WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Bill Pulte, the federal housing finance regulator he selected as acting director of national intelligence, will not receive his nomination for the permanent position.
The Republican president’s decision follows days of bipartisan criticism from lawmakers on Capitol Hill regarding Pulte’s absence of national security background. The role requires Senate approval, which legislators suggested would be unlikely if Pulte were nominated.
“He’s not going to be permanent because, you know, I don’t think he’d want to be permanent,” Trump stated during a question session in the Oval Office following a coal-related event. He described Pulte as a “very smart guy” and mentioned he might examine previous elections that Trump alleges, without credible evidence, were “rigged” against him.
Trump indicated that other potential nominees are being evaluated for the position. “We’re interviewing people right now,” he stated.
Pulte, whose grandfather established PulteGroup, has generated controversy within the administration through his role as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and his supervision of mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In his current position, Pulte has targeted Trump’s perceived political opponents over alleged mortgage fraud and has publicly criticized Jerome Powell, whose Federal Reserve chairman tenure recently concluded following months of attacks from Trump and Pulte over interest rate policies. The federal housing finance regulator also promoted a 50-year mortgage concept that failed because it would delay wealth accumulation through homeownership.
Senators from both parties voiced reservations about Pulte’s qualifications for overseeing the coordination of 18 federal agencies handling domestic and international security matters. Trump’s original director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, stepped down last month due to her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, stated the national intelligence director position shouldn’t be “weaponized” and requires leadership by “professionals.”
Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and John Cornyn of Texas, who are each leaving the chamber after this year’s elections, also expressed concerns about Pulte.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged reports that he had threatened to oppose Pulte in September of 2025, demonstrating the tensions the federal housing finance director created within the administration.
However, Pulte maintains a strong relationship with Trump as a regular Air Force One passenger.
“He’s a person who’s got high integrity,” Trump said Thursday about Pulte.
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department announced Thursday it has placed financial sanctions on Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel and four additional officials, according to documents posted on the department’s website.
Among those targeted by the sanctions is Alejandro Castro Espín, whose father is former President Raúl Castro.
The financial penalties follow President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order that broadened sanctions against the Caribbean nation.
These latest sanctions increase economic pressure on Cuban leadership, though this marks just another instance in a long history of the United States targeting foreign leaders and their family members with similar measures.
Previous sanctions have targeted leaders including former Sudanese President Omar Bashir and former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in the early 2000s, as well as more recent penalties against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse.
Officials appointed by Russia at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility in Ukraine claimed Thursday that Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes against a thermal power station essential for maintaining electricity to the nuclear site.
The facility’s Russian-installed administrators reported that Ukrainian military forces carried out what they described as a “multiple attack using heavy unmanned aerial vehicles” in the vicinity of the nuclear plant.
“More than 20 drone strikes have been recorded,” the management stated.
According to the officials, the strikes targeted the thermal power facility, which they described as “site of critically important energy infrastructure that ensures the operation of the… Ferrosplavnaya-1 power transmission line.”
The administrators warned that “such attacks pose a direct threat to the reliability of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant power supply and once again demonstrate disregard for the principles of nuclear safety.”
Ukrainian officials have not responded to these accusations.
Russian military forces captured the nuclear facility, which contains six reactors and ranks as Europe’s largest, during the initial weeks after Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Since that time, both nations have consistently blamed each other for military actions that endanger nuclear security.
While the facility currently produces no power, it requires external electricity to prevent nuclear fuel stored at the location from overheating.
Two power lines provide grid connections, though one has remained offline since late March. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been working to establish a ceasefire that would allow repairs to the damaged line.
The IAEA reported Thursday that Russian plant management had notified them of the incident, and agency monitors stationed permanently at the site observed light smoke rising from the thermal plant area.
Rafael Grossi, IAEA director general, called for an immediate halt to attacks to avoid an extended loss of external power.
The nation’s largest retailer is broadening its rapid delivery options by incorporating Subway restaurant meals into its mobile app service, as competition intensifies in the online shopping marketplace.
On Thursday, Walmart announced plans to roll out quick delivery for Subway food to roughly 1,400 locations before summer ends. The service is currently operating in select states and represents the retailer’s effort to capitalize on its biggest in-store restaurant partnership.
This move could signal broader ambitions for the company’s delivery strategy.
“Subway is a great starting point … but naturally for us, we want to make sure that any in-tenant location for our customers has the ability to have delivery via express,” said Tracy Poulliot, Walmart’s executive vice president of U.S. e-commerce and marketing, speaking Thursday during the company’s annual Associates Week event.
The Arkansas-based company finds itself in intense rivalry with Amazon as both companies vie for control of the delivery market. Walmart has been experimenting with drone deliveries and artificial intelligence improvements for inventory management while pursuing more affluent shoppers.
Using its network of more than 4,600 locations to handle online orders, Walmart extended its half-hour delivery service for groceries and various products to approximately 33 cities this year.
Company leadership reported in May that this rapid delivery option represents their fastest-growing service as shoppers increasingly prioritize convenience. Sales through store-based delivery have more than doubled in the past two years, according to Walmart CFO John David Rainey’s May presentation to Wall Street analysts.
This development occurs as the U.S. economy becomes increasingly divided, with lower-income families – traditionally Walmart’s core customers – reducing their overall spending.
Subway restaurants have operated inside Walmart supercenters since 2004. Other fast food brands including Taco Bell, McDonald’s and Wendy’s also maintain locations within Walmart stores, alongside regional chains like Auntie Anne’s.
A French billionaire made his first appearance before lawmakers Thursday to outline his mission of advancing conservative and free-market principles in French politics, with the country’s presidential election approaching next year.
Pierre-Edouard Sterin, an entrepreneur who moved to Belgium to avoid French taxes, testified before senators as part of an investigation into political financing practices and whether his organizations comply with applicable rules.
“Our aim is to spread free-market, conservative ideas as widely as possible,” Sterin explained to the senators, characterizing his activities as “meta-political.”
“We hope it will, in the coming months and years, bring free-market, conservative right‑wing ideas to power in France,” he added.
The 52-year-old businessman, who had previously refused to respond to parliamentary requests to appear, rejected any suggestion of improper conduct. “There is no ongoing legal procedure, no investigation, no breach of the law,” he stated during his testimony.
Operating through an organization called Pericles, Sterin has remained largely unknown to the French public until recent years while funding various projects aligned with his political vision. Documents that appeared in the French publication L’Humanite in 2024 and later verified by Sterin revealed his objectives include combating “socialism, wokism, Islamism, immigration.”
The political influence of his network has grown, with Pericles co-founder Francois Durvye now serving as a special adviser to far-right leader Jordan Bardella, who current polling suggests leads the field for next year’s presidential race.
During his Senate testimony, Sterin, a practicing Catholic and father of five who resides in Belgium, stood by controversial immigration positions that have drawn criticism.
“I am in favour of the re-migration of foreign criminals, undocumented migrants or those unemployed for more than 12 months,” he declared, noting these views put him “to the right of the (French) far right.”
The businessman built his wealth through Smartbox, a company specializing in gift vouchers, and describes himself as a “tax exile of the François Hollande generation.”
His reference pointed to France’s Socialist leader who served as president from 2012 to 2017 and proposed implementing a 75% tax rate on millionaires. Sterin relocated to Belgium in 2012, and despite the constitutional council quickly rejecting the tax proposal, he chose not to return to France.
“Hollande doesn’t like the rich, and I don’t like the social‑communists,” Sterin remarked.
He told senators that his residence outside France has enabled him to reduce his tax burden by €100,000 to €200,000 annually, allowing him to direct larger amounts toward charitable projects within France.
Stock markets surged Thursday as traders seized on hopeful developments regarding potential peace in the Middle East, driving share prices up while sending oil costs down. Technology companies faced pressure from artificial intelligence worries, but other market sectors provided strong support as investors await Friday’s jobs report.
Market analyst Jamie McGeever examined the U.S. employment situation ahead of the payroll numbers, noting that while the job market cannot be described as robust and some recent figures raise concerns, overall data trends suggest improvement and indicate a positive shift may be underway.
Wall Street demonstrated remarkable strength Thursday. The Nasdaq recovered from opening losses of more than 1% to finish unchanged, while the S&P 500 also staged an impressive comeback. The Dow avoided any downturn entirely, accelerating throughout the session to close 1.7% higher at a fresh record.
Market activity showed widespread buying across most sectors. Only two S&P 500 segments declined: technology fell 1.4% and consumer staples dropped 0.1%. Nine sectors posted gains, with financial companies leading at 2.7% higher and healthcare advancing 3%. Individual standouts included Blackstone gaining 7.5% and Humana rising 6.8%, while Broadcom tumbled 12.6% and Micron Technology fell 7.7%.
Currency markets saw the dollar weaken slightly, with the USD/JPY pair hovering near 160.00. Bitcoin dropped 2% to reach a four-month low. Bond yields decreased 2-4 basis points as the yield curve steepened. Oil prices declined 3%.
Traders continue purchasing during market dips regardless of geopolitical tensions, AI developments, or economic news. Financial conditions remain at their most accommodating levels in years, with volatility measures near yearly lows. Three-month euro/dollar implied volatility fell below 5% this week for the first time since 2021, reflecting calm market conditions.
Private credit markets faced renewed scrutiny as withdrawal requests increased. Investors in Blackstone’s main $79 billion private credit fund requested to withdraw 10% of shares in the second quarter, up from 7.9% in the first quarter. The firm limited withdrawals to 5%. Similarly, Cliffwater reported Tuesday that investors in its $31 billion fund attempted to redeem 17% of shares in Q2, also capped at 5%.
Bitcoin reached a four-month low around $61,000 Thursday, losing half its value since peaking above $126,000 in October and declining 20% over two weeks. The selloff accelerated after Michael Saylor’s Strategy, the largest corporate bitcoin holder, announced its first sale since 2022.
However, some analysts remain optimistic. Geoff Kendrick at Standard Chartered, a prominent cryptocurrency supporter, maintains his prediction of $100,000 by year-end. “When we look back at the end of 2026 with bitcoin at $100k we will say this was the buying zone we all wanted,” he stated.
Friday’s market focus includes potential Middle East developments, central bank communications from New Zealand and Australia officials, economic data from Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, India’s interest rate decision and GDP figures, revised eurozone GDP numbers, Bank of England speeches, Canadian employment data, and U.S. nonfarm payrolls.
LONDON, June 4 – Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham indicated Thursday that he would participate in a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, contingent on winning a local election scheduled for later this month.
During a BBC debate with other candidates competing for a parliamentary seat in northern England, the Labour mayor stated that the governing Labour Party requires fundamental change as it continues to lag behind in public opinion surveys.
Prime Minister Starmer, who currently holds some of the poorest approval ratings of any British leader, has pledged to defend his position. However, potential challengers are positioning themselves, including Burnham and former health minister Wes Streeting, who stepped down from his role last month in opposition to the prime minister’s performance.
When questioned about his political aspirations, Burnham, who previously made two unsuccessful bids for Labour leadership, expressed that he didn’t want to get “ahead of himself.” He emphasized that he must first secure victory in the Makerfield election on June 18 before he can mount any challenge to Starmer.
“I can’t do anything unless I’m lucky enough to get the support of people here (in Makerfield). But if I get your support, I would seek to represent you at the highest possible level,” Burnham stated during the debate.
Burnham suggested that Streeting appeared to have already “launched a leadership contest,” though the former health minister has not yet made any formal announcement.
“So if that is running, I would seek to join it. But I’d have to persuade members of the parliamentary Labour Party to do the same. So that’s the only question,” Burnham explained.
A major agricultural trade organization is pushing federal commodity regulators to accelerate the release of critical market data that farmers and grain businesses depend on for managing financial risks.
The National Grain and Feed Association submitted comments on June 4, 2026, to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission backing the agency’s examination of its Commitments of Traders Reporting Program while proposing modifications to enhance market transparency and risk oversight for agricultural industry participants.
The trade group highlighted that these trader commitment reports serve as an essential information source for farmers, cooperatives, grain companies, processors, exporters, and other commercial entities who depend on futures markets for price risk protection. Although these reports rank among the CFTC’s most popular resources, the association believes the program needs updating to better match current rapid-paced and increasingly connected markets.
The organization’s suggestions include having the Commission release trader commitment reports twice weekly while shortening the existing three-day delay between information gathering and public release, assuming the agency can maintain report precision and reliability. The association also recommended that the CFTC investigate supplementary market information that might offer a fuller view of trading patterns.
The trade group stressed that such enhancements would assist market users in making better-informed risk management choices while maintaining information accuracy and trader privacy protection.
“Commitments of Traders reports are an important transparency tool for agricultural markets,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “NGFA applauds the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s efforts to review and strengthen the program and looks forward to working with the Commission as it considers opportunities to enhance the usefulness and accessibility of market data for all participants.”
A dangerous parasite that hasn’t been seen in the United States for more than fifty years has returned, creating serious concerns for America’s $113 billion cattle industry. Officials have verified that the New World screwworm fly has infected livestock in southern Texas.
Authorities discovered the outbreak in a 3-week-old calf located in La Pryor, Texas, positioned roughly 100 miles southwest of San Antonio and 50 miles from the Mexican border. Both federal and state agencies had been working to prevent this parasite from entering Texas, which houses $17 billion in cattle value and leads the nation in this agricultural sector.
Officials detected these dangerous insects in Mexico during late 2024 following years of successful containment in Panama.
From the 1930s through the 1960s, this pest regularly plagued cattle operations during warm seasons, until American authorities eliminated it through a unique approach involving breeding infertile male flies and releasing massive quantities from aircraft to mate with wild females. According to the USDA, this recent discovery marks the first Texas case since 1966.
The New World screwworm fly found in the Western Hemisphere, along with its Old World relative in Africa and Asia, stands apart from other flies because its larvae consume living tissue and bodily fluids rather than decomposing matter. After mating just once during their months-long lifespan, females deposit eggs in open injuries and mucous membranes.
All warm-blooded creatures, including wild animals, domestic pets, and sometimes humans, face potential infestation risks.
Cattle face particular vulnerability due to standard handling procedures, explained Lee Haines, an associate research professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, in Thursday email correspondence. Common cattle management activities that break skin include shearing and de-horning, while moving animals through corrals can create scrapes and cuts. The birthing process also leaves both mothers and calves at risk, she noted.
Stephen Diebel, a Texas rancher and president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, emphasized that even injuries “as small as a tick bite,” can endanger cattle.
“These flies can lay eggs in very, very small places,” he stated.
Researchers and cattle organizations report that infected wounds develop terrible odors and cause severe suffering or death when infestations go untreated. During previous decades, ranchers experienced tens of millions in financial losses — equivalent to potentially billions in current currency.
However, agricultural authorities emphasized that this fly does not contaminate food products.
Federal and state officials along with cattle industry representatives have been issuing public warnings about the fly’s movement through Mexico toward the United States since confirming a case in southern Mexico during November 2024.
This spread has severely damaged Mexico’s beef sector, especially after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shut down border entry points to livestock imports in July 2025 to keep the fly from entering Texas.
Mexico has documented thousands of infestations, and Rollins has contended that the Mexican government hasn’t taken sufficient action to regulate animal movement within their borders, a claim Mexican officials have disputed. Rollins has also criticized former Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration, claiming that inadequate border security contributed to the flies’ migration.
However, Haines identified climate change as a crucial factor in the expansion of this tropical species that flourishes in warm conditions and previously vanished during cold periods in the United States.
“The cold snaps that once suppressed stray populations in marginal northern regions are becoming rarer and less severe, thus removing a natural biological check on the flies’ migration north,” she explained. “Warmer temperatures are also expanding the geographical band of suitable habitat northward.”
Texas State Veterinarian Bud Dinges established a 12-mile quarantine zone encompassing most of Zavala County, which includes La Pryor, and a small section of adjacent Uvalde County. Animals cannot exit this area without inspection. Dinges has encouraged residents to examine their animals — including pets — and to “stay put.”
Rollins explained that the fly cannot travel hundreds or even dozens of miles independently. “The only way this spreads is through animal movement,” she stated.
Area ranchers worry the fly will spread among wild animals, especially deer. The previous U.S. outbreak primarily affected deer in the Florida Keys during 2016, although officials confirmed one case last year in a Maryland man who had visited El Salvador and recovered. During the 2016 Florida situation, authorities eliminated the fly within six months by releasing sterile males to mate with females.
In Texas, Haines forecasted, “Their numbers will continue to expand in wildlife populations.”
Rollins reported that the USDA has been releasing millions of sterile male flies in south Texas since February to prevent the insects’ expansion. Officials plan to maintain this strategy.
The USDA established a center in south Texas during February to distribute flies bred in Panama, and invested $21 million in a new fly-breeding facility in southern Mexico expected to begin operations next month.
Diebel, whose family operation sits approximately 200 miles east of the quarantine area, said ranchers are preventively administering injections that block screwworm infestation. They’re also taking additional precautions to treat injuries from ear tagging and other procedures while closely monitoring for illness signs.
“Surveillance is one of the biggest things — just constantly monitoring those cattle,” Diebel explained.
He said he wouldn’t be shocked to see additional isolated cases confirmed, but added, “I’m very confident we can keep this at bay.”
Government and industry representatives express confidence in containing the fly within the United States because the most effective eradication method is both proven and highly successful: releasing sterile males into natural populations. While males are “promiscuous,” scientifically speaking, females are not, and if their single mating encounter involves a sterile male, none of that female’s eggs will develop.
When sterile males become sufficiently abundant — with millions released weekly — the fly population decreases and eventually disappears.
The United States closed its own fly production facilities after eliminating the pest decades ago, leaving only an international breeding operation in Panama in the Western Hemisphere until the new Mexican facility opens. Nevertheless, the USDA is also investing $750 million to construct a fly factory in southern Texas capable of producing up to 300 million sterile flies weekly.
“The sterile insect is not only the most effective tool we have, but it is also considered one of the most environmental friendly insect pest control methods ever developed,” Rollins stated.
The Maryland Horse Industry Board has announced its upcoming meeting scheduled for Friday, June 26th, 2026, beginning at 10 am in Adamstown, Maryland.
The board session will be held at Loch Moy Farm, which is simultaneously serving as the venue for the Maryland International CCI and HT + Young Rider Championships running from June 26-28, 2026.
The farm will serve dual purposes during this weekend, accommodating both the board’s official business meeting and the equestrian championship competitions.
Maryland officials have announced an upcoming virtual meeting of the Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture scheduled for June 11th, 2026.
The online session is set to begin at 1:00 pm and will be conducted through Google Meet. Participants can join using the video call link https://meet.google.com/tqk-xdni-uhf or by dialing (US) +1 650-457-1375 with PIN: 668 138 752#.
Secretary Kevin Atticks will serve as the chair for the meeting. The agenda includes a welcome session led by Atticks, followed by the approval of minutes from December 2025.
The commission serves as an intergovernmental body focused on agricultural matters within the state.
Delaware Capitol Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of a body in a forested area behind the Dover Department of Motor Vehicles facility.
The deceased individual was found in woods behind the DMV building situated at 303 Transportation Circle in Dover. Capitol Police officers were called to the scene at around 9:57 a.m. after Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) workers reported that members of a state service agency had made the discovery.
Detectives from the Delaware Capitol Police are working alongside the Delaware State Police to examine the circumstances of the death. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the person who died, as they are waiting to inform family members first.
Officials say no other details about the victim are being shared at this time. Investigators do not currently believe foul play was involved in the death.
Federal aviation safety investigators have determined that a United Airlines Boeing 767 was operating at insufficient speed and altitude during its approach to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey last month, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The aircraft, which had flown from Italy, was being piloted by a captain who maintained dangerously low speed and altitude before the landing attempt, investigators found. During the approach, the plane collided with a light pole, causing damage to a vehicle traveling on the adjacent turnpike.
The NTSB’s preliminary findings point to the flight crew’s failure to maintain proper approach parameters as a contributing factor in the incident at the New Jersey airport.
KYIV, Ukraine — In an unprecedented move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a public letter directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, requesting face-to-face talks to resolve the ongoing conflict.
This marks the first direct written communication Zelenskyy has made public to Putin since Russia began its full-scale invasion in 2022. The letter contained a broad condemnation of Putin’s 26-year tenure in office.
Recognizing changing U.S. priorities, Zelenskyy noted it would be incorrect to merely wait for the Trump administration to refocus on resolving the Ukraine conflict while it remains concentrated on the Iran war.
“I am proposing a meeting,” Zelenskyy stated in his letter.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded positively to the proposal, saying it “would be great” if the two leaders met. “They should get it done,” Trump commented.
When questioned about what concessions he had recommended Putin make to conclude the war, Trump refused to elaborate but indicated both parties would need to make sacrifices.
“They’re going to both make compromises,” he stated. “I suggested those compromises.”
Zelenskyy seems to be capitalizing on what he views as a crucial turning point in the conflict, as Ukraine has started to recover some military advantage primarily through enhanced long-range strike capabilities that have hindered Russian progress. Meanwhile, Moscow has escalated its lethal air offensive throughout Ukraine, attempting to capitalize on Kyiv’s resource shortages and ongoing susceptibility to ballistic missile strikes.
The Ukrainian president suggested the discussions could take place in an impartial third nation, excluding both Moscow and Kyiv as potential locations. He recommended Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab nations as possible hosts for the negotiations.
