Aliyah has ADHD, and finds it difficult to concentrate when she’s learning from a screen. She’ll watch Netflix in class on her school laptop, hiding her earbuds behind her long, curly hair.

“It’s very hard to get into the mindset of being in school,” Aliyah said.

Aliyah’s mother saw her grades were falling and asked the school to take away her laptop. But she was told that wasn’t possible.

Across the country, parents are voicing concerns about excessive screen time in schools and lobbying educators to go back to pencil and paper. In places like Lower Merion Township, where Aliyah goes to high school, some are taking it even further. Over 600 people in the affluent Philadelphia suburb have signed a petition asking to preserve parents’ ability to opt their children out of using digital devices during the school day. The public school district has pushed back, saying it’s not feasible to let hundreds of students opt out of technology that is essential to the curriculum.

Disagreement over how tech is used in the classroom

At a meeting Monday night, school board members said they were considering many ways to respond to parental concerns about technology, but allowing opt-outs was not one of them.

“There is not an option for us to not have technology in schools,” said Lower Merion School Board member Anna Shurak.

The board was meeting to discuss updates to the district’s technology policies, including repealing a policy that allows opt outs. Over 100 people showed up to protest, many wearing buttons that said “Screens Down, Pencils Up.”

Many emphasized they’re not anti-tech — in fact, most parents agree that learning how to responsibly use computers is an essential life skill. They just don’t want tech to dominate the classroom.

“Teaching how to use technology is not the same thing as using technology to teach everything else,” said Sara Sullivan, a parent.

Technology has become inescapable at schools

The debate in Lower Merion raises the question of whether technology has become so intertwined with learning that it’s impossible to opt out. Kids use devices to play educational games, submit their homework, access online resources and write essays — but parents are questioning the value of gamified edtech software.

Subashini Subramanian said the software her second-grade daughter uses for math, DreamBox, incentivizes rushing through levels to gain points. When she encouraged her daughter to think through the problems methodically, the 8-year-old said, “If I go through all the steps, it’s slowing me down. I have to click, click, click.”

At the school board meeting, many parents said they were exhausted from battling their kids over screen time. Adam Washington says his son struggles with screen addiction, so sometimes he takes away his phone or TV — only to find him watching YouTube on the school laptop instead.

“The screen is killing him. It is killing me, and him, together with our relationship,” Washington said.

Another parent at the meeting questioned what students would do instead of using their computers.

“Opting out is not a solution. It’s avoiding the hard work of finding a solution,” Seth Ruderman said.

Parental pushback on edtech has led to change

The pushback on technology in the classroom has gained steam around the country. At least 14 states have proposed laws to limit screen time in schools, according to Ballotpedia, with four states — Alabama, Tennessee, Utah and Iowa — passing such legislation.

In Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest school district said it will ban screens until second grade, require daily caps for screen time per grade, ban YouTube and require an audit of all education technology contracts.

In Vermont, proposed legislation would allow not just parents but also teachers to decline to use classroom tech. Democratic State Rep. Angela Arsenault, a bill co-sponsor, said she’s responding to parents’ worries about edtech.

“Parents in many districts and states just aren’t being listened to or not being heard when they ask that their students not be forced to use these products,” Arsenault said.

The Lower Merion school district said it’s listening to community concerns and has already made changes, including blocking some problematic websites flagged by parents.

“We have wonderful teachers who have continuously prioritized human interaction and relationships,” Superintendent Frank Ranelli wrote in a letter to parents. He declined to comment to the AP for this story.

The district said it is looking into possible changes, including stronger cellphone restrictions, not allowing the youngest students to take devices home and installing software to monitor students in class.

However, surveillance software can bring its own problems and poses risks to student privacy. In 2010, the Lower Merion School District paid $610,000 to settle lawsuits by two students who alleged the district had spied on them via the webcam on their school-issued laptops.

Kids want ways to hold themselves accountable

High school student Mia Tatar, 16, raised concerns at the board meeting that there’s been an unintended consequence to the anti-tech backlash. The internet filters on school computers are now so strict, she said she’s been blocked while doing research on appropriate topics for school, like breast cancer.

Mia said students need to learn how to responsibly use technology, and adding filters or getting rid of laptops won’t do that.

“It doesn’t teach kids how to hold themselves accountable and how to be responsible for regulating their own screen time once they’re in the world,” Mia said in an interview.

Her friend Elliot Campbell, 15, said there should be strict limits on screen use in the youngest grades, but students should get more freedom as they get older.

“If we lose our laptops or if we lose the partial freedom we have on them, it’s not going to prepare us for college,” Elliot told board members at the hearing.

Fellow high schooler Joaquin Imaizumi takes a different view. He said it’s “completely unfair” to expect children to regulate their usage of devices that even adults find addictive.

“This isn’t about learning to constrain yourself,” he said in an interview. “We don’t give someone drugs and say, ‘OK, now learn how to deal with this.’”

His biggest concern is that devices make it far too tempting to access AI tools like ChatGPT, which he sees eroding his classmates’ ability to think for themselves.

“I’ve seen the atrophy of my peers’ thinking, which is existentially concerning,” Joaquin said.

The influence of AI starts early. A second-grader named Lillian Keshet, who got up to speak at the board meeting, said Google Docs will give her “suggestions” about what to write in class.

“I’m a pretty good writer by myself,” Lillian said. “I don’t need your suggestions, Google!”

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Associated Press writer Jocelyn Gecker contributed to this report from San Francisco.

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The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The net tally of seats gained and lost was essentially a wash.

“F— around and find out,” said Jeffries after the election victory.

But in a matter of days, the race for control of the House — and the speaker’s gavel — was dramatically reset by back-to-back court rulings that wiped out the Democratic gains in Virginia and now threaten to erode Black representation by Democrats in the Deep South.

The shifting political prospects have been a wake-up call for Democrats, who have been favored to win back the House this November, riding the wave of President Donald Trump’s dipping approval ratings, and a test for Jeffries as the party faces an enlarging map of Republican-friendly seats.

The leader’s aligned outside group has spent some $60 million, much of it on Virginia alone, a hit to the Democrats’ resources as they confront Trump’s Republicans.

“It sort of crystallizes the election is now a contest between one side that has the money and the maps, and the other that has the voters and the candidates,” said Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist and former deputy director of the House Democrats’ campaign arm.

Jeffries would make history as the first Black speaker of the House

Jeffries, who is in line to make history as America’s first Black speaker of the House, acknowledged the Democrats may need to flip twice as many Republican seats — a total gain of six rather than just three — to win the majority in the aftermath of the redistricting fights.

But he insisted that Democrats were on track to pick up seats, as they did in 2018 during Trump’s first term, because Republicans are relying on redistricting — rather than policy solutions — to win elections.

Trump Republicans “don’t give a damn” about Americans’ financial struggles, Jeffries said, paraphrasing the president’s own remarks.

During a closed-door meeting on Wednesday with House Democrats, Jeffries described the work ahead in almost existential terms for the country.

He said the court rulings against the Voting Rights Act and the Virginia measure were “disgusting.” And he warned his colleagues that Republicans would proceed with “diabolical intensity” in their campaigns to regain control of the House, which Democrats will not only have to match but “we have to exceed it with righteous intensity at all times.”

“Failure is not an option,” he told the Democrats, according to a person in the room granted anonymity to disclose the private remarks. “We have to win, and we are going to win.”

Path to power depends on a handful of House seats

Never easy, the race to the House majority was also not expected to be this complicated. Republicans hold a slim majority, among the most narrow in modern House history, and midterm elections tend to favor the party out of power, as a check on the White House.

But when Trump said last summer that Republicans were “entitled” to five more GOP seats from Texas, it sparked a redistricting crusade that led Jeffries to respond in kind.

Rather than take what they call the high road, Democrats said they decided to fight back, believing they could not fully count on the nation’s institutions — in this case, the courts — to provide a check on the GOP power play.

Jeffries flew to Austin to join the Texas Democrats fighting the redistricting plan in their state and stood with those same lawmakers in Chicago where they fled to deny statehouse Republicans a quorum. He joined the private meetings of California Democrats as they launched their counter attack, a voter initiative that put five more seats in the Democratic column. The Democrats picked up a seat in Utah.

And on it went.

“We had to very quickly make a decision, set a course and take a risk,” said Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., recalling the closed-door talks last summer. “There was no guarantee this was going to work out.”

The Virginia measure became a turning point, Jeffries’ biggest swing yet, putting Democrats essentially at parity, if not a potential upper hand in the number of seats gained, and shifting Old Dominion more securely into the party’s column.

He rallied some 1,000 churchgoers in Richmond ahead of Election Day as voters headed to the polls.

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday called the Democratic play for Virginia a “crazy overreach” that was rightly rejected by the state’s high court.

“Fortunately, the plan failed spectacularly,” Johnson said.

Redistricting battles push into 2028

While Democrats said they expected the Supreme Court to gut the Voting Rights Act, the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision to toss last month’s election results blindsided many of them.

Jeffries joined a call with furious Virginia Democrats over the weekend who said they were more determined than ever to win the Republican seats outright, regardless of their loss over the map changes.

The overall tally after nearly a year of redistricting battles is still shifting as Republican legislatures in the South rush to redraw their maps in the aftermath of the ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, many of them preparing to eliminate districts held by some of the most senior Black lawmakers in Congress.

Rep. James Clyburn, the veteran Democratic legislator from South Carolina whose own seat is at risk, blamed the justices, not Jeffries, for the outcome in Virginia and elsewhere.

“What the hell, he can’t control the courts,” Clyburn said, vowing to run for reelection regardless of where his district is drawn. “Don’t put that on Jeffries. We won the vote.”

Jeffries acknowledged that this year’s maps are almost set, and pivoted to 2028 when he said Democrats will redouble their efforts to confront the GOP redistricting battle ahead of the next election.

“We know this unprecedented assault on Black political representation, the likes of which we have not seen since the Jim Crow era, the ghost of the Confederacy” will continue, he said. “The challenge that is in front of us is ensuring that there is a decisive and overwhelming response in advance of 2028.”

The lawsuit argues that the president, his presidential library foundation and state officials — including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — violated the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from giving a financial benefit to a sitting president.

The White House didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment on Wednesday night.

DeSantis moved last September to transfer a 2.63-acre (1.06-hectare) parcel of land to Trump’s presidential library foundation. Since then, the president and his son Eric Trump shared extravagant plans for a skyscraper to house the library. An artificial intelligence video unveiled in March includes panning shots of the tower’s exterior and interior, with a presidential jet parked in the lobby alongside a gold escalator like the one Trump rode while launching his presidential campaign in 2015. Other shots show a giant ballroom like the one he’s planning for the White House, a replica Oval Office, rooftop gardens and a large, gold statue of Trump.

The president also suggested that there could be for-profit entities in the building.

“This concept could be an office, but it’s most likely going to be a hotel with a beautiful building underneath,” Trump said to reporters in March.

The complaint argued that means the land “is no longer available to serve MDC’s student community and Downtown Miami. Instead, the land will house a Trump hotel that brings riches to the President.”

The property that was donated to Trump’s foundation is owned by Miami Dade College and sits next to the Freedom Tower, a historic building that rises alongside the glitzy condos facing palm tree-lined Biscayne Bay. The Spanish Revival skyscraper once housed one of the city’s first newspapers, but later served as a resource center for hundreds of thousands of Cubans seeking asylum in the United States, according to Miami Dade College, which now operates the site as a museum.

The site is valued at roughly $67 million, according to a 2025 assessment by the Miami-Dade County property appraiser. Other real estate experts, including appraisers cited in the lawsuit, have wagered that the parcel could sell for hundreds of millions of dollars more.

Lawyers with the Constitutional Accountability Center in Washington, D.C., and Miami-based law firm Gelber Schachter & Greenberg filed the lawsuit on behalf of a student at Miami Dade College, two people who live near the donated parcel of land and a local nonprofit organization that had hoped to use the parcel as the site of an urban farm.

The Japanese automaker said losses related to its EV operations are estimated to total 2.5 trillion yen ($16 billion), incurred mostly in the fiscal year just ended and the current fiscal year.

Analysts say Honda Motor Co. might have been too ambitious too fast, when many markets weren’t ready. As a result, Honda abandoned many of its plans for EV models, including those in the works in a joint venture with Sony Corp.

“EV demand has declined considerably, due to the rollback of environmental regulations in the U.S. and other factors,” Honda said in a statement.

The Trump administration has pulled back on incentive programs for EVs and withheld money to states wanting to add more EV charging stations, even as gas prices have soared over the war in Iran.

Trump also blocked California’s stringent electric vehicle mandates last year, backpedaling on the shift to environmental models.

Trump’s tariffs on imported autos and auto parts, although lowered to 15% from the initial 25%, also worked to dent Honda’s profitability.

Tokyo-based Honda’s bottom line got a lift from its healthy motorcycle business, helping Honda’s overall sales for the fiscal year through March to rise 0.5% to 21.8 trillion yen ($138 billion).

Honda, which makes the Accord sedan and Super Cub motorcycles, sold 3.4 million vehicles around the world in the fiscal year through March, down from 3.7 million the previous year.

It sold 22.1 million motorcycles, up from 20 million a year before. Honda dominates some markets in motorcycles, including India.

Honda forecast a return to profit for the fiscal year through March 2027, at 260 billion yen ($1.7 billion).

Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe outlined a new growth strategy that included a continued pursuit of carbon neutrality. But he acknowledged the need to work on hybrids and regular gasoline-engine models as well, not just electric vehicles.

When asked by a reporter whether he was considering stepping down to take responsibility for the dire results, a common response in Japan, Mibe said he wanted to carry out the revival plan first.

“We will continue our research to develop future technologies including electric vehicle batteries,” he said. “We will get back on a growth track.”

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Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

Previous statements doubting Venezuela’s sovereignty over the past 25 years have been met with immediate derision from senior government officials, including the president. The ruling party even organized demonstrations in the capital, Caracas, as recently as Jan. 3, hours after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the U.S., that included chants of “Gringo go home.” This time around, however, the government has mostly kept quiet, save for a brief statement to reporters Monday from acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

The approach demonstrates the balance Rodríguez must strike between external and internal politics following the January U.S. military attack in Caracas. The Trump administration has since implemented a phased plan to try to turn around the crisis-wrecked country and has forced Rodríguez’s political movement, Chavismo, to abandon the anti-U.S. sentiment that long accompanied its teachings.

“This is probably the most public and sharp manifestation of the government’s transactional, self-survival approach above everything else right now, above even that sort of basic tenet of Chavismo,” said Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at the London-based Chatham House think tank. “It’s better that they hold their tongue, not offend the U.S. right now. Why overreact to a ridiculous claim by Donald Trump?”

Rodríguez on Monday told journalists that Venezuela had no plans to become the 51st U.S. state, but her comments were much more reserved than past presidential addresses deriding these types of U.S remarks. They came after Trump said he was “seriously considering” the move. Trump has made similar comments about Canada.

“We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,” Rodríguez said. Venezuela, she added, is “not a colony, but a free country.”

The Trump administration stunned Venezuelans by choosing to work with Rodríguez, instead of the country’s political opposition, following Maduro’s ouster. She has since led cooperation with the administration’s phased plan, pitching her oil-rich nation to international investors and opening its energy sector to private capital and international arbitration. Rodríguez has also replaced senior officials, including Maduro’s faithful defense minister and attorney general.

Trump has praised her work, and his administration has lifted economic sanctions against her personally and eased sanctions against the country, though some still remain in place. The U.S. now also recognizes her as the “sole” head of state of Venezuela.

The U.S. stopped recognizing Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader in 2019, the year after he claimed reelection victory in a contest widely considered a sham as opposition parties and candidates were barred from participating.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges after their Jan. 3 capture. Both have pleaded not guilty and remain jailed at a Brooklyn detention center.

In Caracas, some residents on Wednesday viewed the government’s response as submitting to Trump, but they also acknowledged that Rodríguez is not in a position to unleash Chavismo’s characteristic anti-U.S. propaganda.

“She knows that it’s wise not to engage in direct confrontation because she knows she’s bound to lose,” college student Adonai Osoria said. “Now, are there some who disagree, who don’t like it? Well, yes, of course. But I consider her reaction right now to be a common, understandable reaction.”

Government supporters last showed their inflammatory attitude against the U.S. in the days after Maduro was captured, burning U.S. flags and carrying signs that read “Gringo go home.”

Among the government’s strongest supporters across the country are the armed groups known as colectivos. The groups are a staple of pro-ruling party demonstrations. Local leader Jorge Navas characterized Trump’s comments as “irresponsible acts of provocation” and praised Rodríguez for her diplomatic response.

“We are bending, strategically, but we will not break,” Navas said of Chavismo’s current approach to U.S. pressure. “We continue to resist, that is, realistically, given the country’s economic situation.”

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Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.

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Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

She was on a pilgrimage with other Black divers and community members, visiting sacred sites including one where a British slave ship — the Henrietta Marie — sank 326 years ago.

The vessel had delivered 200 enslaved people from West Africa to Jamaica and was heading back to Britain in 1700 — near the peak of the trans-Atlantic slave trade — when it was swallowed up in the churning waters of New Ground Reef where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico.

A concrete marker at the site memorializes the people on that ship.

As Browning and her group prepared to dive in early May, the water was calm. The marker, 20 feet (6 meters) below, was visible from the glassy surface. “I thought I’d look at it, pay my respects and that’ll be that,” she said.

But something unexpected happened. Tears filled her eyes. She gently told herself: If you can be quiet, maybe they will speak.

Staring at the monument, which is now a small living reef covered in corals and sponges, she felt her ancestors’ words: “My daughter, we’re so glad you’re here.”

Overwhelmed, Browning lingered by the marker bearing the words: “Henrietta Marie. In memory and recognition of the courage, pain and suffering on enslaved African people. Speak her name and gently touch the souls of our ancestors.”

She felt submerged in gratitude.

“Without their stamina, their spirit and survival, I wouldn’t be here today. None of us would be here today,” she said.

Pilgrimages aren’t meant to be easy

For the pilgrims in Key West, the gathering was an act of devotion, a quest for connection with their roots and for spiritually nourishing generations to come. They had tried to dive to the marker last summer, but the water was too choppy.

“The ancestors were not smiling down on us then,” said Jay Haigler, master diving instructor with Underwater Adventure Seekers, the world’s oldest Black scuba diving club. “This year was different.”

Such a pilgrimage was never meant to be easy, said Michael Cottman, who has written two books about the Henrietta Marie and was part of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers that installed the marker in 1992.

Cottman believes the site contains “spiritual turbulence.”

“Even if it wasn’t carrying enslaved people, it embodies the oppression of our people,” he said.

The group organized an annual pilgrimage in the 1990s, but it didn’t continue. The latest trip was spurred by an underwater interview project proposed by Stanford University anthropologist Ayana Omilade Flewellen, who serves on the board of Diving With a Purpose, a Black scuba diving nonprofit dedicated to documenting slave shipwrecks.

The submerged interviews also helped her connect as a pilgrim, Flewellen said. “I felt a kind of tenderness in my heart.”

The spiritual experience helped her process a traumatic history rooted in death and suffering.

“It’s hard to attach your life with this history,” she said. “The only way I could do that was turn toward what the divers were experiencing on this pilgrimage. That’s where it all bloomed and blossomed.”

