularly opportunities within the Montney formation – a vast shale region covering northeast British Columbia and northwest Alberta, according to two sources. While the area is currently controlled by ARC, Tourmaline Oil, and other domestic producers, it remains significantly less developed than U.S. formations like the Permian Basin.
As the world’s fifth-largest natural gas producer, Canada’s Montney formation generates approximately 10 billion cubic feet daily, representing roughly 50% of the nation’s total production. The Permian Basin produces about 25 billion cubic feet per day by comparison, according to U.S. government data.
Rising crude oil prices are providing major companies with enhanced financial resources for acquisitions, though available takeover targets remain limited with ARC no longer available.
Canada’s largest natural gas producer Tourmaline Oil emerges as a potential acquisition target, three sources indicated. The C$18 billion ($13.2 billion) company’s stock price has remained stagnant over the past year, and is managed by 68-year-old Chief Executive Mike Rose. A potential sale could address succession planning concerns, some sources noted.
Tourmaline declined to provide comment.
Major companies could also consolidate smaller producers, including those backed by private equity firms.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced Wednesday that he plans to remain on the central bank’s board of governors once his tenure as chair concludes next month.
During a press conference that followed the most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Powell revealed his intentions to continue in a different capacity. “After my term as chair ends on May 15, I will continue to serve as a governor for a period of time to be determined. I plan to keep a low profile as a governor,” Powell stated.
The announcement clarifies Powell’s future role within the Federal Reserve system as the leadership transition approaches in mid-May.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is demonstrating his dedication to maintaining competitive sharpness by entering lower-tier tournaments as he prepares for the remaining three major championships of 2026.
Following his recent departure from LIV Golf and swift re-entry to the PGA Tour via the newly-established Returning Player Program, Koepka faces restrictions that prevent him from receiving sponsor invitations to signature events in 2026. With two premier tournaments scheduled before the PGA Championship next month, Koepka has decided to participate in the upcoming Myrtle Beach Classic, an alternate-field competition.
The three-time PGA Championship winner will use Myrtle Beach and its $4 million prize pool as his final preparation while most elite players compete for $20 million at Charlotte’s Truist Championship at Quail Hollow.
Victory at Myrtle Beach would offer Koepka an additional benefit: automatic qualification for the season’s final two signature tournaments, the Memorial and Travelers championships.
Koepka’s recent performance includes a missed cut alongside teammate Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic, though he posted a respectable tie for 12th at the Masters. He has recorded four top-20 results in his last five individual stroke-play tournaments and currently ranks 59th in FedEx Cup points.
Two weeks ago at the RBC Heritage, Koepka served as first alternate, waiting through opening-round tee times hoping for a withdrawal that would allow him entry. His participation will bring star power to the three-year-old Myrtle Beach event.
“Having Brooks Koepka commit to the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic is a tremendous moment for our tournament and our community,” tournament director Darren Nelson said, per the Post and Courier. “He’s one of the most accomplished players of his generation, and his presence speaks to the continued momentum of this event on the PGA TOUR calendar.”
The PGA Championship begins May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
A beloved community tradition is making its return to Newark this weekend as local law enforcement officers prepare to host their annual fishing event with residents.
The Casting with Cops event will take place this Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the Glasgow Park Fishing Pond, located at 2275 Pulaski Highway in Newark.
Community members are encouraged to bring their fishing equipment and join officers for an afternoon of angling and relationship-building. The event represents one of the department’s most popular annual community outreach initiatives, designed to foster positive interactions between law enforcement and local families.
Organizers describe the gathering as a favorite yearly tradition that brings together people of all ages for outdoor recreation and community connection at the popular Newark fishing destination.
WASHINGTON — In a unanimous decision Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a faith-based pregnancy center that claimed a New Jersey state investigation violated their constitutional rights.
The nation’s highest court delivered a procedural win for First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, which has been fighting a New Jersey probe into whether the organization misled clients to prevent them from seeking abortions.
While the conservative-dominated court has delivered several major victories to abortion opponents in recent years — including the landmark 2022 decision that eliminated the constitutional right to abortion — this case drew unusual support from across the political spectrum. Even the American Civil Liberties Union, which advocates for abortion access, backed First Choice’s constitutional arguments.
Wednesday’s ruling allows the organization to challenge a state subpoena in federal court, though it doesn’t settle the core dispute.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Erin Hawley, who represented the group, said they’re prepared to pursue the matter in federal court if New Jersey’s attorney general decides to “continue these efforts on remand.”
These facilities, commonly called “crisis pregnancy centers,” have expanded across the country as Republican-led states implement abortion restrictions and direct public funding toward the centers. The facilities typically provide pregnancy services while encouraging women to continue their pregnancies.
Meanwhile, Democratic-controlled states have launched investigations into whether these anti-abortion facilities deceive women, sometimes by suggesting they provide abortion services when they don’t.
New Jersey’s then-Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a subpoena demanding donor information and other records from First Choice.
The organization fought back, claiming the investigation lacked merit and that demanding donor lists violated their constitutional rights to free expression and association. When they attempted to challenge the subpoena in federal court, both a trial judge and appeals court determined the case wasn’t ready for federal review.
That led First Choice to petition the Supreme Court.
The organization contended that federal court access is crucial when government officials are accused of overstepping their authority. The ACLU supported this position, arguing that subpoenas targeting donor information can intimidate supporters.
New Jersey countered that the information would only be used to determine if donors were misled about the center’s services. The state also argued the subpoena couldn’t violate First Amendment rights since no information had actually been turned over yet.
Enforcing the subpoena requires a court order, and the judge handling the case has only directed both parties to negotiate so far.
New Jersey also warned that permitting First Choice to sue could trigger numerous lawsuits from the thousands of organizations that receive similar subpoenas.
The Trump administration supported First Choice’s position. The Justice Department maintained that any impact would be limited since the ruling would only affect organizations with comparable First Amendment claims.
New statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show positive trends in the nation’s poultry production sector, with key indicators pointing to expanded operations across the country.
According to the latest federal report, the number of broiler-type eggs placed in incubators nationwide has increased by 3 percent compared to previous figures. This uptick suggests producers are preparing for higher future output of meat chickens.
Meanwhile, the placement of young broiler chicks has also grown, rising by 2 percent across United States facilities. This measurement tracks when newly hatched birds are moved to growing operations where they will be raised for meat production.
These statistics provide insight into the health and direction of America’s poultry industry, which supplies chicken meat to consumers nationwide. The increases in both egg setting and chick placement indicate producers expect continued demand for their products.
New data from the United States Department of Agriculture shows a modest drop in shell egg production nationwide, with numbers falling 3 percent below last year’s figures.
The decline was documented in the latest report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, which tracks various agricultural commodities and production levels across the country.
The decrease in shell egg production reflects ongoing challenges within the poultry industry, which has faced various pressures affecting output levels in recent months.
New Castle County police are actively searching for a missing teenager after issuing a Gold Alert Tuesday evening.
Thirteen-year-old Aiden Carter vanished from the West Newport Pike area, specifically near the 2000 block, according to the New Castle County Division of Police. Authorities report Carter was last observed around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Police describe the missing teen as standing approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall with a weight between 200 and 225 pounds.
The Gold Alert system is activated when a child or vulnerable adult goes missing under circumstances that may indicate they are in danger.
Anyone with information regarding Aiden Carter’s whereabouts is urged to contact the New Castle County Division of Police immediately.
The Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to maintain current interest rates while acknowledging growing inflation worries in what became the central bank’s most contentious decision in over three decades.
The 8-4 vote marked the most split decision since October 1992, highlighting deep disagreements among policymakers about the direction of monetary policy. Three Federal Reserve officials opposed language in the policy statement that suggested a willingness to cut rates in the future, while a fourth member voted in favor of immediately reducing rates by a quarter percentage point.
“Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices,” the Federal Reserve stated in its policy announcement, removing previous language that described inflation as only “somewhat” elevated. “Developments in the Middle East are contributing to a high level of uncertainty about the economic outlook.”
Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan all supported keeping rates in the current 3.50%-3.75% range but “did not support inclusion of an easing bias in the statement at this time” and voted against the new statement.
The division comes as incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh prepares to take over leadership of the central bank. The Republican-controlled Senate Banking Committee advanced Warsh’s nomination Wednesday on a 13-11 party-line vote, with full Senate confirmation expected next month. Current Chair Jerome Powell’s term concludes May 15.
Oil prices remaining above $100 per barrel due to the U.S.-backed conflict with Iran have complicated the Fed’s decision-making process. Policymakers are struggling to determine whether higher energy costs will primarily impact economic growth or fuel additional inflation.
The policy statement noted that “the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months” while economic expansion continues “at a solid pace” alongside the elevated inflation concerns.
Fed Governor Stephen Miran continued his pattern of dissenting in favor of a quarter-point rate cut, as he has done at every meeting since joining the central bank from his previous role as one of President Trump’s economic advisers.
Minutes from the Fed’s March meeting revealed that more policymakers were considering the possibility that the next policy move might be a rate increase rather than a decrease. The growing number of officials opposing rate cuts may lead investors to increase expectations for higher borrowing costs this year.
Powell is scheduled to conduct a press conference at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the meeting results and economic outlook. He may also address whether he plans to remain at the Fed as a governor, a separate position that extends through January 2028.
The nation’s leading broadcasting industry organization is expressing alarm over a Federal Communications Commission move to conduct an early examination of Disney’s eight ABC television station licenses, describing the action as virtually unheard of in regulatory history.
On Wednesday, the National Association of Broadcasters warned that this regulatory decision “creates significant uncertainty for all broadcasters” across the United States. The organization emphasized concerns about potential ripple effects throughout the industry.
The broadcasting group cautioned that “FCC must be careful to avoid actions that create further instability for the local stations viewers and listeners depend on,” highlighting worries about how such regulatory moves might affect communities that rely on these television outlets for news and information.
Wall Street heavyweight Bill Ackman made his highly anticipated debut on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday, launching his Pershing Square USA closed-end fund that brings his exclusive investment strategies to everyday investors for the first time.
The billionaire hedge fund manager successfully raised $5 billion through the public offering, with shares available at $50 each under the ticker symbol PSUS. His management company, Pershing Square, also began trading under the symbol PS. According to Dealogic, this ranks among the ten largest public offerings of the past decade.
Accompanied by his wife Neri Oxman and chief investment officer Ryan Israel, Ackman received enthusiastic applause from traders on the Manhattan exchange floor as trading commenced Wednesday morning.
Speaking with reporters, Ackman explained that his new fund aims to “democratize investing” by providing access to the substantial double-digit returns his investments have produced over two decades. Previously, hedge funds remained exclusive to ultra-wealthy investors who met strict regulatory standards proving they could handle significant financial risks.
However, Ackman warned that initial trading might experience volatility as some investors could seek quick profits from his hedge fund company or rapidly exit the closed-end fund. To increase appeal, he offered complimentary Pershing Square Inc shares to IPO buyers of Pershing Square USA – a strategy he credits to his wife’s suggestion.
The NYSE listing provides the only avenue for American investors to benefit from Ackman’s performance, since his London-listed Pershing Square Holdings fund cannot be directly marketed to U.S. residents due to regulatory restrictions.
Ackman’s track record shows impressive annual returns of approximately 25% over the past eight years, significantly outperforming the typical closed-end fund’s 7% return during the same period.
“This is something people will want to own,” Ackman stated, highlighting his ability to work closely with companies and manage fund risks while maintaining tax efficiency. “This is not going to be your grandmother’s closed-end fund.”