“It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be,” he stated. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting.”
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia is contemplating extending the war through 2027 and 2028, while depending more heavily on ballistic missile attacks to achieve objectives that its ground operations have failed to secure.
Zelenskyy also charged Moscow with attempting to involve Belarus more deeply in the conflict and trying to create instability around Transnistria, the Russian-supported breakaway region of Moldova.
The Ukrainian president contended that Russia is increasingly experiencing the war’s consequences, citing drone strikes far within Russian borders, economic pressure, fuel shortages, inflation, and the need for additional military conscription.
Zelenskyy reported that Russia lost more than 30,000 soldiers killed or seriously wounded in May alone, claiming Ukraine possessed “video confirmation” of these battlefield casualties and that such loss rates have continued consistently each month.
He acknowledged that Ukraine also continues to experience significant losses despite what he characterized as a favorable casualty ratio.
Zelenskyy indicated Ukraine was ready to establish a complete ceasefire throughout the negotiation period and suggested a comprehensive prisoner exchange as an initial step toward resolving the conflict.
The Ukrainian leader also demanded the return of civilians and children removed from Ukraine during the war.
“The world has not grown tired of Ukraine, as you long hoped it would. But there is growing fatigue with Russia,” Zelenskyy declared.
Several days following California’s primary election, voters across the state find themselves in a routine waiting game — anticipating results for key contests including the gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral races.
The ongoing uncertainty in these high-stakes competitions, along with multiple tight congressional battles, comes as no shock since California consistently requires days or weeks to complete vote tallying. President Donald Trump’s complaints about the counting timeline and fraud allegations, which he voiced Thursday, also follow his established pattern of criticism.
However, Trump’s Thursday declaration that his Department of Justice was examining the count marked an unusual escalation: “Why the vote counting DELAY???,” the president wrote on his social media platform.
Trump implied that California’s Democrats were manipulating results to prevent two of his preferred candidates — Republican Steve Hilton seeking the governor’s office and Spencer Pratt running for mayor in the nonpartisan contest — from securing top-two positions needed to advance to November’s general election.
“You see what’s happening in California, they’re rigging the election,” he stated to reporters during a Thursday Oval Office event.
The president’s social media statements drew a reaction from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose communications team shared a CNN segment detailing how the nation’s largest state emphasizes precision and voter access rather than rapid results, extending the counting period.
“For the record: we wish the votes were counted faster, too,” Newsom’s office responded.
A representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles refused to discuss whether any investigation into ballot counting was underway.
California’s legal framework essentially requires an extended counting process. Mail ballots go to all qualified voters — approximately 23 million people — and the state maintains flexible return policies. Ballots receive counting if postmarked by Election Day and delivered to election offices within a week.
Local election workers can only begin the extensive process of confirming late mail ballot authenticity and counting them after polling locations close and most Americans have retired for the night.
When voter signatures on ballot envelopes don’t align with official records, election administrators must provide those voters opportunities to verify their identity for ballot inclusion, further extending final tallies.
“We might not like how California administers its elections (and I don’t),” Stephen Richer, a former Republican election official in Maricopa County, Arizona, posted on social platform X. “But that doesn’t make it fraud.”
Newsom approved legislation last year mandating vote counting completion within 13 days instead of the previous 30-day limit. Counties seeking extensions must notify the Secretary of State’s Office with justification for delays.
This timeline fails to satisfy the president: “The Dumocrats are at it again!” he posted on his social media account. “They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES. Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS.”
State Assemblymember Marc Berman, a Democrat who authored the accelerated counting legislation, called Trump’s statements disappointing and “a lie.”
“While Trump is laser focused on lying about our elections and undermining voters’ faith in our democracy, so that Republicans can then try to pass policies like Voter ID laws that make it harder for people to vote, our priority is to make sure that every validly cast ballot is counted,” he declared in a statement.
Several analysts cautioned that Tuesday’s primary tallying might extend longer than previous election cycles.
“What compounds things this time around is that Democrats have been holding on to their ballots,” explained Rick Hasen, a UCLA law professor.
California’s millions of Democratic voters demonstrated unusual reluctance to submit ballots early this year, seemingly delaying decisions until final moments in the continuously shifting gubernatorial contest. The state uses a primary system where the leading two vote recipients, regardless of party affiliation, proceed to the general election, and Democrats had spent months worrying that numerous Democratic candidates would divide support, potentially allowing two Republicans to claim both advancing positions.
Democratic voters seemed to postpone choices until seeing which candidates gained momentum. The substantial volume of late ballots will likely extend the delay in obtaining complete results even further.
Although millions of votes have been processed, remaining uncounted ballots carry the greatest significance for tight competitions.
Despite California’s overwhelming Democratic lean, the state has hosted some of America’s closest congressional contests, occasionally determined by mere hundreds of votes, making winner determination impossible until the weeks-long counting concludes. In 2024, one House contest remained undecided until December.
Primary elections like Tuesday’s create additional complexity. The crucial information includes not just the leading vote recipient but also the runner-up. Determining true race outcomes requires sufficient vote tallies to definitively identify first and second place finishers.
The massive influx of late mail ballots counted last creates another consequence: final vote totals become increasingly Democratic. This occurs because Republicans more frequently return ballots early or vote in person on Election Day, with those ballots counted first.
The progressive shift toward Democratic candidates as counting continues has generated various conspiracy theories.
Republicans have consistently criticized California’s counting methods, despite GOP success in close House races statewide in 2024. The Republican National Committee has pursued legal challenges in other states questioning the validity of counting mail ballots arriving after Election Day, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to address the matter this month.
However, concerns about California’s vote counting extend beyond partisan lines. Voting rights advocates have pressed state legislators to increase funding for local election offices to process the flood of late ballots more quickly.
“The Legislature needs to throw a lot more money to get the count quicker,” Hasen stated.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Two paramedics convicted in the ketamine overdose death of Elijah McClain will receive new trials after a Colorado appeals court overturned their homicide convictions Thursday.
The court mandated fresh trials for Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec in the death of McClain, a 23-year-old Black massage therapist. McClain died after being physically restrained by officers who had approached him following a report of suspicious activity as he walked home from a store in 2019.
Before his death, McClain uttered the words “I can’t breathe” — a phrase that would tragically echo George Floyd’s final words in Minneapolis one year later.
In 2023, a jury convicted both Cooper and Cichuniec of criminally negligent homicide after a lengthy trial in state district court. The same jury also found Cichuniec guilty of second-degree felony assault.
Cooper received a sentence of 14 months in jail with work release privileges and probation, avoiding prison time. Cichuniec was given a five-year prison sentence.
While the appeals court maintained Cichuniec’s assault conviction, it criticized the jury instructions provided before deliberations on the criminally negligent homicide charges. Thursday’s decision returns their cases to a lower court for retrial on that specific charge.
Cichuniec was released from prison early in 2024 when a judge modified his sentence to four years of probation. Judge Mark Warner referenced “unusual and extenuating circumstances” under Colorado’s mandatory sentencing law, which permits sentence modifications after a defendant serves at least 119 days behind bars. Warner noted that Cichuniec faced time-sensitive decisions that night as the senior paramedic on scene.
The Associated Press attempted to reach the attorney representing McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain, for comment. Additional requests for statements were sent to the paramedics’ legal representatives and their union.
A police sergeant from New Jersey is facing criminal charges for allegedly taking camera equipment valued at $10,000 from a photojournalist who was hurt while covering heated demonstrations at a Newark immigration detention facility.
Darryl Brown, who works as a sergeant with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, was discovered in possession of the stolen equipment after the photojournalist tracked her missing gear to his residence using GPS technology, according to the state’s attorney general announced Thursday.
The reporter, Angelina Katsanis, was working for The Associated Press at Delaney Hall on Saturday evening when a wooden beam hit her knee during confrontations between law enforcement and protesters.
While limping toward a medical station for help, Katsanis abandoned her equipment bag, which displayed her name and contact details. When she was finally permitted to come back to the location — now using a wheelchair — her bag had disappeared.
“I checked my Airtag and the bag was already on a highway pretty far away at that point,” Katsanis recalled. “Right away, I had a feeling it was the police because they were the only ones with access to that area.”
While Katsanis received medical care at a local hospital, the tracking device showed signals from a residence in Sparta, New Jersey, registered under Brown’s name, the attorney general’s office stated. The tracking device was subsequently found discarded along a roadside, several miles from the house where it had been taken.
An examination of Brown’s body camera video revealed him “interacting” with the equipment bag at the demonstration site, the attorney general’s office reported. When investigators searched his residence Wednesday with a warrant, they discovered multiple missing items, some marked with Katsanis’ name and telephone number, according to court documents.
Details about Brown’s legal representation were not immediately accessible. A voicemail left at a phone number associated with Brown went unanswered. He is facing third-degree theft charges and has been placed on unpaid suspension, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed.
Katsanis, who has received training for covering dangerous situations, described feeling profoundly disturbed by the incident.
“I’ve thought a lot about how the officers are supposed to be there to uphold the law and protect us and protect property — and this is the exact opposite of that,” she said.
The detention facility has emerged as a focal point for demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, frequently resulting in confrontations between protesters and police.
These protests have grown more intense recently as advocacy groups reported that inmates began a hunger strike due to inadequate living conditions at the 1,000-bed facility. Federal officials have rejected claims of poor conditions and blamed demonstrators for escalating tensions.
Katsanis reported experiencing swelling and bruising on her leg but sustained no broken bones.
The first officer aboard a United Airlines flight that collided with a light pole during landing at Newark Liberty International Airport last month noticed the aircraft’s low approach but didn’t have sufficient time to request an aborted landing, federal investigators revealed Thursday.
Crew members aboard the May 3 flight arriving from Venice, Italy, reported hearing a distinct “thump” sound and experiencing a “mild jolt” moments before the aircraft touched down, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings.
The first officer remembered telling the pilot “you are still slow and a little low” during the aircraft’s descent. He then looked outside again and thought the plane was flying too low, though it was nearly ready to land.
Initially, law enforcement authorities reported the aircraft had directly struck a bakery truck’s roof, injuring the driver slightly. However, Thursday’s findings clarify that debris from the damaged light pole, rather than the aircraft itself, struck a vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike, cracking its windshield and piercing the trailer.
The investigation provides the initial account from the flight crew’s perspective, though it doesn’t pinpoint exactly why the aircraft approached so low or offer prevention recommendations. Those details won’t be available until the NTSB issues its complete findings, expected next year.
The preliminary report reveals that the flight crew received instructions to prepare for landings on three separate runways while approaching the airport, with minimal time for preparation between changes.
The findings also confirm that light pole debris, not the aircraft directly, damaged the truck traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike. The truck’s windshield suffered damage and its trailer was punctured, but investigators found no tire marks on either the cab or trailer.
The Boeing 767 successfully completed its landing despite receiving “substantial” damage to its body and slash marks on one landing tire, the NTSB noted. All passengers and crew aboard the flight, numbering more than 200, escaped injury.
Motorists regularly traveling that section of Interstate 95 near Newark airport typically observe aircraft flying low overhead as they prepare for landing.
Dashboard camera footage from the bakery delivery truck captured the incident. The recording shows the driver singing contentedly before glancing outside with growing concern as the jet engines’ sound intensifies. Seconds later, part of the aircraft appears in his side window.
Aviation safety specialist Jeff Guzzetti suggested Thursday’s findings indicate the captain faced difficulties from strong winds and a shortened runway.
During the approach, the pilot informed investigators he “got fast” while turning the aircraft against the headwind, according to the report. The pilot reduced power to adjust as wind gusts created “moderate turbulence.”
The runway where the aircraft landed measures 6,726 feet, making it the airport’s shortest. Controllers typically direct flights to this runway only during strong wind conditions like those present that afternoon. Air traffic control informed pilots that wind gusts reached 31 mph at the time.
Property values across Australia are projected to experience their most sluggish expansion since 2022, according to a recent survey of real estate experts conducted by Reuters. The slowdown stems from elevated mortgage rates and rising living expenses that are pricing out numerous first-time homebuyers from the market.
This represents a dramatic deceleration from approximately 10% growth recorded in 2025, following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to increase interest rates by 75 basis points this year in an effort to combat ongoing inflation. The rate hikes have compressed affordability and reduced buyer demand.
During 2022, property values dropped more than 5% when the RBA launched an aggressive campaign of rate increases.
The survey, conducted between May 21 and June 4, revealed that median property values are expected to increase by 1.0% this year. Predictions varied widely, ranging from a 5.0% decrease to a 7.0% increase. Looking ahead, experts anticipate prices will climb 2.1% in 2027.
Despite the slower pace of price increases, housing affordability continues to be problematic, with median property values reaching approximately A$940,000 ($670,126) – roughly eight times the average household income. High inflation and borrowing costs are anticipated to keep pressuring household finances and buyer demand.
“There was only a short period where interest rates dropped last year and they’ve been increased three times this year. But that’s happened at the same time other factors have also affected the housing market, including reduced consumer confidence because of concerns about rising inflation and the cost of living, and then there was the Iran war,” explained Michael Yardney, founder of Metropole, a real estate advisory firm.
“This does affect the housing market because people don’t make big decisions like buying a new home, moving house, or buying an investment property when they’re not confident,” Yardney added.
Market performance is expected to differ significantly among Australia’s largest cities. Median projections indicate Sydney and Melbourne property values will decline 2%-3%, while Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth are forecast to see increases of approximately 6%-11% this year.
The Albanese government has implemented tax changes designed to address intergenerational inequality, substituting the 50% capital gains tax discount with inflation-indexed taxation and restricting negative gearing benefits.
Several economists caution that these policy changes might decrease rental housing availability, drive up rental costs and worsen affordability challenges, especially for first-time buyers.
Rental prices in urban areas are projected to increase 4%-6% over the next year, up from 3%-5% in a March Reuters survey, exceeding Australia’s 4.2% headline inflation rate recorded in April.
Economists remain divided regarding the outlook for first-time buyer affordability, with five anticipating improvement and four predicting worsening conditions.
A comparable situation is developing in New Zealand, where property prices are expected to remain largely unchanged this year as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is anticipated to raise interest rates in the upcoming quarter.
A Danish pharmaceutical company announced Thursday that its investigational migraine medication demonstrated effectiveness in reducing monthly headache episodes during a mid-stage clinical trial.
The company, Lundbeck, reported that bocunebart showed promise as a treatment for migraines, which rank among the most prevalent neurological conditions worldwide. The experimental medication works by targeting the PACAP pathway associated with migraines, which differs from the CGRP pathway addressed by some current preventive medications. This distinction could provide a treatment alternative for individuals who don’t respond effectively to existing therapies.
During the intravenous portion of the clinical study, bocunebart achieved its main objective among participants who had experienced one to four unsuccessful previous preventive treatments. The medication decreased monthly migraine episodes by an average of 4.24 days during weeks one through 12, compared to 2.86 days for participants receiving placebo treatment.
According to Lundbeck’s presentation at the American Headache Society congress in Orlando, Florida, this represents a placebo-adjusted decrease of 1.38 days.
Financial analysts from Jefferies had anticipated that multiple intravenous treatments would demonstrate a “modest step up” from an earlier study, where a single administration reduced monthly migraine days by two on a placebo-adjusted basis over a four-week period.
When examining combined data from mid-stage studies involving patients with severe, chronic migraines, Lundbeck reported an enhanced effect. In this population, bocunebart decreased monthly migraine days by 2.31 more days compared to placebo treatment.
The experimental drug showed good tolerability overall, with researchers reporting no new safety concerns. The most frequently observed treatment-related side effect, occurring in at least 5% of study participants, was nasopharyngitis, which causes cold-like symptoms.
Jefferies analysts project the medication could achieve peak worldwide sales of $400 million.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a public letter to President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, calling for face-to-face discussions between the two leaders to bring their conflict to a close after more than four years of fighting. Zelenskyy cautioned that his country remains prepared to continue its defense if no agreement can be reached.
The Ukrainian president’s office confirmed the correspondence was distributed to multiple nations, including the United States. In his message, Zelenskyy argued that most Russian citizens have become weary of Ukrainian aerial strikes, rising prices, and fuel supply problems, making them receptive to ending hostilities.
Noting America’s current focus on the Iranian situation, Zelenskyy stated “it would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the center of its attention.”
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that any peace process must begin where the fighting occurs, describing it as “the line from which diplomacy must begin.” He advocated for “a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations,” calling this “standard practice.”
Zelenskyy suggested establishing a specific meeting date and noted that multiple nations have “traditionally hosted leaders to resolve issues of war and peace,” mentioning Switzerland, Turkey and Arab world countries as potential venues.
“Do not be afraid to take the path out of this war. That is the main thing that is required of you now,” Zelenskyy addressed Putin directly.
“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting… If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence.”
Zelenskyy also hinted that prolonged warfare might jeopardize Putin’s leadership position, writing: “It is a fact of Russian history that you know well: when Russia grows tired, change comes.”
Russian officials in Moscow confirmed they received Zelenskyy’s correspondence and indicated Putin would be informed about its contents.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday that plans are underway to construct a promenade addition to the Lincoln Memorial in the nation’s capital.
The president made the announcement during remarks, revealing the upcoming construction project at the iconic Washington monument.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Thursday his nation will maintain a strict schedule for European Union membership negotiations and fulfill its commitments to the 27-member organization.
The president’s remarks came one day after Cyprus, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, announced it had begun preparations to launch negotiations on the initial set of discussion topics with Ukraine and Moldova. The opening chapter focuses on democratic standards and rule-of-law requirements.
“We will have a very clear schedule for moving forward in these talks, especially after changes in Hungary,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
“We have kept to the schedule and now in June we very much expect the opening of (negotiating) clusters for which Ukraine has prepared. We have done our part of the work. The next step is up to the European Union.”
The decision to advance with negotiations followed Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s announcement that his nation had resolved disagreements with Kiev regarding the rights of Ukraine’s 100,000-strong ethnic Hungarian community.
Magyar had earlier stated that resolving the longstanding disagreement was necessary for Budapest to support Ukraine’s EU admission. His predecessor, nationalist Viktor Orban, had blocked Ukrainian EU membership efforts.
Zelenskiy has consistently advocated for Ukraine’s EU membership as a way to establish Western principles in his country during more than four years of conflict with Russia.
The president noted that Ukrainian representatives maintain daily communication with EU officials regarding membership plans, calling this contact “important for our motivation.”
Zelenskiy also mentioned that Ukraine was meeting with European officials to explore strengthening his nation’s air defense systems, coordinating Russian sanctions, and collaborative weapons manufacturing.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Meadow Brook Lane should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has forced the closure of the right lane.
The lane restriction affects the stretch of roadway between Griffith Lake Drive and Victoria Drive, with the closure expected to remain in effect until 6 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone.
Delaware State Police are looking into a deadly single-vehicle accident that happened Tuesday morning on Oak Road in Bridgeville.
Around 9:05 a.m. on June 4, 2026, a Toyota Sequoia was heading south on Oak Road near Apple Tree Road when the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle in an area where passing is prohibited. According to initial findings, the Toyota was moving at what appeared to be an excessive speed while nearing a curve. The vehicle was unable to make it through the turn, flipped over, and went off the western edge of the roadway. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle.
The 17-year-old female driver from Lewes, Delaware, was transported to a nearby medical facility where she passed away. A 4-year-old passenger, who was secured in an appropriate car seat, was also taken to a hospital but sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Traffic was halted on the road for a considerable period while authorities examined and cleared the accident site.
The investigation remains active under the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Officials are requesting that anyone who saw the incident or has relevant details reach out to Sergeant A. Mitchell at (302) 703-3269. Tips can also be submitted through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Those who have been affected by crime, witnessed incidents, or lost family members unexpectedly can receive help from the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. Support and resources are accessible around the clock via their toll-free number at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The Victim Services Unit can also be reached by email at [email protected].
DOVER, DEL. (June 4, 2026) — Delaware’s Division of Public Health organized its fourth yearly gathering dedicated to promoting wellness and healthy living habits on Tuesday at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort.
The Delaware Division of Public Health’s Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention Program coordinated the day-long event, which drew hundreds of community leaders, health advocates, and healthcare professionals to discuss advancing healthy lifestyle initiatives.
The conference marked the fourth consecutive year that state health officials have convened this annual meeting focused on wellness promotion throughout Delaware.
Transportation officials in New York are getting ready to accommodate an additional 100,000 passengers per day during upcoming FIFA World Cup games.
The massive influx of sports fans heading to New York and New Jersey for matches is prompting significant transit planning efforts as the city’s mass transportation network prepares for the surge in ridership.
Officials are working to ensure the transit infrastructure can handle the dramatic increase in daily travelers expected during the international soccer tournament and NBA championship games.
Wide receiver Christian Watson has reached agreement with the Green Bay Packers on a massive four-year contract extension valued at $110.5 million that will keep him with the team through 2030, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
The source confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on Thursday under the condition of anonymity since the contract has not been officially completed. The extension includes a $31 million signing bonus, with ESPN being first to report the agreement.
The 27-year-old Watson suffered a torn right ACL during Green Bay’s final regular season game in 2024, but returned last season to haul in 35 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns across 10 games. Despite being sidelined for much of the campaign, he shared the team lead in scoring catches and finished second in receiving yards.
When questioned Wednesday about potential contract talks, Watson expressed optimism about reaching a deal.