Ancient ritual at African refugee cemetery

The pilgrims also gathered on land. At Higgs Beach on the south side of Key West, they visited a memorial and burial ground for 297 African refugees who died in 1860 after being rescued by the U.S. Navy from three slave ships — Wildfire, William and Bogota. Over 1,400 refugees were housed by the government in a compound and provided food and medical care, said Corey Malcom, the Florida Keys History Center’s lead historian.

While many were sent back to Africa, hundreds died due to the horrific conditions on the ships, he said.

Largely forgotten for decades, the grave site was discovered by historians and geologists using ground-penetrating radar. In 2010, a large pit containing 100 more bodies was located at a community dog park across the street. The area is now fenced off, Malcom said.

On Saturday, pilgrims met at the cemetery and held an emotional libation ceremony, a sacred, ancient ritual rooted in Afro-Caribbean spiritual tradition. One by one, group members tearfully thanked their ancestors and poured white rum on the beach. The clear spirit is believed to act as a messenger, inviting ancestral souls for their blessings.

“To honor your ancestors and the road they’ve traveled is very, very important because we’re all connected,” said Addeliar Guy, one of the elders and an avid diver.

Underwater monument represents a living history

Joel Johnson trained for weeks for his first open-water dive at the Henrietta Marie site. Johnson, the president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, said what surprised him as he approached the monument was the vibrancy surrounding it. Fish darted among the corals that swayed with the currents; shells rested on the sandy bottom.

Conservation and protecting these habitats also preserve the history below the waves, Johnson said.

“This was not a place of death, but a place of life,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I was grieving for my ancestors. I felt like I was in the stream of history, recognizing that I’m a part of that. It made me happy.”

While underwater, Michael Philip Davenport, president of Underwater Adventure Seekers, was inspired to create art showing ancestors emerging from the monument.

“Their spirituality is still in that space,” he said. “I was feeling their lives and their tragedy.”

Dr. Melody Garrett, an anesthesiologist, started training with Diving With a Purpose in 2011 and has gone on missions to find the Guerrero, a Spanish pirate ship that wrecked in 1827 while carrying 561 enslaved Africans.

“A pilgrimage like this is so important now more than ever because there is an effort to cover up, rewrite and change history,” she said. She cited the Trump administration’s moves to remove references to slavery and Black history at National Park Service sites and federal museums, labeling it as divisive “anti-American propaganda.”

For Garrett, seeing these pieces of history gives her a strong sense of identity as an American, as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.

“Black people have been here since before this country’s inception, longer than many other people have,” she said. “This is our country.”

Exhibit displays shackles used in slave trade

Remnants of the Henrietta Marie’s wooden hull are embedded at the site under layers of sand. The shipwreck was discovered in 1972 by treasure hunter Mel Fisher, but it wasn’t until 1983 that hundreds of intact items were recovered. Only a few slave ships were found out of the 35,000 used to transport over 12 million enslaved Africans; most vessels were intentionally destroyed to hide the illicit trade.

The artifacts, which occupy an entire floor of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, include over 80 sets of iron shackles, many of them child-size.

When Kory Lamberts first walked over wooden planks in the exhibit, they unexpectedly creaked.

“It was visceral,” he said. “It took me to a place. It also tells me that these were young people — children. These are baby shackles. There’s no sugarcoating it. The truth really hits you.”

While in Key West, Lamberts — who runs a nonprofit to make aquatics more equitable — said he brought back fish from the Henrietta Marie site, which he imagines would have absorbed the DNA of the ancestors. The group ate that fish for dinner the night after the dives — like a sacrament.

“I don’t practice a faith, but isn’t this what people are doing every Sunday at church?” he asked. “I wasn’t just bonded with this site through the experience of being there, but at this molecular level with a full circle moment of connection with myself and my history.”

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Shattuck, one of 20 club pros in the 156-man field and given the honor of the opening shot, pulled his drive toward the fence line and was unsure whether it stayed in bounds. He wound up hitting a provisional, only to learn his original shot landed just inside the fence.

Aronimink has not held a major since the 1962 PGA Championship, and a restoration project nearly 10 years ago added bunkers and removed trees. Overnight rain might soften the course. Drier weather was in the forecast, along with the possibility of wind that would change the dynamics.

That's what awaited Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth in the morning, and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in the afternoon.

McIlroy and Spieth in the same group brought the Grand Slam into focus.

Spieth needs to win the PGA Championship to become the seventh player to have won all four majors, while McIlroy is the only player who can win the calendar slam. Not since Spieth in 2015 has anyone captured the first two majors of the season.

Shattuck is the PGA director of instruction at Rolling Green, about 10 miles away from Aronimink. He had to take a one-shot penalty for an unplayable lie next to the fence, hacked out of the rough and made double bogey.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The emotional reunion unfolded early Thursday morning in southwest Miami-Dade, where Bentacourt embraced his family for the first time since the father of three was detained during a routine immigration check-in late last year and sent to the controversial detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

“I knew one day I’d get out,” Bentacourt said shortly after his release.

Arianne Bentacourt had vowed from the beginning not to stop fighting for her father’s freedom. Local 10 first met her outside the detention center in November, where she made it clear she would do everything possible to bring him home.

“I’m not giving up,” she said at the time. “I’ve always said I’m the kind of person — if I say I’m going to do something, I’ll get it done.”

Now, six months later, that determination appears to have paid off.

“You just hugged your dad for the first time in six months,” Local 10’s Magdala Louissaint told Arianne during the reunion.

“I’m proud of myself, and I’m happy to have him home,” she replied.

Bentacourt described difficult and traumatic conditions inside the Everglades detention center.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “The animals don’t stay like how people stay over there. Every single day you have to work for your life.”

According to the family and their attorney, a judge recently agreed Bentacourt had been detained for too long, clearing the way for his release.

Still, Bentacourt said his freedom is bittersweet because many others remain behind.

“I leave a lot of people inside,” he said. “An old man, 80 years old — people wish they were here. It’s crazy.”

When asked what message he had for families with loved ones still detained at Alligator Alcatraz, Bentacourt urged them not to give up, “try to do the right thing” and follow “your habeas corpus.”

Bentacourt’s release comes as questions continue to swirl around the future of the controversial detention center. A recent report by The New York Times claimed the facility could shut down in June, though neither Gov. Ron DeSantis nor the Trump administration has confirmed those reports.

However, vendors told Local 10 they have been informed operations at the facility are expected to end by June 1.

Some of the other ripples, though, aren't as obvious. They're the ones we carry inside us — grief over lost loved ones, chronic health conditions, the sense of lives interrupted. And in recent days, another one has made itself known in the wake of a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship: the fear, despite official reassurances, that it might be happening again.

But the flourishing of fear, whether on a personal or societal level, can also be an indicator that something else is missing. Perhaps there's no post-pandemic reality more entrenched than the damage done, in the U.S. and globally, to the bonds that in the before times, many would have considered secure — science, government, information itself.

“COVID undermined our trust in what most of us used to trust,” said Elisa Jayne Bienenstock, a research professor and sociologist at Arizona State University. “When general trust goes down, when there’s a lot of cynicism, who are people looking to, to explain what to do and how the world works?”

What it used to be and what it is now

Before 2020, the outbreak of some illness somewhere didn't usually cause massive concern outside of the specific areas impacted, even as some epidemics caused significant numbers of deaths.

Some of that was complacency in the face of a world where widespread travel wasn't as accessible to the masses as it has become, which was a key part of COVID-19's spread.

In fact, there have been outbreaks of the current strain of hantavirus in some South American countries through the decades, like one in 1997 in Chile. Other countries have had epidemics of a range of illnesses from cholera to dengue to SARS, and the U.S. has seen West Nile, Legionnaire's and more.

But in a post-COVID-19 world, it didn't take long before questions and concerns surfaced about disease spread in the days immediately following the first reports that three people had died from hantavirus on the ship. A total of nine confirmed and two suspected cases have been identified, including the fatalities.

Health experts have repeatedly emphasized that even though the virus can cause serious illness in those infected, the risk of spread in the general public is low. Despite that, when ship passengers were taken to the Spanish island of Tenerife to disembark, residents like Samantha Aguero were concerned.

“We feel a bit unsafe. We don’t feel as there are 100% security measures in place to welcome it," she said. “This is a virus, after all, and we have lived this during the pandemic.”

Institutions are diminished for many

Bienenstock points to three institutions that have suffered from the public's loss of trust: government, media and science itself. But government officials and journalists were dealing with issues of public mistrust well before the pandemic.

The mistrust of science got ammunition not because scientists were making mistakes in their processes but because non-scientists didn't have the same understanding, she said.

“Most people don’t think of science as a process. In their mind, science is an answer, it’s a fact. And so when those facts showed that they weren’t 100% reliable and assured, it started undermining trust in the science,” she said.

“One of the problems with COVID is it undermined that confidence in science for people who don’t understand how science works. It showed the process. And it showed that scientists don’t always have the answer,” Bienenstock said. “A lot of people in crisis, when they fear things, don’t care what the answer is, as long as there’s a definitive answer. And science doesn’t provide that when it doesn’t know."

Now what?

It's not just about the issue at the forefront of people's attention at the moment. There are ripple effects as well.

“COVID ... didn’t just heighten people’s sensitivity to health threats. It did so unevenly, in ways often disconnected from actual risk,” said Michele Gelfand, professor of organizational behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. “As trust in institutions has weakened, people have lost a key way to navigate uncertainty together. Without trust, people rely more on rumor, fear, and emotion, which can lead them to overreact to small risks and underreact to serious ones.”

Karlynn Morgan, a 76-year-old retired nurse-anesthetist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has seen that heightened attention, with more people without a medical or science background talking about health issues than before the pandemic.

She has also been disturbed by the increase in what looks to her like a lack of trust in science, as seen in falling vaccination rates and rising instances of diseases like measles.

“I think people are far less trusting because people used to take their children and just get the vaccine," she said. "When I was a kid, there was no question you were going to go get your shot.”

If trust is going to be rebuilt, Gelfand said in an email, then leaders have to get involved.

“They set the threat signal. They determine whether people get accurate information about the level of danger or distorted information that serves a political agenda. When leaders send clear, honest signals, people can calibrate in the face of threat. When leaders manipulate threat for their own purposes, norms erode and and trust collapses,” Gelfand said.

“Strong, reliable institutions have historically been our superpower as a society. They’re what allow millions of people to coordinate under uncertainty without knowing each other personally," she said. "Without that institutional backbone, we lose the very capacity for collective action that has helped human groups survive for millennia.”

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French authorities had initially ordered over 1,700 passengers and crew on The Ambition cruise ship to remain on board, but then decided late Wednesday to let those unaffected disembark. One passenger was spotted raising his arms in triumph while leaving the vessel.

It was not immediately clear how many left the ship.

French authorities said there is no link to a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch vessel that has put European health authorities on alert in recent weeks.

The Ambition was midway through a 14-night cruise from Belfast and Liverpool, with scheduled stops in northern Spain and along France’s Atlantic coast when it was struck by the outbreak. It reached Bordeaux on Tuesday evening, according to the operator, Ambassador Cruise Line. It was not immediately clear if or when it would resume its journey.

Samples analyzed at Bordeaux University Hospital confirmed an outbreak of norovirus. Local authorities said at this stage no serious cases have been reported and that sick passengers were cared for onboard by the ship’s medical team.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which tracks outbreaks on voyages that call on U.S. and foreign ports, recorded 23 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships last year. Most were caused by norovirus, including a new strain.

Ambassador Cruise Line, a British operator catering to passengers over 50, was founded in 2021.

Celina, Princeton, Melissa and Anna — all part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — were the Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities with populations of 20,000 residents or more from mid-2024 to mid-2025, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fulshear, in metro Houston, was the second-fastest growing U.S. city. The five Texas cities' year-over-year growth rates ranged from almost 15% to almost 25%.

In pure numbers, Celina, with only 64,000 people, grew by more residents — 12,700 — than Seattle and Houston, cities that are 12 times and 37 times larger respectively.

Small- to medium-sized cities hit a sweet spot between the largest U.S. cities, which were most impacted by the loss of immigrants from the crackdown started last year during the second Trump administration, and anemic growth in small towns, according to Matt Erickson, a Census Bureau statistician.

Texas cities dominate

Nine out of 10 of the largest population gainers in pure numbers were cities in the South because of a healthy job market and its comparative affordability. The biggest numeric gainers were Charlotte, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; and Celina.

Fort Worth leaped over Jacksonville last year as the 10th most populous U.S. city, putting four Texas cities in the nation's top 10 most populous, with the other cities being Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

Austin skipped over San Jose for the 12th most populous spot, as Texas’ capital city surpassed 1 million residents for the first time. It is now one of a dozen U.S. cities with 1 million residents or more.

Seattle makes a comeback

Seattle was the only non-Southern city to crack the top 10 in numeric population gains last year, at the No. 5 spot.

Like many large cities, particularly on the coasts, Seattle lost population during the height of the pandemic a half-decade ago. But recent construction of new housing has helped ease the city's affordability, making it more attractive for residents to stay in the core city rather than move to farther out suburbs in the metro area, according to the Washington State Office of Financial Management.

The growth was driven by immigrants, particularly from China and India. International migration accounted for almost three-quarters of the area's population gains, according to county-level population estimates released in March.

Tight housing market and natural disasters drive population losses

The two cities with the greatest rates of population loss last year — Twentynine Palms, California, by Joshua Tree National Park and Key West at the southern tip of Florida — were in places with tight housing markets. Their losses ranged from -2.4% to -2.9%.

In Twentynine Palms, a large chunk of the housing stock has been converted into short-term rentals for tourists heading to the national park. Just under 40% of its housing is occupied by its owners, compared with the national average of 65%, according to Census Bureau figures.

Hemmed in on all sides by water, the limited housing stock in Key West, as well as some of the highest home insurance rates in the U.S., have driven up housing costs for the Conch Republic. The median price for a home in Key West was $1.3 million at the start of this year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Other cities that had some of the biggest rates of population loss last year were hit by natural disasters.

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Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social.

Vance, who chairs the administration’s anti-fraud task force, is scheduled to deliver remarks at Bangor International Airport, the White House and the Maine Republican Party announced.

The vice president, who is seen as a potential GOP candidate for president in 2028, has been promoting the work of the task force as he has campaigned for Republican candidates in recent months. But Thursday's visit is the first that has been expressly billed as a stop to talk about the fraud-fighting efforts rather than an economic-focused message he's delivered in other visits.

Vance's pitch on President Donald Trump's economic policies has become tougher in the wake of the Iran war, which has driven up costs of gas and other goods, including food.

The visit to Maine comes after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said earlier in the year that he was calling for corrective action on alleged fraud in government health programs in Maine, a request characterized by the state’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, as a “political attack.” It also comes as Maine residents begin voting ahead of the state’s primary elections on June 9, when they will be selecting candidates for governor, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House.

Mills, who is prevented by term limit laws from running for a third term, recently dropped out of the Democratic primary race to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, effectively ceding the nomination to progressive activist and oyster farmer Graham Platner. The seat is considered one of the most competitive in the nation and critical to Democratic hopes of reclaiming control of the chamber.

Republicans are bullish about their chances of taking back the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses Bangor, after Democratic Rep. Jared Golden announced he wouldn’t be seeking reelection to the seat. Former Gov. Paul LePage, a Trump ally looking to make a political comeback, is the sole Republican vying for the nomination.

LePage is expected to speak at Thursday's event, but Collins is scheduled to be in Washington. LePage posted on social media channel X before the event that “every dollar of fraud is a dollar stolen from taxpayers and not used to help those who truly need assistance.”

In the governor's race, seven Republicans and five Democrats are vying to replace Mills, who has sparred with the Trump administration over the issue of transgender athletes in high school sports.

Some Maine Democrats have used Vance’s appearance as an opportunity to boost their campaign messages. Progressive groups were planning a demonstration in Bangor at the time of the appearance, and Maine Secretary of State and governor candidate Shenna Bellows said she planned to speak at it.

Nirav Shah, the former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director who is now running for governor, said in an email to supporters and media that Vance is visiting Maine when costs of necessities such as heating oil and gas are surging in the state.

“That is the record JD Vance is bringing to Maine on Thursday. That is the record the Maine Republicans hosting him are ‘honored’ to celebrate,” Shah said.

Maine is a largely Democratic state, but Trump has proven popular in rural areas, and he has won the 2nd District in three consecutive elections. Mills had made her opposition to Trump a focus of her Senate run against Collins until she suspended her campaign in late April, clearing a path for Platner to take the nomination.

Vance paid a visit to northern New England in March 2025, when he went to Vermont on a family vacation. The appearance attracted protests near a ski resort.

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Associated Press reporter Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa ’s exit from the heavily guarded Senate came after volleys of gunshots were fired Wednesday night by the building's security personnel during an argument with a government agent, sparking chaos that apparently helped the senator to slip out.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a late-night TV statement to ask the public to remain calm. A police investigation was underway, including into suspicions that the incident was instigated to provide dela Rosa a cover to escape.

“There is no obstruction of justice,” Senate President Alan Cayetano said of dela Rosa’s escape while in the Senate’s protective custody.

He told a news briefing that he did not see any ICC warrant of arrest against dela Rosa and the senator was free to leave the premises.

Critics, however, said Cayetano and the Senate's security chief should be held responsible for dela Rosa's escape.

Dela Rosa, 64, served as the former national police chief of Rodrigo Duterte, who was president from 2016 to 2022. Duterte was arrested in March last year on a ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he launched and for which he is now facing a trial in The Hague.

A warrant unsealed Monday by the ICC charges dela Rosa with the crime against humanity of murder of “no less than 32 persons” between July 2016 and the end of April 2018, when he led the national police force under Duterte and enforced his bloody crackdowns.

Dela Rosa and Duterte have separately denied authorizing extrajudicial killings although the former president has openly threatened drug suspects with death while he was in office.

Dela Rosa’s legal predicament came as political disputes escalated between the Duterte family and Marcos. Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, has blamed Marcos for what she said was the “kidnapping” of her father and handover to a foreign court.

The disputes reflect the deep divisions that have long plagued the rambunctious Asian democracy.

On Monday, Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives, which is dominated by Marcos’ allies, over alleged unexplained wealth, misuse of state funds and a public threat to have Marcos, his wife and the House speaker assassinated if she herself was killed in their intensifying conflict.

She has denied any wrongdoing but has refused to answer specific allegations in detail.

The Senate will convene into an impeachment court on Monday at the earliest to prepare for the trial of the vice president, Cayetano said.

Cayetano, a key ally of Rodrigo Duterte, wrested the presidency of the Senate Monday after he got the support of 13 of 24 senators. He gained the majority after dela Rosa, who has been absent for months due to fears of his possible arrest, suddenly showed up in the Senate Monday, arriving in Cayetano’s car.

National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to serve the ICC arrest warrant, but dela Rosa darted toward a narrow stairway into the Senate plenary hall and sought the help of allied senators, who took him into protective custody.

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Associated Press journalist Joeal Calupitan contributed to this report.

The new inductees into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress include Swift’s blockbuster 2014 pop album “1989,” Beyoncé’s era-defining 2008 anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Khan’s genre-blending hit “I Feel for You,” Vince Gill’s emotional ballad “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and The Go-Go’s groundbreaking debut album “Beauty and the Beat.”

They were among the 25 recordings entering the archive in the class of 2026, acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced Thursday. The selections were chosen for their “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

“Music and recorded sound are essential, wonderful parts of our daily lives and our national heritage,” Newlen said in a statement. “The National Recording Registry works to preserve our national playlist for generations to come.”