Wednesday’s successful launch represents a comeback for Ackman, who attempted a similar New York listing nearly two years ago but withdrew due to lukewarm investor response.
Major institutional investors who committed $2.8 billion of the total $5 billion and agreed to hold their investments for six months will receive 1.5 Pershing Square shares for every five Pershing Square USA shares purchased.
Ackman built his reputation and estimated $9 billion wealth through aggressive activist investing campaigns targeting companies like Canadian Pacific and Chipotle. He has become one of Wall Street’s most monitored investors, recently expanding his influence through social media platform X, where he shares opinions on topics ranging from health concerns about sugary beverages to presidential politics with his 2.1 million followers.
While Ackman initially expected his social media presence would help attract funding two years ago, he revealed that institutional investors – including family offices, pension funds, insurance companies, and wealthy individuals – provided more than 80% of this offering’s capital.
The new fund targets retail investors and will largely mirror Ackman’s existing investment strategies, focusing on holdings such as Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Universal Music Group, and Uber Technologies.
This launch occurs as the IPO market shows signs of recovery following increased volatility from Middle East conflicts and investor hesitation regarding AI-related software companies.
The offering will test market interest in closed-end funds, which frequently trade below the value of their underlying assets. These funds cannot be redeemed directly and only trade on secondary markets after initial allocation, making them susceptible to significant price fluctuations that can diverge from their actual net asset value.
“I would expect decent demand, but the structure with shares of the managing company as a sweetener suggests that the closed-end fund alone may not be enough to secure the desired level of investor interest,” commented IPOX Research Associate Lukas Muehlbauer.
Seven nations within the OPEC+ alliance are expected to approve higher oil production targets during their upcoming Sunday meeting, according to three sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday.
The planned production increase will be adjusted downward to compensate for the United Arab Emirates’ departure from the oil producer coalition.
Despite the planned increases, most member countries face challenges in actually ramping up production due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Prior to the UAE’s unexpected Tuesday announcement that it would withdraw from both OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, eight coalition members had been preparing to implement a 206,000 barrel-per-day increase to their production quotas for June. This would have mirrored similar production bumps implemented in April and May, according to sources within OPEC+.
The group now plans to move forward with a comparable increase while subtracting the UAE’s 18,000 barrel-per-day allocation, sources indicated. All individuals providing information requested anonymity, with one noting that no final decision has been reached ahead of the scheduled meeting.
OPEC officials did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment made after regular business hours on Wednesday.
Former NFL defensive back Justin Simmons has called time on his professional football career after nine seasons in the league, with the Denver Broncos making the announcement Wednesday.
The timing of the retirement news holds special significance, coming exactly a decade after Denver selected the Boston College product in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
While Simmons completed his career by starting all 16 games for Atlanta in 2024 and recording two picks, his most memorable achievements came during his eight-year tenure in Denver. The safety earned both of his Pro Bowl selections while wearing orange and blue, along with four second-team All-Pro honors.
“Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team,” Simmons expressed in Denver’s social media statement. “It was my heart, my home and my story.”
Simmons continued: “I’m always going to be a Bronco, and I’m always going to be a Broncos fan. They took a chance on me, extended me. This is my home.”
Throughout his career, Simmons proved remarkably consistent in creating turnovers, recording no fewer than two interceptions in every season he played. His career total of 32 picks includes a league-best six during the 2022 campaign. The veteran defender appeared in 134 games over nine seasons, earning starting assignments in 124 of those contests.
Atlanta also shared congratulatory messages for their former player on social media platforms.
OAKLAND, Calif. — Tesla CEO Elon Musk continued his courtroom testimony Wednesday for the second consecutive day in a high-profile federal lawsuit against OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, whom he claims violated agreements to maintain the artificial intelligence company as a nonprofit organization.
The legal battle focuses on how the company behind ChatGPT transformed from its 2015 launch as a nonprofit startup — largely bankrolled by Musk — into a for-profit enterprise now worth $852 billion. The trial began Monday and is anticipated to continue for approximately three weeks.
During his testimony, Musk detailed his version of OpenAI’s formation, explaining how he contributed roughly $38 million to the venture between December 2015 and May 2017. The billionaire described losing faith in Altman’s commitment to maintaining the nonprofit structure. Under questioning from his attorney Steven Molo, Musk testified that by the end of 2022, he suspected Altman was attempting to “steal the charity.”
“It turned out to be true,” Musk declared from the witness stand, dressed in his typical courtroom uniform of a black suit and tie.
Altman, who serves as OpenAI’s chief executive, attended the proceedings at the Oakland federal courthouse but was not expected to provide testimony Wednesday.
OpenAI’s legal team has dismissed the accusations in Musk’s civil case, asserting that no binding commitments were ever made to maintain nonprofit status indefinitely. The company contends that Musk’s lawsuit represents an attempt to hamper OpenAI’s explosive expansion while promoting his own competing artificial intelligence venture, xAI, which he established in 2023.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal jury in Virginia has found a suspected ISIS militant guilty of conspiracy in connection with the devastating 2021 suicide attack at Kabul’s airport that occurred during America’s military exit from Afghanistan.
Mohammad Sharifullah now faces up to two decades behind bars following his conviction on Wednesday for providing support to ISIS-K, the regional branch of the Islamic State. The case gained national attention when former President Donald Trump highlighted it during a congressional address last year. Sharifullah chose not to take the stand during his week-long trial.
The August 26, 2021 bombing claimed the lives of roughly 160 Afghan civilians and 13 American military personnel. The attack happened as U.S. forces were managing evacuation efforts at the airport, when a single bomber set off an explosive device near the facility’s Abbey Gate entrance.
While the Virginia jury found Sharifullah guilty of supporting the terrorist organization, they could not reach a unanimous decision on whether fatalities at the airport directly stemmed from his conspiracy. Had they agreed on that point, Sharifullah could have received a life sentence instead of the current maximum of 20 years.
Sharifullah showed no apparent emotional response when the verdict was read. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga has not yet scheduled his sentencing hearing.
Defense lawyer Lauren Rosen contended that government prosecutors lacked concrete evidence connecting her client to the bombing beyond his own statements made during extensive FBI interviews. She suggested Sharifullah may have told agents what he believed they wanted to hear, potentially out of fear of mistreatment while in Pakistani detention before his transfer to the United States.
“The problem was, he didn’t know much about what actually happened that day,” Rosen told jurors during the trial’s closing arguments. “The government has told you nothing about how this attack actually happened.”
Justice Department attorney Ryan White painted Sharifullah as a key figure in orchestrating the Abbey Gate attack and claimed he participated in other ISIS-K operations, including the group’s March 2024 assault on a Moscow concert venue that resulted in approximately 140 deaths.
“The defendant thought nothing of killing,” White said. “For him, it was just another day at the office.”
According to a U.S. Central Command investigation, the Abbey Gate attacker was identified as Abdul Rahman al-Logari, an Islamic State member who had been freed from an Afghan prison by Taliban forces. FBI documents indicate Sharifullah recognized the bomber as someone he had encountered during his own imprisonment.
Congressional testimony from a former Marine revealed that he and colleagues had identified two suspicious individuals on the morning of the attack but were denied authorization to intervene. Despite this, the Central Command investigation determined that the snipers had not actually spotted the real bomber and concluded the attack could not have been prevented.
Last year, a prosecutor working on the Abbey Gate case was dismissed after facing public criticism from a conservative commentator regarding his service during President Joe Biden’s administration. Michael Ben’Ary’s removal was part of a wider effort to replace Justice Department officials considered insufficiently loyal to Trump.
Throughout his recent presidential campaign, Trump frequently criticized Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and held him responsible for the Abbey Gate tragedy.
However, Biden’s administration was implementing a withdrawal agreement and schedule that Trump’s first presidency had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 analysis by a government-appointed investigator found that decisions by both administrations contributed significantly to Afghanistan’s military collapse and the Taliban’s return to power.
Prosecutor White revealed that Sharifullah had told a reporter he wanted to “catch and kill the crusaders” from America for invading his homeland following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“This case is not complicated,” White said. “The defendant told you everything you need to know.”
Defense attorney Rosen argued that American officials took ISIS claims of responsibility for the airport bombing at face value without proper scrutiny. She proposed that militants from a Taliban faction who were stationed at Abbey Gate might have been involved in the attack.
“You can’t base your verdict on mere conjecture and speculation,” Rosen said. “That’s what the prosecution is asking you to do.”
The NBA announced Wednesday that New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan has earned the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award for this season.
The honor, which has been given out each year since the 2012-13 season, celebrates the player who best demonstrates unselfish play, serves as a leader both during games and in the locker room, acts as a mentor and positive influence for fellow NBA players, and shows unwavering dedication to their team.
A group of league executives narrowed the field to 12 finalists, and active NBA players cast ballots to select the final winner.
The 37-year-old Jordan edged out Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, who had previously claimed the award three times. Jordan secured the victory with 66 first-place votes and accumulated 1,445 total points, just eight more than Holiday’s 1,437 points. Houston’s Jeff Green claimed third place with 1,420 points, while Toronto’s Garrett Temple finished fourth with 1,223 points, creating significant separation from the remaining candidates.
Throughout his distinguished career, Jordan has earned recognition as a three-time All-NBA selection, made two All-Defensive Teams, participated in the 2016-17 All-Star Game, and captured an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets during the 2022-23 season. This past season with New Orleans, he participated in 12 contests, starting seven of them, while contributing 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
During his 18-year professional career spanning eight different franchises, Jordan has compiled statistics of 8.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game across 1,123 total games, including 798 starts.
WASHINGTON – Congressional representatives on Wednesday narrowly voted to proceed with discussions on important legislation addressing immigration enforcement budgets and the extension of overseas surveillance programs.
House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully convinced Republican colleagues to support the procedural motion during a lengthy voting process that remained open for over two hours. The chamber ultimately decided 215-210 to move forward with formal discussions on the bills.
The legislation under consideration would establish funding parameters for immigration enforcement activities while also addressing the renewal of foreign intelligence surveillance capabilities.
The National Hockey League announced Wednesday that three goaltenders have been chosen as finalists for this year’s Vezina Trophy, the prestigious award given to the league’s outstanding netminder.
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy earned his nomination alongside New York Islanders goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin and Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman. The annual honor, determined by votes from NHL general managers, recognizes excellence in goaltending during the regular season, with the winner to be revealed at a future date.
The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy topped all goalies this season with 39 victories while recording a 2.31 goals-against average that ranked second league-wide. This marks his second time as a Vezina finalist, having claimed the trophy in 2019 with a 39-10-4 record, 2.40 GAA, and .925 save percentage.
Sorokin, age 30, compiled a 29-24-2 record this season while leading the NHL with seven shutouts, alongside a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage. Should he win, Sorokin would become the first Islanders goalie to capture the award since Hall of Fame member Billy Smith achieved the honor in the 1981-82 campaign.
The 27-year-old Swayman, earning his first Vezina nomination, finished with a 31-18-4 record, 2.71 GAA, and .908 save percentage. His standout statistic was leading all NHL goalies with 38 games started while maintaining at least a .900 save percentage.
Last season’s Vezina Trophy recipient was Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck, who also captured the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
President Trump held discussions with American oil industry executives about sustaining a potential extended naval blockade against Iranian ports, according to a White House official who spoke Wednesday. The president simultaneously called on Iran to “get smart soon” and enter into negotiations.
The meeting with energy sector leaders occurred Tuesday amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the standoff that has prompted Washington to implement a naval blockade targeting Iran’s oil shipments in an attempt to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels.