“Yeah, that’s the hope,” Watson said during the Packers’ organized team activities. “I mean, I kind of just put it all in my agent’s hands, and you know, when it’s getting to that point down the wire, he’ll obviously let me in on it. But for now, I’m just worried about what I can worry about, and just let him do his job.”
Watson had previously signed a one-year, $13.25 million extension last fall while rehabilitating his torn ACL, which extended his deal through 2026. This new agreement provides him with much greater long-term security.
Watson joins teammate Jayden Reed as the second Packers receiver to secure an extension this offseason. Reed inked a three-year deal in April featuring $50.25 million in new money with $20 million guaranteed.
These two players are anticipated to anchor a receiving corps that saw departures when Romeo Doubs joined the New England Patriots and Dontayvion Wicks was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It was definitely tough to see those guys go because they’re great friends of mine, great teammates,” Watson commented this week. “This thing always keeps on moving. I definitely think they’ll be a lot more opportunities for the guys who are out there this year, myself included. Just got to embrace that and continue to make plays when our numbers are called.”
Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft from North Dakota State, Watson has established himself as a reliable deep threat for Green Bay when healthy. However, various injuries have restricted him to just 48 games during his initial four professional seasons.
Watson discussed this week how beneficial it has been to experience a complete offseason while healthy instead of rehabbing from injury.
“It makes a big difference between just finding a rhythm and building that confidence with the whole offense and personally just being able to work on my craft and get a feel for things,” Watson explained. “It’s definitely a lot smoother of an offseason for me this year, being able to do everything.”
Through his career, Watson has recorded 133 receptions for 2,264 yards — averaging 17 yards per catch — along with 20 touchdown catches. He has also scored twice on rushing attempts.
Only Billy Howton and James Lofton are the other players in franchise history to maintain at least a 17-yard average per reception while recording a minimum of 125 catches during their first four seasons.
BRUSSELS — The European Union is launching a major expansion of its ocean surveillance capabilities through underwater robotics and satellite technology, positioning itself as a global leader in marine research while the Trump administration prepares significant reductions to comparable American programs.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the OceanEye initiative Wednesday, a 92 million euro ($107 million) investment designed to strengthen the EU’s role in exploring the planet’s marine environments amid growing climate threats.
Earth’s oceans span roughly 70% of the planet’s surface, supporting intricate biological systems that produce oxygen and capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rising ocean temperatures driven by climate change have intensified weather patterns, strengthened storms and droughts, damaged coral ecosystems worldwide, and threatened marine life already under pressure from commercial fishing and industrial contamination.
Research indicates that climate change will amplify both heat wave intensity and severe storm activity throughout Europe.
Ocean surveillance systems provide critical protection by identifying ecosystem damage and environmental risks, informing policy decisions designed to prevent species decline.
“This is about using science and good governance to understand our ocean and secure our future,” von der Leyen said.
American officials indicated in May their intention to eliminate funding for the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a surveillance network featuring over 900 marine sensors that cost $386 million to establish and has provided continuous real-time information for more than ten years.
The National Science Foundation supports these observation stations, which monitor ocean currents, marine life, climate patterns, and severe weather conditions. The system’s information has remained publicly accessible and contributed to over 500 research studies. The program was originally scheduled to continue operating for an additional 15 to 20 years.
European officials had developed their investment strategy before the American funding reductions were revealed.
The Global Ocean Observing System coordinates international marine research efforts. American operations generate more than half of global ocean data, while European systems contribute approximately 25%, with Japan, Australia, India and China providing additional monitoring.
“Europe needs to do more,” said Pierre-Yves Le Traon, an oceanographer and scientific director of the Mercator Ocean International based in Toulouse, France.
The EU plans to manage 35% of worldwide maritime surveillance operations by 2035, establishing itself as the primary source of global “ocean intelligence.”
Automated sensors deployed underwater and in space transmit data to shipping operations, fishing industries, emergency response teams, and research facilities including the Mercator Ocean Institute, which is developing a real-time virtual reality model of Earth’s oceans called the Digital Twin Ocean.
This information proves essential for climate adaptation strategies and supports numerous land and sea-based industries including fish farming, maritime transport through frozen regions, coastal recreation, farming, and military operations, Le Traon explained.
“Knowledge is essential if we want to manage the ocean,” Le Traon said. “We really have to be very active for the monitoring and protecting of the ocean because the ocean matters for to everyone: for life at sea, for life on Earth.”
Odran Corcoran, a policy advisor for Oceana, emphasized that lawmakers require deep-ocean data to effectively regulate fishing management, marine conservation, and habitat restoration initiatives.
“Europe does not just need more ocean data; it needs data that closes biodiversity and seabed knowledge gaps,” Corcoran said.
European funding will support private technology development programs for ocean research and strengthen current organizations like the Global Ocean Observing System.
Among the EU’s 27 member countries, 22 maintain coastlines along the Baltic Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. France operates the bloc’s most extensive ocean research institutions and maintains vast maritime boundaries through overseas territories spanning from Réunion in the Pacific to Saint Martin in the Caribbean and the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Federal agents detained 48 workers at a South Carolina manufacturing facility following a lengthy investigation into fraudulent identity documents, officials announced Thursday.
The two-year probe culminated Wednesday when dozens of federal and local law enforcement officers conducted a raid at Burnstein von Seelen Precision Castings in Abbeville. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took the workers into custody for alleged immigration violations.
State Attorney General Alan Wilson revealed at a news conference that the company’s plant manager and human resources director were arrested on accusations of knowingly employing individuals illegally present in the United States.
A state grand jury handed down indictments against the two company officials along with four additional individuals accused of manufacturing and distributing fraudulent U.S. and state identification documents using stolen personal information.
“We want to send a message that this isn’t about going after people who are trying to feed their family,” Wilson said. “This isn’t going after companies or businesses who unknowingly hiring illegal. This is about going after something much larger, you know, a conspiracy of people around South Carolina to steal identities, to create fake Social Security cards, fake driver’s license, fake immigration documents.”
Company representatives from Burnstein von Seelen did not respond to requests for comment made by telephone and through their website.
The two company managers were scheduled to appear Thursday at the Richland County Courthouse in Columbia to face criminal conspiracy and identity fraud charges related to obtaining employment. Legal representation for the defendants was not immediately known.
According to its website, Burnstein von Seelen began operations in 1985 as a metals casting operation, utilizing various copper, brass and bronze alloys to manufacture numerous components. The facility operates in Abbeville County, which has approximately 25,000 residents in western South Carolina near the Georgia border, roughly 90 miles west of Columbia.
ICE representatives stated they were examining the immigration status of the 48 detained workers, noting that some had prior ICE encounters and others had received previous deportation orders.
Law enforcement indicated the investigation remains active with potential additional indictments and arrests anticipated.
The state investigation launched in October 2024. Wilson explained that local authorities initially felt frustrated by limited federal action against false identification and identity theft during President Joe Biden’s administration. He noted that federal participation increased after President Donald Trump assumed office last year.
The Wednesday business raid differed from typical mass deportation operations that have drawn criticism during Trump’s administration. Workplace immigration enforcement has represented a relatively minor component of the deportation campaign, with state officials leading the South Carolina investigation.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters said officials approached the case using methods similar to drug investigations, targeting both individuals using fraudulent documents and those providing them.
MADISON, Wis. — A major firefighting foam producer has reached a $10 million agreement with Wisconsin to resolve claims over PFAS chemical contamination that tainted drinking water supplies in the state’s northeastern region for many years, state officials revealed Thursday.
The agreement arrives as communities, residents, government agencies and environmental advocates nationwide grapple with addressing pollution from PFAS substances, commonly called “forever chemicals.”
The governor praised the deal with Tyco Fire Products as a “historic and important milestone” in efforts to secure clean water. State officials filed legal action in 2022 claiming that Tyco, which operates under Johnson Controls, polluted areas surrounding a firefighting training facility beginning in the 1960s while failing to adequately remedy the situation.
“Today’s a key step toward making sure polluters are held accountable, take responsibility for their actions, and ensure Wisconsinites don’t have to foot the bill for cleaning up the messes that others made,” the governor stated when announcing the agreement.
The company discontinued outdoor training exercises using PFAS-containing foam in 2017. That same year marked when Tyco began supplying bottled water and filtration systems to impacted residents. According to the company, it has invested over $100 million in contamination response efforts.
In a Thursday statement, Tyco expressed satisfaction with reaching the settlement, noting it “reflects the extensive work Tyco has undertaken” to tackle PFAS pollution.
“We’ve been part of the Marinette community for over 100 years and the spirit of doing what is best for our neighbors and the environment will continue to be our priority,” the company stated.
PFAS chemicals earn the “forever chemicals” label due to their resistance to degradation in groundwater and environmental settings. Within human bodies, these substances build up in organs like the liver, kidneys and bloodstream. Scientific studies have connected them to heightened risks of specific cancers and childhood developmental issues.
These substances were created as protective coatings for consumer products against stains, moisture and rust. Products containing these chemicals include non-stick cookware, carpeting, outdoor equipment and food containers. The chemicals also serve as components in firefighting foams.
Federal estimates indicate that as many as half of American households may have PFAS present in their water supply, whether from private wells or municipal taps. Wisconsin faces this as a statewide issue that has generated multiple legal cases.
The settlement terms require Wisconsin to deposit Tyco’s $10 million payment into a dedicated trust fund for PFAS remediation efforts. Tyco has also committed to continuing replacement well services for clean drinking water access, maintaining required monitoring and reporting protocols, and executing additional long-term area cleanup measures.
The legal action, brought by the state’s attorney general, claimed the company broke state regulations by failing to alert authorities about PFAS releases and not properly investigating or cleaning up contamination near the Fire Technology Center in Marinette, a community of roughly 11,000 residents located along Michigan’s Upper Peninsula border.
When the lawsuit was initially filed, Tyco representatives stated the company had dedicated “considerable resources” toward investigating and addressing PFAS pollution from the Marinette training facility, including providing bottled water and home filtration systems to affected residents plus constructing a groundwater pollution extraction system.
A separate state lawsuit targeting Tyco and more than a dozen additional companies regarding Wisconsin PFAS contamination continues in the courts.
The settlement announced Thursday requires approval from the presiding judge to become final.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 4 – Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed topics including the ongoing Ukraine conflict, potential peace negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, and his possible tenure in office through 2036 during a Thursday meeting with international news agency editors.
The Russian leader met with senior editorial staff from multiple news organizations, including Reuters, in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.
Below are Putin’s statements as provided through Reuters translation.
REGARDING UKRAINE, DONBAS TERRITORY AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS:
“One does not exclude the other. Controlling the entire Donbas region and making a deal do not contradict each other. Why do you assume that this is in contradiction?”
“Russian troops are advancing along the entire front.” Putin claimed Russian forces now hold more than 85% of the Donetsk region and maintain control over 80% of the Zaporizhzhia region.
“We are certainly ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means. And specifically on the basis that we discussed at the meeting with President Trump in Anchorage. At that time questions were put before Russia so that we could make certain compromises. And Russia agrees to the compromises that we discussed in Anchorage. The Ukrainian side must also agree to these compromises. And the conflict will quickly come to its natural conclusion.”
CONCERNING TRUMP’S PEACE INITIATIVES
“The proposals that were made by President Trump, as I have already said, may well be the basis for peace agreements. Therefore, answering your question, whether the administration acted in the right direction or not, yes, this is a proposal that requires compromise, and compromise for both sides. For Russia, too. And we generally agreed with these compromises. We need to convince the Ukrainian side of this and that’s it. In general, I believe that they can well form the basis of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine and can put an end to this conflict.”
REGARDING REMAINING IN OFFICE UNTIL 2036
When Reuters asked whether he possessed sufficient stamina and health to serve that duration, Putin responded: “Only God knows if we have enough health – for me, for you, and for everyone gathered here, in order to live until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and even more so to solve some of the tasks we face, to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves.”
Putin, who has held power as either president or prime minister since 1999, noted that constitutional provisions would permit him to seek reelection in 2030 and potentially serve another term concluding in 2036 if victorious.
“Indeed, the Constitution allows me to run in 2030, but I think it’s too early to talk about it. To be honest, it’s very early. I’m not even thinking about it right now. I’m being completely honest. I don’t even think about it,” Putin said.
“The country faces a lot of large-scale and pressing issues. They need to be solved without thinking about it, but thinking about the future of Russia.”
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 4 — During a Thursday gathering with top news agency editors in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin avoided giving a direct response when asked about his intentions to remain in office through 2036, stating the topic was premature and noting that only divine providence could determine his health and longevity.
When Reuters posed the question about whether he would continue serving until 2036 and if he possessed the physical capacity for such extended leadership, Putin responded:
“Only God knows if we have enough health — for me, for you, and for everyone gathered here, in order to live until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and even more so to solve some of the tasks we face, to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves.”
The Russian leader, who has held power in various capacities since 1999 as either president or prime minister, acknowledged that constitutional provisions would permit him to seek reelection in 2030 and potentially serve another full term extending to 2036.
“Indeed, the Constitution allows me to run in 2030, but I think it’s too early to talk about it. To be honest, it’s very early. I’m not even thinking about it right now. I’m being completely honest. I don’t even think about it,” Putin stated.
“The country faces a lot of large-scale and pressing issues. They need to be solved without thinking about it, but thinking about the future of Russia.”
Otsuka Pharmaceutical announced Thursday that its medication successfully maintained kidney function during a year-long clinical trial involving patients with an autoimmune condition that targets the kidneys.
The medication, marketed under the name Voyxact, received approval last November for treating proteinuria in individuals diagnosed with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy, a condition that triggers kidney inflammation and may ultimately result in organ failure.
The clinical trial included 320 participants, with those receiving the treatment demonstrating improved kidney function as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which indicates the kidneys’ ability to filter harmful substances. Meanwhile, participants receiving placebo treatment experienced declining function.
These findings suggested therapeutic benefits and offered preliminary evidence that the medication could potentially slow kidney function deterioration in individuals with IgA nephropathy.
IgAN develops when immunoglobulin A antibodies accumulate in the kidneys, triggering inflammation that damages tissue and allows blood and protein to leak into urine.
The pharmaceutical company anticipates receiving 24-month study data within two months, according to chief medical officer John Kraus, who spoke with Reuters.
“This stability of eGFR over that time is incredibly encouraging. And it demonstrates that the reduction we saw in proteinuria did indeed translate to maintaining or preserving the kidney function of those patients that had been randomized to sibeprenlimab,” Kraus said.
Voyxact functions as a monoclonal antibody requiring administration every four weeks, with options for caregiver or patient self-administration, allowing for home-based treatment convenience.
The pharmaceutical company has initiated a rolling submission process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to obtain traditional approval for the medication, utilizing 24-month data from the identical trial.
Additional companies, including Vera Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, are currently developing treatments for IgAN.
The federal government has reached an agreement to eliminate endangered species protections for a lizard species inhabiting America’s top oil-producing area, bringing closure to legal action filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
In May 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had classified the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species, determining that petroleum extraction activities in the Permian Basin had rendered the destruction of its natural environment “effectively permanent.”
However, federal wildlife officials now acknowledge they committed a “serious and fundamental” mistake by incorrectly concluding that environmental restoration was impossible, while also undervaluing experimental conservation programs that “showed promise,” according to a Wednesday court document filed by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the agreement.
This mistake “led to an incomplete and potentially inaccurate assessment of the potential and ongoing conservation efforts in New Mexico and Texas,” the Justice Department stated.
A federal judge in Midland, Texas must give final approval to the settlement.
This development represents another environmental policy reversal under President Donald Trump, a Republican who has worked to eliminate regulations in an effort to lower industry costs and increase domestic energy production. Opponents argue his initiatives reduce safeguards for air, water and public health.
Paxton’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
The legal challenge filed in September 2024 aimed to overturn the final regulation protecting the lizard, which was implemented during then-Democratic President Joe Biden’s term in office.
Paxton argued the regulation was politically driven, could harm energy production, and jeopardized private property owners’ capacity to operate their businesses.
The Fish and Wildlife Service, operating under the U.S. Department of the Interior, had declared the lizard endangered through the federal Endangered Species Act, which limits development in areas considered essential for a species’ continued existence.
According to the settlement terms, the agency will conduct additional analysis and make a determination within two years on whether to categorize the lizard as endangered or threatened.
The agency did not acknowledge any misconduct beyond recognizing its mistake concerning habitat restoration possibilities.
Paxton, a Republican, is campaigning for a U.S. Senate position and maintains strong support for Trump.
The dunes sagebrush lizard inhabits an area covering 1.25 million acres (1,953 square miles), based on Fish and Wildlife Service data.
In 2024, Texas was responsible for 43% of the country’s crude oil production and 28% of its natural gas gross withdrawals, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Recent federal agricultural data shows the nation’s cheese manufacturing sector produced 1.27 billion pounds during the reporting period, representing a mixed performance compared to earlier timeframes.
The production figures, which do not include cottage cheese manufacturing, showed a 1.7 percent increase when compared to April 2025 numbers. Meanwhile, output climbed 0.3 percent above March 2026 levels.
The statistics come from the latest dairy industry report tracking production across the United States, providing insight into the ongoing performance of this key agricultural sector.
Delaware residents are being urged to take precautions Friday as the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for the entire state due to elevated ozone levels. The alert means air quality is expected to reach levels considered “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, including children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, lung disease, or other respiratory conditions.
According to DNREC forecasters, a combination of weather conditions is expected to promote ozone formation across the First State. A morning temperature inversion will trap pollutants near the ground, while mostly sunny skies and afternoon temperatures climbing into the lower 90s will help increase ozone production. Light west-southwest winds will also allow pollutants to accumulate and drift into Delaware from neighboring states. As a result, ozone levels are forecast to reach an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 101, placing Delaware in the Code Orange category.
Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industrial sources react with sunlight and heat. Unlike the protective ozone layer high in the atmosphere, ground-level ozone can irritate the lungs, trigger asthma attacks, reduce lung function, and make it more difficult to breathe, especially during periods of prolonged outdoor activity.
DNREC recommends that sensitive groups limit strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours when ozone concentrations are typically highest. Residents can also help reduce air pollution by limiting daytime driving, avoiding prolonged vehicle idling, postponing the use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment until evening, and combining errands into a single trip.
The air quality outlook is expected to improve somewhat this weekend. While warm temperatures and sunshine will continue to support ozone production on Saturday, increasing winds should help disperse pollutants. By Sunday, a weak cold front is expected to bring northwesterly winds that will gradually usher cleaner air into the region.
For the latest air quality forecasts and real-time conditions, residents can visit DNREC’s Air Quality Forecast page or monitor conditions through the EPA’s AirNow website.
The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced that a Sussex County bridge will resume operations in mid-June following repairs, but drivers should expect significant changes to traffic flow.
Bridge 3-235, which spans Gravelly Branch and carries Coverdale Road northeast of Middleford, will welcome vehicles back after its closure. However, the structure will now accommodate only single-lane traffic.
Transportation officials say stop signs will be installed at each end of the bridge, requiring drivers to come to a complete stop and wait their turn before proceeding across. This alternating traffic pattern will remain in place when the bridge becomes operational again.
Applications are now being accepted by the Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) for its Youth Ambassador Scholarship Program. The organization is seeking agriculture enthusiasts between 17 and 21 years old as of January 1, 2026, who are current DEFB members or descendants of active members.
This ambassador initiative offers emerging leaders chances to enhance their communication abilities, leadership capabilities, and advocacy expertise while championing agriculture throughout Delaware. Program participants represent DEFB by connecting with members, taking part in community activities, and helping communicate Delaware’s agricultural story to residents.
Participants benefit from practical experience, professional connections, and leadership training that contribute to individual and career development. Each ambassador receives a $5,000 educational scholarship as recognition for their dedication to promoting agriculture, while serving an important function in building relationships among farmers, the public, and government officials.
“Throughout my year, I have had the privilege of engaging in outreach efforts with not only Farm Bureau members, but also members of the broader community,” said 2026 DEFB Ambassador Emerson Hickey. “Being able to represent and promote an industry that means so much to me has been the most rewarding part of serving as the ambassador.”
The application deadline is September 15, 2026. Candidates may submit their materials at www.defb.org/ambassador/. Complete applications, including a personal statement and resume, should be sent electronically to [email protected] or mailed to 3457 S. Dupont Hwy, Camden, DE 19934.
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens remains absent from the team’s voluntary offseason workouts during their opening week, though head coach Brian Schottenheimer reports the player is “handling his business” and maintaining strong communication with the organization.
The Pro Bowl receiver put his name on a $27.3 million franchise tag contract just over a month ago but has chosen to stay away from team facilities. Pickens faces no obligation to appear until the team’s required minicamp scheduled for June 16-18.
“Communicated with (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He’s got a football camp this weekend that he’s doing. So communication is good, and as you guys know it’s voluntary and he’s taking care of his business.”
The 25-year-old receiver delayed signing the one-year deal for two months before committing to the contract that pays him three times more than his previous four-year rookie agreement.
Before April’s draft, Pickens informed the Cowboys of his intention to sign the franchise tag, leading to rumors that Dallas might consider trading him. Team leadership quickly dismissed any such possibilities, and Pickens signed approximately one week following the draft.
Following his acquisition from Pittsburgh in a trade last season, Pickens flourished playing opposite CeeDee Lamb, recording personal bests with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns as part of one of the league’s top offensive units.