Other recordings entering the registry include Ray Charles’ groundbreaking country crossover album “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music,” Reba McEntire’s “Rumor Has It,” Rosanne Cash’s “The Wheel” and Weezer’s self-titled debut known as “The Blue Album.”

Classic singles from Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Byrds, José Feliciano and Paul Anka also earned inclusion.

Among the more unconventional selections are the soundtrack to the influential 1993 video game "Doom" and the radio broadcast of “The Fight of the Century,” the legendary 1971 heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

The oldest recording in this year’s class is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ 1944 single “Cocktails for Two.” The newest is Swift’s “1989.”

This year also marks the first recordings by Swift and Beyoncé selected for the registry. The Library of Congress said more than 3,000 public nominations were submitted for consideration this year.

Las tormentas también dejaron más de 50 heridos cuando azotaron varios distritos en Uttar Pradesh, el estado más poblado de India, el miércoles por la noche.

Funcionarios indicaron que algunos decesos fueron provocados por la caída de árboles, el derrumbe de estructuras y los rayos. La policía y equipos de emergencias utilizaron motosierras y grúas para retirar árboles caídos de carreteras y vías ferroviarias en varios distritos.

Las tormentas son habituales en el norte de India durante la temporada de calor —que va de marzo a junio— antes de la llegada de las lluvias anuales del monzón.

Narendra N. Srivastava, un funcionario administrativo, señaló que en las zonas afectadas se movilizaron equipos de emergencia y que viviendas, cultivos e infraestructura eléctrica sufrieron daños generalizados, especialmente en distritos rurales.

En el distrito de Prayagraj, residentes describieron escenas de pánico mientras potentes vientos azotaban sus vecindarios.

“La tormenta llegó de repente y el cielo se volvió completamente oscuro en cuestión de minutos", contó Ram Kishore. "Los tejados de lámina salían volando y la gente corrió a refugiarse en el interior. Podíamos oír árboles caer durante toda la noche”.

En el vecino distrito de Bhadohi, Savitri Devi relató que su familia se salvó por poco después de que los fuertes vientos dañaran su casa de barro.

“Salimos corriendo cuando las paredes empezaron a temblar por el viento. Nuestro techo se derrumbó instantes después. Pasamos la noche en casa de un familiar”, manifestó.

El ministro principal de Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, ordenó a los funcionarios completar las operaciones de auxilio en un plazo de 24 horas e instruyó a las autoridades a proporcionar compensaciones y ayuda de emergencia a las familias afectadas.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

FIFA has announced that, for the first time, the final at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 will include a Super Bowl-style concert.

The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said it would bring together “music and football on the biggest stage in sport for a very special cause.”

“Every child should have the opportunity to dream, and together we can help make that possible,” he posted on Instagram.

The show will be curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.

The Super Bowl is famed for its halftime show - attracting the world's biggest stars for spectacular performances. This year featured Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny.

Previous headliners included Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen and Rhianna.

But halftime shows are not so commonplace in soccer, with events such as the Champions League final featuring a pre-match concert. This year will see the Killers headline European club soccer's biggest game between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest.

FIFA describes its halftime show as “a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture and purpose, broadcast live around the world.”

This year's World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and runs through June and July.

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Declaraciones previas que ponían en duda la soberanía de Venezuela durante los últimos 25 años han sido recibidas con burlas inmediatas por parte de altos funcionarios del gobierno, incluida la presidencia. El partido gobernante llegó a organizar manifestaciones en la capital, Caracas, tan recientemente como el 3 de enero, horas después de que el entonces presidente, Nicolás Maduro, fuera capturado por Estados Unidos, en las que se escucharon cánticos de “Gringo, váyase a casa”. Esta vez, el ejecutivo ha guardado mayoritariamente silencio, salvo por una breve declaración a reporteros de la presidenta encargada, Delcy Rodríguez, el lunes.

El enfoque demuestra el equilibrio que Rodríguez debe mantener entre la política externa e interna tras el ataque militar del Pentágono en Caracas en enero. Desde entonces, el gobierno de Trump ha implementado un plan por fases para tratar de revertir la situación del país, devastado por la crisis, y ha obligado al movimiento político de Rodríguez, el chavismo, a abandonar el sentimiento antiestadounidense que durante mucho tiempo acompañó su doctrina.

“Esta es probablemente la manifestación más pública y contundente del enfoque transaccional y de supervivencia del gobierno por encima de todo lo demás en este momento, por encima incluso de ese tipo de principio básico del chavismo”, afirmó Christopher Sabatini, investigador principal para América Latina del centro de estudios Chatham House, con sede en Londres. “Es mejor que se muerdan la lengua, que no ofendan a Estados Unidos ahora mismo. ¿Por qué reaccionar de forma exagerada a una afirmación ridícula de Donald Trump?”.

Rodríguez dijo a reporteros el lunes que el país no tenía planes para convertirse en el 51º estado de Estados Unidos, pero sus comentarios fueron mucho más comedidos que discursos presidenciales anteriores que ridiculizaban este tipo de declaraciones de Washington. Sus palabras llegaron después de que Trump dijera que estaba “considerando seriamente” la medida. El mandatario republicano ha hecho comentarios similares sobre Canadá.

“Seguiremos defendiendo la integridad, la soberanía, la independencia, nuestra historia", afirmó Rodríguez, agregando que Venezuela “no (es) una colonia, sino un país libre”.

El gobierno de Trump sorprendió a los venezolanos al optar por trabajar con Rodríguez, en lugar de con la oposición política del país, tras la salida de Maduro. Desde entonces, Rodríguez ha encabezado la cooperación con el plan por fases de la Casa Blanca, presentando a su nación rica en petróleo ante inversionistas internacionales y abriendo su sector energético al capital privado y al arbitraje internacional. Además, ha reemplazado a altos funcionarios, incluido el fiel ministro de Defensa y el fiscal general de Maduro.

Trump ha elogiado su labor, y su gobierno ha levantado las sanciones económicas contra Rodríguez y ha aliviado las sanciones al país, aunque algunas siguen vigentes. Washington la reconoce ahora como la “única” jefa de Estado de Venezuela.

Estados Unidos dejó de reconocer a Maduro como el líder legítimo del país en 2019, un año después de que proclamara su reelección en unas elecciones consideradas por muchos como un fraude, ya que se impidió la participación de partidos y candidatos de la oposición.

Maduro y su esposa, Cilia Flores, fueron trasladados a Nueva York para enfrentar cargos por narcotráfico tras su captura el 3 de enero. Ambos se han declarado inocentes y permanecen retenidos en un centro de detención de Brooklyn.

En Caracas, algunos residentes consideraban el miércoles que la respuesta del gobierno equivalía a someterse a Trump, pero también reconocieron que Rodríguez no está en posición de desatar la propaganda antiestadounidense característica del chavismo.

“Sabe que actualmente es sensato no ir al enfrentamiento directo pues sabe que las va a tener de perder sí o sí", apuntó el universitario el estudiante universitario Adonai Osoria. “Ahora, ¿que hay algunos que no estén de acuerdo, que no les guste? Bueno, sí, claro. Pero yo considero que la reacción que ha tenido ahorita es una reacción común, entendible”.

Los simpatizantes del gobierno mostraron por última vez su actitud incendiaria contra Estados Unidos en los días posteriores a la captura de Maduro, cuando quemaron banderas de estadounidenses y portaron carteles que decían “Gringo, váyase a casa".

Entre los partidarios más acérrimos del gobierno en todo el país están los grupos armados conocidos como colectivos. Su participación en las manifestaciones a favor del partido gobernante es habitual. El líder local Jorge Navas calificó los comentarios de Trump como “actos irresponsables de provocación” y elogió a Rodríguez por su respuesta diplomática.

“Nos estamos doblando, estratégicamente, pero no nos vamos a quebrar”, dijo Navas acerca del enfoque que ha adoptado el chavismo ante la presión estadounidense. “Seguimos resistiendo, o sea, de manera realista” dada la situación económica del país.

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Garcia Cano informó desde Ciudad de México.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

The storms also injured more than 50 people as they swept across several districts late Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.

Officials said some deaths were caused by falling trees, collapsing structures and lightning. Police and disaster response teams used chainsaws and cranes to clear fallen trees from roads and railway tracks in several districts.

Storms are common in northern India during the hot season from March to June, before the annual monsoon rains arrive.

Narendra N. Srivastava, an administrative official, said emergency teams were deployed across the affected areas and that homes, crops and power infrastructure were widely damaged, particularly in rural districts.

In Prayagraj district, residents described panic as strong winds tore through neighborhoods.

“The storm came suddenly and the sky turned completely dark within minutes,” Ram Kishore said. “Tin roofs were flying and people ran indoors. We could hear trees falling throughout the evening.”

In neighboring Bhadohi district, Savitri Devi said her family narrowly escaped after strong winds damaged their mud house.

“We rushed outside when the walls started shaking because of the wind. Our roof collapsed moments later. We spent the night at a relative’s house," she said.

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered officials to complete relief operations within 24 hours and directed authorities to provide compensation and emergency aid to affected families.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said it received reports that the vessel was taken by unauthorized personnel while anchored 38 nautical miles (70 kilometers, 44 miles) northeast of the UAE port of Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz.

The seizure comes as U.S. President Donald Trump was meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a much-anticipated visit to Beijing. The leaders' talks are expected to focus on the war with Iran, which has seriously disrupted trade in oil, gas and other products and rattled the global economy.

It happened hours after Israel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had quietly visited the UAE during the Israeli-U.S. war with Iran, though the UAE swiftly denied that any secret visit had occurred.

The Gulf nation normalized relations with Israel in 2020. Iran has criticized that agreement and has repeatedly suggested over the years that Israel maintained a military and intelligence presence in the UAE.

Israeli leaders have made occasional visits to the UAE in recent years after normalizing relations.

UKMTO did not name the ship and said it is investigating. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the seizure.

Fujairah is an important oil export terminal and the UAE’s main port outside of the Persian Gulf. It has been repeatedly attacked during the war with Iran.

Iran has seized a number of ships, including a tanker identified as the Ocean Koi last week, saying it was attempting to disrupt oil exports and Iranian interests, according to the official IRNA news agency. It said the tanker was seized in the Gulf of Oman and was carrying Iranian oil when it was boarded and taken to Iran’s southern coast.

The U.S. sanctioned the Ocean Koi in February as part of a “shadow fleet” that has been transporting Iranian oil.

3 Israelis injured by a Hezbollah drone

A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel, injuring three civilians, two of them severely, according to the Israeli military and hospitals. Israel and Hezbollah have traded near-constant fire across the border despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on April 17.

Hezbollah has frequently used drones to attack Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and over the border in northern Israel. The Israeli air force has struck areas across southern Lebanon.

Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to hold another round of direct talks in Washington on Thursday, as the Trump administration pushes for a breakthrough between the two neighbors that have been in a state of war since Israel was created in 1948.

The United Nations has also accused Hezbollah of drone strikes near its peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon. Secretary-General António Guterres’ message to both sides is that they must observe the ceasefire and stop all attacks, U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Wednesday that since the war began on March 2, 2,896 people have been killed and 8,824 wounded. Eighteen Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have been killed in southern Lebanon.

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Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel. Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report.

Allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting say he will make an announcement later in the day after garnering enough support from lawmakers of the governing Labour Party to challenge Starmer for leadership of the party and the government.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said Thursday that she had reached an agreement with tax authorities to clear up questions about her taxes that forced her to leave the Cabinet last September. Rayner told the Guardian newspaper that Starmer should “reflect on” his position, adding that she was ready to “play my part” in any leadership election if Streeting were to trigger a contest.

Pressure for Starmer to step aside has intensified since Labour suffered disastrous losses in local and regional elections last week, underscoring voter frustration with a government that has failed to deliver on pledges to boost economic growth and improve living standards for working people.

Labour “just had a severe beating off the electorate” and everyone in the party recognizes things have to change, Rayner told ITV News, without directly addressing calls for Starmer to resign.

“Some people are saying that, but what I’m saying is the delivery of what we promised the electorate is the most important thing that we need to be concentrating on at the moment. I’m not getting into hypotheticals about leadership at the moment.”

A stagnant economy and stubbornly high consumer price inflation have made it difficult for Starmer’s government to deliver on its promises after winning a landslide election victory less than two years ago.

Starmer has vowed to remain in office, warning lawmakers that any leadership contest would plunge the government into “chaos” at a time it should be focused on issues like the cost of living crisis and war in the Middle East.

His effort to fight off a leadership challenge was bolstered Thursday morning by a rare bit of positive economic news.

Gross domestic product, a broad measure of economic activity, grew 0.6% in the first three months of the year, compared with 0.2% in the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics said.

Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said the figures showed that her policies were working and that renewed economic growth would allow the government to put more money into public services and programs to support those hit by the high cost of living.

“But that is only possible because of the economic stability that we have brought back to our economy,” she told the BBC. “And we shouldn’t put that at risk by plunging the country in chaos at a time when there is conflict in the world.”

There was also positive news from the National Health Service. Waiting lines for NHS appointments — one of Streeting's signature priorities – had fallen for the fifth straight month, boosting any potential candidacy.

Streeting comes from the moderate wing of the left-leaning Labour Party, as does Starmer. Rayner is a favorite of many more left-wing voters, calling on the party to do more to boost the minimum wage and raise taxes on the rich.

Under Labour Party rules, any potential challenger to the prime minister would have to have the backing of 81 of the party’s 403 members in the House of Commons. More than that number have publicly called on Starmer to quit in recent days.

But other potential candidates may enter any race for the leadership.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been widely discussed as a potential candidate, though he would have to find a way back into Parliament before he could run. Allies have suggested a sitting member of the House of Commons could resign to make way for Burnham to run in a special election.

Burnham canceled his regular Thursday appearance on a local BBC radio program this week to “prioritize discussions arising from last week’s elections.”

Jansen didn't have to after he delivered the walk-off hit that gave the Texas Rangers a 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, when the closers for both teams gave up three runs in a frantic ninth inning.

“I feel like the game had everything. Like passed balls, a couple of wild pitches, I mean, stolen bases, threw somebody out,” said Jansen, who also blocked a few pitches with runners on base. “A bit of everything, it was kind of a wild one. ... Definitely a crazy finish.”

The Rangers had just tied the game and chased Paul Sewald (0-4), who had converted his first nine save chances, when No. 9 batter Jansen grounded a RBI single down the line into the left-field corner on the only pitch thrown by Juan Morillo.

That came after a frustrating top of the ninth for the Rangers, when Jacob Latz — their main closer since halfway through a stretch of 10 consecutive scoreless outings — failed to retire any of the four batters he faced. He was gone after Nolan Arenado had an RBI double and Ildemaro Vargas lined a two-run single into left for a 5-3 lead.

“Latz has been so good this year. He has given up next to no runs," manager Skip Schumaker said. “I pitched him two innings, day off, then back-to-back, and then running him out there, maybe not fair to him quite honestly.”

But when it was over, Latz was all smiles like every one else after the Rangers had clinched back-to-back-series wins for the first time since their first two series of the season.

“The boys picked him up in a big way,” Schumaker said. “And that’s what good teams do, and good teammates do, is they pick each other up.”

The Rangers (21-22) have won five of their last six games going into an off day Thursday.

Arizona (20-22) overcame a 3-0 deficit, finally getting even and then going ahead in the top of the ninth, handing their closer a two-run lead even after leaving 13 runners on base.

Sewald got out two of the first three batters in the ninth, starting with a strikeout of struggling shortstop Corey Seager. Josh Jung had a single in between those outs, and scored on Ezequiel Duran's double before Alejandro Osuna walked on five pitches and Jake Burger tied the game with an RBI single to chase the closer.

“I felt like they were just on every pitch,” Sewald said. “It just felt like when I threw good pitchers, it didn't matter.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The meeting brings together diplomats from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa along with newer member countries. It comes as the war in Iran has disrupted global energy supplies and driven up oil prices and coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov are attending. China is represented by Ambassador Xu Feihong while Foreign Minister Wang Yi remains in the Chinese capital during Trump’s visit.

India Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the talks would focus on global and regional challenges and ways to deepen cooperation among member nations.

In opening remarks, Jaishankar said BRICS could help developing countries more effectively respond to the health and financing challenges they face as well as high prices for energy, food and fertilizer.

“We meet at a time of considerable flux in international relations,” he said, adding that emerging and developing countries increasingly expect BRICS to play a “constructive and stabilizing role.”

Iran urges BRICS to condemn U.S. and Israel

At the meeting, Araghchi urged BRICS nations to condemn the U.S. and Israel over what he called their “unlawful aggression” against Tehran. He called on the bloc members and other countries to “take practical steps to stop warmongering” and end what he described as impunity for violations of the U.N. Charter.

Araghchi also urged the bloc members to stop what he called the politicization of international institutions. He said Iran appreciated the support shown by BRICS countries but called for stronger action.

“It is necessary for all of us to intensify our efforts to end this sense of superiority and impunity on the part of the United States — a notion that has no place in today’s world,” he said.

BRICS has sought to expand its influence

Founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China, BRICS was formed as a grouping of major emerging economies seen as a counterbalance to Western-led institutions such as the G7. South Africa joined in 2010 and the bloc expanded further in 2024 with the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia became a full member in 2025.

The group has sought to expand its influence by pushing for a bigger role in a global order long dominated by the United States and its Western allies. It has gained support across parts of the Global South, where many countries have criticized Western-led financial institutions.

But BRICS nations remain divided on key issues.

India and China continue to compete for regional influence, while member countries often differ in their ties with the West. Russia’s war in Ukraine has further exposed those differences.

New divisions test global ambitions

The bloc’s expansion also has added strains. Competing regional interests have increased the difficulty of presenting a unified position.

Divisions have sharpened further during the growing conflict in the Middle East. Iran and the UAE are BRICS members despite pursuing competing interests in the region.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Wednesday that disagreements within BRICS over the conflict had prevented the bloc from reaching a unified position.

Kazem Gharibabadi told news agency Press Trust of India that “one member country” had pushed for language condemning Iran, complicating efforts to build consensus within the grouping.

“We want India’s BRICS chairship to be successful. It is not a good approach to send a signal to the world that the BRICS is divided. One country is insisting on condemning Iran,” Gharibabadi said.

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Associated Press journalist Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran contributed to this report.

Trump met with Xi at the Great Hall of the People and they talked about U.S.-China relations and Taiwan, but analysts did not expect major breakthroughs.

U.S. futures edged higher.

In early European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.3% to 10,351.36, after the U.K. reported its economy expanded at a faster-than-expected pace at 0.3% for March despite impacts from the war in Iran. France's CAC 40 rose 0.6% to 8,057.64, and Germany's DAX gained 1.4% to 24,462.22.

In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index was down 1% to 62,654.05, after briefly reaching another all-time intraday record at above 63,700, partly supported by robust corporate results. South Korea’s Kospi closed 1.8% higher at 7,981.41 at a fresh record helped by technology-related stocks on the artificial intelligence boom.

The Shanghai Composite index lost 1.5% to 4,177.92. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng flatlined at 26,389.04.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.1% to 8,640.70.

Taiwan’s Taiex was up 0.9%, and India’s Sensex climbed 1.1%.

Oil prices were mixed, with no clear ending to the Iran war after more than two months. Some were hoping the Trump-Xi meeting could bring results, after U.S. officials said Beijing could use its close economic ties with Tehran to press Iran to reopen the Strait or Hormuz.

On Thursday, the White House said Trump and Xi discussed enhancing U.S.-China economic cooperation. Both sides also agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.