The president has indicated Iran is welcome to initiate contact for discussions. In a Wednesday post on Truth Social before news of the executive meeting became public, Trump stated Tehran “couldn’t get its act together.”
According to the White House official, Trump and energy executives “discussed the steps President Trump has taken to alleviate global oil markets and steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimize impact on American consumers.”
Global oil markets responded with Brent crude prices jumping over 6% Wednesday to reach a month-long peak amid concerns about an extended blockade.
A senior Pentagon official revealed Wednesday that military operations have already cost the United States $25 billion, marking the first official financial estimate for the ongoing conflict.
Iranian leadership has vowed to maintain disruption of strait traffic while facing continued threats, potentially extending Middle Eastern oil supply interruptions from a conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and worldwide economic instability.
On Wednesday, Tehran issued warnings of “unprecedented military action” in response to continued American blockade operations against Iran-connected ships. While Trump has declared Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons, Iranian officials maintain their atomic program serves peaceful purposes.
“They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They’d better get smart soon!” Trump wrote in his social media message, though he provided no specifics about such an agreement’s terms.
The post included a digitally altered photograph showing him wearing sunglasses and holding a machine gun with text reading “No more Mr. Nice Guy.”
Iran’s economic situation has deteriorated significantly as its currency dropped to an unprecedented low of 1,810,000 rials per U.S. dollar Wednesday, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency. This decline reflects pent-up foreign currency demand from six weeks of fighting now entering open markets.
The rial has lost nearly 15% of its value in just the past two days, ISNA reported.
Central bank data shows inflation reached 65.8% for the period between March 20 and April 20, a situation likely to worsen due to the currency collapse.
Iran seeks American recognition of its uranium enrichment rights for what it describes as peaceful civilian applications. The country maintains approximately 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, material that could potentially produce several nuclear weapons with additional processing.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, accused Trump of attempting to divide Iranians and force surrender through the blockade.
“The solution for confronting the enemy’s new conspiracy is only one thing: maintaining unity, which has been the bane of all the enemy’s conspiracies,” Qalibaf stated in a Telegram audio message.
Iran’s most recent proposal for ending the conflict, which has been paused since April 8 under a ceasefire arrangement, would postpone nuclear program discussions until formal conflict resolution and shipping problem solutions. This approach conflicts with Trump’s insistence on addressing nuclear issues immediately.
At senior administration officials’ request, U.S. intelligence services are analyzing potential Iranian responses if Trump declares unilateral victory, according to two U.S. officials and a knowledgeable source who spoke to Reuters.
Since February 28, when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran began, Tehran has effectively prevented all non-Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy transportation. American blockade operations against Iranian vessels commenced this month.
Iran no longer maintains unified clerical leadership following the deaths of several top political and military officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during U.S.-Israeli attacks.
The appointment of Khamenei’s injured son, Mojtaba, as his replacement has shifted additional authority to hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, according to Iranian officials and regional analysts.
Domestically, Trump faces mounting pressure to conclude a conflict for which he has offered varying justifications to Americans dealing with rising fuel costs. His approval rating has dropped to 34%, the lowest point of his current presidency, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data, down from 36% in previous surveys.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the Iran conflict during heated congressional testimony, rejecting characterizations of it as a quagmire while calling Democratic critics “feckless” for opposing the unpopular military engagement.
WASHINGTON – A security breach at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner has sparked renewed debate about the future of the century-old journalism event, as safety concerns merge with existing ethical questions.
An armed individual rushed past security barriers at the Washington Hilton hotel, where prosecutors say he planned to harm President Donald Trump in the nearby ballroom. Security personnel quickly evacuated Trump and first lady Melania Trump from the venue without incident.
The security breach disrupted what had been an unusual evening of cooperation between the press and a president who has frequently criticized media coverage. However, even before this weekend’s events, many questioned whether reporters should socialize with the government officials they’re assigned to cover.
The annual black-tie gathering has operated as a Washington tradition for over 100 years, funding journalism scholarships while honoring First Amendment protections for free speech and press freedom.
Media companies buy tables and bring guests from top political and business circles. Celebrity-filled afterparties typically continue until the early morning hours. While presidents usually participate, Trump had avoided the event throughout his previous White House tenure until this year’s attendance.
“I think it’s not a good look for journalists to be dressed in tuxedos and gowns and hanging out with the people they cover,” said Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota. “It’s always been a really tricky proposition.”
Through a Truth Social message Saturday evening, Trump indicated he wanted to reschedule the dinner. However, the White House Correspondents’ Association maintains authority over the event’s future.
When asked about upcoming plans, WHCA President Weijia Jiang directed questions to Sunday’s official statement.
“The WHCA board will be meeting to assess what happened and determine how to proceed,” Jiang wrote. “We will provide updates as soon as any are available.”
The organization’s statement praised journalists present for “jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded.”
The formal dinner traditionally features comedic entertainment, with presidents often attempting humor themselves. In 2011, then-President Barack Obama used his speaking time to mock Trump, who attended as a business figure and television personality.
During Trump’s first presidency in 2018, comedian Michelle Wolf delivered harsh criticism of White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the dinner, worsening Trump’s already tense media relations. That year’s WHCA leader, Margaret Talev, acknowledged members felt “dismay” over Wolf’s remarks, leading to a more subdued program the next year.
Trump chose this year for his first presidential appearance at the event. Washington observers had eagerly anticipated his participation and expected comments, considering his history of attacking news organizations.
His actions against media outlets include multiple lawsuits, labeling truthful reporting as “fake news,” targeting individual journalists personally, and limiting reporter access to White House briefings and Pentagon coverage. Despite this, he has also shown more openness than past presidents to unstructured press sessions and reporter phone calls.
The New York Times stopped buying dinner tables in 2008 citing ethical concerns, though the newspaper continues reporting on the event.
Patrick Plaisance, an ethics professor at Pennsylvania State University’s Bellisario College of Communications, said the Times’ approach demonstrates “the inherent conflict that the event poses for journalists.”
Supporters argue that reporters regularly build source relationships in casual environments beyond formal briefings or scheduled interviews.
“Even though it may look like journalists are cozying up to politicians — and some are — a lot of beat reporting looks like that,” said Eric Deggans, a professor of journalism and media ethics at Washington and Lee University.
“It’s a more complicated situation than some of the critics are willing to allow,” he said.
Nevertheless, academic experts acknowledged that the dinner’s mission of celebrating press freedom often gets lost amid images of journalists and politicians enjoying expensive meals together. This year’s entertainment choice — mentalist Oz Pearlman — failed to address appearance concerns, Deggans noted.
“There’s been a long history of comics who roast the room — politicians and the press alike,” he said. “Moving away from that without explaining why creates its own public impression.”
“Once you layer in the security and safety concerns,” Deggans added, “it becomes an even more challenging proposition.”
The Dover Police Department has made history by selecting Corporal Heather Seibert as its 2025 Officer of the Year, marking the first time a woman has received this distinction in the agency’s 101-year existence.
Additionally, Animal Control Officer Caitlyn Smith earned the 2025 Civilian of the Year award, creating another milestone as both top honors went to women for the first time in department history.
These awards highlight not just a groundbreaking moment, but also recognize the significant contributions both women have made to the Dover community.
Corporal Heather Seibert – Officer of the Year
Throughout the department’s century-plus history, Dover Police has annually honored its most outstanding officer. In 2025, that recognition goes to Corporal Heather Seibert—a law enforcement professional whose dedication, investigative skills, and thorough approach have distinguished her among colleagues.
Joining Dover Police in 2019, Seibert has earned a reputation among fellow officers as “the officer with the answers,” built through her meticulous attention to detail, eagerness to tackle any assignment, and determination to see cases through to completion.
During her dual role as patrol officer and primary shift investigator, Seibert managed an extraordinary caseload in 2025’s second quarter—answering roughly 400 service calls, completing over 80 reports, and investigating more than a dozen vehicle crashes within just three months.
Several cases from that period demonstrate her exceptional impact:
April 7, 2025 – Gunfire Investigation:
Corporal Seibert answered a 911 call about a vehicle hit by gunfire. She located bullet damage on the car and during her investigation, linked it to a second victim with a similar report. Her quick intelligence gathering and coordination with detectives resulted in a suspect’s arrest and the recovery of two weapons.
April 21, 2025 – Hit-and-Run Crash with Injuries:
Corporal Seibert investigated a hit-and-run that injured two pedestrians. Using witness descriptions of the suspect and vehicle, she searched the area for video evidence and identified the fleeing car through surveillance footage, leading to an arrest and felony charges.
May 1, 2025 – Pedestrian Injury Case:
Corporal Seibert responded to another vehicle-pedestrian crash involving serious injuries. Despite challenges obtaining information from those involved, including the victim, she canvassed nearby homes for witnesses and surveillance video. Her persistence uncovered critical evidence that led to the suspect’s arrest.
May 25, 2025 – Child Abuse Case:
On May 25, 2025, Corporal Seibert responded after a child fled to a neighbor’s house to escape abuse. She conducted a thorough yet sensitive investigation, documented the child’s injuries, and identified the mother as the perpetrator. After consulting with investigators and prosecutors, she arrested the suspect on child abuse charges and ensured the child was safely removed from the home.
Corporal Seibert’s exceptional work during the second quarter earned her Officer of the Quarter recognition and ultimately Officer of the Year. She was promoted to Detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit in January 2026.
Reflecting on her career and historic recognition, Corporal Seibert shared her thoughts:
What attracted you to law enforcement and Dover Police specifically? “I’ve been watching crime TV shows and helping my dad catch thieves in his convenience store since a young age. I’ve always loved righting wrongs and standing up for the little guy. Choosing Dover PD was really just luck. I happened to be moving to the area when I was starting my career and it was really the only department I ever looked at and never looked back.
Can you describe a particularly meaningful case you’ve handled? “It wasn’t one moment as much as a reaffirmation of why the work I do is important. In a domestic violence case, I later saw the victim again months later. She told me that our interaction was the push she needed to leave the relationship and that she and her kids were now thriving. We don’t usually get to see the positive outcomes, so it was great to see that my work contributed to helping a family long term.”
What does community service mean to you daily? “Serving the community looks different every day, but for me it means showing up and doing the job the right way regardless of the circumstances.”
Who has most influenced your career? “My husband and mom have been my biggest personal supporters. Professionally, Lt. Jeffrey Gott and Sgt. Nathanial Warren were instrumental early on—they helped shape me as an officer and pushed me to stay motivated and keep working toward my goals, even during difficult times.”
What motivates your thorough approach to casework? “I honestly just love to know the answer to the puzzle and make sure there are no loose ends. Those details can make or break a case and shed a lot of light on the big picture.”
What advice would you offer young women considering law enforcement? “Take the time to fully understand what this career demands. Law enforcement isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle that affects every part of your life. If it’s something you truly want, start preparing now—both physically and mentally. Build resilience, discipline, and confidence. And don’t be discouraged by challenges or expectations—there is absolutely a place for you in this field.”
What does being the first female Officer of the Year mean to you? “I’m honored to represent the women in law enforcement who contribute to this profession every day. Our academy motto was ‘exceed the standard, raise the bar,’ and I hope this shows that I’m just the first of many and encourages others to continue raising that bar.”
How do you relax when off duty? “My favorite way to recharge is to travel and see the world. But I can’t do that every weekend, so I usually hit a yoga class and watch tv with a cup of tea and a bowl of ice cream.
Animal Control Officer Caitlyn Smith – Civilian of the Year
In just over one year with Dover Police, Animal Control Officer Caitlyn Smith has proven herself as a highly effective, reliable, and caring team member—earning Civilian of the Year through both her work volume and case impact. Smith has quickly taken on significant responsibilities that demonstrate both departmental confidence and her strong dedication to the position.