Lamb enters his second season under a four-year, $136 million deal that places him fourth among NFL receivers with a $34 million annual average.
Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones has expressed the organization’s long-term commitment to Pickens, who has been working with quarterback Dak Prescott during the offseason.
“I’m not sure exactly what they do,” Schottenheimer said. “You guys know Dak does a great job working with all the guys, whether they’re here, whether it’s this time of year, whether it is in the summer, they always go someplace. They’ll go someplace this summer and train and throw, and it’s a chance for them to develop their timing.”
WASHINGTON — America achieved remarkable success in cutting smog pollution for more than ten years, but research published Thursday shows wildfire smoke has been undoing those gains since 2015, creating dirtier and more dangerous air conditions nationwide.
Researchers point to climate change as a major factor, though not the only cause behind this troubling reversal.
Between 2003 and 2015, nationwide smog pollution fell 11% thanks to tough federal rules targeting power plants, vehicles and diesel equipment. However, as wildfire activity has intensified, the country’s average ground-level ozone — the scientific term for smog — has climbed 4%. At this pace, smog could return to 2003 levels within two decades, according to lead researcher Weizhi Deng, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Iowa.
The research, published in the journal Science, also calculated rising death tolls from ozone’s harmful effects on respiratory systems. Using established health studies comparing mortality rates in clean versus polluted areas, scientists estimated 318 additional American deaths annually since 2013.
“For the last 20 years, by regulations, we keep decreasing the emissions” for human-caused smog-inducing chemicals, explained study co-author Meng Zhou, a University of Iowa wildfire researcher. “However, because of wildfires, that is actually from natural hazards, all those kinds of effort were wiped out.”
The research broke new ground by estimating smog levels across the entire nation, addressing limitations in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s monitoring network. Current monitors cover just 2% of the country, concentrated mainly in cities. Deng’s team combined these readings with satellite information, pollution data, weather records and computer models, then applied artificial intelligence to map ozone concentrations nationwide at a resolution finer than half a mile.
While EPA data suggests national ozone levels have remained relatively stable since 2015 with minor fluctuations, Deng noted, “by considering everywhere in the U.S., we actually found an increase in ozone starting from 2015.”
University of Delaware environment professor Cristina Archer, who didn’t participate in the research, praised the artificial intelligence approach as reliable because it builds from “massive and reliable datasets,” then uses computer modeling to intelligently fill gaps and create an “exceptional” detailed picture.
Teresa Feo, policy director for Megafire Action, noted that “experts have long called for expanding the air pollution monitoring network to improve research on wildfire smoke exposure and provide the data needed to better protect public health.”
For years, the U.S. has monitored six key air pollutants, including smog and tiny particles called soot. This latest research focused specifically on ozone, while a 2023 study by the same research team examined small particle pollution and found similar trends — the downward trajectory in soot levels had also reversed. That earlier study calculated wildfire smoke increased particle pollution deaths by roughly 670 annually.
Wildfires don’t directly create ozone, but they release chemical compounds that transform into smog when exposed to sunlight, scientists explained.
“Higher daily ozone concentrations can increase asthma attacks, hospital admissions, and mortality,” said University of Washington public health and climate scientist Kristie Ebi. While not as lethal as tiny particles, she noted, ozone remains “still a very important pollutant, which is why it’s regulated.”
During the severe wildfire seasons of 2022, 2023 and 2024, many blazes originated in Canada but sent smoke southward. The study found 43 million Americans were exposed to smog levels exceeding current EPA safety thresholds.
Those standards need strengthening, argued Dr. Lynn Goldman, former dean of the George Washington University School of Public Health and a former EPA assistant administrator. The administration delayed plans to tighten standards in 2023, and subsequent regulatory changes affected how deaths and health impacts factor into smog and soot rules.
The Northern Rockies saw the largest ozone increases due to proximity to fires, while the Midwest experienced significant impacts as smoke drifted eastward, Deng reported.
Annual wildfire activity now burns 9% more U.S. land compared to 2003-2014 levels, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Canadian wildfires have been especially severe since 2022, with 2023 bringing the orange skies and face mask-wearing conditions many easterners remember.
Canada’s 2023 burned area not only set records but doubled the previous high, said Brendan Rogers, an atmospheric scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. Smoke from those Canadian fires caused 82,100 deaths worldwide — including 33,000 in the United States — due to particle pollution, according to a 2025 study.
Climate change from burning coal, oil and gas intensified Canada’s 2023 fire season by at least 50% and doubled the likelihood of the hot, dry conditions that fueled the blazes, research from 2023 determined.
“Human-caused climate change is an important contributor, because it increases hot, dry fire-weather conditions in many regions,” said Lixu Jin, a Rutgers atmospheric scientist not involved in the study. “But wildfire emissions also depend on fuels, land management, ignitions, suppression, and year-to-year meteorology.”
Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, who served during the administration, expressed disappointment at seeing smog progress eroded.
While wildfires bring obvious death and destruction, she argued the greatest threat may come from smoke and extreme heat boosting ozone levels that damage public health.
“So the big question is,” she said, “when are we going to stop the nonsense from this administration to burn more and more ‘beautiful’ fossil fuels?”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Following the conclusion of his standout collegiate lacrosse career at Salisbury University this past Sunday, graduate defenseman John DeFazio has been picked up by the Maryland Whipsnakes of the Premier Lacrosse League.
The signing occurred earlier this week after DeFazio completed what’s being described as a legendary run with the Salisbury University men’s lacrosse program.
DeFazio will now take his talents to the professional level with the PLL’s Maryland Whipsnakes organization.
Maryland’s top natural resources official says the state has delivered on promises to broaden public access to outdoor recreation areas and natural landscapes.
Josh Kurtz, who became Secretary of Natural Resources in 2023, stated his commitment to fulfilling Gov. Wes Moore’s pledge to expand nature access for all residents. “When I was appointed Secretary of Natural Resources in 2023, I made clear that we would follow through on Gov. Wes Moore’s promise to expand access for all to Maryland’s nature spaces and outdoor recreation,” Kurtz said.
The department has launched multiple new facilities combining natural beauty with historical significance, with additional openings planned ahead.
This past July marked the debut of the Margraff Plantation Trails within Savage River State Forest, featuring six miles of newly built pathways. The development includes four fresh mountain biking trails, highlighted by the state forestlands’ first adaptive mountain bike trail designed for riders with disabilities. Similar accessible trails have been established or expanded at various Maryland State Parks statewide.
Earlier this year, the Maryland Park Service received a two-acre land donation containing a historic African-American cemetery from the Revolutionary War period at Catoctin Furnace, incorporating it into Cunningham Falls State Park. Officials are collaborating with partners to create a conservation plan and trail access to the cemetery location.
May brought the official dedication of Freedman’s State Park in Montgomery County, spanning 1,000 acres previously owned and cultivated by Enoch George and Harriet Howard along with their descendants, who played significant roles in Maryland’s Civil Rights Movement.
This July will see the public introduction of Wetipquin Creek State Park, marking Wicomico County’s inaugural state park facility. The 445-acre property along Wetipquin Creek aims to protect and promote appreciation for the lower Eastern Shore’s natural resources. Planning continues with community input as officials prepare for next year’s opening.
Later this year will bring the launch of Savage Highlands State Park, a previously private lodge facility acquired by the Department of Natural Resources to enhance Western Maryland park offerings. This unique addition features a main lodge, cabins, and yurts while providing forest access, trails, fishing, hunting, and wildlife observation opportunities in Savage River State Forest.
Fall plans include revealing access details for Wills Mountain State Park, a scenic Allegany County property near Cumberland that has remained officially closed to public use for decades.
Efforts continue to improve access at Holly Beach Natural Resources Management Area, a 293-acre waterfront site in Anne Arundel County offering views of sensitive habitats near the Chesapeake Bay and Bay Bridge vistas. Hunting access has already begun, and secured funding will support a new pier construction to enhance water-based access for educational groups and boaters.
Kurtz credited the Moore-Miller Administration’s consistent support and the Maryland General Assembly’s Great Maryland Outdoors Act along with related legislation for providing necessary direction and resources. He also recognized DNR staff members working to implement the expanded access vision.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge remained sidelined Thursday for his third consecutive game as the team continues to evaluate a bone bruise on one of his right ribs that has resulted in shoulder discomfort.
“I absolutely expect something in the next couple of hours,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees concluded a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. “He went for more testing today just because he’s got edema there. So, they want to get (the most) specific images they can to try and see exactly what we have.”
Judge received a CT scan Thursday morning and had undergone an MRI scan earlier this week during a consultation with a medical specialist. The rib bruise was initially discovered during testing conducted on the team’s day off Monday.
“I’m obviously not a doctor, I don’t know how it all works, but there’s a lot of people involved in trying to make sure we get the right diagnosis,” Boone said.
Judge previously dealt with a stress fracture in one of his right ribs in March 2020. That injury stemmed from diving for a ball in September 2019, though Judge avoided missing games due to the pandemic-delayed 2020 season.
Currently batting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs, the three-time AL MVP has managed just one homer over his past 18 contests since May 10. He broke an 11-game streak without a homer or RBI with a walk-off two-run blast on May 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Prior to facing Tampa Bay, Judge was mired in a 1-for-24 stretch that had lowered his batting average to .246. He had gone hitless in 15 consecutive at-bats before collecting a single in the opening inning.
Last season, Judge captured the batting crown with a career-best .331 average alongside 53 homers and 114 RBIs across 152 games. He sat out 10 games from July 26-Aug. 4 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow suffered during a throw home on July 22 in Toronto. He received a plasma-rich injection and avoided requiring surgery during the offseason.
During Judge’s absence last year, Giancarlo Stanton appeared in 17 outfield games. Stanton has been unavailable since April 24 with a strained right calf and began taking live batting practice Wednesday, although he won’t join New York’s upcoming road series.
José Caballero has started the opening two games against Cleveland and has made four right field starts since his acquisition from Tampa Bay at the July 31 trade deadline. Max Schuemann made his first career right field start Thursday.
Judge had started 52 of New York’s initial 59 games in right field. Rookie Spencer Jones made four right field starts before being optioned May 22, while Cody Bellinger has started two games there.
BUCHAREST, Romania — In an effort to resolve a mounting political crisis, Romania’s President Nicusor Dan selected one of his advisors Thursday to lead the country’s next government after the ruling coalition fell apart last month.
Dan tapped 44-year-old Eugen Tomac, who serves as a member of the European Parliament, to attempt forming a new administration following weeks of political uncertainty and governmental paralysis in the EU nation. Parliamentary lawmakers must give their approval to the selection.
The president explained his decision by saying Tomac possesses “independence, experience and values” that qualify him for the position.
During remarks at the presidential Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Dan stated: “I chose a person independent of the parties in Parliament, who has the political experience to discuss with each of the parties, because consensus from many parties is needed on many issues. It is an act of responsibility on my part, and I expect the same responsibility from the political parties.”
In his own statement at the palace, Tomac acknowledged Romania’s current difficulties on both political and economic fronts, pledging to bring before Parliament “a team of specialists, a technical government, not a political one.”
“I understand the political stakes,” he remarked. “They are legitimate and natural in a democratic state, but I know that Romania now needs national projects carried through to the end and clear objectives.”
The nomination follows by one month the no-confidence vote that brought down Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, triggered by a motion filed by the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, which had been part of the governing coalition, alongside the nationalist opposition Alliance for the Unity of Romanians party.
As an MEP, Tomac belongs to Renew Europe, a pro-EU liberal faction. He previously held a seat in Romania’s parliament from 2012 to 2019 and received his appointment as presidential adviser from Dan in the past year.
Tomac described his goals for Romania as matching Dan’s perspective “of belonging to the European family, of strengthening the strategic partnership with the United States, of our transatlantic relationship as a whole, our relevance in NATO being a priority.”
He continued: “Economic competitiveness is very important, because only a strong economy can support the well-being that the citizens of Romania deserve.”
The country currently faces one of the EU’s largest budget shortfalls, alongside widespread inflation and a technical recession. The previous coalition took office in June 2025 with budget deficit reduction as a key goal. Bolojan had been installed to address what was considered one of Romania’s most severe political upheavals since the end of communist rule.
Within the European Parliament, Tomac serves on the culture and education committee and has participated in delegations backing Moldova’s EU membership bid. He leads the People’s Movement Party, a minor pro-European, center-right Romanian political organization that identifies as Christian democratic and classically liberal.
Political consultant Cristian Andrei, based in Bucharest, believes Dan’s choice suggests the incoming cabinet will probably feature “neutral ministers, experts from the state apparatus and from big business, but with a negotiated support from the political parties.”
“The extent to which the large political parties will be involved at lower levels of the cabinet will determine how long this experiment will last,” Andrei noted. “The president will enter the stage as a direct facilitator of a cabinet and will negotiate every political deal through a low-profile prime minister.”
The former coalition included the PSD, the National Liberal Party, the reformist Save Romania Union party, and the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party, along with support from national minorities.
A minister who drives trucks for a living became an unexpected rescuer when he helped save a kidnapping victim in South Carolina last week, with his dashboard camera recording the entire dramatic encounter.
Anthony J. Moore, 53, was traveling through Aiken County near the Georgia state line on Friday when a woman with her hands restrained behind her back ran directly into his truck’s path.
The silent video footage captures the unfolding scene: The victim crosses in front of Moore’s vehicle while a man in a Cadillac that had been parked roadside quickly moves in front of the truck before speeding away. The woman continues running down the roadway as the man drives off in the opposite direction.
“I just see it as a divine assignment from God, because had not I been there with the dashcam … they probably wouldn’t have caught the footage that needed to be catched,” Moore explained to The Associated Press during a phone conversation. “It was another assignment from God, a special assignment from God. That a life needed to be saved.”
Law enforcement officials have taken Jonathan Willard, 39, of New Ellenton, into custody on charges including kidnapping and impersonating a law enforcement officer. He remained in custody Thursday at the Aiken County Detention Center.
The sheriff’s department incident report states that the victim was out for a walk when a man driving a green Cadillac “came from behind her and told her he was with the police.” The woman reported that he confiscated her phone and Social Security card, placed handcuffs on her, and forced her into the vehicle’s back seat.
According to the victim’s account to police, the suspect stopped near a gated property and exited the car. She attempted to open the rear doors but discovered they were secured.
While the man searched through the trunk, she managed to climb over the seat and flee through the unlocked driver’s door.
Moore was traveling south of Aiken when he encountered the fleeing woman.
“I let my window down and she said, ‘Please help me. He’s trying to kidnap me,’” Moore recalled.
When the woman moved to avoid the pursuing man, Moore said the suspect drove up alongside him and displayed “what looks to be a badge.”
“And he said, ‘I’m with law enforcement, and she jumped out of my car,’” Moore remembered. The man then departed in the Cadillac.
People nearby contacted emergency services, assisted in removing the victim’s restraints, and provided her with water. Moore said the woman informed him that she had completed her graduation ceremony the previous day, and that the suspect had also stolen her diploma.
The victim requested that Moore accompany her back to the location where she escaped, hoping to recover any belongings the man might have discarded. He said their search turned up nothing.
The Aiken County Solicitor’s Office reported that Willard has not yet received legal representation and no court appearances have been set. The AP’s request to interview Willard at the jail was refused.
Moore serves as pastor at Amazing Grace Ministries in Denmark, South Carolina. His wife, Betty, who works as an associate pastor at their church, noted that Moore is also a 27-year Army veteran.
“When I learned that he was caught the next day I was relieved of a lot of things that he didn’t get away,” he said, “to go try that again someplace else.”
WASHINGTON — House lawmakers are preparing to approve legislation providing assistance to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia’s economy, even as GOP leadership opposes the measure, arguing it could damage ongoing negotiations aimed at achieving stronger results.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., aims to solidify American support for Ukraine by delivering more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction assistance. An additional $8 billion would be made available for Ukraine’s defense through loan programs.
This vote represents the second significant foreign policy disagreement this week between the House and President Donald Trump. The action follows the House’s first-ever approval of a war powers resolution targeting U.S. military operations against Iran.
Advocates managed to bring the Ukraine measure to a vote by collecting 218 signatures through a discharge petition, a parliamentary procedure that enables a House majority to circumvent leadership control.
While historically unsuccessful, House members have employed this petition strategy during this Congress to advance legislation releasing government documents on Jeffrey Epstein and extending healthcare subsidies for Affordable Care Act participants, although the healthcare measure stalled in the Senate.
Wednesday evening’s initial procedural vote on the Ukraine legislation succeeded 218-204, with six Republicans and one independent joining all Democrats in support.
Meeks emphasized the vote’s significance, stating the Ukrainian people need to understand “that the United States of America is not going turn its back on them, that the people of Ukraine know that we will stand with them against Russia.”
“We can’t let them down,” Meeks declared.
Supporters hope House passage will pressure the Senate to act similarly, though they recognize Senate approval is unlikely without Trump’s backing.
“It’s probably not going to get 60 votes in the Senate, but it’s going to hopefully force the Senate to address the issue,” stated Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who signed the discharge petition and supported advancing the bill. “It’s going to send a great message to the soldiers of Ukraine.”
Fitzpatrick added the vote would signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “we do have a pulse here, that we do care about Ukraine and that we are going to utilize our authority to help them.”
As the conflict continues, Congressional Ukraine supporters face increasing challenges in securing additional financial support for the country’s defense efforts.
According to the most recent quarterly inspector general report for Operation Atlantic Resolve, the United States has authorized approximately $195 billion for the Ukraine response, with roughly 25% allocated to replenishing American military weapon stockpiles. The most recent major Ukraine support legislation passed in April 2024, though smaller amounts have been incorporated into yearly spending bills since then.
GOP leadership has encouraged members to vote against the legislation. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., indicated ongoing good-faith discussions between Congress and the White House regarding Ukraine support, characterizing these negotiations as complex.
“I think they are going to yield positive results, but you set that back if you pass legislation that doesn’t go as far as the negotiations are going,” Scalise explained.
The conflict stemming from Russia’s comprehensive invasion of its neighboring country has lasted more than four years with no resolution apparent. Recently, both nations have attempted to gain advantages through long-range missile attacks.
American-led peace initiatives have collapsed due to lack of progress on fundamental disagreements and as the Iran conflict diverted Washington’s focus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to an unconditional ceasefire requested by Trump, but Putin declined.
Senate Ukraine-related activity has centered on legislation imposing comprehensive tariffs and secondary sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports that fund Russia’s military operations. However, this bill has stalled.
LONDON (AP) — The death of Alex Younger, former director of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service, at age 62 has prompted tributes from Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Younger directed the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence operations, formally called the Secret Intelligence Service, between 2014 and 2020. He was among the earliest people in this position – designated by the code name C – to have their identity made public. Officials confirmed he had received a cancer diagnosis and passed away on Tuesday.
Nick Robinson, a BBC journalist who knew the former intelligence director personally, revealed that following his medical diagnosis, Younger had given his tumor the nickname “Putin,” referencing the Russian leader.
In 2019, Prince William completed work placements at Britain’s intelligence and security organizations to gain insight into their operations as preparation for his future role as monarch. On Thursday, the prince stated that Younger “embodied the very best of what the Secret Intelligence Service stands for – integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to protecting this country and its people.”
The Prime Minister described how Younger “will be remembered by the many ministers, colleagues, friends, and family for his utmost dedication to British public life and protecting our nation.”
The present MI6 director, Blaise Metreweli, praised Younger for embodying “my service’s values of integrity, courage, creativity and respect.”
“He made a lasting and distinctive contribution to our country and indeed to global security,” she stated.
A graduate of St. Andrews University in Scotland, Younger completed military service with the British army prior to beginning his MI6 career in 1991. His three-decade tenure with the intelligence service included assignments in the Western Balkans during the 1990s, which he described as work that “involved many nights drinking obscure homemade alcohol, piecing together the intentions of the parties to that conflict.”
During a 2018 address at his former university, he reflected: “I had the satisfaction of knowing that my work, along with that of many others, helped to pave the way for the eventual arrest and prosecution of war criminals implicated in the murder or displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.”
His service also took him to Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, and he later directed counterterrorism efforts, including security preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.
In a BBC interview last year, he described the dual nature of intelligence work. He admitted there was “a kick” to being “in this play that no one knows is even going on.”
“But at the same time, it is incredibly isolating,” he explained.
He recognized that the fictional character James Bond had created both opportunities and challenges for MI6’s public image.
“He has created a powerful brand for MI6,” Younger remarked in a 2016 address. “As C, the real-life version of M, there are few people who will not come to lunch if I invite them. Many of our counterparts envy the sheer global recognition of our acronym.”
However, he added: “were Bond to apply to join MI6 now, he would have to change his ways.”
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Slovenia’s legislative body endorsed a new conservative administration Thursday, installing Prime Minister Janez Jansa in what represents a political shift toward the right for the small European Union nation.
Members of parliament supported the new administration by a margin of 49-30 in the 90-seat legislative chamber.
Thursday’s decision followed March parliamentary elections that failed to produce a decisive outcome. Though former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement secured the most ballots, he could not secure enough legislative support to form a majority.
The 67-year-old Jansa, who received his appointment as prime minister last month, joined forces with his populist Slovenian Democratic Party and other conservative parliamentary factions to create a coalition administration. The new government also receives support from the nonestablishment Truth party, which originally formed as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This represents Jansa’s fourth stint in the top office. The seasoned politician has expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained close ties with former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who suffered a decisive electoral defeat in April.