Brent crude, the international standard, was up 0.2% at $105.87 per barrel. It was around $70 a barrel before the war in Iran started late February. That also came after the International Energy Agency said Wednesday that supply losses from the strait were “depleting global oil inventories at a record pace.”

Benchmark U.S. crude was down 0.2% to $100.86 per barrel.

Investors are also watching for updates on China’s imports of Nvidia’s advanced H200 chips, after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was confirmed to be a part of Trump’s China trip alongside other top executives including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook. The U.S. business leaders met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday, technology stocks led Wall Street gains. The benchmark S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to 7,444.25 and reached another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.1% to 49,693.20, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 1.2% to 26,402.34 and set its own record.

In other dealings, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.46% from 4.47% though still significantly above around 3.97% from before the Iran war began.

A report Wednesday showed that U.S. wholesale prices surged in April, fueled by impacts from the Iran war-caused energy shock. On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate also confirmed Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee, to lead the Federal Reserve. He would be take over from Jerome Powell, who had been criticized by Trump repeatedly for not cutting rates faster or deeper.

The U.S. dollar rose to 157.91 Japanese yen from 157.86 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1709, down from $1.1711.

The Dodgers snapped their season-high skid at four games on a night when Ohtani only pitched and wasn't in the lineup as the designated hitter for the fourth time this season. The two-way superstar also won't be in the lineup Thursday to give him two days' rest from hitting.

Ohtani (3-2) struck out eight and walked two in his second consecutive seven-inning start — his first as a Dodger and first since May 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels. He lowered his ERA to 0.82 pitching with a picture of his beloved dog Decoy on the tongue of his right cleat.

The Dodgers have scored more than four runs in Ohtani's seven starts just once and the team is 3-4 in his starts overall. They had six hits or less in five of their previous seven games.

Leading 4-0, Ohtani gave up back-to-back singles to Willy Adames and Matt Chapman with one out in the seventh. Drew Gilbert flied into a double play to center. Adames was all the way around third base by the time he knew he was in trouble and got doubled off second to end the inning.

Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts homered back-to-back in the third, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Espinal went deep for the first time as a Dodger and Betts' first since coming off the injured list earlier in the week.

The Dodgers extended their lead to 4-0 on Teoscar Hernández's RBI single and Alex Call's sacrifice fly in the fourth.

The Giants' three-game winning streak ended. Robbie Ray (3-5) gave up four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, struck out two and walked two.

Up next

Giants RHP Landen Roupp (5-3, 3.09 ERA) was scheduled to start Thursday against RHP Emmet Sheehan (2-1, 4.79) in the series finale.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

When officials announced a list of “Eurofan Cafes" — Vienna coffee shops offering food and music from competing countries — Israel was initially left out.

MQ Kantine, a modern café in the city’s arty museums quarter, offered to step in. Now it has falafel, bagels with lox and kosher wine on the menu, a string of small Israeli flags hanging from the ceiling — and a police officer outside the door.

Security is tight across Vienna during the international music contest, whose “United by Music” slogan rings sightly hollow this year. Five countries are boycotting because Israel is taking part. Pro-Palestinian activists are planning a protest concert — one of several Eurovision alternatives across Europe — and an anti-Israel march before Saturday’s grand final.

At MQ Kantine, volunteers take turns to monitor for potential trouble. But so far the mood has been supportive, said Daniel Kapp, a PR consultant and pro-Israel campaigner.

“It’s beautiful,” he said, as people drank coffee and beer on the café terrace in the spring sunshine, though he noted that the police officer on duty showed that all is “not entirely normal.”

“My feeling is that Austria to a certain degree has learned from its history," Kapp said, referring to the deadly antisemitism under the Nazis before and during World War II. “Which is why the support for Israel is a lot more normal than it is in other countries.”

Israel has competed in Eurovision for more than 50 years, and won four times. But its participation has been contested since it launched a war in Gaza after 1,200 people were killed in a Hamas-led cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government and whose detailed records are viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

Israel’s government has repeatedly defended its campaign as a response to the Oct. 7 attack. But a number of experts, including those commissioned by a United Nations body, have said that Israel’s offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide. Israel, home to many Holocaust survivors and their relatives, has vigorously denied the claim.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon and the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have driven tensions still higher.

The 2024 Eurovision contest in Malmo, Sweden, and last year’s event in Basel, Switzerland, saw pro-Palestinian protests that called for Israel to be expelled. Five countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — pulled out of the 2026 contest after organizers allowed Israel to compete.

Partying amid tight security

The tensions have produced a Eurovision of two halves. An upbeat party atmosphere prevails inside the Wiener Stadthalle arena and in the separate Eurovision Village fan zone. But getting in means passing through a ring of steel, with searches, scanners and a ban on all bags inside the arena. Armed police are a very visible presence on the streets.

Awareness of risk from terror plots is high in the city after a 21-year-old Austrian man accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group pleaded guilty to plotting to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024.

Israeli singer Noam Bettan told Israeli media that, like last year’s Israeli competitor Yuval Raphael, he practiced performing while being booed. There were scattered shouts amid the cheers when he performed in the first Eurovision semifinal on Tuesday. He secured a spot in Saturday’s final by being one of the top 10 finishers in voting by viewers and national juries.

Organizers said four people were removed from the 10,000-strong audience for disruptive behavior.

Austrian Eurovision fan Ivo Herzl, who attended the semifinal, said “the vibe was incredibly positive.” He is showing support for Israel by making and selling Mazel Lov T-shirts — a play on “mazel tov,” a Hebrew and Yiddish phrase of congratulations.

“Vienna has always been a city of tolerance,” Herzl said. “It’s the city of music and we’ll always do everything possible for everyone to enjoy a musical event.”

Some Israeli fans said they were reassured by the tight security. Oz Yona, attending his first Eurovision, said he had experienced “no hate” and felt Austria took antisemitism seriously.

He came with friends to cheer for Israel, though he was not optimistic about Bettan’s chances — for musical rather than political reasons.

“I don’t think he will win,” Yona said. “Finland is better this year. Greece is better this year. We have a good song, but not a winning song.”

Birgitta Peterson and Kristina Nilsson, who wear matching pink bomber jackets and call themselves The Swedish Ladies, love to explore new cities and meet up each year with their “Eurovision family” of fellow fans. They plan to wave Israeli flags at Saturday’s final, after Swedish contestant Felicia said earlier this year that she didn’t think Israel should be in the contest.

They say tensions over Israel have divided a fan community long known for its friendliness and embrace of diversity.

“The wounds are very deep at the moment,” Nilsson said.

“This event should really be about ‘united by music’ and happiness,” she added. “That’s what Eurovision is all about.”

The 41-year-old man slipped unnoticed past motion detectors in a remote corner of Denver International Airport, which sprawls across open plains and covers an area twice the size of Manhattan. He quickly scaled an 8-foot perimeter fence topped with barbed wire, then walked unobstructed onto the runway where he was fatally struck by a Frontier Airlines jet as it attempted to take off late Friday night.

Surveillance video showed the man getting pulled into an aircraft engine that instantly burst into flames, forcing the pilot to abort the takeoff and evacuate the 224 passengers and seven crewmembers. Twelve people had minor injuries.

Aviation and risk experts said the Denver runway collision represents a clear security failure. They noted it could've been far worse if the pilot didn't safely stop the aircraft that was traveling 150 miles per hour (241 kph).

“People ought to be concerned. This was really an unprecedented risk. But now there is precedent,” said Eric Chafee a law professor at Case Western Reserve University and an expert on risk, including in the aviation industry.

“The individual ended up with a bad result. But having somebody basically damage a plane is really quite concerning because of all those lives aboard any given aircraft,” Chafee added. “There ought to be new measures put into place to prevent this type of tragedy."

15 seconds to scale the fence

Some aviation experts disagreed new regulations were needed. They said installing blanket surveillance or impregnable defenses around airports was cost prohibitive, given the relative rarity of dangerous events like Friday's collision.

The Denver medical examiner ruled the intruder's death a suicide. Officials from the city-owned airport promised a review of their protocols but defended their perimeter security program and said it received “perfect scores” during federal inspections.

The Associated Press sent emails to the Transportation Security Administration seeking comment on Denver’s inspection results and documents detailing its security protocols.

“Safety is something we take very, very seriously,” Denver airport CEO Phillip Washington told reporters Tuesday.

Washington added that making the perimeter fence taller or topping it with razor wire wouldn't necessarily have made a difference, because someone who was motivated could still find a way in.

During Friday's breach, an alarm from a ground detection sensor was triggered shortly before the intruder entered the airport along its eastern boundary, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the terminal. An airport worker watching video surveillance cameras attributed the alarm to a herd of deer — and missed the intruder.

It took the man about 15 seconds to scale the fence and two minutes more to reach the runway, Washington said. Airport officials didn't know he was on the runway until the pilot notified the control tower that the plane hit somebody.

Airport perimeter breaches are a regular problem, with perhaps dozens annually nationwide, said security expert Jeff Price, who managed security at the Denver airport in the 1990s. The airport is surrounded by about 36 miles (58 kilometers) of fence, which airport officials say is patrolled by security workers and continuously inspected.

The vast majority of airport trespassers don’t pose a real threat to others, Price said. A man died at the Austin airport in 2020 after a Southwest Airlines jet struck him on a runway. Police later ruled it was a suicide.

Worries about copycats

Two law firms notified Denver officials Tuesday that they intend to sue on behalf of the Frontier passengers, seeking in excess of $10 million in damages. The firms alleged “multiple failures” in the airport perimeter security system, but did not provide specifics.

Steven Wallace, former director of accidents investigations at the Federal Aviation Administration, described the Denver fatality as a “one-off event” that would not justify costly improvements to airport perimeter security programs nationwide.

Wallace acknowledged that some perimeter fences can easily be breached. There are no set rules for their construction, and their primary role is to keep out wildlife that could interfere with flight operations, he said.

“I just don’t see how you’re going to think of and deal with every possible way a human could get into an airport,” he said.

Jim Hall, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, suggested there is now a higher likelihood for a repeat of Friday's collision given the potential for copycats. Hall said Denver should consider adding more personnel and surveillance to properly monitor its fence.

“With the amount of cameras and technology that is available, they need to address the problem,” he said. “They've had a failure and they don’t need to have another one."

New Mexico produces more oil than any other state besides Texas, and the state's revenue from taxes, royalties and lease sales helps cover the cost of college tuition, all school meals, health insurance and a new initiative for free universal child care.

Now that oil prices are surging from the conflict with Iran, money is flooding into the state treasury and creating an uncomfortable situation for Democrats who oppose the war and would rather reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

“It’s hard for people to think about, ‘Oh great, we have this windfall,’ and children are getting killed on the other side of the world,” said Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Interior Department secretary running for governor.

Haaland is one of two Democrats running to succeed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is wrapping up her second term in office. A former congresswoman and state party chair, Haaland worked to limit unfettered oil and gas exploration while serving in President Joe Biden's Cabinet.

Now she wants to use money amid the energy boom to increase New Mexico's child tax credit and boost the refundable working families tax credit, payouts that would most benefit people with low incomes.

“We have obligations to try to have a better world overall," said Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo who could become the first female Native American governor in the U.S. “I think we can do that.”

Her rival for the Democratic nomination, Albuquerque-based District Attorney Sam Bregman, said he wants to offset inflation with one-time $500 checks from the state to residents making less than $200,00 a year. He also wants to waive personal income taxes on residents 65 and older.

“It is the resources of the people that’s generating that revenue,” he said. “We ought to give it back to the people."

For every $1 fluctuation in the average annual price of oil, New Mexico sees a roughly $59 million swing in state government income.

That means the state is likely to see a $850 million surge in annual state government income for the budget year ending in June alone based on war-time price changes — equivalent to 12% of annual general fund spending, according to the state Legislature’s budget and accountability office.

New Mexico sends much of its relatively heavy crude oil from its patch of the Permian Basin to Texas distribution hubs and refineries along the Gulf Coast. Prices could remain high with no end in sight for the war despite a fragile ceasefire.

A nest egg that moderates dependence on oil

In New Mexico, surges in oil income automatically flow into a series of trust accounts designed to gradually reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels, helping the state generate investment income to underwrite Medicaid, early childhood education, infrastructure projects and an expansion of mental healthcare.

The strategy has tempered discomfort among many Democrats with dependence on oil income, in a state with entrenched swaths of extreme poverty and the nation’s highest enrollment rate in Medicaid.

“For New Mexico and New Mexicans and especially the progressive left — which sort of controls the state — it’s always something they really don’t want to admit or talk about or get angry about,” said Lonna Atkeson, a political science professor who has analyzed voting behavior in New Mexico and directs the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University. “Like, ‘We should not be funding our stuff with that money.’ I’ve heard those arguments."

The winner of this year's governor's race will take the helm of a state investment council overseeing a roughly $68 billion state nest egg, including investments that defray costs for K-12 public education.

New Mexico is not alone in reaping the financial benefits of the war. In Alaska, the state forecast an additional $1.05 billion for the current fiscal year and the one beginning July 1.

“It really is this small group of energy-reliant states like North Dakota, Alaska, New Mexico and Wyoming that are going be affected most directly,” said Justin Theal, who researches state fiscal trends as a senior officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts. He described the situation as “a double-edged sword.”

“It raises costs for households and businesses which can potentially dampen consumer spending and reduce sales taxes that almost every state relies on as well,” Theal said.

Wartime oil prices hold silver lining for New Mexico

Three contenders for the Republican nomination are advocating for even more aggressive tax relief while oil prices are riding high.

“Republicans are using the ‘e-word' — eliminate income taxes,” said Albuquerque-based pollster Brian Sanderoff, president of Research and Polling Inc. A Republican last won election to statewide office in 2016.

At the same time, they're questioning whether universal childcare will be financially sustainable.

The program is coming under direct fire in a lawsuit from cannabis entrepreneur and Republican candidate for governor Duke Rodriguez. He previously served as human service secretary under former Gov. Gary Johnson, a crusader for limited government who unsuccessfully ran for president as a Libertarian.

The lawsuit alleges the childcare program was implemented in November by Lujan Grisham without required authorization from the Legislature — though supporting legislation was passed this year. A court has ordered the administration to respond within 30 days.

Reflecting on the state’s oil income, Rodriguez says, “We don’t have a resource problem, what we have is a real results problem. We just spend and spend and spend with no accountability.”

Republican businessman Doug Turner describes war-time oil prices as an opportunity to overhaul the state tax code and wants means testing for childcare benefits. He lost the 2010 Republican primary to then-district attorney Susana Martinez, who went on to serve two terms as governor.

Gregg Hull, a former three-term mayor of Rio Rancho on the outskirts of Albuquerque, wants New Mexico to join the ranks of states with no personal income tax like Texas and Wyoming. Personal income taxes account for about $2.2 billion in annual state government income, offsetting about a fifth of annual general fund obligations.

Hull said he wants to double down on the oil economy by funneling budget surpluses to infrastructure projects in the state's main oil-production zone.

“This morning, when I was looking at a price of a barrel of oil, I said, ‘Well, that’s not great for consumers, but it’s awesome for New Mexico,'” Hull said.

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Associated Press writer Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, contributed to this report.

Raymond Johnson, 52, was scheduled to receive a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

He was condemned for the June 2007 death of 24-year-old Brooke Whitaker and her 7-month-old daughter, Kya.

Prosecutors said that after Johnson and Whitaker got into an early morning argument at her home in Tulsa, he repeatedly hit her over the head with a metal claw hammer.

Whitaker’s skull was fractured and she had more than 20 lacerations on her face and scalp. But she was still conscious and begged Johnson to spare her and Kya, who was sleeping in a bedroom, prosecutors said in documents prepared for Johnson’s clemency hearing in April.

“She begged him to call 911. She begged him to let her mom come get baby Kya. She begged him to think of her children,” the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office said. Whitaker had three other children.

Johnson retrieved a gas can from a tool shed in the backyard, doused Whitaker and the house with gasoline, lit a dishtowel on fire, threw it at Whitaker and left, the attorney general’s office said. Whitaker died from head injuries and smoke inhalation while her daughter died from severe burns.

“Raymond Johnson is a cruel murderer who inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering on his victims,” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement.

Johnson’s attorneys have not filed a last-minute appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to try and stop his execution. His attorney did not reply to multiple calls and emails seeking comment.

His attorneys had unsuccessfully argued in prior appeals that Johnson’s arrest was illegal, his confession had been coerced by police and his trial lawyer had conceded without his permission his guilt in Whitaker’s death.

In April, Oklahoma’s five-member Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously to deny Johnson clemency.

At his clemency hearing, Johnson apologized to the victims’ family and asked for forgiveness, saying he was a changed person.

“I apologize. No excuses, no justifications, a sincere apology. And to know that it’s sincere, look at my actions. Look at my life. Look how I’ve changed. I’m living a remorseful life. I’m living it,” Johnson said in an interview with Death Penalty Action, a national anti-death penalty group.

At Johnson’s clemency hearing, Whitaker’s family members asked for the lethal injection to proceed.

“Executing him will not give me my mom or sister back, it will not take away almost 20 years of pain. What it will do is finally stop him from continuing to hurt us,” Logan Kleck, Whitaker’s oldest daughter, said in a letter to the board.

In addition to his first-degree murder conviction, Johnson has a 1996 conviction for manslaughter and served nine years of a 20-year prison sentence in that case.

If the execution is carried out, Johnson would be the second person put to death this year in Oklahoma and the 11th person in the country.

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Lozano reported from Houston. Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://x.com/juanlozano70

Imagine what that can do to a human body. Now, imagine that it’s almost completely exempt from gun regulations.

How can that be? Well, under federal and most state laws, many antique or replica guns aren’t technically considered firearms. In most places, even convicted felons can own them.

“I suspect the average judge would be surprised to find that out,” says Second Amendment scholar and gun-rights attorney Dave Hardy, himself the proud owner of two Civil War-era long guns.

During a National Rifle Association event back in 2000, the late actor Charlton Heston famously hoisted a flintlock — the single-shot weapon that won the Revolution and was still in wide use a half century after Congress debated the Second Amendment — into the air and said the Democrats would have to take it “from my cold, dead hands.”

He needn’t have worried.

A blast from the past

During debate over the Gun Control Act of 1968, Sen. John Goodwin Tower argued that flintlocks and many other antique or replica guns should be exempt from regulation.

The Texas Republican said it was needed “to relieve an unnecessarily burdensome problem for serious collectors of antique firearms and for historians and museums.” Treating all weapons the same, he argued, would unfairly target collector items “which have little, if any, practical use as a firearm in the modern connotation.”

The provision defines an antique as any weapon “with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system” manufactured “in or before 1898” — as long as it hasn't been modified to fire modern ammunition. This generally means muzzleloaders that use black powder or a black powder substitute, though some early cartridge guns are included.

You can even own and fire a cannon.

Don't go off half cocked

Most states have adopted that language either verbatim or by direct reference to the federal provision. But, as military historian Patrick Luther says, “it’s a patchwork.”

“I live in NY (New York) and bought a civil war musket,” Luther, a Marine veteran with the website milsurpia.com, said in an email. “It was very similar to buying a regular firearm. Buying the blackpowder for the rifle felt not much different than buying a T-shirt.”

At least three states — Hawaii, Ohio and North Dakota — treat a smoothbore musket the same as an AK-47 or AR-15. Reenactor Jason Monhollen, an officer in the U.S. Army, says that’s “comparing apples and oranges.”