In 2025’s fourth quarter alone, ACO Smith handled 114 complaints, serving as lead officer on 103 of those calls. During this period, she issued numerous warnings and enforcement actions, conducted investigations that resulted in an arrest, and obtained a warrant involving seven animal-related charges.
ACO Smith’s fourth-quarter achievements earned her Civilian of the Quarter recognition and ultimately Civilian of the Year.
ACO Smith’s duties frequently place her in challenging and sometimes disturbing situations—but also position her to create immediate, meaningful change.
On November 25, 2025, ACO Smith investigated an animal neglect complaint at a South New Street apartment. She found three dogs and four cats in severely undernourished condition, with visible ribs and hips, living in an apartment covered with urine and feces. While working to secure a search warrant, the owner fled with one dog. Despite this setback, ACO Smith worked largely independently to coordinate with the Office of Animal Welfare and City Code Enforcement to rescue six animals and help condemn the residence, removing them from dangerous conditions.
On December 23, 2025, ACO Smith responded to reports of a dead dog inside a North Kirkwood Street home. Her investigation revealed the animal had starved to death while confined in a waste-filled crate. She filed charges against the responsible person and, in the same case, persuaded the owner to surrender a second dog—personally driving it to Brandywine Valley SPCA to give it a chance at a better life.
Beyond her primary duties, ACO Smith showed initiative by helping the Parking Enforcement Unit during staffing shortages. She voluntarily modified her schedule—often arriving early—to support major community events, including parades and city functions.
Despite the challenging nature of her work, ACO Smith approaches her role with a clear philosophy focused on both enforcement and education:
“I have always had a love for animals, and this is a great position to educate owners and the public on the proper laws on owning animals.”
She stresses a balanced field approach:
“I evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis and determine if education or law enforcement is appropriate.”
For ACO Smith, satisfaction comes from positive outcomes, even in the most difficult cases:
“I enjoy the variety of work that I do daily, and even the challenging moments can be rewarding when the animal is in a safe place.”
She described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring:
“It’s an honor and a shock to be recognized by my peers in such a high regard, and I hope to maintain the expectations of such an award.”
Her work demonstrates dedication not only to enforcing animal welfare laws, but to improving conditions for both animals and the broader community—often in situations where quick action makes all the difference.
The recognition of Corporal Seibert and ACO Smith represents a pivotal moment in Dover Police Department’s 101-year history. While their roles differ, both have shown unwavering dedication to service, accountability, and performing their duties with integrity and compassion.
Their work embodies the department’s core values and demonstrates the impact committed professionals can have across all aspects of public safety. Together, their service represents the standard Dover Police Department works to deliver daily.
Chief Thomas Johnson, Jr. commended both recipients, saying: “Caitlyn and Heather are highly professional, get-things-done members of our organization. In each situation they address, their empathy and compassion is clearly visible while they hold individuals accountable for their behavior. They serve the interests of justice as they champion the needs of our victims, and society as a whole. We have 150 or so stellar employees in the Dover Police Department. Dozens were nominated for their outstanding performance in 2025. ACO Smith and Corporal Seibert clearly distinguished themselves above all others and earned this annual recognition through quiet excellence. The Dover PD is happy to announce that excellence loudly and proudly. Congratulations to both of them.”
Hundreds of South African demonstrators filled the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday, demanding stricter controls on unauthorized immigration in protests that have heightened tensions between citizens and foreign residents.
The march represents part of a growing movement of demonstrations, following similar rallies in Pretoria on Tuesday. Groups opposing illegal immigration are pushing for rigorous enforcement of existing laws and widespread deportations.
South Africa’s status as one of Africa’s leading industrial nations draws migrants seeking economic opportunities, including both those who enter through legal channels and those without proper documentation.
The Johannesburg demonstrations prompted widespread business closures, affecting establishments owned by both citizens and immigrants, as owners worried about possible looting and criminal activity.
The rally was spearheaded by the anti-immigration organization March and March, drawing support from similar groups including Operation Dudula and political organizations ActionSA and Patriotic Alliance.
“We are not xenophobic, we just want the right thing to be done in South Africa, to put the South African first. We do want to live with foreigners in our country, but those foreigners must be legally in the country,” said Themba Mabunda of ActionSA, who participated in the march.
Current estimates for undocumented migrants in South Africa range widely, with commonly referenced numbers between 3 to 5 million people. Precise current data remains disputed since many foreign residents lack official documentation.
Groups opposing illegal immigration claim that unauthorized migration leads to overcrowded cities, workplace conflicts, reduced tax collections, and increased crime and border security risks in a nation where joblessness surpasses 30%.
Some anti-migration activists have forced foreign residents away from public healthcare centers, alleging they worsen medicine shortages and facility overcrowding.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently voiced alarm about reports of xenophobic violence and harassment targeting migrants and foreign residents in various South African regions, including KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Province.
An anti-migration demonstration in Eastern Cape Province last month led to violent destruction of minibus taxis and public property, while reported attacks against Ghanaian citizens in KwaZulu-Natal created a diplomatic crisis that resulted in South Africa’s ambassador to Ghana being called to account for the incidents.
South African authorities removed 109,344 undocumented immigrants during the previous two fiscal years as the country intensifies immigration enforcement efforts.
New Castle County police are actively seeking Roland Fleming, who has failed to appear in court on several felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from a fatal traffic accident.
According to authorities, Fleming was behind the wheel of a vehicle that collided with and fatally injured a 72-year-old man who was operating an electric scooter on April 19, 2025. Following the deadly incident, Fleming was taken into custody but has since missed his required court appearance.
The New Castle County Division of Police has issued a capias warrant for Fleming’s arrest due to his failure to appear before the court on the pending charges related to the fatal crash.
Anyone with information regarding Fleming’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the New Castle County Division of Police.
Universal Music Group announced Wednesday its intention to divest half of its ownership position in Spotify while expanding its share repurchase program, following a first quarter where revenue was dampened by unfavorable U.S. dollar exchange rates.
The music company stated that funds generated from reducing its Spotify holdings will fund the buyback initiative and be distributed to recording artists.
This announcement follows by three weeks an unexpected $64 billion acquisition offer from activist investor Bill Ackman, who contended that the market was undervaluing UMG’s 2.7-billion-euro investment in Spotify. Ackman’s proposal included liquidating this investment and allocating 1.5 billion euros from the sale toward financing the acquisition.
UMG’s leadership has now acted on its own initiative, authorizing the divestiture under its own conditions instead of directly distributing the funds to shareholders as Ackman had recommended.
This strategy enables UMG to fulfill its “Taylor Swift clause” — a 2018 agreement made when the superstar renewed her contract with the label, stipulating that revenues from any Spotify stake sale would be distributed among all artists without recoupment requirements.
The company also announced plans to initiate an additional 500-million-euro share repurchase program, pending shareholder authorization at the upcoming annual meeting, which would double its current buyback capacity.
Company leadership indicated they believe the stock is trading below its actual worth given the firm’s operational results and future outlook.
Revenue for the first quarter totaled 2.9 billion euros ($3.4 billion), remaining unchanged from the previous year when reported in euros but showing 8.1% growth when calculated in constant currency terms.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 3.8% to 636 million euros, though it increased 3.9% when measured in constant currency.
Leading performers during the quarter included BTS, Taylor Swift, Olivia Dean, Morgan Wallen and the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack, according to the company.
The LIV Golf league announced it will delay its Louisiana tournament originally set for June, claiming the organization maintains “strong momentum” despite growing uncertainty about its financial future past 2026.
League officials told Field Level Media on Wednesday they plan to “explore” hosting a fall tournament in Louisiana instead, pointing to excessive summer temperatures, scheduling conflicts with other sporting events, and golf course conditions as reasons for the delay.
“In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall,” the statement read. “This shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect.”
The statement continued: “We are grateful for the continued partnership and flexibility of the state of Louisiana as we work together to deliver a world-class debut this fall. Our team is focused on maintaining the strong momentum of the 2026 season and we look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future.”
The postponement follows recent reports suggesting Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund may withdraw financial support for the golf league. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had previously assured staff in an email that the current season would proceed “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.”
The cancellation of the June 25-28 New Orleans tournament creates a scheduling gap between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf United Kingdom (July 23-26). The league plans to resume competition with LIV Golf Virginia this coming weekend.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry revealed Tuesday that the state has already disbursed $3.2 million from a $7 million contract. LIV Golf “is expected to return all state incentive funds” worth $1.2 million, while the remaining $2 million funded upgrades to Bayou Oaks at City Park golf course.
“We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.”
NOLA.com reported earlier this week that LIV officials were considering a scaled-down “exposition-style” event in New Orleans during the fall months. The league’s team championship in late August remains the final confirmed event on the schedule, with the Louisiana tournament now appearing without a date at the bottom of their website’s calendar.
The World Health Organization announced Wednesday that violence targeting medical facilities and healthcare personnel has escalated worldwide, with a marked increase following the outbreak of recent Middle East hostilities.
Global incidents involving healthcare facilities and medical staff have climbed from an average of 3.7 daily occurrences to 4.3 since U.S. and Israeli forces conducted airstrikes against Iran in late February, according to WHO data.
“This is clearly showing that healthcare is the target,” stated Altaf Musani, Director of Emergency Health Interventions at the WHO, during a press briefing in Geneva.
The violent incidents encompass aerial bombardments and artillery strikes against medical centers and hospitals, along with detention and harassment of medical personnel.
“When healthcare is needed most, it is being attacked… These attacks are having a deep impact on functionality,” Musani explained.
Following the escalation of Middle Eastern hostilities, 50 medical facilities and private healthcare centers have ceased operations while 16 hospitals sustained damage throughout the region, WHO officials reported.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has consistently condemned these incidents and demanded accountability, pointed to Lebanon where 149 healthcare-related attacks have been documented.
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in more than 2,500 fatalities across Lebanon since March 2, following Iran-backed Hezbollah’s assault on Israeli positions that prompted Israel’s air and ground response. The UN Human Rights office stated last month that Israeli strikes targeting civilians, including medical workers, in Lebanon could constitute war crimes.
Israeli officials have consistently rejected claims of deliberately targeting healthcare personnel, maintaining they are focusing on Hezbollah installations.
Iran has experienced 26 documented attacks on medical sites since late February, Ghebreyesus noted.
Healthcare delivery in Gaza has been severely compromised by these incidents, with only one hospital remaining fully operational, while Sudan faces similar challenges with just 54% of hospitals functioning at full capacity, the WHO stated.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has dramatically reshaped the federal environmental watchdog agency through sweeping changes that have drawn criticism from environmental advocates, according to a new report.
New Yorker journalist Elizabeth Kolbert reports that Zeldin has rolled back numerous environmental protections, dismantled or significantly reduced various agency departments, and laid off substantial numbers of scientific personnel since assuming leadership of the EPA.
The changes represent a significant shift in the agency’s operations and priorities under Zeldin’s leadership. President Trump has praised Zeldin’s work, referring to him as “our secret weapon” in the administration’s approach to environmental policy.
The restructuring has affected multiple areas of the agency’s work, with particular impact on the scientific workforce that conducts environmental research and analysis for federal policy decisions.
Congressional Democrats have launched an investigation into the Trump administration’s plan to spend close to $2 billion in taxpayer funds convincing energy companies to abandon offshore wind developments.
After federal courts blocked President Trump’s executive orders aimed at halting offshore wind projects, the Republican administration shifted to this new approach. Three separate agreements have now been revealed.