Similar to Orban, Jansa took a firm anti-immigration stance during Europe’s major migration crisis in 2015, and has faced criticism for restricting democratic institutions and media freedoms during his previous 2020-2022 tenure. These actions sparked public demonstrations and drew European Union oversight.
Jansa committed that his new administration would serve “for all of Slovenia and for all generations.” During Thursday’s proceedings, he described his 15-member Cabinet as having “rich experience.”
Jansa promised to reduce taxation levels and criticized Slovenia for having “an incredibly overblown bureaucracy” when compared to other European nations. He expressed intentions to invite opposition parties to collaborate on important future matters.
The new Cabinet features Tone Kajzer, Slovenia’s former ambassador to the U.S., who received appointment as foreign minister, while Franci Matoz — Jansa’s previous attorney — was named interior minister, generating some public backlash.
Jansa, who supports Israel, has strongly criticized the Golob administration’s 2024 decision to recognize a Palestinian state. The incoming government is anticipated to repair Slovenia’s currently strained relationship with Israel.
The March 22 electoral contest faced claims of outside interference and corruption. The approximately 2 million residents of the Alpine country remain sharply split between liberal and conservative viewpoints.
FRANKFURT, Germany — A German airline confirmed Thursday that multiple workers sustained injuries when a Boeing aircraft’s front landing gear suddenly collapsed while the plane was stationed at an airport gate.
The malfunction occurred as the 787-9 Dreamliner sat parked with only crew and ground personnel aboard, prior to passenger boarding for a scheduled departure from Frankfurt to Los Angeles. Officials described the gear retraction as happening without warning, sending the aircraft’s nose plummeting several meters to the tarmac and damaging the gear compartment doors. The Los Angeles flight was subsequently scrapped.
“Several employees were injured and are currently receiving medical attention,” Lufthansa said, adding that it and relevant authorities were investigating the circumstances of the incident.
According to aviation tracking data from Flightradar24, the affected 787-9 aircraft is approximately one year old.
In a Thursday email response, Boeing acknowledged being “aware of the incident” and stated the company is “supporting our customer.”
Footage captured at the location showed the wide-body aircraft’s front wheels sliding forward as the nose section dropped multiple meters, with a nearby ground worker quickly moving to safety.
The gear bay doors separated from the aircraft when the nose made contact with the ground.
A similar occurrence happened in 2021 at London’s Heathrow Airport involving a Boeing 787’s nose landing system. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch determined that during maintenance operations on a 787-8, the nose gear retracted while testing was underway, causing the aircraft’s front section to contact the ground. Investigators concluded that a safety pin meant to prevent retraction had been placed incorrectly, enabling the gear to fold despite protective mechanisms intended to maintain extension.
Delaware State Police report that 44-year-old Darvin Connor has been taken into custody in connection with a November narcotics distribution investigation.
Authorities executed search warrants at two Wilmington residences on November 8, 2025, following an investigation into illegal drug distribution activities. The probe identified Connor, along with Tayvon Brown, Alexander Wade, and Rhasheed Gilliam, as individuals suspected of distributing narcotics from these locations. When officers carried out the search warrants, Brown, Gilliam, and Wade were arrested on scene. However, Connor was not found and remained a fugitive.
Seven months later, on June 1, 2026, the United States Marshals Service Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force tracked down and arrested Connor in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Once he is returned to Delaware, Connor will face multiple charges including:
Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Unlawful to Knowingly Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance (Felony) – 3 counts
Newark police have identified a suspect in an attempted break-in at a Thornwood community residence, thanks to assistance from local residents.
Law enforcement officers were called to Oak View Drive’s unit block on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, around 2:45 in the afternoon following reports of someone trying to burglarize a home.
According to investigators, the individual had been spotted moving through multiple residential backyards in the area sometime between 12:45 and 1:00 p.m. that same day.
The incident occurred in Newark’s Thornwood neighborhood, where community members provided crucial information that helped authorities in their investigation.
TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a stark warning Thursday about the potential dangers foreign artificial intelligence systems pose to his nation’s security and sovereignty.
During the rollout of his administration’s new AI strategy, Carney emphasized that this transformative technology has arrived and that Canada relies too heavily on overseas providers. He expressed concern that the nation’s dependence could leave it vulnerable to exploitation.
The prime minister had previously cautioned at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos that powerful nations like the United States have leveraged economic ties to intimidate smaller countries. On Thursday, he highlighted how the majority of AI-related data flows beyond Canadian borders.
Similar to other forms of economic interdependence such as supply networks, Carney explained that artificial intelligence systems could become tools of coercion against Canada.
“That creates real risks that foreign entities could access Canadian data, deploy AI products that shape Canadian lives without reflecting our values,” Carney said. “And tilt the playing field against Canadian firms — while Canada lacks the leverage to push back or the ability to control.”
The administration’s strategy document observes that “AI is a game of scale that is dominated by hegemons and hyperscalers” and states this “poses a significant security and economic challenge as countries around the globe risk becoming subordinate or reliant on them.”
The plan outlines Canada’s role in guiding other mid-sized nations or allied countries through this technological transition.
“A coalition of aligned democracies, who pool research, talent, compute and procurement power, would offer a credible alternative to the dominant market actors that increasingly define the global AI landscape,” the document says.
Carney announced his administration plans to introduce new laws for enhanced data and privacy protection. He also revealed plans to construct a world-class public AI supercomputer.
“Canadian researchers train models on foreign cloud platforms. Canadian companies store sensitive data in foreign jurisdictions. Government operations rely on infrastructure Canada does not own,” the strategy says.
The document states the federal government will tackle these vulnerabilities by “building its key sovereign capabilities domestically whenever possible, while partnering with trusted allies or buying existing market solutions when appropriate.”
The strategy identified that Canada faces “a major adoption gap.” The prime minister said his administration will provide artificial intelligence education to citizens in educational institutions and community facilities through a literacy program. He explained that complimentary AI educational materials, including coursework, “will help Canadians to identify bias and misinformation — and give them the AI tools to learn and help with their careers.”
Carney noted that internationally, his nation ranks among the lowest countries in AI education, understanding and confidence. He revealed that only 12% of Canadian companies currently utilize AI technology, with even lower usage rates among smaller enterprises.
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s highest court has rejected prosecutors’ attempt to appeal a ruling requiring the state’s fake elector case to return to a grand jury, dealing another blow to efforts to prosecute Mark Meadows, President Donald Trump’s former chief of staff, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and other defendants connected to the 2020 presidential election.
The court’s decision represents yet another obstacle for Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who continues facing challenges advancing this complex case through the judicial system. Officials from Mayes’ office announced they will present the entire case to a grand jury once more instead of abandoning the prosecution altogether.
This latest development follows the dismissal of comparable cases in Michigan and Georgia by courts there, along with a special prosecutor’s decision to drop federal charges in late 2024 that accused Trump of plotting to reverse the 2020 election outcome. Related prosecutions involving fake elector schemes continue moving forward in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin.
A Phoenix-area lower court judge determined in May that the initial grand jury reviewing this case had not been presented with the text of the Electoral Count Act, legislation from the 19th century that establishes procedures for certifying presidential elections and which defendants cited in their legal defense.
Attorneys representing the defendants contended that this law permitted multiple groups of electors to submit their votes to Congress when election results faced disputes, although lawmakers modified the statute in 2022 to clarify that states may only send one group of electors and that governors must provide approval.
No progress has occurred in Arizona’s case at the trial court level since mid-May.
Former President Joe Biden secured victory in Arizona during 2020 with a margin of 10,457 votes.
The Trump administration announced that renovations to Washington D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have been completed, with plans to refill the iconic basin with water by this weekend.
According to the administration, the painting work was finished on Wednesday, transforming the shallow pool to what President Donald Trump describes as “American flag blue.” In a court document, officials stated the water filling process should be completed no later than Sunday.
However, as of Thursday morning, construction equipment remained visible in the empty basin with no water present.
While Trump has estimated the renovation costs between $1.5 million and $2 million, government records reveal contracts totaling at least $14.8 million have been issued for the project. The president first announced the initiative in April during an Oval Office event, explaining that a visiting friend from Germany had criticized the pool’s appearance as dark and unappealing.
This renovation represents another effort by Trump to make lasting changes to the nation’s capital, joining other projects including the demolition of the White House East Wing for a ballroom and proposed construction of an arch connecting the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
The historic reflecting pool stretches more than 2,000 feet and serves as a centerpiece between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Originally constructed in the 1920s, the site gained historical significance as the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
Before its current renovation, the basin contained approximately 6.5 million gallons of water, equivalent to about 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to the National Park Service. A previous 2012 upgrade installed circulation and filtration systems that use water from the nearby Tidal Basin rather than the city’s drinking water supply. The region is currently experiencing drought conditions.
Political opponents have criticized the Republican president for focusing on personal projects instead of addressing voter concerns like living costs as the November elections approach. Some critics have also suggested the renovation makes the memorial pool resemble a recreational swimming facility.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, filed a lawsuit last month seeking to halt work on what they called the “dark grey” reflecting pool. The organization argued the new paint color created a “theme park” atmosphere.
No judicial ruling has been issued in the case, but the Trump administration informed the court Wednesday that construction was complete and water filling would begin by Sunday.
The Interior Department, which supervises the Park Service, did not respond to requests for additional information.
NEW YORK (AP) — The rats weren’t the problem. Neither were the odors or the germs.
According to former urban explorer Steve Duncan, the worst aspect of venturing into New York City’s extensive underground sewer network was actually the cockroaches.
“They’re everywhere, climbing the walls, falling on top of you,” Duncan remembered this week. “They were the worst.”
The 48-year-old, who currently resides in Maryland, shared memories of his time documenting the filthy tunnels beneath New York following recent surveillance footage showing small groups mysteriously entering and leaving sewer systems in Brooklyn and Queens.
Authorities report they continue investigating the three occurrences but don’t consider them a public safety threat. City officials emphasize that accessing the municipality’s 7,400 miles (12,000 kilometers) of sewer infrastructure is both unlawful and hazardous.
Duncan suspects the groups were probably explorers similar to himself, navigating the massive 19th-century sewer channels running beneath city sections.
These comparatively spacious areas can surpass 6 feet (1.8 meters) across — providing enough height for most individuals to walk normally — and may display handcrafted brickwork and graceful archways, he noted.
Several, including one close to where a group was observed, follow routes of natural waterways that previously supported New York, before industrial pollution contaminated them and compelled city planners to transform them into sewers, Duncan explained.
“These ancient streams get buried as cities develop around them,” he described. “It’s incredible how much this old natural landscape remains part of the city now.”
The footage indicates some groups remained underground for up to three hours, a duration that might seem unthinkable, but Duncan said time moves fast as sewer expeditions involve navigating slick, humid conditions and flowing water that could reach a foot (30 centimeters) or more in depth.
Duncan praised the groups for selecting an ideal time for their adventures.
Recent heavy rains would have largely flushed the system, and entering the tunnels during early morning would mean waste flow would be significantly lighter than during busy daytime periods.
“They conducted their homework,” Duncan stated.
However, unseen hazards exist in these germ-filled environments, he warned, describing how he ended up hospitalized with severely infected limbs on two different occasions, which ultimately led him to stop exploring.
Experienced explorers typically carry gas detectors to monitor dangerous fume levels, including potentially explosive hydrogen sulfide, which forms from decay, Duncan mentioned.
Regarding the odor of all that sewage, it’s not as overwhelming as one might expect, Duncan said.
“When it’s a properly working sewer, it resembles more of a farm or compost smell,” he noted. “But when conditions are poor, it can smell like death.”
Some community members have expressed concern that the mysterious explorers in the videos had criminal intentions. Many wore waterproof waders and carried headlamps and what looked like shovels and other equipment.
“Sewers can function as access or escape routes to buildings, and we’ve all watched films where criminals flee prison through sewers,” suggested Magued Iskander, an engineering professor at New York University. “There must be motivation beyond simple excitement to enter such a filthy location.”
Others have pointed out that police have occasionally caught underground treasure hunters.
Just last year, three men faced burglary and additional charges after searching for gold, jewelry and other valuables in a Brooklyn sewer. Ten years before, police apprehended three others as they surfaced from a maintenance opening, including an employee with the city Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the sewer network.
If nothing else, the popular videos highlight how exposed some of the city’s essential infrastructure remains, said David Sarni, a former New York Police Department detective and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.
“Is this something that could be used by individuals who want to cause damage?” he questioned. “You must truly take nothing for granted and always consider, sadly, that worst-case scenario.”
Duncan, who currently works in real estate, said neither wealth nor harmful intent drove him and many others from his era of urban exploration.
During his journeys into underground systems in New York, London, Paris and other cities throughout the early 2000s, he seldom discovered anything valuable, except for the occasional credit card or damaged wallet.
“These are frightening locations that require extensive planning and commitment to explore safely,” Duncan said. “You don’t undertake all these preparations for the slim possibility of discovering a diamond earring.”
“The true motivation is witnessing something new, or experiencing the city differently,” he added. “That’s the genuine attraction.”
Karen Read has initiated legal action against Massachusetts State Police and Canton officials, claiming investigative misconduct and negligence in the case that resulted in her criminal prosecution for her boyfriend’s death.
Filed Thursday in Bristol County Superior Court, the civil lawsuit contends that Read’s June acquittal exposed “an embedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot at the very core of both organizations.” The legal action claims both agencies failed in proper hiring, training and oversight of personnel, while seeking compensation for attorney costs, lost wages, emotional trauma and damage to her reputation.
The legal filing extensively details the conduct of former state trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode, referencing text messages, audio recordings and other communications that allegedly contain racist, sexist and offensive language. Read’s legal team maintains these materials prove both officers were unsuitable for the investigation and reflect systemic oversight problems within both departments.
State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble responded Thursday, describing Proctor’s communications as “racist, sexist and abhorrent” and confirming they justified the former trooper’s termination. Noble emphasized the messages contradicted departmental values and highlighted reforms implemented during his leadership, noting the investigation occurred before he assumed command.
“These disturbing messages are entirely inconsistent with any basic standard of decency and certainly with the expectations of a Massachusetts State Trooper,” Noble stated, adding that officials are “keenly aware of the ways in which this misconduct harmed the public trust on which our mission depends.”
Canton officials and the Canton Police Department have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
Read concluded her legal ordeal approximately one year ago as a free person following more than three years and two separate trials concerning the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, her boyfriend. O’Keefe was discovered on a suburban lawn belonging to a fellow officer following an evening of heavy alcohol consumption during a winter storm.
The prosecution maintained Read struck O’Keefe with her vehicle during the January 2022 party night, abandoning him to perish in the blizzard conditions. She faced accusations of second-degree murder, manslaughter and fleeing the scene. While jurors cleared her of these serious charges, they found her guilty of a reduced drunk driving offense.
Read’s defense team successfully portrayed a troubling narrative of law enforcement misconduct, proposing that O’Keefe was actually murdered by police colleagues who subsequently orchestrated a cover-up.
The proceedings focused significantly on lead investigator Michael Proctor, whom defense counsel characterized as prejudiced against Read from the investigation’s start. The Massachusetts State Police trial board determined Proctor guilty of transmitting vulgar and defamatory text messages about Read during his leadership of her case. His termination made him a focal point for Read’s supporters who maintain the investigation was compromised.
Goode was suspended in November 2025 after the town received misconduct allegations. According to media reports, he submitted his resignation this week.
Despite stalled peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, Russia and the United States are maintaining dialogue on economic and energy matters, according to President Vladimir Putin’s special representative Kirill Dmitriev, who spoke with Reuters on Thursday.
Speaking at Russia’s largest economic forum in St. Petersburg on June 4, Dmitriev confirmed he had recent contact with American officials, stating the communication channels remain active even as Ukraine-related peace efforts have hit a roadblock.
The Kremlin announced on May 18 that Russia-Ukraine peace discussions were temporarily suspended, though Moscow anticipated they would eventually restart, with various levels of contact between Moscow and Washington continuing.
“We talked to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner yesterday. So the dialogue continues, and there is constant communication,” Dmitriev explained during the conference, naming the American negotiators involved.
The last conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin occurred on April 29, when they discussed implementing a brief Ukraine ceasefire to commemorate the World War Two anniversary. Dmitriev’s most recent face-to-face meeting with Kushner and Witkoff took place in April.
Following that temporary ceasefire, fighting has intensified significantly. Russian forces have launched drone and missile attacks against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukrainian forces have targeted refineries, ports, and industrial facilities located deep within Russian territory.
The American-brokered peace initiative, which began with Russia-U.S. discussions in Riyadh in February of last year, has reached an impasse over disputed territory in the Donbas region that remains under Ukrainian control but which Moscow demands be transferred before any settlement agreement.
According to Dmitriev, not every Russia-U.S. discussion centers on Ukraine, and both nations plan to maintain conversations about energy matters, economic issues, and worldwide stability. He indicated that three-way discussions including Ukraine could happen in the future.
“And then when the time is right, I think there will be an opportunity also for trilateral discussions, but this is more on a diplomatic track,” Dmitriev stated.
On May 18, the United States approved a third extension of a 30-day sanctions exemption that permits Russian seaborne oil purchases to assist “energy-vulnerable” nations impacted by the Iran war.
Dmitriev, who participated in discussions with the Trump administration regarding previous extensions, explained that American officials recognize how these waivers help stabilize markets during the Middle East crisis.
“Extending waivers before was good for the markets. I think the U.S. administration understands that without Russian oil, without Russian gas, it’s impossible to have stability in the energy markets,” Dmitriev commented, though he declined to predict whether another extension would occur this month.
The world’s top soccer organization announced Thursday it will debut a new video game called FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition through Netflix Games on June 11, strategically timed with the opening of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Netflix subscribers will gain access to the game at no extra charge, representing the soccer governing body’s effort to enhance fan interaction through its updated digital approach.
Created through a collaboration with Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive, the title serves as a user-friendly soccer simulation that lets participants experience tournament action firsthand.
Gamers can select any of the 48 competing national teams and compete in matches throughout all 16 tournament venues, featuring more than 1,200 individual players within the game.
The system utilizes mobile phones as game controllers, allowing players to link with televisions through QR code scanning, the soccer organization explained.
The multiplayer capability supports up to four participants simultaneously.
The organization stated this release represents part of a comprehensive transformation in its gaming strategy after concluding its extended collaboration with EA Sports, now pursuing a multi-partner approach designed to expand its presence across various platforms and demographics.
Officials characterized the game as an initial phase of an extended initiative, with plans for enhanced features and expanded platform availability following the debut launch.
The 2026 World Cup tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico begins June 11.
MONACO, June 4 – Formula 1 championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate George Russell pledged to maintain their aggressive racing approach for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, even after team boss Toto Wolff hinted he may need to step in and control their battles.
During last month’s Canadian Grand Prix, the 19-year-old Antonelli became frustrated following contact with Russell in their sprint race, which Russell ultimately won.
The teammates clashed once more the next day during the main event while battling for first place, before Russell’s race ended due to a power unit problem, giving Antonelli his fourth straight victory.
Though Wolff acknowledged their battle made for “good cinema,” he noted their fight cost both drivers valuable time and warned he would step in if their rivalry threatened the team’s point totals.
According to Antonelli, team meetings occurred several days prior to their Monaco arrival to analyze the Canadian incidents.
“Basically, the end of the discussion was that you can race each other fairly as long as there is respect and you don’t put yourselves in a situation where you could damage one of you or both of you,” the Italian driver explained to media on Thursday.
“The team doesn’t want to put rules, but understandably they want both cars to finish and to get as many points as possible. That is in our minds as well because we race for ourselves to be the best but also we race for the team to reward the 2,000 people who work for the team.”
“We’ll keep racing each other like in Canada but a bit more smartly. But definitely the team wants us to race freely because you can’t really put a leash on a driver.”
Russell, the British driver who captured the season opener in Melbourne but now trails Antonelli by 43 points, dismissed any worries about their competitive relationship.
“We have to be trusted and this is what we do, we are drivers and we push ourselves to the limit every single lap,” he said to reporters. “When we race we push each other to the limit.
“I know when you are sat on the sidelines in the pit wall like Toto of course it’s stressful and tense because you can’t control it but ultimately we have to be trusted and we are trusted. We’ll keep fighting but we know the boundaries.”
Antonelli has become the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1952 to claim four consecutive race victories, and represents the first F1 driver ever to win his initial four races in succession.
As Monaco begins an demanding stretch of the racing calendar and presents a track that could challenge Mercedes’ current dominance, Antonelli finds himself as the driver to beat.
Following the Canadian race, Russell declared the championship is now Antonelli’s to lose, though the Italian downplayed any mounting pressure.
“It’s so early in the season, there are 17 or maybe more races to go and it’s too early to talk about the championship,” he stated. “You can’t lose something you haven’t achieved.
“I feel pretty relaxed about the situation. I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing, raise the bar and try to win as much as possible.
“George is a super strong team mate and he will make my life very hard, but I just try to deal with every situation and then try to excel at what I do.”
Cattle markets experienced dramatic swings Thursday following confirmation of a dangerous parasite discovery that has livestock producers across the nation on high alert.