“It seems silly to put restriction on something that would be such a terrible weapon if you wanted to, you know, kill people,” says Monhollen, who portrays a private and carries a French Charleville musket in the 2nd North Carolina Regiment. “There’s just much better things. You can kill more people quickly with a car than you can with a musket.”

But these weapons are still deadly.

Not just a toy

Maryland changed its law after a convicted sex offender killed his ex-girlfriend with a six-shot, .44-caliber cap and ball revolver purchased on the internet.

“It may have loaded like an 1851 weapon, but it fired like a 2017 manufactured modern handgun that was capable of lethal force,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy told reporters at the time.

Shadé's Law, passed in 2019, now prohibits people convicted of certain violent crimes from buying or possessing such weapons. But many states allow convicted felons to have these weapons; West Virginia makes an exception for people under an active protective order.

Some states’ laws are confusing or vague.

Montana law mentions “antique or replica arms” in a code regulating firearms and ammunition manufactured in the state. But nowhere in the code are those weapons defined.

Wisconsin uses the federal definition, but the only reference comes in a law regarding “look-alike” firearms.

And, of course, many local ordinances, like the one in Wake County, North Carolina, prohibit the firing of any “barreled weapon capable of discharging projectiles.” In many jurisdictions, it’s illegal to brandish even a toy gun at someone.

“Federal law does not exclude antique firearms from location-based restrictions,” Austin Gunderson, counsel for the North Dakota Legislative Council, said in an email.

Stray bullets

Sometimes, attempts to strengthen gun laws have had unintended consequences.

The attorney general of New Jersey, one of the 13 original states, recently had to offer guidance when a new law targeting ghost guns seemed to require all firearms — including antiques and even air guns — to have serial numbers.

When New York toughened its gun laws in 2022, it required background checks for transfers and purchases of antique guns, and barred firearms of any kind from certain “sensitive places” like parks and museum sites — just the kinds of places reenactors appear most.

An exemption was later carved out for people “lawfully engaged in historical reenactments, educational programming involving historical weapons of warfare, or motion picture or theatrical productions.” But that hasn’t stopped out-of-state reenactors from worrying their muskets will be confiscated at the George Washington Bridge, says Justin Costantino, adjutant of the Long Island Companies of the 3rd New York Regiment.

“If the New York State Police department wants to charge me with weapons possession while I’m wearing a cocked hat and carrying around a Charleville ’66,” says Costantino, a graduate student in history, “then please, don’t call my lawyer. Call the New York Post!”

Then again, Costantino hates to hear a mother at a reenactment tell her child, “Oh, no. Don’t worry, sweetie. It’s not real.”

“It’s not really loaded, but it is really a weapon,” he says. “It’s really gunpowder. And if you stand close to it, you’ll feel the kind of breath of hot air ... They’re still things that we have to take very seriously, and you have to be safe with.”

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AP Writer Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, contributed to this report.

Investigators say a Kia K5 was heading north on NW 9th Avenue near NW 199th Street when it failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a Lexus, which was traveling east. The impact pushed the Lexus into a Ford Fusion that was going west.

Police say the driver of the Lexus, a pregnant woman, was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Ryder Trauma Center and is in stable condition.

The drivers of the Kia and the Ford were taken by ground to a local hospital for treatment.

The Pistons led by 15 points in the first half and 103-94 with two-plus minutes left. The Cavs rallied and pulled into a 103-all tie on Evan Mobley’s free throws with 45.2 seconds left.

“That stretch right there says a lot about our progress — mental performance progress and mental toughness progress,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said.

Just before the buzzer, Cleveland's Jarrett Allen and Detroit's Ausar Thompson got tangled up and no call was made.

“He fouled Ausar — clearly,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball.”

Cleveland went on a 13-0 run and held Detroit scoreless for five minutes from late in fourth quarter to midway through overtime. The Cavs went ahead by seven with 2:39 left in OT on Mitchell's 3-pointer.

Cade Cunningham, who had 39 points and nine assists, made a jumper to pull the Pistons within two points with 25 seconds left.

Harden made one free throw on the ensuing possession and rebounded his missed second attempt. He made another free throw to help seal the win.

Game 6 is Friday night in Cleveland, where the fourth-seeded Cavs will get the first of two chances to advance to face the New York Knicks in the East finals.

If the top-seeded Pistons win, they will host Game 7 on Sunday.

Cleveland won the first road game of the series — and its first as a visitor this postseason.

The Pistons had won four straight games at home since Orlando put them on the brink of elimination in Game 5 of the first round.

Harden had eight rebounds and six assists. Max Strus made six 3-pointers and scored 20 points for the Cavs, Mobley added 19 points and Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“It wasn’t our best night offensively, but I think that’s what speaks volumes to getting this win was we found a way” Strus said.

Starting in place of the injured Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins scored 19 points for the Pistons. Tobias Harris missed 13 of 19 shots and scored 13 points, and Jalen Duren was limited to nine points and five rebounds.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

The Eagles, one of music’s most successful and revered bands, brought more than 50 years of hits to Hard Rock Live.

The “Long Goodbye” tour has the band playing to sold-out crowds, and South Florida got to relive the splendor of their iconic songs like “Take It to the Limit” and “Witchy Woman.”

Co-founder Don Henley took center stage and delighted the audience with his witty banter.

From Joe Walsh to Vince Gill, the band delivered.

Taking fans back to a time when music just felt good.

It's all added up to being the first team in the big leagues to 30 victories.

The Braves improved MLB's top record to 30-13 with another thrilling win Wednesday night, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1.

Mike Yastrzemski came the bench to contribute a pinch-hit double that drove in the tie-breaking run, and jack-of-all-trades Mauricio Dubón followed with a two-run homer into the Chicago bullpen that finished off the Cubs.

Throw in another stout performance by the bullpen, which got one scoreless inning apiece from four relievers, and this team is threatening to run away with the NL East before the calendar turns to summer.

The Braves are up by nine games on second-place Washington and have a double-figure margin over everyone else in the division.

“There's no egos here,” said Yastrzemski, who contributed his first homer of the season the previous night in a 5-2 victory over the Cubs. “Nobody feels like they own any piece of this team. We're all pulling on the same rope together, the same direction. Whatever opportunities come for you that day, that's good enough.”

While stars such as Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, Chris Sale and Ozzie Albies are having big years, some lesser-known players are also having a significant impact.

That includes Dubón, who was acquired from Houston over the winter for journeyman Nick Allen and has filled in whenever needed.

Dubón started the season at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim recovered from an injury but now is largely playing the outfield, even taking the leadoff role in the lineup while former NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. is on the injured list.

The clinching homer showed how much faith the Braves and their first-year manager, Walt Weiss, have in their utility ace.

“In years past for me, I would've gotten pinch-hit right there and they wouldn't let me hit,” Dubón said. “But I ended up putting up a two-run homer. I think it's that confidence he gives you when you're playing."

Dubón is still motivated by being picked in the 26th round — the 773rd choice overall — of the 2013 draft.

“I'm trying to prove people wrong,” he said, breaking into a satisfied smile. "I've been doing that for a while now.”

Weiss, who took over when long-time manager Brian Snitker retired after a disappointing 2025 campaign, has the Braves solidly on track for a return to the postseason.

He's not looking at the big picture by any stretch, but he can't help but be satisfied at the way his managerial tenure has started.

"I'm so engrossed with the day to day," Weiss said. “You want to attack each day the best you can, and these guys are doing that. They confront every challenge that comes our way.”

Yastrzemski, like everyone else on the roster, is eager to step up whenever needed.

“Some days your role is going to be a cheerleader. Keep everyone in a good mood, pull for the guys, bring somebody a water when they're thirsty," he said. "Those things, it’s real. When you see that happening with other guys, you can't help but do it yourself.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

You can tell by the crowns on their heads -- the Burger King Foundation is behind the recognition.

Thirty students from Miami-Dade and Broward counties received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

“It’s the first scholarship I was awarded. It was nice, it was a ahhh type of feeling to receive it,” said Oldina Bigot.

“It really helps take off any financial burdens,” said Sarah De La Rosa.

“It is definitely a relief,” said scholarship recipient Gabrian Bell.

That relief comes as families in South Florida and across the country continue to deal with the rising cost of higher education.

“It is concerning at the moment. So many people have dreams they want to pursue but there’s an obstacle to go to college and enter into any fields they want to because there is a cost and there’s a price,” Bell said.

The Education Data Initiative found 85% of new undergraduates borrow money to pay for college, and the average borrower spends nearly 20 years paying it off.

New data from the Lumina Foundation and Gallup found more than half of student loan borrowers say their debt has delayed major life milestones.

“The scholarship journey is not for the weak but being able to be honored for all of the hard work that he’s done so far this year… is amazing,” said Felice Winston.

Parents and students say the scholarships are helping ease the burden as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

“This does help me a lot, financially. Since I am paying it by myself,” said Bigot.

The Colorado defenseman scored 3:52 into overtime after Nathan MacKinnon tied it late in regulation and the Avalanche advanced to the Western Conference final with a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Kulak capped a wild comeback for the Avalanche, who trailed 3-0 midway through the second period. Colorado moves on to the conference final for an eighth time since relocating to Denver in 1995-96.

“You always like to dream about it,” Kulak said. “The player I am, I’m not the guy everyone’s looking down the bench, like, ‘All right, get out there, go win it for us.’”

The Avalanche will face the Vegas-Anaheim winner. Vegas leads that series 3-2.

With Minnesota up 3-1, Jack Drury scored with 3:33 remaining to set the stage for MacKinnon’s goal with 1:23 left with the Colorado goal empty. The star forward sent a shot from the left side past Jesper Wallstedt and into a small space in the top left corner.

In overtime, Martin Necas took the puck, glided behind the net and back out front, where he found an open Kulak. Without missing a stride, Kulak lined it past Wallstedt.

Kulak was one of several late additions this season as he joined the Avalanche on Feb. 24 as part of a deal that sent Samuel Girard to Pittsburgh. Kulak became the 16th Avalanche player to score in the Minnesota series.

He also was an unlikely OT hero. This was his first goal since Jan. 19 when he was with the Penguins, which also was his only goal of the regular season.

“For us to play the way we did and get the job done, and just for me, a special goal in my career, for sure,” said Kulak, who started the season with Edmonton before being dealt to Pittsburgh in December. “We just clawed back into it and got the job done.”

It was a rare series-ending win at home for Colorado, too. The last time the Avalanche won a series on home ice was 2008 against the Wild, when the team had Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg.

“That was fun,” MacKinnon said. “A lot of fun.”

Marcus Johansson scored 34 seconds into the game and Nick Foligno added two goals to give the Wild a 3-0 after the first period. It led Colorado to take out Mackenzie Blackwood after the first and insert Scott Wedgewood, who made seven saves.

Late in the game, Cale Makar collided with Mats Zuccarello and was grabbing his right arm. Makar went down the tunnel before returning to the ice.

The Avalanche overcame a three-goal deficit to win a playoff game for just the third time in 53 tries since moving to Denver. The Wild had been 21-0 when leading a playoff game by at least three goals before the elimination loss.

“Just anger and frustration,” Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber said. “You work all year for one thing, and just feels like it closes like that. It’s just done.”

Wallstedt stopped 30 shots for the Wild. Matt Boldy and Nico Sturm each had two assists for a banged-up Wild team that was missing center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin all series.

“When you go after something like this, there’s going to be two sides of the coin,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “One is you’re going to win, which is a great feeling. And when you lose, it’s an empty feeling.”

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Activists claim too many tree removal permits are being granted in order to fast-track development. City officials, however, insist nothing has changed.

At a recent City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board meeting, frustrated residents voiced concerns over what they described as a growing loss of legacy canopy trees across the city.

“The madness needs to stop,” one resident said. “I’m wondering if developers have some special hatred toward mature trees?”

Others pointed to what they called a constant issue of clear-cutting lots and cutting down large trees.

“We’ve seen this just rampant onslaught of tree slaughter,” another activist said.

Critics say the removals are happening throughout Miami, from Coconut Grove to Morningside.

“In the past six months, we’ve definitely seen an increase, and people are extremely angry,” said Jessica Johnson, a Morningside resident.

Among the examples cited by activists: a row of mature royal palm trees cut down at 1401 Brickell and four legacy native mahogany trees in Edgewater that were permitted for removal by the city despite being in the public right of way.

“And it seems like they’re on a murder spree right now,” said Edgewater resident Lindsay Cain.

Sandy Moise, conservation co-chair for the Sierra Club Miami Group, said the justification for some removals is construction activity.

“And the reason given is that trees are conflicting with construction activities,” Moise said.

Videos posted to social media documenting tree removals have fueled outrage among activists.

“It truly is a tree travesty,” Moise said. “We are losing so many of our specimen-sized trees.”

Moise and other activists accuse the city of quietly bending and reinterpreting Chapter 17 -- the ordinance meant to protect trees -- in order to speed up development projects.

“They’re failing to enforce our code,” Moise said. “They’re failing to implement the policies that are required of our code, and we’re not having it anymore. We’re fed up.”

City officials pushed back against those claims.

“That is not the case,” said Miami District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo.

Pardo acknowledged the optics can look bad amid a wave of development and visible tree removals, particularly involving palms, but denied any internal changes to Chapter 17.

“Absolutely not,” Pardo said when asked whether there had been backroom changes to expedite tree removals. “There’s been no changes that I’m aware of.”

While officials say the code itself has not changed, city staff acknowledged there has been a directive to make the permitting process easier.

“And so they come in and they sit with the reviewer on the spot, regardless what division,” said Shawn Smith, acting chief of environmental resources for the City of Miami.

Smith said the process still follows Chapter 17 requirements.

“It’s not an approval. You conduct your review just as if there were any other review,” Smith said. “We still go through the same process. We still follow Chapter 17.”

Asked whether the city is moving at a faster clip, Smith said, “Not in regard to approval.”

Activists argue the growing number of permits tells a different story. They created a public dashboard called Miami Tree Canopy Watch to track open permits across the city. According to activists, there are currently 223 open permits.

Pardo said those numbers alone are misleading.

“If you’re only looking at those data points, it’s misleading, because we’re also planting a lot of trees, relocating a lot of trees,” Pardo said. “Something could be slated for removal, and it could be something completely different that the resident isn’t aware of.”

Still, activists and environmental experts warn the stakes are high as South Florida faces increasing heat driven by climate change.

“Trees are protecting us from the increasing heat that we’re experiencing in South Florida,” said Chris Baraloto, associate director of the FIU Institute of Environment and professor of biological sciences. “By removing those trees, we will feel the urban heat island effect even more.”

Pardo said the city is committed to preserving the canopy and pointed to a banyan tree that had been slated for removal but was ultimately spared.

“We do everything from actually relocating trees to other areas to make sure the ones that can be relocated,” Pardo said. “If they can’t be relocated, we ask for mitigation, where usually it’s two times the existing level of tree removal.”

Critics argue replacing mature trees with saplings is not enough.

“What we’re effectively doing is taking out a tree, and even if we’re following our current mitigation, we’re replacing it with this,” Baraloto said. “Is this commensurate value with that? Certainly not.”

Ian Wogan, owner of Tree Sources, warned the long-term impacts could become more noticeable citywide.

“If we scale that up to the city level, we’re going to start feeling urban heat,” Wogan said.

Wogan said Miami has an obligation to prioritize trees and nature-based solutions as critical infrastructure.

“Not for ourselves, but for the generations to come,” he said.

More than 1,200 signatures have been added to an action alert email addressed to Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins and city commissioners calling for a moratorium on all non-emergency tree removal permits until any proposed policy changes to Chapter 17 are publicly reviewed.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited tree committee is expected to go before commissioners Thursday for approval, giving residents a voice in the future of Chapter 17 and Miami’s tree protections.

Russia fired ballistic and cruise missiles in the mass attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that Moscow had launched more than 1,560 drones against Ukrainian population centers since the start of Wednesday.

Thursday was the third straight day that Russia hammered Ukraine with large-scale aerial attacks following a May 9-11 ceasefire that U.S. President Donald Trump said he asked Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to heed. Fighting continued over those 72 hours, although reportedly at a reduced intensity.

Russia appeared to be flexing its military muscle in a show of force with its latest aerial onslaughts on Ukraine. Its attacks undercut recent suggestions from Trump and Putin that the more than four-year war, which began with Moscow's all-out invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, is nearing its end.

Ukrainian officials noted that the attack coincided with Trump’s trip to China for a summit. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the bombardment proved that Moscow posed a threat to the international security that Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are trying to secure.

“At the very time when leaders of the most powerful countries are meeting in Beijing, and the world hopes for peace, predictability and cooperation, Putin launched hundreds of drones, ballistic and cruise missiles at the capital of Ukraine,” Sybiha wrote on X.

“Only pressure on Moscow can make him stop,” Sybiha said of Putin, adding that U.S. and Chinese leaders had sufficient leverage to compel Russia to end the war.

A Kyiv apartment block collapses

As dawn broke on a clear day in Kyiv, a scene of grim devastation came into focus in the city’s Darnytsia neighborhood. Wisps of smoke rose from the debris of the collapsed nine-story corner apartment block. Emergency workers dug under concrete slabs that had collapsed and took people away on gurneys.

Officials said all the block's 18 apartments were destroyed.

More than 30 people were wounded at the site of the blast, while emergency workers rescued 28 residents, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. At least 10 people were believed missing.

In neighboring blocks, windows had shattered from the blast wave.

Resident Lyudmila Hlushko, 78, said she heard a lot of explosions and the sound of rockets flying around 3 a.m. “Then the house shook violently and there was a loud bang, breaking the glass in my house,” she told The Associated Press.

Another local resident, Nadiia Lobanova, said “it was a terrible night.”

“We’re used to this, well, it’s impossible to get used to this, but somehow we held on,” she told AP.

Damage was recorded across six districts of the capital, according to head of Kyiv’s Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko.

Russia's biggest attacks since its full-scale invasion

The Ukrainian cities of Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva, Kharkiv, Sumy and Odesa also were targeted in Russia's bombardment, officials said.

Twenty-eight people were wounded in Kharkiv, including three children, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said.

“We are now experiencing the largest strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion,” Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.

Ukraine’s air defense forces are under severe strain, he said.

Air defenses shot down or jammed 693 Russian targets overnight, including 41 missiles and 652 drones of various types, across the country, Ukraine’s air force said .

Fifteen missiles and 23 drones scored direct hits across 24 locations, it said. Debris from downed drones fell across an additional 18 locations.

Strikes on energy infrastructure left customers in Kyiv and 11 other regions temporarily without power Thursday, Ukraine’s national grid operator Ukrenergo said.

The onslaught came just hours after a rare daytime attack on Kyiv that killed at least six people, according to Zelenskyy. Wednesday’s assault, which involved 800 drones, struck about 20 regions of Ukraine and was among the longest such attacks during the war.

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Associated Press journalists Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine and Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal contributed to this report.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office identified the mother as 33-year-old Myeisha Smith.

She was arrested and appeared before a judge on Wednesday.

According to MDSO, the shooting was reported at 3:53 p.m. in the area of Southwest 102nd Avenue and West Circle Plaza in the county’s unincorporated West Perrine area.

“According to investigators, the mother heard a loud popping sound from inside the residence and found her son suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his upper extremity,” MDSO officials said in a news release.

Detectives later confirmed that the boy had shot himself in the shoulder after Smith admitted she left a gun unattended in her bedroom.

They said the boy’s mother drove him to Jackson South Medical Center and he was then airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital.

The boy is in stable condition, authorities said.

Authorities say Smith is facing a felony child neglect charge.