Representatives Jared Huffman of California, who leads Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee, and Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, are seeking detailed information about the largest of these arrangements. The March announcement revealed that French energy firm TotalEnergies would receive $1 billion — effectively returning their lease payments for wind projects planned off North Carolina and New York — provided they redirect that investment toward fossil fuel developments.
Huffman characterized the arrangement as a “scam” and warned the administration plans to “light a lot of federal taxpayer money on fire if we let them.”
In correspondence sent Wednesday to TotalEnergies and shared with The Associated Press, Huffman and Raskin notified the company of their investigation, requested documents and communications, and urged the CEO to reject the payment. Their letter details multiple ways they believe the agreement violates federal law.
“You can’t come into the United States and do a backroom deal like this, that just essentially treats the treasury as a slush fund, and walk away with a billion dollars,” Huffman stated.
When contacted for response, TotalEnergies referenced its earlier announcement. CEO Patrick Pouyanné had explained that TotalEnergies abandoned U.S. offshore wind development in return for lease fee reimbursement, “considering that the development of offshore wind projects is not in the country’s interest.”
Monday brought news of additional agreements, with the administration announcing that Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind had accepted lease terminations worth nearly $900 million combined, contingent on equal fossil fuel investments. Trump has embraced fossil fuel electricity generation, arguing it will reduce family energy costs, improve grid reliability and preserve America’s competitive edge in artificial intelligence development.
Both Bluepoint and Golden State operate under Ocean Winds, a partnership between EDP Renewables and French energy company Engie. Ocean Winds North America CEO Michael Brown explained that changing market conditions require companies to “adapt.”
Offshore wind project critics applauded the administration’s innovative approach.
“This is the latest strategy and we think it’s a winner,” stated Robin Shaffer, who leads Protect Our Coast New Jersey, on Wednesday. Shaffer argued the administration “is well within their rights to do this and private businesses can’t be forced to build anything.”
However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York condemned it as a “bailout for fossil fuel donors dressed up as a deal.”
“Donald Trump spent years calling offshore wind subsidies a waste of taxpayer money,” Schumer declared. “Now his administration is handing nearly $2 billion of those very same taxpayer dollars to companies to abandon clean energy projects that would have powered millions of American homes and created thousands of good-paying union jobs.”
Following these deal completions, Ocean Winds will retain just one U.S. offshore wind project — SouthCoast Wind off Massachusetts. That project’s progress has decelerated under Trump’s presidency.
Amber Hewett, who oversees offshore wind energy initiatives at the National Wildlife Federation, argued that compelling developers to switch from offshore wind to oil and gas further delays U.S. climate change mitigation efforts. Fossil fuel combustion remains the dominant driver of global climate change.
Upon taking office in January 2025, Trump implemented a temporary suspension of wind energy project leasing and permitting. His administration has halted ongoing wind farm construction, scrapped plans for new offshore wind development in federal waters, and introduced additional review requirements for wind and solar projects.
Federal courts permitted wind farm construction to continue, overturned the initial order blocking wind energy development, and prevented the administration from requiring Trump’s interior secretary to personally approve all solar and wind projects on federal property.
Energy law specialist Kristoffer Svendsen believes the lease buyouts represent a final effort to eliminate offshore wind projects following the administration’s courtroom defeats. He knows of no similar arrangements where energy project developers received payment to abandon their plans.
“This saga never ends. They continue to surprise the industry and those of us following the industry,” said Svendsen, who serves as assistant dean for energy law at George Washington University Law School.
Svendsen anticipates energy companies will pursue opportunities in European and Asian markets, given the “quite bleak” outlook for new U.S. offshore wind development.
“At this point if you’re interested in offshore wind, you’ll most likely go to a jurisdiction where they want you,” he explained.
Last week, the Global Wind Energy Council reported record global wind installations of 165 gigawatts in onshore and offshore projects, with 138 nations now incorporating wind energy into their economies. This capacity can supply 118 million households. Asian markets, dominated by China and India, accounted for 80% of worldwide installations.
David Carroll, CEO and chief renewables officer for Engie North America, also predicts limited U.S. offshore wind advancement in coming years. He pointed to the administration’s permit revocations after years of preparation and substantial investment, plus construction halts on fully approved projects, as factors undermining business confidence.
“The offshore wind industry does not have a strong future here in the U.S. And that’s unfortunate,” said Carroll, who chairs the American Clean Power Association board, in a recent interview. “The Northeast needs more energy and that is one of the very key ways we can get energy in the Northeast.”
California state regulators have issued a formal apology to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk this week following the resolution of a federal lawsuit that accused the agency of political discrimination against the aerospace company and its leader.
Under terms of the settlement agreement, the California Coastal Commission admitted that its members made “improper” comments regarding Musk’s political positions during a 2024 hearing about SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket operations.
“The commission agrees that it may not consider irrelevant factors in performing its function and specifically agrees that it will not take into account the perceived political beliefs, political speech or labor practices of SpaceX or its officers in considering any regulatory action concerning SpaceX,” the commission stated in federal court documents filed Tuesday.
The legal dispute centered on SpaceX’s challenge to the commission’s resistance to increasing Falcon 9 launch frequency at Vandenberg Space Force Base, located along the Southern California coastline near Santa Barbara.
In its federal complaint, the rocket manufacturer claimed the coastal agency engaged in political retaliation by blocking a U.S. Air Force proposal to increase launch operations at the federally-owned military installation.
SpaceX’s legal team argued that commissioners rejected the expansion plans due to their opposition to Musk’s public political statements, which they said violated constitutional protections for free speech and due process rights.
Under the settlement terms, the lawsuit will be permanently dropped, with both sides agreeing the resolution does not represent an admission “of any liability or unlawful conduct.”
The coastal agency also committed to not requiring a coastal development permit for SpaceX’s state launch operations moving forward.
SpaceX representatives have not yet provided comment on the settlement agreement.
In a Wednesday statement, the coastal commission confirmed it had apologized for “irrelevant” remarks from its members while maintaining ongoing environmental concerns about increased rocket activity at Vandenberg.
“These impacts include restrictions on public coastal access, harm to sensitive species and coastal habitat, as well as the frequency and intensity of sonic booms,” the statement said. “Federal law requires the federal government to provide information to and coordinate with the Coastal Commission on such issues. The federal government has yet to provide sufficient information to the Coastal Commission about these activities and their impact on the California coast.”
The settlement resolution occurred as Musk testified this week in an unrelated legal battle with OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman that could influence artificial intelligence development.
BIKFAYA, Lebanon — A former Lebanese leader who previously negotiated a failed peace agreement with Israel believes current circumstances present a new opportunity for diplomatic success.
Amin Gemayel, 84, discussed his views with The Associated Press Wednesday following the first direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel since the 1980s, as both nations explore potential security arrangements or eventual diplomatic normalization. Gemayel represents one of Lebanon’s most influential political families and helped establish the Christian Phalange party, which maintained significant influence for many years.
The former president, who seldom grants interviews to international journalists, recognized that conditions have shifted dramatically since Lebanese officials renewed diplomatic efforts with Israel while maintaining a delicate ceasefire. The Washington-based discussions have sparked angry demonstrations as Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon and areas of Beirut work to rebuild following devastating Israeli airstrikes earlier this month.
Notably, the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization had just formed during Gemayel’s presidential term and lacked the substantial military and political influence it later developed. Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations with Israel and advocates for Lebanon to back Iran’s discussions with the United States, claiming Tehran possesses greater bargaining power.
However, Hezbollah has suffered significant setbacks, Gemayel observed, and he advocates for the group’s disarmament. Israeli operations in Lebanon over recent years substantially damaged the organization’s military strength. Additionally, the removal of long-term supporter Bashar Assad in Syria by Islamist-led opposition forces eliminated much of the porous border previously used for arms smuggling.
Regional dynamics have also shifted, Gemayel explained.
“During my time, discussing a peace agreement with Israel was an unforgivable fatal crime,” he said.
He now perceives greater regional receptiveness, citing Syria’s direct negotiations with Israel and the Abraham Accords, through which several Arab nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates, established diplomatic relationships with Israel.
Gemayel became Lebanon’s youngest president in 1982 when sworn in at age 40. The nation was experiencing a brutal 15-year civil conflict, with both Syrian and Israeli forces occupying territory.
He chose to participate in U.S.-mediated direct negotiations with Israel through a foreign ministry representative, achieving an accord in May 1983 that included terminating the war status existing between the nations since Israel’s establishment in 1948. Israeli forces would retreat from southern Lebanon while Lebanese troops would deploy to the area.
Despite support from U.S. President Ronald Reagan and overwhelming Lebanese parliamentary approval, the agreement never took effect. Gemayel attributed the failure to Syria and its Lebanese allies, who opposed Israeli negotiations from the beginning, as well as Israel itself.
“Israel, though we had finished the negotiations and reached the stage of signing, tried to impose an article outside of the framework of the agreement, which was the simultaneous withdrawal alongside the Syrian army in Lebanon. So the Israeli military wouldn’t withdraw unless the Syrians would,” Gemayel said.
“It gave the Syrian military a veto to the agreement … and a public atmosphere of doubt that (then-Syrian President Hafez) Assad and his crew created.”
Currently, Gemayel believes Lebanon’s leadership should pursue comprehensive peace arrangements. Even an armistice similar to the 1949 agreement that maintained border stability for 18 years could represent positive progress, provided it preserves national unity.
President Joseph Aoun has indicated he seeks an arrangement similar to the 1949 accord, rather than complete diplomatic normalization with Israel.
Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s decision to engage in direct Israeli negotiations has received both widespread support and criticism in the deeply polarized nation. Officials maintain these talks represent the only path to securing Israeli troop withdrawal and achieving lasting stability.
“There is an opportunity for the Lebanese government to go into negotiations to reach a solution that achieves peace, security, and stability in Lebanon,” Gemayel said.
“That would also satisfy the feelings of Lebanese who yearn for the bare minimum of calm, peace, stability, and an end to the war.”
During the most recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which started two days after U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran on February 28, more than 2,500 Lebanese have died and over one million have been displaced.
Israeli troops maintain control over extensive areas of southern Lebanon and continue fighting Hezbollah militants despite an official truce. Both parties accuse the other of ceasefire violations.
Lebanese citizens have generally criticized Hezbollah’s decision to fire rockets into Israel on March 2, while also expressing horror at Israel’s bombing campaign and ground offensive.
Gemayel acknowledged the situation remains complex, particularly in a “boiling region” experiencing severe security and economic consequences from the Iran conflict.
“We have to see how far we can go,” he said. “We trust General Aoun to enter negotiations as far as they go while maintaining the interests of the country and the unity of Lebanon. And he knows exactly how far he can go in negotiations.”
Salisbury University’s athletic department has once again shattered fundraising expectations, collecting approximately $302,000 during the institution’s annual Giving Day campaign.
The athletics and campus recreation divisions achieved this remarkable fundraising milestone during the university’s 2026 Giving Day event, extending a pattern of consecutive years marked by growing donor support and financial contributions.
This latest achievement represents another chapter in what has become a consistent story of escalating philanthropic success for Salisbury University’s athletic programs, demonstrating strong community backing for the Sea Gulls’ sports initiatives.
LONDON — Three foreign nationals appeared in a British courtroom Wednesday facing charges they were recruited by a Russian-speaking individual to torch properties belonging to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in exchange for payment.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson informed the court that Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Petro Pochynok, 35, both Ukrainian citizens, along with Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, participated in a series of fires that occurred in London during a five-day period from May 8-12 of last year.