Federal agriculture officials announced Wednesday evening that New World screwworm had been identified in a Texas calf, representing the first detection in that state since 1966. The flesh-eating pest has been moving northward through Mexico throughout the past year.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressed confidence Thursday that the agency can successfully contain this isolated incident. However, any broader outbreak could further reduce America’s cattle population, which has already reached its lowest point in three-quarters of a century.
“The New World screwworm sounds like something from a horror movie, but it’s real,” stated Nate Sheets, a Republican nominee for Texas agriculture commissioner. “It is an agricultural emergency.”
Market reactions proved volatile throughout Thursday’s trading session. Feeder cattle contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange initially declined as investors feared consumer demand for beef might weaken. However, prices quickly reversed course, climbing more than 3% as supply concerns took precedence.
Texas livestock operations face potentially devastating financial consequences, with industry experts estimating economic damages could reach $1.8 billion if the parasite establishes itself more widely.
“We’re going to need to see how fast it spreads and how the consumer reacts,” explained Matt Wiegand, commodity broker for FuturesOne. “Until we see a big demand impact from the consumer side, (cattle) numbers are still tight.”
The nation’s cattle supply has been steadily declining due to prolonged drought conditions that increased feed expenses and forced ranchers to reduce their herds. This shortage has created challenges for major meat processing companies, including JBS, Cargill and Tyson Foods, as they struggle to secure adequate animals for their facilities.
Industry representatives are pushing for flexibility in movement restrictions. The Meat Institute, representing processing companies, has asked federal officials to permit “low-risk” livestock shipments for slaughter despite the agency’s decision to halt animal transportation in the affected region. These shipments would involve animals traveling directly from uninfected farms to processing facilities.
Despite significant federal investment in prevention efforts, the parasite’s appearance indicates that screwworm flies successfully entered the country and will likely establish populations among wild animals, according to Lee Haines, an associate research professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
“The burden falls hardest on farmers who must monitor animals scattered across vast open rangeland, often going unobserved for days at a time,” Haines noted.
A food processing company based in Brooklyn has issued a voluntary recall of dried herring products due to potential botulism contamination risks.
Prime Food Processing LLC announced the recall of 69 cases of “Dried Herring Fish” after discovering the products had not been properly eviscerated. According to New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations, selling fish that has not been adequately eviscerated is prohibited due to increased risks of Clostridium botulinum spore contamination.
The recall affects products that were distributed with inadequate processing that could pose serious health risks to consumers. Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Consumers who have purchased the affected dried herring products are advised not to consume them and to dispose of them immediately. The company is working with regulatory authorities to address the safety concerns.
A controversial architectural proposal from President Trump calls for constructing an arch in the nation’s capital that would be positioned between the Lincoln Memorial and the former residence of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Opposition voices are raising concerns that this placement would obstruct the important visual connection that currently exists between these two landmarks. They argue that this uninterrupted sight line carries deep symbolic meaning about national reconciliation and unity.
The proposed structure’s location has become a point of contention, with detractors warning that its construction would diminish the powerful message currently conveyed by the clear view linking these historically significant sites.
The National Basketball Association issued lifetime arena bans to two individuals Thursday following a court invasion incident during the opening game of the NBA Finals in San Antonio.
One person was taken into custody after rushing onto the playing surface Wednesday evening and seemingly trying to snap a photo with San Antonio’s star player Victor Wembanyama. The disruption happened during the middle portion of the final quarter as the Spurs faced off against the New York Knicks.
League officials also barred a second person permanently for their participation in the Wednesday night disruption, though the NBA declined to reveal details about that individual’s specific actions.
“The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas,” an NBA spokesman said in a news release. “A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban for his role in the incident.”
The arrested individual appeared to access the playing surface from the sideline across from where the teams sit, beginning from behind the action and sprinting toward San Antonio’s scoring area. Security personnel swiftly removed the person from the court, and no physical contact seemed to occur between the intruder and Wembanyama or any New York team members.
The San Antonio star seemed unaffected by the disruption both during and following the incident.
“I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t know how to act.”
Officials halted play for 1 minute and 29 seconds before continuing with a jump ball situation. Security escorted the court invader from the playing area through a tunnel near the baseline.
“I don’t think it was an event at all,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play.”
Prospective homebuyers received encouraging news this week as the typical 30-year home loan rate dropped slightly after hitting its peak level in nine months.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the standard 30-year fixed mortgage rate decreased to 6.48% from the previous week’s 6.53%. Despite this decline, current rates still sit below the 6.85% level recorded one year ago.
Lower mortgage rates provide homebuyers with increased purchasing power when shopping for properties.
Rate increases have been the dominant trend since the conflict with Iran started, which has disrupted oil tanker routes through the Persian Gulf to global markets. This disruption has driven oil prices significantly higher, becoming a major factor in rising inflation.
Multiple elements affect mortgage rates, including Federal Reserve policy choices and bond market investor sentiment regarding economic growth and inflation prospects. These rates typically mirror movements in the 10-year Treasury yield, which serves as a benchmark for lenders when setting home loan prices.
Continued expectations of rising oil costs due to the prolonged conflict have maintained elevated long-term bond yields, pushing mortgage rates generally upward.
Thursday’s midday bond market trading showed the U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield at 4.47%, climbing from 4.45% the previous week. This represents a significant increase from the 3.97% level recorded in late February before the conflict started.
In late February, the typical 30-year mortgage rate had dropped just below 6% for the first time since late 2022, but hasn’t returned to that level since. The previous week saw rates jump to their highest point since August 28, when they reached 6.56%.
Although current long-term mortgage rates remain below last year’s levels, their recent climb has negatively affected home sales throughout this year.
April sales of existing U.S. homes remained virtually unchanged after decreasing compared to the previous year during the first quarter, continuing a national housing downturn that began in 2022 when rates started rising from pandemic-era lows. Next week will bring the May existing home sales report.
While June remains widely celebrated as Pride Month, several Republican governors across the nation have established competing designations for the same timeframe that advocacy groups on both sides interpret as deliberate counter-messaging.
The governors leading Indiana and Tennessee have established June as Nuclear Family Month, celebrating household structures consisting of “one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children,” though they haven’t explicitly stated this was meant to override Pride recognition.
Alabama has designated the month as Strong Families Month, timed to align with Father’s Day. Gov. Kay Ivey’s official declaration states that fathers serve as “the head of the household” and that “homes led by a father and mother provide children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed throughout life.”
Utah and Arkansas governors have labeled June as Fidelity Month, highlighting devotion to faith, nation and family — without specifying what family structures should look like.
A recent post from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ X account shared a link about her declaration with text reading, “Another Red State is Counter-Programming Pride Month.”
Neither Sanders nor the other governors have responded to Associated Press inquiries about their reasoning for selecting June for these proclamations.
Legislative efforts in at least four additional Republican-led states have proposed bills this year to establish June as Fidelity Month.
The concept originates from an organization created by Robert P. George, a Princeton University jurisprudence professor known for conservative scholarship. His organization declined interview requests.
Speaking to the National Catholic Register in 2023, he stated that “nobody gets a monopoly on a particular day or a particular month.”
June Pride festivities, featuring parades, festivals and performances, started in 1970 to commemorate the anniversary of the violent police confrontation at the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay establishment, and have since spread globally.
“You can call it whatever you want, but one thing you’re not going to do is take away our pride or take away our joy,” stated Jordan Braxton, co-president of USA Prides.
Since Bill Clinton in 1999, every Democratic president has issued annual Pride proclamations — while no Republican president has done so.
Among GOP governors, Utah’s Spencer Cox stands out for issuing Pride proclamations in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In 2024, he called June a “Month of Bridge Building” before switching to Fidelity Month this year.
Recent polling indicates that two decades of growing acceptance for same-sex marriages and relationships has stalled — primarily due to increased Republican opposition.
Last year, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, an Illinois Republican, proposed legislation to establish June as Family Month while eliminating Pride Month recognition, arguing “Americans are inundated with perverse Pride Month displays and events throughout the month of June that denigrate the nuclear family.” The resolution never received a vote.
Supporters see these state initiatives as chances for cultural change.
Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said in an interview that conservative recognitions are beneficial because Pride celebrations “were going so far as to make it difficult to celebrate traditional marriage.”
Tennessee’s legislative resolution and gubernatorial approval doesn’t specifically reference Pride Month, while declaring the “nuclear family is under attack in our beloved State and nation.”
However, Lakie Derrick, a conservative activist who co-authored the Tennessee measure, acknowledged she specifically targeted June to oppose Pride Month, which she believes “goes against” American principles.
“We’re just reclaiming the culture, and there’s no better month to do that than in a month where the culture says we’re gonna celebrate something so opposite to what we know to be right,” Derrick explained.
Marina Lowe, who oversees legal and legislative matters for LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Equality Utah, argued that Pride Month doesn’t oppose other value-based recognitions. Many LGBTQ individuals also cherish faith and family, she noted, adding “I don’t think that these positions need to be in conflict with one another.”
In Wenatchee, Washington, a school’s Turning Point USA chapter successfully arranged for Family Month banners on light poles that previously displayed rainbow flags during June. Local gay rights organization Out NCW responded by purchasing two billboards and distributing yard signs supporting Pride, according to president AJ Soto.
Josh Coleman, president of Central Alabama Pride, which has scheduled 42 events across two weeks, said the celebrations ending with a parade on June 13 and festival June 14 won’t be impacted by the proclamation.
“It’s not lost upon LGBTQ people when elected leaders don’t recognize or value the visibility of the community,” he explained. “That’s why Pride started in the first place — to make sure the community had a community.”
Alex Richardson, board chair at Indy Pride in Indianapolis, views the governor’s proclamation as a “swipe.” Yet he believes the local events celebrate some values the governor supports.
“Sure, the governor’s right, the nuclear family is worth celebrating,” Richardson said. “But I think so is the grandmother who raises her grandchildren, or the chosen family that shows up when a blended family can’t, or won’t, … or the weird blended households that are held together by love and effort.”
WASHINGTON — President Trump plans to unveil a nearly $700 million federal investment package Thursday aimed at revitalizing America’s declining coal sector through support for power plants and export facilities.
According to a White House official, the administration will invoke Cold War-era defense legislation to back 13 coal facilities nationwide and facilitate construction of new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia — marking the first such projects built in the U.S. since 2013. The funding will also revive a shuttered coal plant in Maryland and advance a stalled coal export facility in Oakland, California.
The combined initiatives are projected to generate or preserve over 14,000 positions across coal, construction, railroad and shipping sectors, the White House official noted. The official requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to reveal specifics before Trump’s scheduled Thursday afternoon announcement.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin are anticipated to join Trump for the White House event.
This represents Trump’s latest effort to halt the coal industry’s prolonged downturn. Last fall, the administration announced plans to make 13 million acres of federal territory available for coal extraction and allocate $625 million for upgrading or restarting coal power facilities. Shortly after returning to office, Trump signed executive directives to revive coal — a dependable yet polluting energy source that has steadily contracted due to environmental rules and competition from less expensive natural gas.
Bloomberg News initially disclosed the new coal funding.
Following Trump’s directives, the Energy Department has mandated fossil fuel plants in Michigan, Indiana, Colorado and Washington state continue operations beyond planned closure dates to address growing electricity needs driven by data center expansion, artificial intelligence development and electric vehicle adoption. The department has issued temporary extensions for these measures and ordered oil and gas facilities in Maryland and Pennsylvania to delay scheduled shutdowns.
Wright stated that the administration’s emergency directives keeping older coal plants running helped avert significant power outages during the severe cold snap that affected much of the nation in late January and early February.
Environmental organizations criticized the latest coal support measures, which coincide with the Trump administration’s restrictions on renewable energy — including halting offshore wind permits, eliminating clean energy tax incentives and preventing wind and solar developments on federal property.
“Propping up coal billionaires with taxpayer money is one more way for the Trump administration to put polluters first and put the rest of us at risk,” said Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “What’s next, a taxpayer bailout to build new phone booths?”
Kennedy and other opponents argued Trump’s directive will lead to increased electricity costs and worse air quality. “The best thing for the air, the climate and our utility bills is to let these plants retire peacefully,” she stated.
While coal previously supplied over half of America’s electricity generation, its portion fell to roughly 15% in 2024, declining from approximately 45% in 2010. Natural gas currently accounts for about 43% of U.S. electricity, with nuclear power and renewable sources like wind, solar and hydroelectric providing the balance.
American coal shipments overseas decreased during Trump’s second term’s first year, primarily because fewer exports went to China following its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to Trump’s broad tariff policies, the Energy Information Administration reported. While worldwide coal consumption reached historic highs recently, the International Energy Agency expects demand to level off or drop in upcoming years.
U.S. companies face challenges expanding into new markets due to abundant coal reserves worldwide.
Trump plans to utilize the Defense Production Act, a 1950 statute providing presidents extensive powers over industries related to national security.
The major carrier American Airlines has announced it will halt certain flight routes during the summer months as escalating jet fuel prices continue to put financial pressure on airlines during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The Texas-based carrier released a statement explaining that service adjustments would affect certain routes during August and September. Passengers whose travel plans are disrupted will receive options for alternate flights or full refunds. The airline pointed to rising fuel expenses as the reason for these modifications, noting that similar adjustments are happening throughout the aviation industry.
The company emphasized that none of these route cancellations would be permanent and highlighted its commitment to maintaining what it called an “industry-leading network with more flights than any other U.S. airline.”
These summer route suspensions may add to the challenges already facing air travelers, who are dealing with reduced flight availability and increased costs across the board. Airlines worldwide have been forced to cancel flights or reduce their schedules in the coming months, with many also raising fees or eliminating customer benefits as cost-cutting measures.
The root cause is the dramatic increase in jet fuel prices, which typically represent approximately 30% of an airline’s total operating costs. According to the International Air Transport Association, fuel reached nearly $142 per barrel last week. While this represents a decline from April’s peak, it remains significantly higher than the $99 per barrel price before the U.S. and Israel began their military campaign against Iran in late February.
The majority of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel for global oil transportation, has been effectively stopped for the past three months. Although prices have moderated somewhat as markets anticipate the eventual reopening of this passage, the U.S. and Iran have not yet negotiated a definitive agreement. Extended disruption of this shipping route could worsen the energy shortage.
The impact extends beyond air travel, with consumers experiencing higher costs for gasoline, food, and other daily necessities due to these supply disruptions.
American Airlines has not yet provided details to The Associated Press about which specific flights will be canceled in August and September. However, other news sources have indicated that six routes will be impacted, with most departing from Los Angeles and serving various North American destinations.
Six Democratic senators have formally challenged two major tobacco corporations about their political contributions and lobbying activities following a recent shift in federal tobacco policy.
The senators sent official letters on Thursday to Reynolds American and Altria, questioning their donations and lobbying efforts directed at the Trump administration. The lawmakers accused the companies of receiving a “lucrative payday” after investing millions of dollars to gain favor with the president.
The inquiry stems from the Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement of a new “enforcement discretion” policy. Under this approach, the agency will permit certain manufacturers to market vapes and nicotine pouches without obtaining the required legal authorization. This policy shift could potentially allow hundreds of additional vaping products to enter the marketplace and came after the White House pushed for regulatory changes.
The policy modification occurred following political contributions from both Reynolds, which operates as the American division of British American Tobacco, and Altria, with donations made as recently as April. A meeting between President Donald Trump and tobacco industry executives also took place in May.
“Money well spent,” the June 4 letters stated, claiming that the donations and lobbying activities allowed tobacco manufacturers to bypass federal regulations for selling addictive vaping products, thereby undermining the FDA’s independence.
“But for you and your shareholders, this was a lucrative payday after years of unsuccessful legislative and regulatory efforts to weaken federal tobacco oversight,” the correspondence continued, requesting specific information about donations, meetings and products that would benefit from the regulatory change.
Neither Reynolds, Altria nor the White House provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
Both companies have long argued that FDA policies have contributed to a thriving market for unauthorized devices, primarily manufactured in China. Reynolds estimates this illegal marketplace generates approximately $9.41 billion in revenue.
The tobacco companies have pursued various strategies including lobbying efforts and legal challenges, suspended sales objectives and warned they might introduce their own unauthorized products to remain competitive.
Following the “enforcement discretion” policy announcement, tobacco companies have already revealed plans to introduce new products to the market.
The letters bore the signatures of six Democratic senators: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
Romania’s centrist president has selected his adviser Eugen Tomac to serve as the country’s new prime minister on Thursday, attempting to resolve a political crisis that has halted government operations, threatened European Union funding access, and caused the national currency to hit historic lows.
The previous broad pro-European coalition administration fell apart last month after the leftist Social Democrats, its largest member party, pulled their backing from Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and aligned with far-right opposition forces in a vote of no confidence.
The government’s downfall, occurring less than twelve months after taking office, jeopardized ongoing efforts to reduce the European Union’s highest budget deficit and placed the nation’s investment-grade sovereign credit rating in danger.
The 44-year-old Tomac, who serves as a European Parliament member and heads a party without representation in Romania’s legislature, has been given a 10-day window to assemble a government and secure a parliamentary confidence vote.
His administration will be composed of technocrats, given that political parties have been unable to create a new coalition capable of achieving a parliamentary majority.
“Because parties did not get along, the only possible solution is a prime minister who is independent of the parliamentary parties,” the president told reporters.
The president outlined that a new government’s main objectives should include maintaining a pro-Western position, ensuring financial stability, implementing reforms to secure EU funding, and establishing clear budget plans for 2027.
If approved, the incoming government must rapidly execute reforms to access approximately 8.6 billion euros in EU recovery and resilience funding before Brussels’ August deadline and guarantee continued deficit reduction past 2026.
However, Tomac’s administration will likely face difficulties obtaining backing from a divided parliament for controversial reforms, including legislation establishing standards for public sector compensation.
“(The nomination) is a first attempt, we have no guarantees it will pass through parliament or that a majority has been negotiated,” stated Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University.
“Even if it is confirmed, it will probably not be a long-lived government.”
Romania’s upcoming parliamentary election isn’t scheduled until 2028. The country has never conducted an early election, and analysts suggest the probability of one occurring now is minimal since the opposition hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) currently leads in public opinion surveys.
Switzerland announced Thursday it will position approximately 4,000 military personnel within its borders to strengthen security measures while France hosts the G7 summit of world leaders next month.
The gathering, scheduled for June 15 through 17 in the French community of Evian-les-Bains situated across Lake Geneva, will draw leaders from major global economies, including U.S. President Donald Trump, along with additional high-ranking delegations.
Officials from the unit responsible for planning and managing the Swiss Armed Forces stated that the magnitude of the event and its closeness to Switzerland’s border necessitates careful coordination between civilian and military officials. Demonstrations are expected during the summit.
“The proximity to the border presents a major challenge for security authorities in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais. As a result, the Federal Council and Parliament have decided on a subsidiary security deployment of the army,” the Swiss army’s Defence Group said in a statement.
According to the announcement, military forces will be responsible for safeguarding vital infrastructure, such as Geneva Airport, strengthening border monitoring, and overseeing important transportation corridors and Lake Geneva.
The Swiss air force will also increase aerial patrol activities, implementing airspace limitations from June 10 through June 19, while deploying anti-drone technology and defenses against nuclear, biological and chemical dangers, officials added.
Two major investment management companies are restricting investor withdrawals from their funds as financial pressures mount across private market investments.
Partners Group, a Swiss alternative asset manager, announced Thursday that withdrawal requests from its funds have increased, while Blackstone implemented limits on withdrawals from its main private credit fund. These moves highlight growing strain in private funding markets.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate Partners is likely to restrict a second major investment pool, coming one day after the company’s stock price dropped significantly following news of fund limitations.
The company reported that withdrawal requests at a $16 billion fund based in Delaware hit 6% of total assets, surpassing the 5% quarterly threshold it permits. When this limit is exceeded, withdrawals must be capped, according to two sources who spoke with Reuters.
Partners Group, which manages approximately $185 billion in assets, attributed the situation to industry-wide instability affecting open-ended evergreen funds. The volatility began in private credit and has expanded into private equity markets. Market participants are examining issues with loans made by private credit funds operated by major asset management firms, questioning valuations, lending practices, and how technology companies will navigate artificial intelligence challenges.
Demonstrating ongoing pressure in private credit markets, Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, restricted withdrawals from its primary private credit fund after redemption requests spiked during the second quarter.
The Wednesday announcement from Partners Group about capping redemptions represents one of the first indicators of how stress in private credit markets, which typically provide loans for private equity deals, is expanding to other areas.
Numerous newer unlisted private credit funds, called business development companies, use an evergreen structure that provides investors with periodic opportunities to withdraw their money at scheduled intervals.
“Evergreen is a difficult proposition to fulfill,” stated Virinchi Narayan, managing director of Dubai-based Three Pins Capital Limited.
“The best approach for these funds has always been and continues to be closed-ended structures. Easy money and the promise of expanding the investor base has provoked a diversification into evergreen and redemption-driven structures — because investors asked for these.”
Withdrawal periods for major U.S. non-traded private credit funds closed last Friday for the second quarter, with industry observers monitoring redemption request rates closely.
Cliffwater became the first to announce that withdrawal requests at its primary $31.3 billion private credit fund increased to 17% in the second quarter, up from 14% in the first quarter.
Investors in the $79 billion Blackstone Private Credit Fund sought to withdraw 10% of shares during the second-quarter offering, compared to 7.9% in the prior quarter.