It is the third time this season the Argentine superstar has had at least three goal contributions in a match. He is second in the league with 12 goals.

Mateo Silvetti evened it at 3-3 in the 79th minute after coming on as a substitute.

Kevin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander scored for Cincinnati. It is the first time in 64 matches since Pat Noonan became coach in 2023 it lost when it had the lead after 75 minutes.

Messi gave Miami a 1-0 lead at the 24-minute mark after he deflected a shot that went off Cincinnati's Matt Miazga near the Cincinnati goal. Denkey evened it on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

After Bucha put Cincinnati on top in the 49th minute, Messi made it 2-2 six minutes later on a cutback after getting the pass from Luis Suarez.

Evander's in the 64th minute with a right footer from the center just outside the box to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead. Miami though would rally and score the next three goals.

After Silvetti's goal, Miami took the lead off a set piece when Cincinnati's Andrei Chirila collided with goalkeeper Roman Celentano, allowing Berterame to put it into the open net.

Messi appeared to have a hat trick in the 89th minute when his shot went off the post and deflected off Celentano, but it was corrected to an own goal shortly after the match. It would have been Messi's 61st hat trick in all competitions.

Messi has 61 goals and 42 assists in 65 regular-season matches.

Mami had a 16-10 edge in shots.

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AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

“You could hear the car screeching, you could hear the chase -- you could hear the signs and then you heard something that sounded like crash, crash, crash,” one woman who witnessed the pursuit said.

Investigators said the driver of the red Dodge pickup truck was wanted in connection to a kidnapping investigation.

Authorities said the victim was inside the truck during the pursuit, which involved the Florida Highway Patrol and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

“A real live chase man, I seen all type of cars flying back and forth and the helicopter and he ran and chased the big red truck,” witness James Johnson said.

The chase came to an abrupt end near Northwest 86th Street and 18th Avenue when an FHP trooper performed a PIT maneuver.

Deputies and troopers were then able to take the suspect into custody and safely recover the victim.

Two people were injured during the incident.

One of the injured individuals was seen on a stretcher before being rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. It remains unclear how that person was connected to the scene.

After several hours of investigating, a tow truck arrived to flip the overturned truck upright and haul it away, ending what neighbors described as a chaotic night.

“They were up and down 87th and up and down 18th,” another witness said.

“They had all type of police behind him, behind him, I don’t know what he did though but man that was crazy,” Johnson said. “My heart beating fast as hell right now. I ain’t never seen nothing like this man.”

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the deal, said the contract includes $32 million guaranteed.

The extension was first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Achane’s average annual value of $16 million is third among running backs behind Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and Christian McCaffrey ($19 million).

Achane rushed for a career-high 1,350 yards on 238 carries in 2025 and led the NFL with 5.7 yards per carry, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He had eight rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores and ranked fourth among running backs with 488 yards receiving.

His 3,057 career rushing yards are the most by a Dolphins player in his first three NFL seasons, and his 1,277 career receiving yards rank second among Miami running backs in their first three seasons since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

“He’s dynamic,” new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said in March. “I mean there’s plays that you’re not even blocked right for and he gets 6 or 7 yards. His vision, his acceleration, the way he can catch the ball out of the backfield, he’s so hard to defend.”

Despite embarking on a rebuild that has included releasing or trading many of the Dolphins' established players — including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made it clear that Achane was not available.

A third-round pick out of Texas A&M, Achane is one of only seven running backs since 1970 with 20-plus rushing touchdowns and 10 receiving touchdowns in his first three seasons.

“He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing,” Sullivan said last month amid contract talks with Achane, “and it’s all part of it. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or the other.”

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Tampa contributed to this report.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

McCarthy charged in on a sinking line drive from Bryan Reynolds, catching the ball on a full sprint for the second out of the first inning.

Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz — who started on second base — was near third when McCarthy made the catch, so the 28-year-old continued to jog toward the infield, stepping on second for the final out.

It was the first unassisted double play by a left fielder since Jonny Gomes on July 31, 2013, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

The Rockies won the game 10-4.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

The organization alleges David Suarez paid for the billboards, spending about $4,000 on the mobile ads.

“We love being Jewish and are proud of the Jewish values that guide us to love,” said Hayley Margolis of Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida.

Members of the organization gathered there, claiming Suarez targeted two Jewish constituents by displaying their photos and first names on the billboards alongside the phrase “Jew hater.”

“I am one of the people whose face and name was on the billboard Commissioner Suarez created and paid for,” said Donna Nevel of Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida.

“The commissioner has targeted me and called me a Jew hater because I differ with his views on Israel,” Nevel added.

Alan Levine, another member of the organization, said seeing his face on one of the billboards was shocking.

“My first reaction was horror,” Levine said.

“As city commissioner to call two of his constituents Jew haters -- that may or may not be protected by free speech -- but it is grossly unethical and inappropriate for a public official,” he added.

Levine is also one of the attorneys suing the city, Mayor Steven Meiner and Suarez, alleging they infringed on the organization’s First Amendment right to protest.

“I have spoken many times at the city commission and been called a Hamas lover by Mayor Meiner and an anti-Semite by him and by David Suarez,” Levine said.

The organization filed a motion Wednesday tied to its existing lawsuit seeking additional documents related to the mobile billboards. Attorneys say they obtained an invoice from the billboard company that includes Suarez’s name and what they describe as his personal email address.

“We did get the information from the billboard company, we are engaging in discovery as part of this lawsuit,” said Katherine Giannamore, an attorney representing Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida.

It remains unclear what funding source was used to pay for the billboards.

Giannamore said they have not yet heard directly from Suarez regarding the allegations.

Local 10 News has been in communication with Suarez, who said he is currently out of town. However, he has not provided a statement regarding the allegations.

Local 10 News also reached out to the mayor’s office but had not received a response.

En un discurso de victoria ante sus simpatizantes, Davis señaló la noche del martes en Nassau que no sólo se trataba de un triunfo para su partido, sino para todo el país.

“A los bahameños que votaron hoy, pero no votaron por nosotros, quiero que sepan que los he escuchado, los he oído y quiero que sepan que seguiré trabajando duro por todos los bahameños”, declaró Davis, quien estuvo acompañado en el escenario por su esposa, Ann Marie, y altos dirigentes del partido.

De acuerdo con las proyecciones, el PLP ganaría más de 30 de los 41 escaños parlamentarios en las elecciones generales del martes, informó la prensa local. De momento no se han dado a conocer resultados oficiales.

Es la primera vez desde 1997 que un partido gana dos elecciones generales consecutivas en Bahamas.

Davis recibió previamente una llamada telefónica del candidato del opositor Movimiento Nacional Libre (FNM por sus iniciales en inglés), Michael Pintard, en la que concedió la elección.

Pintard se dirigió el martes a sus simpatizantes en la sede del FNM y señaló que los votantes se habían pronunciado y que el partido aceptaba su decisión.

“El pueblo bahameño tomó su decisión; en una democracia, esa es la única voz que importa”, subrayó Pintard.

El primer ministro de Jamaica, Andrew Holness, y la primera ministra de Barbados, Mia Mottley —ambos con menos de un año en sus nuevos mandatos luego de ganar respectivas reelecciones-- fueron algunos de los dignatarios regionales que felicitaron a Davis. El secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, también felicitó a Davis por su victoria.

Las elecciones de este año marcaron la primera vez que se eligió a miembros del Parlamento para dos circunscripciones de reciente creación: St. James y Bimini y las Islas Berry. Con estos dos nuevos escaños el número total de asientos parlamentarios ascendió de 39 a 41.

En las elecciones generales anteriores, en septiembre de 2021, el PLP ganó 32 de los 39 escaños, mientras que el FNM obtuvo los otros siete.

Las campañas giraron en torno a varios temas clave, entre ellos el estado del sistema público de salud, la tasa de criminalidad, el costo de vida y las preocupaciones sobre inmigración.

Observadores electorales internacionales estuvieron presentes en Bahamas para supervisar el proceso electoral. La Mancomunidad de Naciones, la Organización de Estados Americanos, el gobierno de Estados Unidos y el bloque comercial regional CARICOM confirmaron el envío de observadores electorales.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

BREAKING: The #Dolphins and Pro Bowl RB De'Von Achane have agreed to a 4-year extension worth $68M, making him the NFL’s 3rd-highest-paid RB at $17M per year with $32M guaranteed, per multiple sources.

The APY and guarantees are the most ever for RBs coming off rookie contracts… pic.twitter.com/UmfVxDkcWp

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 13, 2026

The deal makes Achane the NFL’s third-highest-paid running back at $17 million per year and includes $32 million guaranteed.

The annual salary and guaranteed money are both the highest ever for a running back coming off a rookie contract.

The White House and Chinese state media said the leaders concluded their meeting Thursday morning after about two hours. Trump is expected to leave just after midday Friday after a final private meeting with Xi. But few breakthroughs are expected on divisive issues ranging from the Iran war, trade, technology and Taiwan.

Trump hopes to focus the summit talks on trade and deals for China to buy more agricultural products and passenger planes, setting up a board to address their differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes.

In their closed-door meeting, Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is handled well, U.S.-China relations “will enjoy overall stability.” If not, the two countries risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi said, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.

Trump in December authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. The U.S. has not yet moved forward with delivery.

Xi said China’s door of opening to U.S. business will only open wider, he told American corporate leaders who accompanied Trump. The U.S. president said the business leaders all respect and value China and he encourages them to expand cooperation with China, Xinhua reported.

The war with Iran is also likely to be a key topic. Ahead of the meetings, Trump hoped China would use its considerable leverage to prod Iran to agree to U.S. terms to end the two-month old war or reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, but he has tempered those calls ahead of the summit.

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What’s for dinner at China’s state banquet

The menu, according to the White House, included some Chinese elements.

Lobster in Tomato Soup, Crispy Beef Ribs, Beijing Roast Duck, Stewed Seasonal Vegetables and Slow-Cooked Salmon in Mustard Sauce.

Guests also dined on Pan-Fried Pork Bun, Trumpet Shell-Shaped Pastry and Tiramisu, as well as fruits and ice cream.

Musk was a draw for selfies at the Trump-Xi banquet

Before the leaders entered the room, a steady stream of guests approached Elon Musk at his table, snapping selfies with the tech CEO.

Lei Jun, CEO of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, was seen shaking hands with Musk and taking a selfie with him.

Trump and Xi could meet up to 4 times in 2026

U.S. and Chinese officials say Trump and Xi could potentially meet four times in 2026.

The meetings could include the Group of 20 meeting in Miami and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Guangzhou later this year.

Trump invites Xi to visit White House in September

Trump extended a Sept. 24 invitation to Xi and his wife, Madame Peng, during his reciprocal toast.

“And we look forward to it,” Trump said.

He also thanked Xi for his hospitality.

“This has been an amazing period of time,” Trump said.

Trump recounts ‘fantastic day’ in China to open banquet toast

“This is a great honor. It was a fantastic day,” Trump said. “It really was a magnificent welcome like none other.”

He described his talks with Xi as “extremely positive conversations” and said everything that they discussed was “all good for the United States and China.

“And it was a great honor to be with you,” the U.S. president said, referring to his Chinese counterpart.

Xi says U.S.-China relationship is most important in the world

Xi Jinping called for the China and the U.S. to work together as partners rather than rivals in an opening toast ahead of the state banquet that was largely positive though measured.

“We both believe that China and the U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up,” Xi said.

Xi noted it was the 250th anniversary of American independence.

“Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America Great Again can go hand in hand,” he said. “Both China and U.S. stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, should be partners rather than rivals.”

He then toasted Trump and the audience.

Taiwan calls China the ‘only risk’ to regional stability

“China is currently the only risk to regional peace and stability,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Affairs said in response to Xi’s warning Thursday for the U.S. to be careful.

“Even during the meeting between the leaders of the United States and China, the People’s Liberation Army continued to send military aircraft and ships to harass and threaten Taiwan in the region,” the ministry said.

Xi said “Taiwan independence” and cross-strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water, while noting the issue was the most important in the bilateral relationship.

Xi’s wording on Taiwan may indicate Trump didn’t budge

Xi’s stark warning to Trump over Taiwan may indicate the U.S. president did not make concessions Thursday over the island democracy China claims as its own, an analyst said.

Any meaningful concession would have been reflected in Beijing’s official readout of the meeting, said William Yang, a senior analyst for Northeast Asia for International Crisis Group.

“The lack of such mention and the relatively stern tone suggest Trump may not have budged on Taiwan in principle,” Yang said.

Wen-Ti Sung of the Atlantic Council said Xi’s warning of potential conflict signaled Taiwan remains the Chinese government’s biggest red line.

“Taiwan is the identity-defining issue in U.S.-China relations: get Taiwan right and we are friends; get Taiwan wrong and we might become foes before you know it,” Sung said.

What Trump and Xi discussed at the Temple of Heaven

U.S. reporters were mainly kept far away from the leaders when they toured the UNESCO heritage site.

But China’s official Xinhua News Agency cited Trump as being impressed to see the Temple of Heaven still standing tall and magnificent after over 600 years, showcasing exquisite Chinese classical architectural art.

Xi said ancient Chinese rulers held sacrificial ceremonies at the temple to pray for national peace and prosperity.

Xi said it showed the traditional Chinese thought that “the people are the foundation of the state, and when the foundation is solid, the state is stable,” according to Xinhua.

Trump said he vividly remembers his 2017 visit to the Forbidden City, Xinhua reported.

Trump attends Chinese state banquet in his honor

The affair brought Trump back to the Great Hall of the People, where he opened his first full day in Beijing in closed-door talks with Xi.

Inside the hall, round tables were draped with white tablecloths.

Key members of Trump’s Cabinet including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent milled about before Trump arrived.

Chinese premier stresses cooperation in talk with US executives

Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed the need for friendship and cooperation in U.S.-China ties as he spoke with U.S. business leaders accompanying President Donald Trump in Beijing.

Li met executives including Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on the sidelines of Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“China and the United States have been able to maintain frank and smooth dialogue and communication and actively safeguard a stable and healthy bilateral relationship” despite international turbulence, Li said.

Collaboration is needed for “mutual success and shared prosperity,” Li added.

China’s language shows ‘core’ focus on Taiwan

China has ramped up its language around Taiwan by noting repeatedly in recent weeks that Taiwan is the “core” of its interests and a key to ensuring a stable relationship with the U.S.

Trump has demanded Taiwan increase defense spending and in December the White House announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the largest ever to the island democracy.

Ma Chun-wei, an expert in China-Taiwan relations at Taiwan’s Tamkang University, said the elevated defense relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has caused China to increase its rhetoric over Taiwan.

“For Xi Jinping, he must show that the Taiwan issue is in China’s hands. He must demonstrate this image, or else he would be criticized,” Ma said.

Trump and Xi discussed Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz

The leaders were in agreement that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be opened to support global energy needs, according to a readout of their Thursday meeting by a White House official.

Xi also opposed any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait, which effectively has closed since the start of the U.S. and Israel war against Iran.

Xi expressed interest in China purchasing more U.S. oil to reduce future Chinese dependence on Gulf oil, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The leaders also discussed further stemming the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. and increasing Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products.

China’s commerce ministry open to expanded US cooperation

China is willing to work with the U.S. to continuously expand its cooperation list, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said Thursday.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in “candid, in-depth and constructive” exchanges in South Korea on Wednesday, He said.

For the next step, China is willing to work with the U.S. to expand their cooperation based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual benefit, He said.

They also would shorten the problem list while promoting healthy economic and trade ties between the sides, He said.

Chinese social media finds humor in Trump comment about executives

A comment by Donald Trump about the U.S. business executives chosen to accompany him to China has become a source of humor on Chinese social media.

“I didn’t want the second or the third in the company. I wanted only the top, and they’re here today to pay respects to you and to China,” Trump told Xi when the leaders met Thursday.

Trump’s comments was ranked second in trending topics on Weibo, a social media platform curated by censors.

The posts included jokes about how the corporate executives were grateful to be there and pictures of them flashing a thumbs-up sign while leaving the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.

Analyst says Xi is setting boundaries

George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said Xi wants to set clear boundaries on what the U.S. can and cannot do with China.

Politically it’s all about Taiwan, Chen said, noting Xi’s opposition to independence for the island democracy.

“He makes the ‘red line’ crystal clear,” he said.

Chen said Xi has sought to reassure U.S. businesspeople that China is a place they can make money, which could be seen as Xi’s response to Trump’s demand for China to provide a more favorable environment for U.S. firms.

Chen said Xi suggested the relationship’s “strategic stability” can continue at least for the rest of Trump’s term, which can be perceived as progress.

Ukraine ties a Russian attack on Kyiv to the Beijing summit

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha tied an overnight attack on Kyiv to the Xi-Trump summit, saying the assault proved Russia was a threat to international security.

“At the very time when leaders of the most powerful countries are meeting in Beijing, and the world hopes for peace, predictability and cooperation, Putin launched hundreds of drones, ballistic and cruise missiles at the capital of Ukraine,” Sybiha said on Telegram.

He said there should be “no illusions” about ending the Russian war on Ukraine.

“Only pressure on Moscow can make him stop,” Sybiha said of Putin, adding that U.S. and Chinese leaders had sufficient leverage to compel Russia to end the conflict.

Taiwan thanks US for support after China warning

Taiwan said it is grateful for the long-term support of the United States after Xi warned Trump on Thursday about potential “clashes and even conflicts” over the self-ruled island China claims as its own.

“The government views all actions that contribute to regional stability and the management of potential risks from authoritarian expansion positively and continues to work with the United States in various aspects of our relationship,” said Michelle Lee, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s premier.

Taiwan has stayed in close contact with the U.S. on national security and diplomacy, Lee said.

“The U.S. has also repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear position of support for Taiwan,” Lee said.

Trump and Xi exchange views on the Middle East, state media reports

Trump and Xi have exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula, the official Xinhua News Agency reported without providing additional details of the discussion.

The wars in Iran and Ukraine and relations with North Korea have been sources of tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Trump and Xi agreed to support each other this year by hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, and the G20 Summit in Florida, Xinhua reported.

Xi calls for stability in relationship with US

Xi said he and Trump agreed to establish a new orientation for U.S.-China relations that is “constructive, strategic and stable.”

Xi said the bilateral relationship should take this direction for the next three years and beyond, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.

Xi said this new strategic orientation should have “limits to competition” and “differences are managed.”

Xi said both sides should use political, diplomatic and military communication channels to ensure the goals.

Brett Ratner confirms he is in China for ‘Rush Hour 4’

The director got to China by flying with Trump aboard Air Force One.

He told the White House press pool he is in Beijing to prep for filming the fourth installment of the movie series, whichTrump is said to be interested in.

Ratner directed first lady Melania Trump’s recent movie about her life in the weeks before her husband returned to office.

Xi says China-US economic ties are win-win, state media reports

Economic ties between China and the United States are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during their talks, according to the Chinese official news agency Xinhua.

“Yesterday, our economic and trade teams produced generally balanced and positive outcomes. This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world,” Xi said.

The Chinese president said facts have shown time and again there are no winners in trade wars, calling on both sides to jointly sustain the good momentum they have worked hard to build, Xinhua reported.

“Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice,” he said.

Trump concludes tour of Temple of Heaven

Trump was expected to return to his hotel before he returns to the Great Hall of the People to attend a state banquet in his honor.