The trio faces conspiracy to commit arson charges, while Lavrynovych faces additional counts of property damage by fire with intent to endanger lives. Police investigators have identified Lavrynovych as the individual who actually started all three fires. All defendants have entered not guilty pleas.
“Three fires in the same area within five days would be pretty unusual. However, three fires all involving property linked to the same person were beyond a coincidence,” Atkinson stated during court proceedings.
According to the prosecution, the first incident involved a Toyota vehicle that was intentionally ignited during the early morning hours of May 8 in north London’s Kentish Town neighborhood. This was followed by house fires on May 11 and May 12.
Atkinson explained that both residential fires were started using comparable materials and “were set in the dead of night, when the occupants of the addresses would inevitably have been asleep,” suggesting the perpetrators intended to put lives at risk.
The targeted vehicle had previously been owned by Starmer, while the Ellington Road residence was managed by a business where the prime minister had served as both director and shareholder. The second home on Countess Road housed Starmer’s sister-in-law and remains under his ownership.
The prosecutor told jurors these attacks were “planned and directed, with those involved promised payment for their participation.” Evidence shows Lavrynovych received instructions and payment offers through the Telegram messaging platform from someone using the alias “El Money.”
Both house fires forced residents to flee for safety, according to testimony. During the May 11 incident, a top-floor tenant was awakened around 3 a.m. by smoke odors, discovered smoke-filled hallways, experienced breathing difficulties, and escaped to the roof.
The following night, Starmer’s sister-in-law heard loud noises around 1 a.m. and witnessed smoke pouring through her front door and up the stairway. She also had trouble breathing, while her 9-year-old daughter became “very frightened” during the ordeal.
Atkinson instructed the jury that determining the defendants’ motivations was unnecessary for their deliberations, noting it “does not matter whether they knew that the property they were targeting was connected to the prime minister or whether that formed part of their motivation.”
Investigators recovered over 320 messages between Lavrynovych and “El Money” dating back to September 2024, though Atkinson told jurors they should not concern themselves with the identity of “El Money” or their reasons for recruiting individuals to conduct these attacks. The court was not informed about the specific payment amounts offered or whether anyone sustained injuries in the fires.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Climate activist Tom Steyer is positioning himself as an unlikely champion against wealth inequality in California’s gubernatorial campaign, despite his own $2.4 billion fortune.
The Democratic candidate advocates for increased taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations while earning support from progressive organizations that oppose the existence of billionaires. Steyer, who established one of the globe’s most successful hedge funds, now faces the strongest opposition from business organizations among all candidates.
“I’m the billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires,” Steyer frequently declares, although his support for a billionaire tax measure potentially appearing on California’s November ballot remains lukewarm.
The 68-year-old has consistently embraced the apparent contradictions between his financial achievements and political positions. His hedge fund previously held fossil fuel investments while he simultaneously donated millions to defend California legislation targeting emissions reductions. During his 2019 presidential campaign against Donald Trump, Steyer advocated for removing corporate financing from political campaigns.
“I’m not one of the people who begrudges people’s success,” Steyer explained to The Associated Press, discussing entrepreneurs who achieve wealth in California. “If you’re going to come here and build a company and make a ton of money, great.”
“But you’re part of a system — you’re depending on a system built by, basically, poor people,” he added. “If you aren’t willing to pay your fair share, I feel like you’re spitting on those people.”
These positions have generated both strong support and ongoing skepticism. Progressive allies view him as an exceptional wealthy individual willing to challenge financial interests, while critics across party lines consider him insincere and question whether his campaign promises are realistic. Democratic opponents criticize his attempt to purchase the election, highlighting his advertising spending that exceeds his closest Democratic competitor by nearly 30 times.
Following years of leveraging his wealth to shape politics and policy, Steyer has emerged as a frontrunner in the race to lead America’s most populated state before the June 2 primary election. His former investment firm’s portfolio continues drawing criticism from Democratic rivals.
“You made the billions that you’re using to fund your campaign off fossil fuels,” former U.S. Representative Katie Porter challenged during Tuesday’s debate. Steyer countered by pointing to business groups opposing his candidacy: “That’s how you know I’m for real.”
Steyer established Farallon Capital Management in San Francisco during 1986. He gained recognition among business colleagues for the firm’s quick growth while managing criticism from environmental activists regarding the company’s oil and coal investments. He departed in 2012 to create NextGen America, an organization focused on youth voter engagement.
His political contributions have primarily targeted climate issues, including a $5 million donation in 2010 opposing a California ballot measure that would have suspended greenhouse gas reduction requirements. The environmental legislation survived. Beginning in 2013, he utilized NextGen’s political division to support gubernatorial and Senate candidates with strong climate positions, achieving mixed results.
Steyer has invested over $62 million in California ballot initiatives, including an unsuccessful 2020 campaign to preserve legislation eliminating cash bail requirements. He ranked among the top contributors to a successful 2016 measure imposing tobacco taxes to fund healthcare for low-income residents.
Some view his contributions with skepticism. Republican strategist Rob Stutzman referenced an advertisement Steyer funded last year prominently featuring himself promoting a redistricting ballot measure. The initiative was championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, with Steyer’s only involvement being financial support for advertising.
“Steyer has always been a self-promoter with his dollars,” Stutzman observed.
Steyer identifies three primary challenges: climate change, California’s expensive living costs, and threats from the Trump administration.
Recently, hundreds gathered at a San Francisco ping-pong venue for cocktails and appetizers funded by his campaign while Steyer emphasized his climate commitment. His plan lacks detailed specifics but includes defending the state’s cap-and-trade system.
Major environmental organizations have endorsed his candidacy. Progressive groups also support him, including Our Revolution, established by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and dedicated to eliminating corporate and billionaire political influence. State Assemblyman Alex Lee, leading the progressive caucus, backs Steyer partly due to his support for government-operated healthcare, despite repeated legislative failures in Sacramento.
Lee initially hesitated supporting a billionaire but considers Steyer unique.
“He is someone who became wealthy in his lifetime,” Lee explained, “but didn’t go off and become (Mark) Zuckerberg level.”
Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric, among America’s largest utilities, spent $10 million opposing his candidacy. Steyer has promised to “break up utility monopolies” to reduce Californians’ notoriously expensive electricity costs. One advertisement partially funded by PG&E claims Steyer isn’t truly a “different type of billionaire” as he maintains. The California Chamber of Commerce argues Steyer will increase rather than decrease costs.
“His policy promises will cost billions, driving investment out of California and worsening the state’s affordability crisis,” chamber spokesperson John Myers stated.
Whether financial resources and endorsements will convert to votes remains uncertain. Political analysts suggest Steyer’s potential breakthrough would be apparent by now given his extensive spending campaign.
Financial resources proved insufficient during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. Steyer focused his campaign on appealing to minority voters, emphasizing healthcare access, environmental, and criminal justice inequalities. In South Carolina, his $24 million advertising investment exceeded all other candidates combined, yet he withdrew after placing third.
He frequently attracted attention for personal quirks rather than policy positions — his signature red plaid tie and colorful belt, plus his dance performances to rapper Juvenile’s music.
Steyer had planned $100 million in spending, but his wealth became problematic in a race where competitors like Sanders criticized billionaire existence.
He has exceeded that amount in California’s gubernatorial primary alone, including advertisements targeting opponents. This time, reception has been more favorable.
“Tom Steyer is running on taxing the wealthy, supporting single-payer healthcare, and taking on corporate power — positions that are central to our movement,” Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese stated. “That alignment with a pro-worker, anti-corporate agenda — and the urgency of this race — is why we are backing him.”
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former FBI Director James Comey will appear in federal court Wednesday, launching a criminal prosecution that legal analysts believe will be difficult for the Justice Department to successfully pursue.
Federal prosecutors in North Carolina filed charges Tuesday alleging Comey threatened President Donald Trump through a social media photograph he shared last year showing seashells positioned to form the numbers “86 47.” According to the government, these digits constituted a threat against Trump, who serves as the nation’s 47th president. Comey maintains he viewed the arrangement as expressing a political viewpoint rather than advocating violence against the Republican leader, and he deleted the image once he realized some viewers interpreted it as threatening.
This marks the second time in a year that Comey, who has clashed with Trump since his FBI tenure, faces federal charges. A judge dismissed the previous case involving allegations of false statements and obstruction. Now government attorneys must demonstrate that Comey either deliberately intended to communicate a genuine threat or recklessly ignored the possibility his post could be viewed as menacing.
While the charging document alleges Comey acted “knowingly and willfully,” it provides limited supporting details for this claim. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to discuss what evidence of criminal intent prosecutors possess during a press briefing. However, robust First Amendment speech protections, established Supreme Court rulings, and Comey’s public denials of threatening intent will likely create substantial obstacles for the government’s case.
“In this situation, ’86’ carries multiple meanings — it doesn’t clearly suggest violence, and the fact that a former FBI Director posted this openly on a public platform indicates he wasn’t trying to communicate a violent threat,” explained John Keller, a former senior Justice Department attorney who previously oversaw prosecution of violent threats against election officials.
Prosecutors filed the case in North Carolina’s Eastern District, where the beach location Comey says he discovered the shells is situated. His initial court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, where he currently resides.
The Supreme Court has established that speech loses First Amendment protection only when it constitutes a “true threat.”
This legal standard requires prosecutors to demonstrate, at minimum, that a defendant recklessly ignored the possibility their statement could be interpreted as threatening violence. In a 2023 Supreme Court decision, the majority ruled that prosecutors must prove the “defendant possessed some personal awareness of his statements’ threatening character.”
Additionally, the Supreme Court has determined that exaggerated political rhetoric receives constitutional protection. In a 1969 ruling, the justices found that a Vietnam War demonstrator did not make a deliberate threat against the president when he stated that “If they ever make me carry a rifle the first man I want to get in my sights is L.B.J,” referring to President Lyndon B. Johnson. The court observed that audience laughter when the protester spoke, among other factors, demonstrated it wasn’t a genuine threat of violence.
Concerning this current matter, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 86 as slang meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” The dictionary notes: “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ‘to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.”
Comey removed the post quickly after publishing it, explaining: “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence” and “I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
John Fishwick, who formerly served as U.S. attorney in Virginia’s Western District, suggested the government will likely argue that Comey’s FBI background should have made him aware of the implications.
“I believe they’re going to attempt to argue circumstantially that as former FBI head, you understood what these terms signified and you broadcast them globally as a presidential threat,” Fishwick explained, while acknowledging such reasoning would face challenges given Comey’s clear First Amendment protections.
Comey cooperated with a Secret Service interview last year, and the absence of false statement charges suggests prosecutors lack evidence he deceived agents, Fishwick noted.
Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, argued in a Tuesday opinion piece that “despite being one of Comey’s longest critics, the indictment raises troubling free speech issues. In the end, it must be the Constitution, not Comey, that drives the analysis and this indictment is unlikely to withstand constitutional scrutiny.”
“If it did,” he continued, “it would allow the government to criminalize a huge swath of political speech in the United States.”
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A veteran Florida politician who has held offices at both state and federal levels is now setting his sights on leading his hometown as mayor.
Charlie Crist, 69, submitted campaign documents this week to pursue the mayor’s seat in St. Petersburg, marking another chapter in a political journey that has seen him change party affiliations multiple times. Throughout his decades-long career, Crist has identified as Republican, Democrat, and independent at different points.