Different from the previous quarter when Blackstone and staff members invested to fulfill all redemption requests, the fund restricted withdrawals to 5%, which is the standard limit for these investment vehicles.
“BCRED’s structure is a fundamental feature, with investors exchanging some liquidity at times for long-term outperformance,” the company said in a statement.
Partners Group announced Wednesday it had restricted withdrawals from its $8.6 billion private equity fund after redemption requests at the Luxembourg-based Partners Group Global Value SICAV reached 9.8% of assets.
Three additional established evergreen funds, totaling $9.7 billion and primarily from institutional investors, are projected to experience redemptions ranging from 3.5% to 5%, Partners Group reported Thursday.
The company stated that anticipated new client demand could reach $26 billion to $32 billion by 2026, backed by “a large and visible pipeline of fundraising opportunities across mandates, evergreens and traditional closed-ended programmes.”
This announcement helped Partners Group shares recover partially after dropping 16% to a six-year low on Wednesday.
The decline in Partners Group stock affected European competitors on Wednesday, including Sweden’s EQT, CVC Capital Partners and Bridgepoint Group. In the United States, shares of asset managers Blackstone, KKR, TPG and Ares Management also declined.
Stock prices rebounded Thursday, with Blackstone rising 7%.
A Wall Street investment bank is projecting explosive growth for SpaceX’s artificial intelligence operations, forecasting revenues could climb to $322 billion by 2030 from an anticipated $3.2 billion in 2025, according to a Thursday report from the Financial Times.
The same financial institution estimates SpaceX’s overall revenue will jump to $474 billion in 2030, compared to $18.7 billion recorded last year, the report stated.
The bank’s analysis suggests the AI segment could see revenue climb 388% year-over-year to $15.6 billion in 2026, then reach $34.5 billion by 2027, citing an individual with knowledge of the projections.
Goldman Sachs did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not independently confirm the report.
The investment bank is serving as lead underwriter of the offering. Other underwriters for SpaceX’s massive share sale include Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan.
Elon Musk’s company aims to raise $75 billion, the most ever for an IPO, with a valuation of $1.75 trillion, immediately placing it among the top 10 most valuable U.S.-listed firms.
The company publicly set a $135 price for shares in its IPO on Wednesday and kicked off its roadshow today, with pricing expected on June 11. Trading in shares will begin on the Nasdaq the next day.
Despite the lofty valuations, investors are expected to scramble to secure a position in the deal, drawn by Elon Musk’s track record.
However, Morningstar analysts pegged SpaceX’s valuation at $780 billion, less than half the company’s IPO target.
Prospects for the company’s AI business, which includes xAI and social media platform X, were uncertain given unclear economics and competition from OpenAI and Anthropic, according to Morningstar.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for June 4-5 as multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun are expected to impact Earth’s magnetic field. The event follows three significant solar eruptions that occurred on June 2 and June 3, including an X-class solar flare and two strong M-class flares.
According to NOAA, the three CMEs are expected to combine as they travel through space before reaching Earth. Forecasters have a fairly high level of confidence that the storm will arrive, though the exact intensity remains somewhat uncertain due to the complex interaction between the solar eruptions and a nearby high-speed solar wind stream. Current projections support geomagnetic storm conditions reaching at least the G3 category, with a small possibility of briefly reaching G4 levels if the CMEs are more Earth-directed than currently expected.
What This Means for Delmarva
For residents across Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and southern New Jersey, the biggest impact will likely be an increased chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
A G3 geomagnetic storm is strong enough to push auroral activity much farther south than normal. While the brightest displays are expected across the northern United States and southern Canada, stronger periods within the storm could allow faint auroras to become visible from Delmarva, particularly across northern Delaware and areas away from city lights.
The best opportunity for viewing would be:
Between sunset and sunrise tonight
Away from city lights
Looking toward the northern horizon
From rural locations with clear skies
Even if the aurora is difficult to see with the naked eye, smartphone cameras using Night Mode often reveal colors and structures not immediately visible to the eye.
Timing Remains Uncertain
SWPC notes that the CME arrival could occur several hours earlier or later than forecast. Current estimates suggest impacts may begin during the afternoon and evening hours Thursday and continue through Friday. The strongest geomagnetic activity often occurs several hours after the initial CME arrival.
Weather Conditions Favor Viewing
Fortunately, skies across much of Delmarva are expected to remain mostly clear tonight thanks to high pressure over the region. That means if the geomagnetic storm reaches the stronger end of forecasts, local skywatchers may have an excellent opportunity to witness one of the more significant aurora displays of the year.
While there are no guarantees that the Northern Lights will be visible from Delmarva, this is one of the better opportunities we’ve seen in recent months. Space weather enthusiasts should monitor updates from NOAA throughout the evening as the incoming solar storm approaches Earth and forecasters gain a better understanding of its strength.
The head of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche delivered sharp criticism of American tariff strategies during a television interview Thursday, describing the approach as ‘blackmail’ and highlighting growing tensions between major economies.
During questioning about a pricing agreement his company reached with the Trump administration last year, Severin Schwan expressed frustration with the negotiation tactics used by U.S. officials. The deal required the pharmaceutical giant to reduce medication costs in America after officials warned of potential steep tariffs on drug manufacturers.
‘If someone points a gun at you and says if you don’t sign, there’ll be 200% tariffs tomorrow, I wouldn’t necessarily describe that as a deal,’ Schwan stated during the interview from an event in the Swiss city of Interlaken, which aired on Swiss television.
‘So in a legal sense that’s perhaps an agreement, but it’s basically cold-blooded blackmail,’ he continued.
The Trump administration has maintained that international companies have exploited the United States by charging American consumers excessive prices for medications, and has worked to promote increased domestic production.
In additional comments, Schwan pointed to protectionist policies from both the United States and China as representing his company’s primary geopolitical challenge moving forward.
Ukraine has announced a significant military aircraft acquisition that will add 36 Swedish-manufactured Gripen fighter jets to its air force fleet as the nation continues defending against Russian forces.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s announcement in May, the arrangement involves purchasing 20 of the advanced Gripen E models from manufacturer Saab, while Sweden will donate an additional 16 jets from an earlier generation to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The two nations established the framework for this transaction through a letter of intent signed last year, which opens the door for Sweden to potentially sell as many as 150 aircraft to Ukraine. Funding for the initial 20 jets comes from a €2.5 billion allocation taken from a larger €90 billion European Union loan package.
The Gripen represents a fourth-generation lightweight supersonic fighter with a single engine design. Military experts classify it as a multi-role combat aircraft capable of handling air-to-air engagements, bombing operations, and surveillance missions. Defense analysts view it as an economical alternative to more costly fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.
The aircraft takes its name from the Griffin, a creature from Swedish mythology, and has served in active duty since 1996 with multiple upgrades over the years. Sweden’s Air Force received its first Gripen E model this past October, and production has exceeded 280 units total.
Ukraine’s selection of the Gripen stems from its specific design advantages for confronting Russian forces and operating in challenging battlefield conditions. Unlike aircraft such as the F-35 that require established airbases or aircraft carriers, Gripens possess the flexibility to use any straight roadway for takeoffs and landings. This dispersal capability makes the aircraft more difficult to target while grounded.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that Gripen maintenance simplicity translates to increased mission frequency. A six-person team consisting of one trained technician and five conscripts can complete refueling, rearming, and pre-flight preparations in less than 10 minutes.
The fighter’s compatibility with weapons systems from various NATO member countries, including American JDAM and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, British Storm Shadow munitions, and French SCALP weapons, eliminates dependence on a single supplier nation.
Combat deployment of Gripens occurred for the first time this year when Thailand utilized the fighters during confrontations with Cambodia, according to Swedish media reports. Previously, the aircraft primarily served air policing functions, including deployment to Poland in 2025 for a NATO airspace patrol mission and enforcement of the NATO-imposed no-fly zone over Libya in 2014.
Sweden maintained neutrality until joining the European Union in 1995 and remained militarily unaligned until NATO membership in 2024, relying on Saab for air force equipment since World War Two. The decision to develop the Gripen dates back to the 1980s.
In the international fighter aircraft market, the Gripen competes against Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and F-16 models, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, and the Eurofighter. Current operators include South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, with Colombia also committing to purchase the aircraft.
Technical specifications for the Gripen E include a length slightly exceeding 15 meters, a weight of 16.5 tonnes, and the capability to complete turnaround operations within 10 minutes of landing. The aircraft maintains lower operational costs per flight hour compared to competitors such as Lockheed’s F-35.
Law enforcement officers from Rehoboth Beach will join colleagues statewide this week for the 40th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting Special Olympics Delaware, with the coastal portion wrapping up Wednesday evening in the resort town.
The torch ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10 at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, bringing the coastal segment of the run to a close. Officers from Rehoboth Beach and law enforcement agencies throughout Delaware will take part in multiple events over the next few days:
• Wednesday, June 10 – Torch Run Ceremony at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, June 11 – Ceremony at Legislative Hall, 1:45 p.m.
• Friday, June 12 – Opening Ceremony for the Summer Games at the University of Delaware, approximately 4:00 p.m.
• Friday June 12- Saturday, June 13 — Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games. All are invited to support the athletes as fans.
This torch run serves as Delaware Law Enforcement’s premier Special Olympics event, featuring hundreds of officers who transport the Flame of Hope throughout the state as a symbol promoting acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: [email protected]
Details: Dover Police have taken a 16-year-old male into custody after an investigation involving weapons and reports of a disagreement among area teenagers.
On June 3, 2026, Dover Police received reports about a weapons-related incident involving teenagers from the local area. Investigators from the Drug, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit (DVOC) and Street Crimes Unit officers began looking into the situation.
That evening, police found a car linked to their investigation and pulled it over. Officers discovered several guns during the traffic stop, including a pistol hidden on the 16-year-old male suspect and other weapons found in the car.
Police arrested the teenager without any problems and filed several weapons charges against him. Because the suspect is a minor, authorities will not release any other details about his identity.
During the summer of 2020, a teenager named Antonio Mays Jr., just sixteen years old, made a journey spanning one thousand miles to participate in the racial justice protests that defined his generation. The young man reached Seattle while the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, abbreviated as CHOP, was taking place. Within less than seven days of his arrival, he became the victim of a fatal shooting in that area. Authorities have yet to solve the homicide.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Just three players remain from the Vegas Golden Knights’ original roster spanning all nine seasons. For William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb, this marks their third Stanley Cup Final appearance, yet the excitement remains unchanged.
“It’s the same feeling as Year 1,” Karlsson said.
While their inaugural season concluded in disappointment, it established championship-level expectations for the franchise. Vegas captured their first Cup in 2023 during their sixth season. Hoping for another celebration on the Las Vegas Strip, these veteran Golden Knights immediately made their presence felt in the series opener against Carolina.
Both Karlsson and Theodore found the back of the net, while McNabb recorded his first career three-assist NHL performance during Tuesday night’s 5-4 triumph. The Golden Knights relied heavily on their most experienced players to overcome yet another multi-goal disadvantage and plan to continue depending on their leadership.
“They’re calm,” said coach John Tortorella, who has only been in charge since late March. “The foundation of our team, the guts of our team, has been through this before. … Those guys kind of lead the way by not panicking. They don’t say much, they just play, and I think other people follow behind them. I think that’s so important this time of year.”
The Golden Knights’ regular season struggles partly stemmed from Karlsson’s extended absence due to an undisclosed injury. He remained sidelined from early November through the beginning of the second round.
“I learned not to take anything for granted,” Karlsson said. “It wasn’t always just a straight line. Some minor setbacks. But I always have the mind to come back for playoffs, and I’m very happy to be able to be a part of it.”
Karlsson’s return enabled Mitch Marner to move back to his preferred right wing position from center. Since then, Karlsson has tallied six points while Marner has collected 15 across 11 games.
“It’s super fun to play hockey, and I’m happy to be getting a lot of minutes and help the team,” Karlsson said.
The Golden Knights entered this season facing a significant gap on their defensive line, with top defenseman Alex Pietrangelo unlikely to return due to a chronic hip condition. Former coach Bruce Cassidy noted during the ’23 championship campaign that while he recognized Pietrangelo’s talent, he gained new appreciation for his comprehensive skill set.
Theodore has filled that leadership void during Pietrangelo’s absence.
“Shea’s game this season has just added a completely different layer than what we were used to because he’s always been a great puck-mover, always been a very good offensive defenseman,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “Shea has become a penalty killer. He never killed penalties prior at all. He’s on the ice when it’s 6 on 5 against, where in the past he would not have been. And I’m really proud of him, to be honest with you. I think he’s really grown into it.”
Tortorella commended Theodore for recovering in Game 1 after being “spanked” on Carolina’s opening goal just 25 seconds into the contest.
“It doesn’t bother him, and he probably plays one of the better games,” Tortorella said. “He just played. I think it’s a really good lesson for all of us to see.”
Theodore not only netted Vegas’ first goal after trailing 2-0 but also delivered a perfect shot-pass to Brett Howden for a third-period score.
“His vision is unbelievable,” said Howden, whose 11 goals leads the postseason. “He wasn’t even looking at me, but I feel like he knew that I was going there and he made an unbelievable pass there. I just had to chip it in.”
McNabb has served as a reliable defenseman throughout his decade-plus career. Preventing goals while defending and hitting opponents remains his main responsibility. He doubled his postseason assist count Tuesday evening, adding to his previous total of just three assists across 15 games in the first three rounds. Theodore joked, “He’s an offensive guy.”
“My partner did most of the work on all of them, really,” McNabb said, crediting Theodore. “But, yeah, the guys made great plays, and it’s nice to chip in offensively when I can.”
While Vegas has acquired considerable talent since their remarkable first season, including captain Mark Stone, top center Jack Eichel and Marner, deep respect remains for the original Golden Knights roster, including Reilly Smith, who was traded away and later reacquired and had been playing until Karlsson’s return.
“They mean everything,” Howden said. “They’re the ones that built this team from the ground up. They built a culture here, starting from the top down. But those guys were here from the start, and they lead the way. They’re unbelievable leaders in the room.”
NEW YORK — An early injury concern nearly derailed Jalen Brunson’s night, as the star guard hobbled to the locker room in the opening quarter with apparent knee and ankle problems during Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener.
His absence was brief, and by the game’s final moments, that early scare was a distant memory.
The 2025 NBA clutch player award winner reminded everyone exactly why he earned that honor, delivering a spectacular closing performance over the last 7½ minutes that powered the New York Knicks to a 105-95 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday evening.
Brunson finished with 30 points overall, including 13 during that decisive final stretch — personally outscoring San Antonio in those crucial minutes.
“He’s a tremendous player that’s skilled, picks his spots, knows his angles, shoots contested shots without being sped up,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “He’s a phenomenal player. We just got to keep making him work. Again, he had a phenomenal game. He got going.”
The statistics from that game-changing final surge, beginning with 7:37 remaining and the score knotted at 86, tell the story:
— Brunson connected on 5 of 9 attempts, compared to San Antonio’s 2 of 11 shooting.
— While Brunson alone outscored the Spurs 13-9, New York as a team dominated 19-9.
— The guard sparked a personal 8-0 scoring spree that gave the Knicks a 94-86 advantage, and after San Antonio responded with their own 9-0 run to take a 95-94 lead, Brunson nailed a corner three-pointer that restored New York’s lead permanently.
— San Antonio failed to score another point.
“I think we know what we have to do,” Brunson said. “I think we are a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other and still have each other’s back and know that we just have to keep chipping away, chipping away. It’s just a credit to the mentality that we have as a team.”
The victory marks New York’s 12th consecutive win, making them just the third franchise to accomplish such a feat during a single postseason. The previous two teams to achieve this — San Antonio in 1999 (ironically against New York in the finals) and Golden State in 2017 — both captured NBA championships.
For the Knicks to reach that pinnacle, they’ll likely need Brunson performing at peak level. When he returned from the locker room after his early exit — while not quite matching the legendary Willis Reed moment in Knicks history — it immediately eased concerns for teammates like center Karl-Anthony Towns.
“When we all saw him limp off, we were worried not only because he’s Jalen Brunson but more because he’s our brother and we are a family in our locker room,” Towns said. “But when we were on the court and I saw him walking back out to the bench, it was a relief feeling just to know he’s safe.”
Though many contests during New York’s current winning streak have been dominant victories, several have featured gutsy rallies from significant deficits. Wednesday marked the third playoff game where the Knicks overcame a double-digit disadvantage to claim victory. They previously erased a 22-point deficit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland, overcame a 12-point hole in Game 3 of the East semifinals versus Philadelphia, and now battled back from 14 points down against the Spurs.
“It’s a position we obviously don’t want to be in but it’s always a next-play mentality,” Brunson said. “We have to control the things that we can control and our team is going to go on runs. Things are going to happen and somehow we bounce back. We continue to find a way and just kind of keep chipping away. We knew one play was not going to bring us all the way back but we just kept chipping away.”
WASHINGTON — John Bolton, who previously served as national security adviser in the Trump administration, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that will allow him to admit guilt to one charge of keeping classified information while potentially avoiding incarceration, according to a source with knowledge of the arrangement announced Thursday.
The plea bargain would settle criminal charges brought in October that accused Bolton of 18 separate violations involving either keeping or sharing classified materials, including personal notes resembling diary entries from his government service that authorities say he gave to family members while working on a book about his White House experience.
According to the source, who requested anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been publicly announced, Bolton would pay a $2.25 million penalty under the deal. While any jail term would be limited to five years maximum, the arrangement provides a path for him to serve no time in prison, though final sentencing decisions rest with the judge.
Bolton joins several other Trump critics who have faced prosecution during the past year under the Republican administration. Federal agents brought the investigation into public attention in August when they executed search warrants at Bolton’s Maryland residence and workplace.
A veteran figure in Republican national security policy known for his aggressive stance on projecting American strength, Bolton worked in Trump’s first term for over a year before his dismissal in 2019, after which he released a book critical of the former president.
The administration attempted without success to prevent publication of “The Room Where it Happened,” arguing the book could expose classified materials. The plea agreement Bolton will accept relates to notes he provided to family members rather than content from his published work.
Court records show a rearraignment hearing, which commonly indicates a plea deal, is set for June 26 at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland.
The Justice Department has not provided any statement regarding the matter.
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court delivered an 8-1 ruling Thursday supporting federal regulators’ authority to enforce data privacy regulations against major telecommunications firms.
The decision preserved a crucial enforcement mechanism for the Federal Communications Commission, while telecom companies secured a regulatory concession from the Republican administration that may alter the oversight environment.
Verizon and AT&T had contested a total of $100 million in fines levied after regulators found the corporations inadequately protected customer location information.
The telecommunications giants contended the FCC’s procedures violated constitutional standards by providing insufficient opportunities for them to present their defense before a jury.
While the administration supported the penalties as a vital regulatory mechanism, officials also indicated companies wouldn’t need to immediately remit the fines, representing a regulatory adjustment favoring the corporations.
The high court concurred with this approach.
“The orders at issue did not settle the carriers’ legal obligations because, stated simply, they did not create an obligation to pay,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, saying he would have gone further on limiting the agency’s power.
Similar enforcement procedures are employed by other agencies, meaning a comprehensive win for AT&T and Verizon might have created broader implications, according to advocates.
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has previously moved to restrict federal agency authority, including reversing a long-standing precedent that favored regulators in legal proceedings and removing another agency’s significant tool for combating securities violations.
The nation’s highest court delivered a unanimous decision Thursday strengthening the Securities and Exchange Commission’s power to force fraudsters to return profits from illegal stock schemes.
The justices ruled against Ongkaruck Sripetch, a Los Angeles resident who served 21 months behind bars after admitting guilt for peddling unregistered securities in a penny stock operation. Sripetch had fought a judicial order requiring him to surrender more than $3 million in profits plus interest.
The central question before the court was whether securities regulators must demonstrate that specific investors suffered financial losses from purchasing the fraudulent stocks. The high court determined they do not need such proof.
The court found it sufficient to demonstrate that Sriptech profited from unlawful deals and that “an investor may qualify as a victim of an offender’s wrongdoing entitled to compensation,” Justice Neil Gorsuch explained in the court’s opinion.
Court documents show Sripetch participated in fraudulent activities across at least 20 penny stock enterprises, according to Gorsuch’s writing. Several involved “pump and dump” tactics, where Sripetch and accomplices purchased shares, artificially inflated their value through promotion, then quickly sold them for profit, Gorsuch detailed.
Current federal statutes and previous high court decisions allow the SEC to demand disgorgement up to the total amount of unlawfully earned profits in securities fraud matters. When practical, these recovered funds typically go back to affected investors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is experiencing a sharp decline in political support from voters in northern Israel, where Hezbollah attacks have been most intense, according to a recent survey that could influence his approach to the Lebanon conflict ahead of upcoming elections.
A ceasefire deal reached Wednesday between Israel and Lebanon may not satisfy what northern residents are seeking from their leadership.
The survey conducted in May by Agam Labs at Israel’s Hebrew University, exclusively provided to Reuters, revealed that northern residents are turning away from Netanyahu’s Likud party at a faster rate than voters in other regions and are more critical of his war strategy in Lebanon.
As Iran calls for Israel to halt its military operations as part of any peace agreement it would support with the United States, the polling data demonstrates Netanyahu’s difficult position between domestic political pressures and diplomatic initiatives from Washington allies.