Asian shares mixed and Chinese stocks trade lower

Asian shares were mixed Thursday as investors closely monitored takeaways from U.S. President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The Shanghai Composite index lost 1% to 4,199.19. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.3% to 26,478.99. Markets in Japan and South Korea were higher, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 up 0.2% and Seoul’s Kospi gaining 1%.

Investors are watching for progress on the Iran war and U.S.-China trade relations from the Xi-Trump summit, as well as possible trade deals on areas such as soybeans, airplanes and chips.

Trump declines to say if he and Xi discussed Taiwan

Trump said, “great,” when reporters asked how the talks with Xi went. But that’s about all he said.

Follow-up questions about whether they discussed Taiwan were asked.

Trump didn’t answer as he posed alongside Xi for photos after they arrived at the Temple of Heaven.

XI says door to American business opening wider

Xi said China’s door of opening to American business will only open wider and wider he told American CEOs on Thursday morning during his meeting with Trump, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said American companies are deeply participating in China’s reform and opening, with both sides benefiting from this. He said China welcomes the U.S. to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and believes American businesses will have even broader prospects in China, according to Xinhua.

Trump said the business leaders he brought along all respect and value China and he encourages them to expand cooperation with China, the report said.

Trump introduced the business leaders to Xi one by one. The business people said they highly value China’s market, hope to deepen their operations in China and strengthen cooperation with China, the report added.

Traveling to China as part of the U.S. delegation are some 17 CEOs, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook and Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, the White House says.

— This item has been corrected to indicate the meeting took place Thursday.

Trump arrives at Temple of Heaven

The 15th century temple was Trump’s next stop after meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People.

A tour was planned.

Trump and Xi wrap up meeting after about two hours

The White House and Chinese state media said the leaders concluded their meeting after about two hours of talks.

The leaders discussed trade, Taiwan and other differences in the U.S.-China relationship

Xi warns Trump differences over Taiwan could bring US and China to clashes or conflict, state media reports

In a closed-door meeting Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is handled well, U.S.-China relations “will enjoy overall stability,” according to a readout of their bilateral talks published by the official Xinhua News Agency.

If not, however, the two countries risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi was reported to have said.

Xi says the US and China should be ‘partners rather than rivals’

The U.S. and China should be “partners rather than rivals,” Xi told Trump ahead of their bilateral talks.

“I always believed that the common interests between China and the U.S. outweigh their differences,” Xi said. “Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both.”

Xi added that he wanted 2026 to be a “landmark year” in the countries’

Xi congratulates US for coming 250th anniversary of independence

The Chinese leader took a moment to note the coming anniversary — something that is a big deal for Trump.

The massive monthslong celebration is to include a “Great American State Fair” in Washington and a UFC fight night on the South Lawn of the White House.

“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. I extend my congratulations to you and to the American people,” Xi said. He added, “I firmly believe the common interests between China and the United States are bigger than our differences.”

Xi offers more cautionary tone at start of talks

The leaders offered warm words about each other and hope for the future of U.S-China relations as they opened their bilateral talks.

But Xi sounded more cautionary about what lies ahead for the world’s biggest economic powers.

“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi said. “The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.”

Why Xi is asking Trump for US and China to avoid the ‘Thucydides Trap’

In remarks welcoming Trump, Xi name-checked an ancient Greek historian to express his hopes that the U.S. and China can avoid conflict, saying that history, the world and its people were asking “whether the two countries can transcend the “Thucydides Trap” and forge a new model for relations between major powers.

“He was using a term that’s popular in foreign policy studies, referring to the idea that when a rising power threatens to displace an established power, the result is often war.

It comes from Thucydides’ account of the destructive Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, in which he remarked that “It was the rise of Athens, and the fear that rise engendered in Sparta, that made war inevitable.”

Xi says the world is at a crossroads, marked by turbulence and uncertainty

The Chinese leader in his opening remarks at the summit underscored the importance of the moment for the two world powers and said the question before China and the United States is “whether the two countries can work together to meet challenges and bring greater stability to the world.”

“Can we, in the interest of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations?” Xi said.

Trump signals he wants to do business with Xi

In his opening comments before reporters to start the meeting, Trump only made glancing allusion to past difficulties in his yearslong relationship with Xi.

Those include two trade wars, tensions over U.S. support for Taiwan — and Trump's impatience with Beijing over the flow precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl.

He also made no mention of their differences over the Iran war.

“You’re a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true,” Trump said.

A pomp-filled ceremony marks the start of the summit

Trump and Xi stood side by side for the playing of their countries’ national anthems on Thursday as their summit got underway.

The leaders than walked the red carpet, accompanied by a goose stepping Chinese service member, to inspect the military honor guard.

Trump and Xi also paused for a moment in front of dozens of flower-waiving children gathered for the ceremony.

Democratic lawmaker urges Trump not to be ‘driven by improvisation, personal flattery’ in talks

Trump has talked up his personal rapport with Xi despite deep differences on a slew of issues.

Sen. Mark Warner, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that Trump would be misguided to put too much stock in his personal dynamic with the Chinese leader.

“We cannot afford to trade lasting American strength for a short-term political win or to mistake a photo op for real strategic progress,” Warner said. “Any agreement reached with Beijing during this summit must deliver tangible results for American workers, our security, and our long-term competitiveness.”

Rubio says Trump will make the case to China to take a ‘more active role’ on Iran

The secretary of state, who is with Trump in Beijing, said administration officials will underscore that “economies are melting down because of this crisis” and that will result in consumers “buying less Chinese product.”

“So it’s in their interest to resolve this,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they’re doing now and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf.”

The message contrasts with comments by Trump, who downplayed differences with Xi over Iran before departing from Washington.

“We have a lot of things to discuss,” Trump told reporters. “I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control.”

Trump kicks off the busiest part of his China trip

The president arrived in Beijing late on Wednesday. On Thursday, the summit begins in earnest.

China's Xi will officially welcome Trump during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, followed by bilateral talks.

Then there’s some cultural programming — a visit to the Temple of Heaven — before a state banquet capping the day.

This trip is expected to be long on pageantry and symbolism but neither side has yet offered concrete details on what Trump will come away with.

▶ Read more

Xi and Trump will be meeting at the Great Hall of the People

The Great Hall of the People was built in 1959 for the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It’s a massive structure, some 171,800 square meters or 42.5 acres, on the western side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

This is where China hosts most of its foreign dignitaries, as well as key events like the annual meeting of its ceremonial legislature. The hall covers an area bigger than the Forbidden Palace.

Construction of the building was completed in a quick 10 months, and mostly with manpower. China was not heavily industrialized and the chief engineer for the project at the time, Yang Sixin, told state media that “the bricks that needed to go up were all transported by hand, carried in baskets with a pole. I’ve also carried the bricks up myself.”

While the structure’s size and towering structure is similar to buildings found in the Soviet style, its decorations inside were designed by referencing Chinese history, such as floral designs from the Tang dynasty.

The Omaha-area district, where Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon is retiring, is one of Democrats' biggest targets this midterm season. It’s also a national focus every four years in presidential contests because Nebraska is one of just two states that splits its electoral votes. The 2nd District has gone to Democratic presidential candidates three out of five times since 2008 — a “blue dot” in an otherwise sea of red.

Powell, a political activist, defeated state Sen. John Cavanaugh and several other candidates in the Democratic primary. She and Cavanaugh were in a tight race that could not be called Tuesday.

Powell will face Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member endorsed by President Donald Trump. He ran unopposed in Tuesday’s GOP primary.

“This country and Nebraska are worth fighting for — and I’m ready to spend the next six months working for every vote and sharing my vision for Nebraska so we can finally have a representative in Congress who will serve us,” Powell said in a statement. “It’s time to be brave.”

Powell led Cavanaugh by 2.1 percentage points, or 1,080 votes, out of more than 51,000 votes counted.

AP called the race after Douglas County election officials said there were only 5,125 outstanding mail-in ballots in the Democratic primary, and a total of 830 provisional ballots from all political parties. Even if all those ballots are counted in the Democratic primary, Cavanaugh would have to win them by about 18 percentage points over Powell to close the gap, a margin he didn’t come close to achieving in any of the five vote updates provided by Douglas County so far. Cavanaugh trailed in all three counties in the district, though Douglas accounted for about 93% of the votes.

The matchup between Powell and Harding is expected to be among this fall’s most competitive House races, as Democrats try to win control of the chamber for the second half of Trump's term.

The 2nd District is one of just three districts in the country that supported Democrat Kamala Harris for president in 2024 while also electing a Republican representative. Trump won the district in 2016, and the retiring Bacon, who has clashed with Trump, has held the House seat for five terms.

The Nebraska GOP said in a statement Wednesday that Republicans are ready to fight back against a "radical left” that has poured money into the state.

“The left wants Nebraska, and we are going to make sure they don't get it,” said NEGOP Chairman Mary Jane Truemper.

Powell, who is Latina, co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska, a political action committee that supports progressive female candidates, and she has a decade of Democratic political activism. She had the backing of EMILY's List and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' campaign operation.

Powell has never held office but said her deep connections have helped her with independents and third-party voters, who make up nearly 30% of the district’s electorate.

Some Democratic critics argued that a Cavanaugh primary victory would have jeopardized the district’s “blue dot” status because he’d be leaving his valuable state legislative seat, making it easier for Republicans in the Nebraska Legislature to change the law that allows the state to split its electoral votes.

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Peoples reported from New York.

The exchange at a highly anticipated summit in Beijing underscored just how far apart Trump and Xi remain on thorny issues, including the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington's relations with Taiwan, which is self-ruled but which China claims as part of its territory.

It also suggested that Trump’s three-day visit to China is likely to be longer on pageantry and symbolism than substantive political or economic breakthroughs.

The pair met for about two hours behind closed doors at the Great Hall of the People after an elaborate welcome ceremony featuring booming cannons, a band playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and China’s national anthem, and hundreds of schoolchildren jumping and waving flowers and American and Chinese flags.

According to a post on X by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, Xi told Trump that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.”

"If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” she wrote.

That came after a brief public exchange before the meeting began in which Trump told Xi: “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”

“It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said before promising that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

Xi was far more stark in his opening remarks, expressing hope that the U.S. and China could avoid conflict and asking “whether the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new model for relations between major powers.”

That's a term, popular in foreign policy studies, referring to the idea that when a rising power threatens to displace an established one, the result is often war. Xi has used the term for years, but using it as Trump offered optimism was noteworthy and foreshadowed his closed-door comments on Taiwan.

Xi nonetheless struck a more conciliatory tone when describing the overall relationship. “Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” he said. “The two countries should be partners rather than rivals.”

Both emphasized the importance of China-US relations

After their meeting, Xi took Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven, then hosted a state banquet for him. The Chinese leader used his evening toast to note that he and Trump had kept U.S.-China relations “generally stable” in a turbulent world.

“Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand,” Xi said, referring to Trump’s political movement. “We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.”

In his toast, Trump again called Xi “my friend” and said his visit had been “a great honor” punctuated by a “fantastic" day. He said matters “all good for the United States and China” were discussed Thursday.

Trump also announced that Xi would make a reciprocal visit to the White House on Sept. 24 — a date not previously announced.

The positive tone also was reflected in the White House assessment of the earlier meetings, which said both leaders had touched on ways to enhance economic cooperation, including expanding market access for American businesses in China and increasing Chinese investment into U.S. industries.

The White House readout didn't mention Taiwan directly, but, in relation to Iran, said both sides had agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil and natural gas, must remain open. The strait's closure has stranded tankers and caused energy prices to spike, threatening global economic growth.

The war is dominating Trump's domestic agenda and stoking fears about the prospect of a weakening U.S. economy as November’s midterm elections — when Republicans hope to maintain control of Congress — approach.

China is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity that Trump would make the case for Beijing to exert its influence on Iran, noting that administration officials would underscore that “economies are melting down because of this crisis,” which means consumers are “buying less Chinese product.”

It's not clear if Trump persuaded Xi to wield his influence. The White House instead said Xi opposed any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait — as Iran has proposed — and expressed interest in China potentially purchasing more U.S. oil to reduce Chinese dependence on Gulf oil in the future.

Taiwan issues remain contentious

Xi's warning about Taiwan reflects China's displeasure with a U.S. plan to sell weapons to the island. The Trump administration has approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, but has yet to begin fulfilling it.

The U.S. has a longstanding commitment to help the island defend itself if attacked, but Trump has shown greater ambivalence toward Taiwan, fueling speculation about whether the president could be persuaded to dial back American support.

Taiwan said after the Xi-Trump meeting that it was grateful for Washington's “long-term support.”

“The government views all actions that contribute to regional stability and the management of potential risks from authoritarian expansion positively,” Michelle Lee, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s premier, told reporters. She added that the U.S. “has also repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear position of support for Taiwan.”

US still hopes to secure trade wins

The White House has insisted that Trump wouldn’t be making the trip without an eye toward securing concrete results, suggesting there could be coming announcements coming on trade.

That might include a Chinese commitment to buy U.S. soybeans, beef and aircraft. Trump administration officials also want to work toward establishing a Board of Trade with China to address commercial differences between the countries.

Trump and Xi discussed trade on Thursday, with Xi saying that China’s door of opportunity will open wider. Xi also met with a collection of U.S. business leaders who accompanied Trump.

George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said Xi has made his ”‘red line’ crystal clear” on Taiwan. But Chen said Xi also signaled a welcoming tone on the economic front and a desire to assure the U.S. business community that China is a place where profits can flow.

The U.S. and China reached a trade truce last year that calmed each side’s threats to impose steep tariffs on the other. The White House says there have been ongoing discussions and mutual interest in extending the agreement.

The leaders also discussed further stemming the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States, and increasing Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products, according to the White House.

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Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Darlene Superville in Washington, Simina Mistreanu in Bangkok and Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

The 81-year-old opened his conservative talk show, “The Rudy Giuliani Show,” with assurances to his audience that he was on the mend — though not yet fully recovered. In early May, Giuliani was in critical condition and placed on a ventilator at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.

Reports of his illness were met with an outpouring of support and well-wishes from a range of high profile politicians across the political spectrum.

“I have to thank everyone who sent me prayers and good will," he said. He specifically mentioned his gratitude to his family, the medical staff that tended to him and U.S. President Donald Trump, who Giuliani said called him after he became sick.

“It feels good to be back,” Giuliani said before cutting to his first break.

Giuliani was previously hospitalized last September after suffering a fractured vertebra and other injuries in a car crash in New Hampshire.

After Giuliani's eight-year tenure as mayor, which was punctuated by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the longtime Republican politician ran unsuccessfully for president in 2008 and eventually became a personal attorney and adviser to Trump.

Giuliani was a vocal proponent of the president’s allegations of fraud in the 2020 election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden. Trump and his backers lost dozens of lawsuits claiming fraud, and numerous recounts, reviews and audits of the election results turned up no signs of significant wrongdoing or error.

Two former Georgia election workers later won a $148 million defamation judgment against Giuliani. As they sought to collect the judgment, the former federal prosecutor was found in contempt of court and faced a trial this winter over the ownership of some of his assets.

Giuliani ultimately struck a deal that let him keep his homes and various belongings, including prized World Series rings, in exchange for unspecified compensation and a promise to stop speaking ill of the ex-election workers.

Last year, Trump said he was awarding Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Previamente, el medio digital The Intercept Brazil publicó mensajes de voz en los que Bolsonaro le pide a Vorcaro —quien está en el centro de un gran escándalo de corrupción— 61 millones de reales (12 millones de dólares) para producir “The Dark Horse”, una película que el senador Bolsonaro dice estar realizando sobre la vida de su padre, el expresidente Jair Bolsonaro, el cual está encarcelado. El sitio web indicó que el senador pidió más dinero después de que se pagara el monto inicial.

Vorcaro —exdirector general del clausurado Banco Master, que llevaba un estilo de vida lujoso antes de ser encarcelado— está en el centro de un escándalo de fraude y sobornos que ha salpicado a varios altos funcionarios en Brasil desde que comenzó este año.

Se le acusa, entre otras cosas, de estafar a muchos de los 800.000 clientes del Banco Master —incluidos varios fondos de pensiones de gobiernos estatales— por cientos de millones de dólares, al convencerlos de realizar inversiones turbias.

La policía federal de Brasil calcula que el fraude total del banco asciende a aproximadamente 12.000 millones de reales (2.300 millones de dólares). El caso sigue bajo investigación de la policía federal del país y del Supremo Tribunal Federal.

A pesar de ello, el senador Bolsonaro defendió su solicitud.

“Lo nuestro es el caso de un hijo que busca patrocinio privado para una película privada sobre la historia de su padre. Nada de dinero público”, manifestó Flávio Bolsonaro en un comunicado. “No ofrecí ninguna ventaja (ilegal) a cambio. No sostuve encuentros privados. No fui intermediario de negocios con el gobierno. No recibí dinero”.

Horas antes de que sus mensajes al banquero se hicieran públicos, el senador Bolsonaro dijo a periodistas en Brasilia que no tenía ninguna relación con Vorcaro. Hizo lo mismo en marzo, después de que medios brasileños informaran que su número había sido encontrado en uno de los teléfonos celulares de Vorcaro incautados por la policía federal.

En un mensaje de voz enviado a Vorcaro en septiembre, el senador Bolsonaro afirma que no se sentía cómodo al pedirle dinero al banquero, pero que “la película está en un momento muy decisivo”.

“Hay muchos pagos atrasados, todo el mundo está tenso y yo estoy aquí preocupado por (la posibilidad de) obtener el efecto contrario de lo que soñamos para esta película”, le dijo el senador Bolsonaro a Vorcaro. El legislador ha declarado públicamente que pretendía estrenar la cinta en el tramo final de la campaña presidencial.

Envió otros mensajes en octubre y noviembre con la misma intención de conseguir financiamiento para la película.

“Ni se les ocurra que no le paguemos (al actor) Jim Caviezel, a Cyrus (Nowrasteh, el director de la película). Gente de gran renombre en el cine estadounidense y mundial”, le dijo el senador Bolsonaro a Vorcaro en otro mensaje de voz en noviembre. “Ahora que estamos en el tramo final no podemos titubear, no podemos saltarnos nuestros compromisos aquí, de lo contrario lo perderemos todo”.

Vorcaro responde en otro mensaje de voz que pagará al día siguiente.

El consultor político Thomas Traumann señaló que las revelaciones podrían afectar negativamente la campaña de Bolsonaro, cuando falta poco para que su Partido Liberal lleve a cabo su convención para incluirlo en la boleta.

“Debido a que Flávio Bolsonaro es un político desconocido cuyo mayor activo es ser hijo del expresidente, un escándalo como este podría tener un impacto devastador”, observó Traumann. “Que (Flávio Bolsonaro) pida dinero y muestre cercanía con un banquero que está bajo investigación policial por fraude podría obligar a la oposición de Brasil a cambiar su candidato, para mantener sus posibilidades”.

El banquero fue arrestado en marzo y desde entonces ha intentado alcanzar un acuerdo de colaboración con las autoridades.

En noviembre, el Banco Central de Brasil cerró Banco Master, cuyos activos superaban los 16.000 millones de dólares.

Desde que estalló el escándalo, Flávio Bolsonaro y sus aliados han alegado —sin presentar pruebas— que debería atribuírsele a Lula. Esta semana, un exjefe de gabinete de Jair Bolsonaro, el senador Ciro Nogueira, desmintió informaciones de prensa que afirmaban que recibía pagos con regularidad de Vorcaro para apoyarlo.

Aliados de Lula en el Congreso indicaron que impulsarán una investigación parlamentaria sobre el vínculo entre Flávio Bolsonaro y Vorcaro.