The politician’s resume includes serving as Florida’s governor under the Republican banner from 2007 through 2011, followed by three terms as a Democratic congressman representing the area until 2022. His recent electoral efforts proved unsuccessful, including a 2022 gubernatorial challenge against Republican Ron DeSantis and a 2014 attempt to unseat then-Governor Rick Scott, both as a Democratic candidate.
Crist will compete against incumbent Ken Welch, who made history as St. Petersburg’s first Black mayor and is seeking another term. Notably, Crist had previously supported Welch’s initial campaign for the position. The mayoral contest operates as a nonpartisan election, with approximately six other contenders currently in the field.
The city, located across Tampa Bay from Tampa, ranks among Florida’s more liberal municipalities and consistently elects Democratic candidates to various positions. During a previous interview last autumn, Crist emphasized his deep connections to the community, highlighting his graduation from St. Petersburg High School and his congressional representation of the region.
“St. Petersburg is a very special place to me. It’s home,” Crist said.
Crist’s political biography spans numerous roles and party switches throughout Florida government. His early career included positions as state senator, education commissioner, and Florida attorney general, all while serving as a Republican. Multiple unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaigns dot his record, including a 2010 independent bid against Marco Rubio, who now serves as U.S. Secretary of State. He once earned the nickname “chain-gang Charlie” for implementing programs requiring prisoners to perform highway cleanup duties.
During his congressional tenure, Crist cast votes to impeach President Donald Trump on two occasions during Trump’s initial presidency. His most recent statewide campaign ended in defeat when DeSantis secured approximately 59% of the gubernatorial vote against him.
Meanwhile, Welch has indicated his concentration remains on mayoral duties. St. Petersburg recently faced significant challenges, including damage from back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team’s sale, and persistent problems with elevated water utility costs.
A University of Delaware swimmer has received national recognition for his outstanding performance in the classroom.
Matvei Namakonov, who competes for the Blue Hens men’s swimming and diving team, was selected for the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association Academic All-America Third Team. The honor was announced by the organization on Wednesday from their headquarters in Greenwood, Indiana.
The Academic All-America program recognizes student-athletes who excel both athletically and academically, highlighting the balance between competitive sports and scholarly achievement at the collegiate level.
MEXICO CITY – Following failed negotiations to eliminate US steel tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared Wednesday that all government construction projects must utilize steel manufactured by domestic companies.
“The commitment we are making here is that the government’s purchases will be steel produced in Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular morning news briefing.
This directive represents Mexico’s initial major attempt to decrease its heavy economic reliance on the United States. While Trump’s global trade policies have prompted nations like Canada to diversify away from US dependence, Mexico had previously avoided actions that might upset its primary trading partner, which purchases 80% of Mexican exports.
The announcement comes during the ongoing review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trump’s comprehensive tariff strategy included imposing 50% duties on steel and aluminum imports last year.
Mexican government representatives have consistently argued these tariffs are unjustified, particularly since the United States maintains a trade surplus with Mexico in both steel and aluminum products.
More than half of Mexico’s automotive and steel industry exports are shipped to the world’s largest economy.
Mexican negotiators had been working toward an agreement to eliminate the tariffs. One potential arrangement would have allowed a predetermined amount of Mexican steel to enter the US without duties or at reduced rates, while imports exceeding that threshold would face the complete 50% tariff.
However, during a recent visit to Mexico, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer informed the country’s automotive and steel sectors that they should not anticipate the USMCA review process will result in tariff removal for their industries, according to an exclusive Reuters report.
Detroit Lions management chose different paths for their two 2023 first-round draft picks, according to reports that surfaced Tuesday evening. The team exercised the fifth-year contract option for running back Jahmyr Gibbs while choosing not to pick up linebacker Jack Campbell’s option.
Fox 2 Detroit first reported the news Tuesday night, with ESPN sources later confirming the information.
The decision means Gibbs will receive a guaranteed $14.29 million salary for the 2027 season. Had the Lions picked up Campbell’s option, the All-Pro linebacker would have earned approximately $21.925 million, which ESPN notes exceeds the current highest salary for any off-ball linebacker in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s reporting, Detroit’s front office plans to pursue long-term contract extensions with both Campbell and Gibbs. The organization also faces upcoming extension decisions for tight end Sam LaPorta and defensive back Brian Branch, though neither requires immediate action since they weren’t selected in the first round.
The choice regarding Gibbs appeared straightforward given his exceptional performance. The 24-year-old has accumulated 5,029 yards from scrimmage and scored 49 touchdowns across 49 games with 24 starts during his initial three NFL seasons. His consistent excellence earned him three consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
Campbell, age 25, delivered an outstanding 2023 campaign that included first-team All-Pro recognition and Pro Bowl honors. He achieved personal bests with 176 tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles while starting all 17 games. Throughout his 51-game career spanning 46 starts, Campbell has recorded 402 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Detroit selected both players during the 2023 NFL Draft, taking Gibbs with the 12th overall selection and Campbell at 18th overall.
America reached a remarkable energy milestone this week, transforming into a net oil exporter for the first time on a weekly basis since World War II, according to federal data released Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration.
The nation’s crude oil reserves dropped sharply by 6.2 million barrels during the week ending April 24, falling to 459.5 million barrels total. This massive decline far exceeded industry predictions, which had anticipated only a modest 231,000-barrel decrease. The strategic storage facility in Cushing, Oklahoma also saw significant reductions, losing 796,000 barrels during the same period.
America’s crude oil shipments abroad reached an unprecedented 6.44 million barrels daily, representing a substantial jump of 1.64 million barrels per day compared to the previous week. The balance between what the country imports versus exports shifted dramatically, dropping by 1.97 million barrels per day into negative numbers – the lowest figure recorded since weekly tracking began in 2001.
While the U.S. hasn’t been a net crude exporter on an annual basis since 1943, this weekly achievement marks a significant shift in global energy dynamics, driven partly by increased international demand during current Middle East conflicts.
“Refineries didn’t change. Domestic production was unchanged. It was all about the export numbers. Those barrels are going overseas rather than into storage,” explained Bob Yawger, who oversees energy futures at Mizuho.
Oil markets responded positively to the news, with international Brent crude climbing $5.85 to reach $117.11 per barrel by late morning, while domestic West Texas Intermediate prices jumped $5.21 to $105.14 per barrel.
Domestic refinery operations increased modestly, processing an additional 84,000 barrels daily while operating at 89.6% capacity – up half a percentage point from the prior week.
Gasoline inventories also declined substantially, dropping 6.1 million barrels to 222.3 million barrels total, significantly exceeding analyst projections of a 2.1 million-barrel reduction. Diesel and heating oil supplies fell by 4.5 million barrels to 103.6 million barrels, also surpassing the expected 2.2 million-barrel decrease.
“With refinery runs still in check, solid draws were seen to both gasoline and distillate inventories,” noted Matt Smith, an energy analyst with maritime tracking company Kpler.
Overall petroleum product exports reached 14.18 million barrels daily, climbing 1.298 million barrels from the previous week. Total domestic fuel consumption, measured through product supplied data, increased by 1.4 million barrels daily to 21.13 million barrels.
Federal health officials announced Wednesday that comprehensive testing confirms baby formula sold throughout the United States meets safety standards for infant consumption.
The Food and Drug Administration examined over 300 samples from 16 different manufacturers distributed across the country, according to their latest report.
Investigators looked for dangerous substances including heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, along with pesticides, synthetic chemicals, and phthalates.
Most samples showed either no detectable contamination or extremely minimal levels, federal officials reported.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been working to minimize chemicals in food products and initiated a comprehensive review of infant formula nutrition standards last year. Earlier this year, federal health authorities documented 28 confirmed cases of infant botulism connected to ByHeart formula through February — marking the first global outbreak of this type linked to baby formula, according to the FDA.
Although contamination levels remained low overall, certain samples required additional examination, the FDA noted. Regulators examined powdered formulas, ready-to-use liquids and concentrated liquid products.
Test results showed mercury was absent in 95% of samples, lead was undetectable in 20% of samples, 99% showed no measurable pesticides and most PFAS chemicals were not found.
Officials also examined a limited number of breast milk samples, discovering that most contained at least one measurable contaminant, while 15% showed no contamination.
Trace amounts of contaminants may occur naturally in food products, including baby formula and breast milk, or may enter through environmental contact during manufacturing processes.
Federal health agencies launched Operation Stork Speed last year, a program designed to verify the quality, safety and nutritional standards of domestically produced infant formula.
The FDA announced it will maintain ongoing testing and release findings from additional surveys, while Secretary Kennedy plans to conduct a roundtable discussion with industry leaders in May.
“Producing infant formula at scale in the U.S. is a matter of national security, and these results affirm the safety of our domestic supply,” Abbott, maker of Similac, said on Wednesday, adding its U.S. formulas meet heavy metal limits set by the EPA, the European Commission and Health Canada.
Delaware State University’s softball team has earned the No. 2 seed as they prepare to compete in the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Hornets’ strong regular season performance has positioned them favorably for the upcoming conference championship tournament. As the second-seeded team, DSU will have an advantageous path through the tournament bracket.
The MEAC Tournament represents the culmination of the conference softball season, with teams competing for the championship title and potential postseason opportunities.
Delaware State’s softball program continues to build momentum with this high tournament seeding, reflecting the team’s competitive performance throughout the 2026 season.
Former FBI Director James Comey now faces federal criminal charges stemming from a cryptic social media post that authorities say contained a veiled threat against President Donald Trump’s life.
Federal prosecutors say a grand jury has indicted Comey over his now-deleted 2025 social media post showing seashells arranged to form the numbers ‘8647.’ Legal experts say the charges center on the interpretation of this coded message as a threat against Trump, who serves as the nation’s 47th president.
The numerical sequence has sparked widespread debate about its intended meaning. The number ’47’ clearly references Trump’s position as the 47th commander-in-chief, while ’86’ carries several potential interpretations that prosecutors apparently view as threatening.
During recent anti-Trump demonstrations, including a ‘No Kings’ rally held in Louisville, Kentucky last June, protesters have adopted the ‘8647’ symbol as a rallying cry. Demonstrators at that event were photographed displaying signs bearing the same numerical code that has now landed the former law enforcement chief in legal trouble.
The case highlights growing tensions over social media communications and their potential legal consequences, particularly when involving high-profile political figures and former government officials.
The ride-sharing giant is venturing into new territory by adding hotel reservations to its platform.
Uber announced Wednesday that customers can now reserve hotel accommodations directly through its application. The company has partnered with Expedia Group’s booking platform, which provides access to approximately 700,000 hotels and lodging properties worldwide. The ride-hailing service plans to incorporate over one million vacation rental options from Vrbo, Expedia’s subsidiary based in Seattle, before the year ends.
According to Sachin Kansal, Uber’s chief product officer, the addition of hotel reservations represents a significant milestone in the San Francisco company’s vision to create a comprehensive service platform. The company, established in 2009, introduced Uber Eats for food delivery in 2015 and added grocery delivery services in 2020.
“Consumers are spending too much time coordinating their life, using multiple apps. AI is in the air and they’re all trying to figure out, how does AI help me or does it not help me?” Kansal told The Associated Press. “Our goal with these announcements is to bring everything into one app, to help them save time, and to also help them save money.”
All Uber application users will have access to hotel booking capabilities. However, Uber One subscribers, who pay a monthly fee of $9.99 for benefits like free delivery, will receive special pricing advantages. These premium members can access 20% discounts on a rotating selection of 10,000 hotels and earn 10% back in Uber credits for future ride bookings, Kansal explained.
Kansal revealed that Uber considered several potential collaborators before selecting Expedia as their partner. The integration process required several months of technical work to incorporate Expedia’s systems into Uber’s platform. The executive declined to reveal the financial details of their partnership agreement.