NORTHERN RESIDENTS SEEK HEZBOLLAH’S ELIMINATION
The upcoming general election scheduled by October could potentially remove Netanyahu’s ruling coalition from power, threatening his reputation as Israel’s most enduring political figure.
Although his administration is widely considered Israel’s most right-wing government ever, many northern voters are calling for more aggressive military action, free from U.S. pressure to conclude Middle Eastern conflicts.
In the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, where approximately half the electorate supported Likud in the previous election, eliminating Hezbollah’s threat and its almost daily rocket and drone strikes represents the primary concern.
When warning sirens sound, residents have mere moments to find safety, and local voters interviewed by Reuters expressed their desire for the Hezbollah conflict to continue until the organization is completely destroyed.
“All night there are loud explosions,” said Kiryat Shmona resident Moshe Yifrah, 45, explaining his lack of faith that a ceasefire with Hezbollah would keep his family safe. “Who would we make it with? Murderers who want to kill us?” he said.
Hezbollah initiated attacks on Israel following the Hamas assault of October 7, 2023, leading Israel to conduct an intensive military operation in Lebanon that eliminated most of the organization’s leadership and compelled it to agree to a ceasefire.
Nevertheless, Hezbollah resumed firing after Israel and the United States began a military campaign against Iran on February 28, causing Israel to restart its offensive and capture large portions of southern Lebanon.
Since October 2023, Hezbollah attacks have resulted in more than 50 civilian deaths in northern Israel, based on data from Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies.
In Lebanon, Israeli military operations have killed over 7,500 people since October 2023, according to Lebanese official statements that do not separate civilian and combatant casualties.
Many northern voters, including Yifrah, want Israel to escalate its military efforts, which persisted despite an April ceasefire, but believe Netanyahu is yielding to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reach a truce agreement.
“I’m not ashamed to say that I voted for this government, but it turns out that the one managing it is President Trump,” said Yifrah.
Trump, seeking an agreement with Iran, announced Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to reduce tensions just hours after Netanyahu authorized new attacks on Beirut’s southern areas.
Netanyahu’s political opponents immediately criticized him for compromising national security, increasing his political challenges months before the scheduled election.
“Everywhere Hezbollah is deployed it must be struck and the hands of the IDF should not be tied,” said former military chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, a potential prime ministerial candidate, during a Monday speech.
On Wednesday evening, a new ceasefire agreement was established requiring Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu announced shortly afterward that military operations would persist despite the ceasefire.
POLITICAL OPPONENTS TARGET NORTHERN REGION
The Agam Labs survey found only 23% of northern voters indicating they would support Likud in the next election, declining from the 35% the party received in the 2022 election. Support for the broader right-wing coalition that forms Netanyahu’s government has decreased even more significantly in the north, the poll indicated.
The decline in Likud support is approximately three times greater in the north, which represents about one-fifth of the voting population, compared to other Israeli regions, and roughly 70% of northern survey participants expressed disapproval of Lebanon war management – higher than in other parts of Israel.
“We see a dramatic shift,” said Nimrod Nir of Agam Labs.
“It’s almost a mirror image of what we saw regarding the past elections, with two thirds intending to vote for the anti-Netanyahu bloc,” he added.
The leader of Kiryat Shmona’s Likud branch declined to comment on the party’s decreased polling numbers or participate in an interview.
Surrounded by verdant mountains, Kiryat Shmona had been a thriving hub for tourism and agriculture, but residents now characterize it as abandoned, with many people having departed.
Businesses were closed and a playground stood empty during a Reuters visit this week.
Netanyahu’s primary challengers are promoting aggressive messaging in the north, with Eizenkot making over 15 visits in recent weeks. Netanyahu has avoided the area.
“He should come visit,” said Yisrael Cohen, 40, who previously supported Likud but will not in the upcoming election. “The government needs to see us.”
John Bolton, who previously served as national security adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump before becoming a sharp critic, plans to enter a guilty plea regarding his handling of classified materials, CNN reported Thursday based on information from three sources with knowledge of the situation.
According to CNN’s report, Bolton will plead guilty to a single charge of unlawfully keeping sensitive national security documents and has agreed to pay fines exceeding $2 million.
Federal court documents filed Thursday show Bolton is set to appear before a judge on June 26 to enter a revised plea in his case. The court filings did not specify what plea Bolton would enter.
When initially charged on October 17, 2025, Bolton entered a not guilty plea to accusations of improperly handling classified materials.
Bolton held the position of White House national security adviser under Trump’s first administration before becoming one of the president’s harshest public critics. The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations wrote in a 2020 memoir that Trump was unsuitable for the presidency.
Federal prosecutors allege in their indictment that Bolton provided classified information to two family members for potential inclusion in a book project, including his notes from intelligence briefings and meetings with high-ranking government officials and foreign leaders.
The charges, filed in federal court in Maryland, include eight counts of transmitting national defense information and 10 counts of retaining national defense information, all violations of the Espionage Act.
Nineteen-year-old Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva secured her spot in her first Grand Slam final Thursday with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the French Open semifinals.
The eighth-seeded Andreeva dominated the match from start to finish on Court Philippe Chatrier, using powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play to overwhelm her Ukrainian opponent. She will now face either compatriot Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska for the championship.
The semifinal carried political undertones due to ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Following a pattern established by Ukrainian players since Russia’s 2022 invasion of their homeland, Kostyuk declined to participate in the customary pre-match photo opportunity with Andreeva and avoided handshakes both before and after their contest.
Andreeva quickly established control by jumping to a 4-0 advantage in the first set and maintained her momentum throughout the match. This marked the third encounter between these players, with Kostyuk having won their previous two meetings.
While Kostyuk showed signs of mounting a challenge during the second set, Andreeva quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback before closing out the victory on her serve.
Following her triumph, Andreeva expressed her emotions about reaching this milestone. “I’m still very nervous, very nervous coming to this match as she’s had an amazing season, she hadn’t lost on clay, so that put pressure,” Andreeva explained.
“She’s an amazing player, a tough opponent, so I’m super happy with the way I played. I’m happy I got revenge for the Madrid final, and to reach my first Grand Slam final,” she continued.
“All of these feelings combined, I’ve never felt anything like this, I’m very excited about the last match here in Paris,” Andreeva concluded.
Senate Republicans face a critical decision Thursday regarding President Donald Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund during an extended voting session on a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill.
Amendment voting on the legislation is scheduled to start just before noon. Democratic lawmakers plan to force a vote aimed at eliminating what they describe as a “slush fund” benefiting Trump’s political allies, attempting to put Republicans in a difficult position given the president’s recent track record of ending political careers of lawmakers who oppose him.
“The first Democratic amendment of vote-a-rama will force every senator to answer a basic question: should taxpayer dollars fund Trump’s slush fund, or should it be eliminated once and for all?” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s office said in a statement.
The controversial fund, which opponents argue would enable Trump to use public money to benefit his political associates, has already been suspended by the White House and Justice Department following strong resistance from Senate Republicans.
Democratic leadership hopes their legislative strategy will damage Republicans in November’s midterm elections, where Democrats are expected to gain House control and potentially win the Senate as well.
However, it remains uncertain whether Republicans will support the Democratic amendment, which needs only 51 votes to pass but would also torpedo the three-year funding package for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his reelection campaign to a Trump-endorsed opponent, are also planning to introduce their own amendments targeting the fund.
“I don’t want to join with some Democratic initiative, I want this to be led by Republicans for Republicans,” Tillis told reporters. “We’ve got a sufficient number of Republicans who have been very clear that they’ve got concerns here.”
Cassidy has additionally proposed an amendment that would cancel an agreement blocking the Internal Revenue Service from examining Trump’s tax returns.
Several recent Trump actions, including his request for $1 billion in taxpayer money for White House ballroom and security improvements and his appointment of political ally Bill Pulte as U.S. intelligence chief, have drawn public criticism from some Republican lawmakers.
Democrats are preparing additional amendments that would compel Republicans to vote on various issues including IRS tax protections, the Iran war, Trump’s trade tariffs, and immigration enforcement actions, including the deadly shootings of two U.S. citizens earlier this year.
Tennis superstar Serena Williams is making her highly anticipated comeback to professional tennis, teaming up with Canadian player Victoria Mboko for doubles competition at the upcoming Queen’s Club Championships, Mboko announced Thursday.
The 44-year-old tennis icon, who has captured 23 Grand Slam singles titles, hasn’t stepped onto a professional court since competing at the 2022 U.S. Open. Williams and the 19-year-old Mboko have been granted a wildcard entry into the doubles competition at Queen’s Club.
“The Queen is back. An honor to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week,” Mboko wrote on Instagram, having previously dropped hints about Williams’ comeback following her second-round victory at the French Open. “Even more excited to play doubles together! Tennis is pretty special.”
Williams confirmed her comeback through social media posts after months of growing speculation, particularly following her return to the anti-doping testing program last year. This came despite her previous statements about “evolving away from tennis.”
The tennis legend will compete in London at the WTA 500 event, which runs from June 8 through 14.
Williams has captured 14 Grand Slam doubles championships playing alongside her sister Venus, with the siblings maintaining a perfect record in major tournament finals.
The ninth-ranked singles player Mboko previously described Williams as her “idol” during last week’s competition at Roland Garros.
Dover police have taken a 19-year-old man into custody on weapons charges following a surveillance video investigation that began in the State Street Alley area.
Elijah Johnson was apprehended Monday morning at 11:22 A.M. in the 100 block of South Governors Avenue after officers discovered him carrying a 9mm handgun without a serial number, according to police reports.
The investigation began when patrol officers spotted Johnson on security footage in the State Street Alley area while he was carrying a firearm, though they could not initially determine his identity from the video alone. Additional investigative work allowed officers to identify Johnson and revealed he was also sought on separate charges.
Using intelligence gathered by patrol officers, the Dover Police Street Crimes and Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime (DVOC) units launched a weapons investigation targeting Johnson.
Johnson has been sent to SCI with a $50,000 cash bond and faces multiple charges including Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited, and Noncompliance with PFA.
Federal weather officials will release their 2026 prediction for toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie during a media briefing scheduled for Thursday, June 25. The announcement will take place at a press conference organized by Ohio Sea Grant and The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory.
The briefing will include expert analysis of the seasonal prediction, examination of how these dangerous algae blooms affect Lake Erie’s economic activity and surrounding communities, plus discussion of response efforts at federal, state and local levels. The presentation will be streamed online and include a moderated question-and-answer session for registered media representatives.
Attending in person: Those participating on-site will have the opportunity to meet with NOAA’s primary harmful algal bloom prediction specialist, join a research boat excursion to observe monitoring techniques firsthand, and witness laboratory demonstrations. Interested parties must confirm attendance using this form by June 19 due to limited capacity for in-person participation.
Joining virtually: Media representatives must register beforehand to access visual materials and participate in questions during the briefing. Alternatively, reporters may dial in by phone to listen, though they will not be able to participate in the question-and-answer portion.
Audio-only phone access:
US: 468-769-923
Webinar ID: 954 0651 1710
Password: 552444
TIMING
Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT
LOCATION
Stone Laboratory The Ohio State University’s Island Campus Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
Transportation details: In-person participants should board the Miller Ferry to South Bass Island leaving from Catawba Point at 9:30 am to arrive on time for the press conference. Stone Laboratory personnel will greet the ferry and provide transportation to the laboratory for the briefing. A meal will be provided.
PARTICIPANTS
• Rick Stumpf, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science • Nate Manning, National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg University • Grace Young, University of Michigan • Cal Buelo, US Environmental Protection Agency • Chris Winslow, Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory at The Ohio State University (Moderator)
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 15 should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have closed the right lane between Route 10 and Bison Road.
The lane restriction is part of ongoing construction work in the area and will remain in effect until 4 PM today, according to traffic officials.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and to allow extra time for their commute while crews complete their work.
Three British Royal Navy personnel were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training mission in southwestern England early Wednesday morning, according to military officials.
The aircraft went down in a field located in Devon County around 4 a.m. local time.
In a statement, the navy’s head General Gwyn Jenkins expressed his sorrow, saying he was “deeply saddened to share the news that three crewmembers onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.”
Jenkins confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident, with additional details expected to be released at a later time. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this point.
The Merlin Mk4 aircraft typically operates with a four-person crew and has the capacity to transport up to 24 troops. According to the Royal Navy’s official website, these helicopters serve multiple functions including anti-submarine operations, search and rescue missions, cargo transport, and maritime surveillance.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the families of the deceased service members have been notified of the tragedy.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the fatalities as “utterly tragic.”
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate kicked off a lengthy voting process Thursday on legislation that would provide funding for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations, pushing toward approval of three-year financing as Democrats have prevented the money for months in opposition.
The approximately $70 billion measure to finance U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol would break through the Democratic roadblock that has persisted since lawmakers sought policy reforms following the deadly shootings of two demonstrators by federal officers in January. The legislation would provide agency funding for three years, lasting until Trump’s term concludes.
However, Republicans must first overcome a series of potential amendments that Democrats intend to propose, including efforts to permanently eliminate Trump’s $1.776 billion settlement fund designed for supporters he considers victims of political persecution. Democrats announced their initial amendment Thursday morning would remove the fund and return the immigration spending measure to committee.
Senate Republicans are employing a complex procedural strategy to bypass the filibuster and approve the budget measure without any Democratic support. Yet it has required weeks to bring the bill to the Senate floor as Republicans worked through multiple hurdles to passage established by Trump and the White House — including a $1 billion White House security proposal they ultimately abandoned and strong opposition from both parties regarding the settlement fund.
“The thing we’re trying to do here is to keep the focus on funding for ICE and CBP,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated Wednesday evening, following the Senate’s vote to begin debating the measure. “This was narrow and targeted from the very beginning and clean, and we’re trying to maintain it that way.”
However, it remains uncertain whether Republicans will possess sufficient votes to defeat the Democratic amendments. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced this week that the fund would not proceed, and numerous GOP senators said Wednesday they were pleased with his statements.
Nevertheless, Trump, who has disagreed with Senate Republicans recently, created fresh uncertainty about the settlement’s fate Wednesday afternoon when he informed reporters that the settlement is “very important” and stated “I don’t know” whether it is terminated or postponed.
“I’d have to ask the lawyers,” he stated.
To advance legislation through the budget procedure known as reconciliation, the Senate must first conduct an extended series of votes. Democrats are utilizing that mechanism to attempt banning the settlement through law — and also defeating the immigration spending bill.
Following Trump’s remarks about the fund, Schumer wrote on X that “this is EXACTLY why” Democrats would be compelling votes to prohibit it.
Several Republicans also intended to formalize Blanche’s commitment in writing. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has indicated he will propose an amendment to prevent any effort at reviving the fund.
“We’ve got a sufficient number of Republicans who have been very clear they’ve got concerns there,” Tillis said.
Democrats argue any funding legislation for the Homeland Security Department should impose limitations on federal immigration authorities, including improved identification for federal officers and increased use of judicial warrants, among other demands.
Following the shooting of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents, Trump accepted a Democratic proposal that the Homeland Security bill be separated from a broader spending package that became law. But bipartisan discussions failed, and the DHS funding expired in mid-February without agreement on modifications to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement methods.
Congress ultimately funded the remainder of the Homeland Security Department at April’s end with Democratic backing. But ICE and Border Patrol continued without regular funding, and Republicans initiated a fresh attempt to approve three years of financing for those agencies without Democratic votes.
Progress on the legislation was also slowed by Republican resistance to $1 billion in security funding for the White House, including for Trump’s new ballroom, that was incorporated into the original bill.
Democrats and some Republicans challenged using taxpayer funds for the extensive project, and Republicans excluded it from the final bill when released Wednesday.
Thune said he was coordinating with his GOP conference to attempt defeating any amendments and ensuring he possesses adequate votes for a simple majority to approve the bill in the 53-47 Senate.
“Keep in mind, we’ve got to keep them all together, make sure we’ve got 50 votes for it,” he said.
Republican House leaders said Wednesday they would prefer to complete the legislation before week’s end, if the Senate can finish it. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said that House leaders were conducting internal discussions about the schedule.
“We just need to make sure everybody’s there,” Scalise said.
Federal prosecutors announced charges against a Sacramento resident who attempted to bring an explosive device through airport security screening at Sacramento International Airport during the weekend.
According to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant, the 49-year-old suspect was apprehended while carrying what officials determined was a bomb capable of inflicting serious damage to an aircraft. The individual also possessed a torch lighter, knife, zip ties and additional suspicious items when detained.
Grant revealed in a statement that the suspect had concealed his face with a scarf and was wearing latex gloves during the incident. Authorities discovered the man was carrying five cellular phones, including one programmed with a 15-minute countdown timer and another displaying a text message from an unknown number stating, “we will be awaiting your call.”
Photographic evidence released by federal prosecutors depicts a cardboard cylinder roughly equivalent to the dimensions of a toilet paper tube, equipped with a green fuse. Following examination by explosive specialists, the device’s powder and fuse components “were determined to be viable and energetic,” according to Grant’s statement.
Grant explained that detonation of the device near an aircraft window during pressurized flight conditions above 10,000 feet “had the potential to damage the aircraft and cause a possible loss of cabin pressure.”
The suspect was taken into custody on Saturday and made his initial appearance before a federal judge in Sacramento on Wednesday. He faces charges of unlawful possession of explosive material in an airport.
Defense attorney Meghan McLoughlin, representing the accused, told The Associated Press in a Thursday email that “there is often more to these cases than the government’s allegations, and that the criminal process will reveal” her client’s perspective on the matter.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paramount Skydance revealed Thursday they have reached a six-year streaming agreement that will make Paramount+ the exclusive home for UFC’s numbered event main cards in Canada beginning next year.
This partnership represents another significant move in Paramount’s strategy to establish itself as a major destination for live sports streaming, as entertainment companies increasingly rely on live programming to attract viewers and grow their subscriber base in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
The new Canadian deal expands upon the massive $7.7 billion agreement reached in August of last year, which gave Paramount exclusive broadcasting rights in the United States to carry all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 “Fight Nights” annually.
The UFC represented one of the first major investments made by David Ellison after assuming the role of Paramount CEO when the company merged with his production studio Skydance.
Through this expanded agreement, all 13 UFC numbered events featuring championship fights and the sport’s top athletes will be available for live streaming on Paramount+ annually. This arrangement marks the end of UFC’s longtime pay-per-view system in Canada.
According to company data, since UFC programming launched on Paramount’s platforms across the United States and Latin America, more than 10 million households have consumed over 100 million hours of UFC content on Paramount+.
The UFC, which operates under TKO Group Holdings, is a mixed martial arts promotion that stages more than 40 live events each year. The company plans to announce which specific events will kick off the Canadian service later in 2026.
This Canadian expansion occurs as the media company moves forward with completing its $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros Discovery, which brings additional live sports programming including TNT Sports’ Major League Baseball and NASCAR broadcasting agreements.
The social media platform Pinterest announced Thursday it will spend $4 billion on cloud computing services from Amazon Web Services through 2031, marking the company’s most significant partnership agreement to date.
Wall Street responded positively to the news, with Pinterest stock climbing nearly 5% while Amazon shares gained 1.7%.
Under the expanded agreement, Amazon.com’s cloud division will supply Pinterest with specialized processors, including Graviton and Trainium chips, designed to support the platform’s artificial intelligence development efforts.
“This expanded commitment with AWS gives us the compute flexibility, hardware optionality, and infrastructure efficiency to accelerate our AI vision,” Pinterest’s Chief Technology Officer Matt Madrigal said in a statement.
The social media company has been pouring resources into artificial intelligence technology, enhancing its Performance+ advertising platform as it faces growing competition from rivals like TikTok and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms.
Pinterest revealed it has maintained a working relationship with AWS dating back to 2010, using the services to enhance reliability and performance across its main operations.
The company, which recently projected second-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, indicated it will use Amazon’s specialized processors to enhance cost efficiency for its AI operations.
The partnership will enable Pinterest to utilize AWS Trainium technology for advanced language and visual recognition models that drive features such as customized visual search and AI-powered content discovery across the platform.
NICOSIA, June 4 – Cyprus lawmakers chose Annita Demetriou for another term as parliamentary speaker during Thursday’s voting, with the results offering early signals about political alliances taking shape before the 2028 presidential race.
While Cyprus operates under a presidential government structure, parliamentary coalition patterns often reflect broader voting tendencies across the nation.
Demetriou, who leads the right-wing Democratic Rally party, secured her position through support from her own party along with backing from the Democratic Party, a centrist organization that supports current President Nikos Christodoulides, and Direct Democracy, a grassroots movement established by a social media personality.
Following the May 24 parliamentary elections, two political parties that had been backing Christodoulides’s government – the socialist EDEK and centrist Dipa – lost their legislative representation. This leaves the Democratic Party as the sole group in parliament currently aligned with Christodoulides.
A federal regulatory official informed Congress on Thursday that the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service should avoid bankruptcy in the upcoming year, though serious financial challenges remain.
Robert Taub, vice chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission, delivered written testimony to a U.S. House committee stating that recent financial relief measures have pushed back the agency’s “reported insolvency” by several additional years, provided USPS makes crucial spending decisions. “Given the Postal Service’s severe and worsening financial situation, we as a nation must respond. I do not believe that we can leave it up to the Postal Service to save itself,” Taub’s testimony states.
The testimony highlights ongoing concerns about the long-term viability of the postal agency despite the temporary reprieve from immediate financial collapse.