“They’re very excited because Uber brings a certain user base that is very travel-friendly,” Kansal said. “So I would say it’s going to mutually beneficial for both the parties.”
Travel plays a significant role in how people use Uber’s services, according to Kansal. The platform transports over 100 million passengers annually to and from airports. Additionally, more than 1.5 billion Uber trips in the previous year occurred outside riders’ home cities.
The hotel booking capability was among multiple travel-focused features unveiled during Uber’s annual product showcase Wednesday. The company also introduced an enhanced travel mode designed to help users discover dining establishments and attractions in destinations they visit.
Uber revealed plans to offer restaurant suggestions and table reservation services through OpenTable integration within its app. Competitor DoorDash has recently added similar restaurant booking features after acquiring hospitality technology company SevenRooms.
The company also announced a premium service allowing customers to pre-order beverages or snacks that will be ready when their Uber Black vehicle arrives. This service will debut in the coming weeks across multiple cities including Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
Conference USA revealed Delaware’s revised 2026 football schedule on Tuesday after resolving a settlement agreement with Louisiana Tech that required schedule adjustments across the league.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens will compete in a dozen games during the upcoming season, combining their four previously scheduled non-conference matchups with eight Conference USA battles. Delaware will host four conference games at home while traveling for four others.
The schedule presents a challenging slate for the reigning 68 Ventures Bowl champions, as they’ll face eight opponents that earned bowl game appearances during the previous season. This marks a significant test for the Blue Hens as they look to build on their recent postseason success.
The announcement from the Dallas-based conference office comes as leagues continue to navigate scheduling complexities amid ongoing realignment discussions and legal settlements affecting member institutions.
Relatives of those killed and wounded in a devastating February school shooting in British Columbia have filed federal lawsuits against OpenAI, arguing the artificial intelligence company bears responsibility for not warning law enforcement about the attacker’s disturbing exchanges with its ChatGPT system.
Legal action filed Wednesday represents 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who suffered critical injuries during the attack, marking the beginning of what attorneys say will be dozens of similar cases from families in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The lawsuits include claims of wrongful death, negligence and defective product design.
Chicago-based attorney Jay Edelson, representing the families, stated during an interview that choices made by OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman “have destroyed the town. The people are really resilient, but what happened is unimaginable.”
Last week, Altman issued a formal written apology to the community, acknowledging his company’s failure to contact law enforcement regarding the shooter’s online activities.
According to investigators, the attacker murdered her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at home on February 10 before launching an assault at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she fatally shot five students and one staff member before taking her own life. The rampage left 25 others wounded, making it Canada’s most lethal mass shooting in recent years.
The litigation underscores growing worries about dangers from overly accommodating AI chatbots and questions regarding the technology sector’s duty to monitor them or alert authorities about users planning violent acts. Earlier this month, investigators looking into the deaths of two University of South Florida doctoral students revealed the suspect had consulted ChatGPT about disposing of bodies before the students vanished.
OpenAI responded to the legal challenge with a written statement saying the “events in Tumbler Ridge are a tragedy. We have a zero-tolerance policy for using our tools to assist in committing violence.”
“As we shared with Canadian officials, we have already strengthened our safeguards, including improving how ChatGPT responds to signs of distress, connecting people with local support and mental health resources, strengthening how we assess and escalate potential threats of violence, and improving detection of repeat policy violators,” the company stated.
Edelson, who specializes in challenging technology companies, currently handles multiple prominent cases against OpenAI, including representation for relatives of a California teen who committed suicide following ChatGPT conversations and another involving heirs of an 83-year-old Connecticut woman killed by her son after ChatGPT allegedly reinforced the man’s “paranoid delusions.”
“This is not a passive technology,” Edelson explained, contrasting chatbot interactions with traditional internet searches. “What we’ve seen in the past is that (for) people who are mentally ill, the chatbot will validate what they’re saying and then amplify what they’re saying.”
Last week, Edelson traveled to the small community of Tumbler Ridge, meeting with dozens of residents in a visitor center basement. He also visited Gebala at a Vancouver children’s hospital, where she continues treatment and appeared alert but unable to communicate verbally.
“It was so heartbreaking,” he remarked.
Wednesday’s legal filings represent families of the five murdered students: Zoey Benoit, Abel Mwansa Jr., Ticaria “Tiki” Lampert and Kylie Smith, all age 12, plus 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, along with education assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand.
Following the shooting, OpenAI disclosed that in June, the company had identified the shooter’s account for discussing violence against others.
The company explained it weighed whether to report the account to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but concluded the activity didn’t warrant law enforcement notification at that time. OpenAI suspended the account in June for policy violations.
Wednesday’s lawsuits claim “the victims didn’t learn this because OpenAI was forthcoming, but because its own employees leaked it to The Wall Street Journal after they could no longer stomach the company’s silence.”
In his Friday letter, Altman wrote he was “deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June.”
“While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered,” Altman stated.
British Columbia Premier David Eby responded on social media, calling the apology “necessary, and yet grossly insufficient for the devastation done to the families of Tumbler Ridge.”
The Gebala case charges OpenAI with negligence for failing to notify law enforcement and “aiding and abetting a mass shooting.”
Beyond monetary compensation, the Gebala lawsuit requests judicial orders requiring OpenAI to permanently ban users whose accounts were suspended for violent misuse, and mandating the company notify law enforcement when systems detect individuals posing “real-world risk of violence.”
While an initial case was filed in British Columbia court, legal teams from both countries are working to consolidate related cases in San Francisco, where OpenAI maintains headquarters.
LONDON — Britain removed a Russian diplomat from the country Wednesday, striking back after Moscow kicked out a British official and launched what officials called a smear campaign against the UK.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced it called in Russia’s ambassador to London to notify him of the “reciprocal action.” These back-and-forth diplomatic moves highlight the worsening relationship between Russia and Western nations.
“This behavior is wholly unacceptable, and we will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of our diplomatic staff,” the Foreign Office declared in its statement.
The British response follows Russia’s decision last month to remove a UK diplomat based on espionage accusations that Britain dismissed as “complete nonsense.”
Russia’s Federal Security Service, the FSB, which handles domestic security and counterintelligence operations, claimed the British official attempted to collect “sensitive information” about Russia’s economy through “unofficial meetings” with Russian specialists. Moscow gave the diplomat two weeks to depart the country.
Since Russia began its comprehensive military assault on Ukraine in 2022, Russia and countries belonging to NATO have engaged in several cycles of removing each other’s diplomatic personnel, pushing diplomatic ties to their worst state since the Cold War era.
The nation’s highest court has dealt a significant blow to voting rights protections that have combated racial discrimination at the polls for over fifty years, ruling against a Louisiana congressional district with a Black majority.
The court’s conservative justices determined that the district, currently held by Democratic Representative Cleo Fields, placed too much emphasis on racial factors when boundaries were drawn. Chief Justice John Roberts characterized the district as resembling a “snake” that winds across more than 200 miles to connect communities in Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge.
The full impact on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act remains uncertain, but legal experts warn the decision may enable GOP-controlled states to dismantle Black and Latino districts that typically support Democratic candidates, potentially shifting congressional power dynamics. This comes as President Donald Trump has already initiated nationwide redistricting efforts to strengthen Republican electoral prospects.
Those challenging the district contended that Louisiana’s second Black-majority congressional seat, created to address previous discriminatory mapping, violated constitutional principles by using race as a primary factor while ignoring traditional redistricting criteria such as geographic compactness.
Civil rights leaders responded with sharp criticism to Wednesday’s ruling. Derrick Johnson, who leads the NAACP, called the court’s action “a devastating blow to what remains of the Voting Rights Act.”
“This ruling is a license for corrupt politicians who want to rig the system by silencing entire communities,” Johnson stated. “The Supreme Court betrayed Black voters, they betrayed America, and they betrayed our democracy.”
Johnson noted the timing’s significance, coming roughly six weeks after civil rights veterans commemorated the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when peaceful voting rights demonstrators faced violent attacks from Alabama state troopers on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge. That brutality helped galvanize national support for the landmark voting legislation now under threat.
“This ruling is a major setback for our nation and threatens to erode the hard-won victories we’ve fought, bled, and died for. But the people still can fight back,” Johnson declared. “Our democracy is crying for help.”
Lauren Groh-Wargo, who directs Fair Fight Action, the Georgia voting rights organization established by Democrat Stacey Abrams, accused the court of dismantling voting protections “while pretending to uphold it.”
According to Groh-Wargo, the justices effectively rewrote the law to demand proof of deliberate discrimination, despite Congress specifically amending the Voting Rights Act in the early 1980s to reject such requirements after an earlier Supreme Court ruling attempted similar changes. Notably, Roberts served as a Justice Department lawyer at that time advocating for intentional discrimination standards.
“It allows states, counties and cities to shield their discriminatory maps by claiming they are advancing their own partisan interests, ignoring that race and party are highly correlated in places across the country, particularly the South,” Groh-Wargo explained in a message to the Associated Press.
The White House celebrated the outcome, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson calling it “a complete and total victory for American voters.”
“The color of one’s skin should not dictate which congressional district you belong in. We commend the court for putting an end to the unconstitutional abuse of the Voting Rights Act and protecting civil rights,” Jackson said.
Multiple states have already implemented new House district maps following Trump’s call last year for Texas Republicans to redraw boundaries, aiming to secure additional seats and preserve the party’s narrow House majority heading into midterm elections.
The redistricting competition appears balanced so far. Republican strategists believe they could capture up to nine additional seats through new maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, with potentially four more if Florida approves pending legislation. Democratic analysts project their party could gain 10 seats from redistricting efforts in California, Utah and Virginia.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, a Democrat representing the state’s other predominantly Black congressional district, criticized the Supreme Court’s decision as “a step backward.”
“For decades, the Voting Rights Act has served as a critical safeguard to ensure every voice, especially those historically marginalized, has a meaningful opportunity to be heard,” Moreno explained.
“Striking down a district that reflected diversity suppresses voices and weakens our democracy. We should be working to expand representation, not roll it back,” she added.
The timing proved particularly relevant in Florida, where the state Senate briefly paused proceedings so members could examine the ruling and consult legal counsel. However, the Republican-controlled chamber proceeded with plans to approve Governor Ron DeSantis’ congressional redistricting proposal later Wednesday.
Florida’s current congressional boundaries gave Republicans a 20-8 seat advantage in 2024 elections. DeSantis’ redistricting plan aims to expand that margin to potentially 24-4 by November.
The 1965 voting rights legislation represented the Civil Rights Movement’s signature achievement, successfully expanding ballot access for Black Americans while reducing systematic voting discrimination.
Election law specialist Nicholas Stephanopoulos estimates that nearly 70 of the nation’s 435 congressional districts currently receive Section 2 protections.
Justice Elena Kagan warned in her dissenting opinion that “the consequences are likely to be far-reaching and grave. Today’s decision renders Section 2 all but a dead letter.”
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the six conservative justices, declared the Louisiana district central to the case “an unconstitutional gerrymander.”
The court released its decision while Florida lawmakers debated DeSantis’ proposed congressional map changes, designed to potentially give Republicans a 24-4 delegation advantage.
Senate Democrats unsuccessfully urged their Republican colleagues to postpone deliberations, allowing time to review the Supreme Court ruling and seek legal guidance on its implications for the governor’s proposal.
Legal scholars and redistricting attorneys contacted immediately after the decision’s release indicated they needed additional time to fully analyze the ruling’s broader consequences.