Flávio Bolsonaro y otras figuras clave de su partido se reunieron en Brasilia después de que surgieran las revelaciones. El senador se fue por la noche sin hablar con los periodistas que esperaban afuera.

___

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant said the transaction closed after receiving required regulatory and shareholder approvals. When the deal was first announced in January, Allegiant said it was valued at about $1.5 billion, including debt.

“Today marks a defining moment in Allegiant’s history as we officially join forces with Sun Country,” Allegiant CEO Gregory Anderson said in a statement, adding that the new combined airline is positioned to offer broader access to affordable travel.

The deal comes as both airlines and travelers are grappling with a sharp run-up in jet fuel costs driven by the war in the Middle East, a jump that is already showing up in higher fares and fees across the industry. That increase is hitting low-cost airlines especially hard, since they have less room to absorb rising costs.

The pressure was especially acute for Spirit Airlines. The ultra low-cost carrier shut down after 34 years May 2, its collapse accelerated by the sharp rise in fuel costs following years of financial strain, including heavy debt, repeated restructuring efforts and ongoing cash-flow problems.

Against that backdrop, Allegiant and Sun Country say their tie-up gives them more ways to generate revenue. Along with passenger flights, Sun Country brings into the fold cargo flying for Amazon, as well as charter trips for sports teams, casinos and the U.S. Department of Defense,.

Allegiant says the expanded network is also expected to give travelers more options, especially in smaller and mid-sized markets, with about 195 aircraft serving nearly 175 cities and more than 650 routes.

For now, travelers shouldn’t expect any changes. Both airlines will continue to operate separately, and customers can keep booking, checking in and managing trips just as they do today.

Allegiant said it will take time to bring the two airlines together. Over the long term, the combined company is expected to operate under the Allegiant name and remain headquartered in Las Vegas, while adding new options and connections across its broader network.

Minneapolis–St. Paul, where Sun Country is based, will remain an important hub for the airline.

Reliever Pete Fairbanks (nerve irritation), Miami’s prized offseason acquisition who last appeared April 27, was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Fairbanks has a bloated 10.00 ERA in his first season as a Marlin, allowing 10 earned runs in nine innings of work.

In a corresponding move, left-hander Robby Snelling, who made his MLB debut May 8 against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park, was placed on the 15-day injured list with what the team is calling a “left elbow UCL sprain.”

Snelling, 22, pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs and walking four on 86 pitches.

His max velocity reached 97.2 mph.

Manager Clayton McCullough spoke to reporters in the dugout pregame Wednesday and said Snelling “reported some discomfort yesterday following his bullpen sessions.”

He will undergo further evaluation, and the team will make a decision at a later time.

The rookie was scheduled to start Thursday, but it will instead be left-hander Braxton Garrett, who returns to the club to make his first start in two years.

He joined the team Wednesday in Minnesota.

Garrett, 28, missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from left elbow surgery (UCL reconstruction, Tommy John surgery).

Meantime, the Marlins (19-23) will start right-hander Max Meyer (2-0, 2.79 ERA) in the second game of the series.

Meyer, 27, grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. He committed to play college baseball at the University of Minnesota during his junior year.

Wednesday will mark the first time Meyer takes the mound to face the Twins.

Lutnick agreed to sit for an interview with the House Oversight Committee last week after the release of case files on Epstein contradicted his claim on a podcast last year that he had been determined to “never be in a room again” with Epstein after a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

The House Oversight Committee released the transcript of the interview Wednesday, as well as a transcript of an interview with Tedd Waitt, a former boyfriend of Epstein confidant Ghislaine Maxwell.

Lutnick, who for years was neighbors with Epstein in New York City, had claimed in that podcast interview that Epstein engaged in blackmail. But under scrutiny from lawmakers, Lutnick said he was only “speculating.”

“I had no personal information. I was just speculating for a podcast,” Lutnick told lawmakers, adding that his two other personal interactions with Epstein years later were “meaningless and inconsequential.”

Lutnick is the highest-ranked current administration official, besides President Donald Trump, to be named in the Epstein case files. The Republican president has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has said he ended their relationship years ago.

How Lutnick described interactions with Epstein

Lutnick repeatedly downplayed his previous interactions with Epstein. He said that after Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, showed a massage table and made a sexual innuendo during a tour of his townhouse in 2005, Lutnick and his wife decided he would “just avoid him.”

Yet Lutnick, who was previously the head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, had a pair of interactions and exchanged several emails with Epstein over the years.

They also both invested in the same business venture in 2013, according to the Epstein case files. Lutnick told lawmakers that he was unaware that Epstein was also an investor until the case files were released months ago.

The commerce secretary also described his two other meetings with Epstein. During a family vacation in the Caribbean, Epstein's staff invited them to have lunch on his private island. Describing the 2012 visit, he told the committee: “We sat outside, had lunch. It was boring. We left.”

Lutnick also said he made a brief visit to Epstein's home in 2011 to discuss scaffolding that would be installed at Epstein's townhouse. Lutnick called that meeting “meaningless and inconsequential.”

Democrats pressed Lutnick to answer for his decision to meet up with Epstein after initially determining that he would avoid him. Lutnick responded that he couldn't remember why his family made the visit to Epstein's island.

As they emerged from the interview last week, Democrats criticized Lutnick as evasive and dishonest. Several called on him to resign.

“If a Cabinet Secretary lies to the American public, they should no longer serve in that position. Mr. Lutnick should resign or be fired,” Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said on social media shortly after Lutnick's interview.

The White House has stood behind Lutnick, who for years has been a part of Trump's circle.

Maxwell's former boyfriend also interviewed

Lawmakers also last month interviewed Waitt, the cofounder of Gateway computers who dated Maxwell in the early 2000s. Maxwell, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for helping Epstein traffic girls, had also dated Epstein and was his longtime confidant.

Waitt told lawmakers that he was unaware at the time that either Epstein or Maxwell was committing sexual abuse. He also described meeting Epstein only a handful of times.

“Each of those were very brief and unintentional,” he said, adding that he had never visited Epstein's home, flown on his planes or visited his private island.

Waitt said he found Epstein “somewhat arrogant” and added that he was “off-putting.”

The legislation seeks to cement U.S. assistance for Ukraine by approving more than $1 billion in security aid and making another $8 billion available in the form of loans. Supporters have been calling on President Donald Trump to act more forcefully to deter Russia and boost Ukraine.

Lawmaking gained 218 signatures on a petition from Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York that will force a House vote. While the measure is unlikely to become law, the vote will put lawmakers on record concerning their support for Ukraine.

The petition was signed by 215 Democrats and two Republicans — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. Rep. Kevin Kiley, an Independent from California, became the final signature required to force the vote. Kiley said the bill would help strengthen Ukraine's leverage to advance a durable peace.

“We must also send a strong message that Russian support for Iran’s targeting of U.S. military assets will not be tolerated,” Kiley said in a statement explaining his support for the petition.

But Speaker Mike Johnson voiced concerns about the timing of the vote.

“I’m talking with some of the sponsors of that right now,” Johnson said. “… The latest news out of Russia is that it looks like the war is scaling back, scaling down, coming to a conclusion. I think Vladimir Putin said that himself in the last few days, and so this would be a good time for Congress to see how that pans out. So I’m going to be talking to my colleagues about that.”

The fighting continues

Trump said Tuesday he believes Moscow and Kyiv will soon reach a deal to end fighting.

“The end of the war in Ukraine I really think is getting very close,” Trump said as he left the White House for a summit in Beijing. “Believe it or not, it’s getting closer.”

Putin said in a speech last weekend that his invasion of Ukraine is possibly “coming to an end.”

But on Wednesday, Russia fired at least 800 drones in a massive daytime barrage across Ukraine, killing at least six people and wounding dozens, including children, in one of the longest attacks by Moscow in the 4-year-old war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Fitzpatrick said he did not agree that the war is near a conclusion and the only way he would not vote for the Meeks measure would be if Russia withdrew its forces from Ukraine.

"There’s people dying as we speak, so no, the war is not winding down,” Fitzpatrick said.

Meeks said that it was time for lawmakers to go on the record about where they stand.

“Members of Congress, some tell me that they are supportive of Ukraine. Well, we’re going to finally get a vote on the floor to make that determination,” Meeks said.

He said he believes the House vote will "put pressure on the Senate and I think it should tell the president that America is looking and we want to stand by our allies and not Vladimir Putin.”

Prospects in the Senate

Lawmakers have for months discussed various proposals to sanction Russia, but much of that talk disappeared when Trump launched an attack on Iran in late February.

While Senate Republicans have mostly been supportive of Ukraine, they have hesitated to act without Trump’s support. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed skepticism that the Senate could move to Russia sanctions, saying “we have such a pileup” of other legislation.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has pushed for a Russia sanctions bill in the Senate, said Wednesday, “There are parts of the House bill I like, parts of it that I don’t.”

Republicans and Democrats alike have also been frustrated that the Department of Defense has not spent $400 million in military aid for Ukraine that lawmakers allotted last year. During a hearing earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon was working on a plan to spend those funds.

Support for Ukraine has been a major point of tension between Congress and Trump, who pledged to quickly settle the war once he was president. Instead, he has struggled to show progress toward a peace deal even as his administration has often moved to withdraw support for both Ukraine and the rest of Europe.

The visit occurs at a delicate moment for Trump’s presidency, as his popularity at home has been weighed down by the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran and rising inflation as a consequence of that conflict. The president is seeking a win by signing deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft, saying he’ll be talking with Xi about trade “more than anything else.”

Here’s the latest:

Judge blocks US sanctions against independent UN investigator over criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon has temporarily barred the Trump administration from imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, after her family had filed a lawsuit earlier this year.

Leon said the penalties the administration is pushing could be a violation of Albanese and her family members’ First Amendment amendment rights. In a lawsuit filed in February in the U.S. District Court in Washington, Albanese’s husband and minor child outlined the serious impact those sanctions have had on the family’s life and work, including the ability to access their home in the nation’s capital. The State Department had said that Albanese had engaged in a “campaign of political and economic warfare” against the U.S. and Israel by urging other countries to sanction Israel over its alleged war crimes in Gaza and several U.S. companies for being “complicit” in those actions.

US military says some humanitarian aid gets to Iran

It has allowed 15 merchant vessels “supporting humanitarian aid” through a blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command said in a social media post.

They include both merchant ships allowed to dock in Iranian ports as well as ships that were allowed to sail out of Iranian ports and into open waters, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the command.

The social media post noted that since the blockade began on April 13, U.S. forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels and disabled four more “to ensure compliance” with the restrictions.

Immigration authorities detain former Kansas mayor who fears deportation over voting controversy

The former mayor of a conservative Kansas town is in the custody of federal immigration authorities, a possible step toward deportation.

It comes months after Joe Ceballos acknowledged he voted in elections despite not being a U.S. citizen. Ceballos was 4 when his family brought him from Mexico. The 55-year-old is now a legal permanent resident.

His lawyer says that while seeking citizenship, Ceballos admitted that he had voted — apparently not knowing his status doesn’t allow it. Immigration officials didn’t return a message seeking comment. Ceballos’ supporters were outside the immigration building in Wichita, Kansas.

“I’m extraordinarily disappointed in my government,” Jess Hoeme, his attorney, told The Associated Press.

Ceballos was twice elected mayor of Coldwater, population 700, and also served on the city council. He won a new term in November but resigned after state Attorney General Kris Kobach charged him with voting without being qualified and election perjury.

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Vance says US has made headway in Iran talks

Vice President JD Vance says he thinks the U.S. is making progress in its talks with Iran over the war, but that it’s too soon to tell if it’s enough to ensure that Iran will never be able to have a nuclear weapon.

Vance was asked about the status of negotiations while taking reporters’ questions at a press conference Wednesday for his anti-fraud task force.

He said he spent “a good amount of time” on the phone with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Wednesday morning, as well as “a number of our friends in the Arab world.”

“I think that we are making progress,” Vance said. “The fundamental question is, do we make enough progress that we satisfy the president’s red line?”

Vance brushes off Trump’s 2028 successor comments as president joking around

The vice president says it’s “natural” for Trump to “joke around with us a little bit” over who should be his Republican successor in the 2028 election.

During a press conference for his anti-fraud task force on Wednesday, JD Vance was asked about Trump’s comments at a Monday night Rose Garden dinner where the president polled the crowd about his possible successor. Trump asked them whether Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio should be at the top of the GOP ticket.

The VP joked that it didn’t sound like Trump wanted “to have a televised competition for who would succeed him as his apprentice,” a nod to the president’s reality TV background.

He says Trump has long been fascinated by politics and it’s typical for him to “play around with the idea.”

Vance pushes back on question about Trump’s comment playing down economy as a factor in Iran negotiations

Speaking to reporters Wednesday at an event on healthcare fraud, the vice president was asked whether he agrees with Trump’s comments from a day earlier that said Americans’ financial situations are not a factor in negotiations with Iran.

“Well, I don’t think the president said that,” Vance told a reporter who paraphrased Trump’s remark. “I think that’s a misrepresentation of what the president said. But look, I agree with the president that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump commented on Tuesday as he departed the White House for a summit in Beijing. He said economic issues were not a factor in negotiations, “not even a little bit.”

“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” Trump said. “I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

Senate confirms Trump pick Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve, following Powell

The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

The vote to confirm Warsh on Wednesday brings new leadership to the world’s most powerful central bank at a fraught moment for the global economy.

Warsh’s nomination faced uncertainty after Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina threatened to block it while the Justice Department investigated Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

The Powell probe was dropped in April, allowing the Warsh confirmation to move forward.

Warsh, 56, a former top Fed official, will become chair at an unusually difficult time for the independent agency. The Fed confronts stubborn inflation, deep divisions over interest rates and renewed scrutiny from Trump over its independence.

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Louisiana advances plan to eliminate majority-Black US House district after court ruling

Republican senators in Louisiana have advanced a plan to eliminate one of two majority-Black, Democratic-held congressional seats. The Senate committee vote early Wednesday follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s House map as an illegal racial gerrymander.

Committee members heard hours of testimony from Black residents and Democrats opposed to the move. Republicans chose not to target both Democratic seats.

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling weakening Voting Rights Act protections has prompted similar redistricting efforts in Southern states like Tennessee and Alabama. Those efforts are part of a broader national redistricting battle that has involved about one-third of the states. A similar attempt fizzled Tuesday in the South Carolina Senate.

Efforts to undo minority districts mark the latest phase in a 10-month national redistricting battle. It grew after Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw House districts to win more seats in the midterm elections.

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US and China seek to repair damage from tariff war that sent trade into a freefall

Trump’s trade war with Beijing has sent U.S.-China trade into a freefall and forced companies on both sides of the Pacific to regroup. U.S. firms are looking for suppliers outside of China. And Chinese firms have pursued business in Europe and Southeast Asia.

The sparring goes beyond tariffs.

China has cut off purchases of U.S. soybeans and deprived U.S. manufacturers of crucial minerals and metals. The U.S. has blocked China from getting advanced computer chips.

The world’s two biggest economies have shown they can hurt each other. Now, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are trying to stabilize the relationship during their meeting in Beijing.

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Republican resistance to Iran war is growing

Senate Republicans succeeded again in blocking Democratic legislation that would halt Trump’s war with Iran, but the number of GOP senators voting against the war grew.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the war for the first time since it began at the end of February. Two other Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, also voted against the war, as they had done previously.

The war powers legislation ultimately failed to advance 49-50, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania the only Democrat to oppose it, yet the close tally reflected growing unease with Trump’s war.

Memphis residents claim harassment, arrest and abuse by Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force

Four Memphis residents say they have been harassed, arrested and physically mistreated for engaging in First Amendment protected activities by observing and recording the actions of law enforcement in their city.

A lawsuit filed on Wednesday in federal court in Tennessee targets the Memphis Safe Task Force. The task force comprises agents from 13 federal agencies that President Donald Trump ordered to the city to fight crime alongside Tennessee State Troopers and the Tennessee National Guard.

The suit asks the court to declare retaliation against the plaintiffs for observing and recording law enforcement activity unconstitutional and prohibit agents from further retaliation.

Since late September, hundreds of law enforcement personnel tied to the task force have made traffic stops, served warrants and searched for fugitives in the majority Black city of about 610,000 people. The lawsuit says the task force has conducted over 120,000 traffic stops.

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Foreigners with World Cup tickets won’t have to pay bonds to enter US, Trump administration tells AP

The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from certain countries pay as much as $15,000 in bonds if they are confirmed World Cup ticket holders, the State Department told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The department imposed the bond requirement for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.

The bond move is a rare easing of immigration requirements under the administration.

World Cup team players, coaches and some staff were already exempt from the bond requirement. But that didn’t apply to ordinary fans until Wednesday.

“We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets” and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said.

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A former private prison executive will become ICE’s acting leader

David Venturella will serve as the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Trump administration says, after the agency’s current leader steps down at the end of the month.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said late Tuesday that Venturella would succeed Todd Lyons, who led the agency through much of the administration’s tumultuous crackdown on immigration. ICE did not immediately respond to an email seeking additional information Wednesday.

Venturella left the Geo Group in early 2023 and has been working at ICE leading the division that oversees detention contracts, members of Congress wrote in a public letter earlier this year.

At the Geo Group, Venturella served in a number of posts, including executive vice president overseeing corporate development, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. It said he also has worked for federal contractors, including one that specializes in security clearances and background checks.

Geo has benefited from Trump’s mass deportation push, garnering big contracts to open shuttered facilities.

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US House Speaker Mike Johnson says his prayers are with Trump on China visit

“The president has laid down a marker that was overdue and very important: The American people are not going to be taken advantage of any more by adversaries or allies,” Johnson, a Republican, said at a news conference in Washington.

The House speaker said his prayers are with Trump that he has a “good visit” with Xi. He said he hoped “they come forward with some favorable policies, things that will help us out, and I believe he will.”

House Democrats ask Trump to proceed with arms sales to Taiwan

Ranking members of four House committees urged President Trump in a letter Wednesday morning to proceed with the $14 billion arms sales to Taiwan and resist any effort by Beijing to “dictate” the U.S. policy toward the self-governed island.

The letter, signed by the top Democrats on House committees on foreign affairs, armed services, intelligence and the Chinese Communist Party, was released as Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Beijing strongly opposes any arms sales to Taiwan, which it sees as part of Chinese territory, while the U.S. is obliged by a domestic law to supply the island with sufficient hardware for self defense.

On Monday, Trump said he and Xi would discuss Taiwan in Beijing, raising worries that any slip by the U.S. president could undermine the U.S. commitment to the island.

Trump administration freezes new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies

The Trump administration said Wednesday it’s expanding its sweeping fraud-busting initiative in federal health programs with a nationwide six-month freeze on any new Medicare enrollments by hospice and home health agencies.

The moratorium will temporarily stop all new providers in these categories from signing up for reimbursement from Medicare, the federal insurance program for older adults across the country, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a news release.

“We’ve seen systemic and deeply troubling fraud in the hospice and home health space, with bad actors exploiting some of our most vulnerable Medicare patients and stealing money from the American taxpayer,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a statement. “Today we’re shutting the door on fraud-preventing new bad actors from entering Medicare while we aggressively identify, investigate, and remove those already exploiting them.”

The move is related to efforts by Vice President JD Vance’s anti-fraud task force, set up by Republican President Donald Trump to crack down on potential misuse of public funds.

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Residents in Beijing held up their phones to wait for Trump’s motorcade

As President Trump’s motorcade moved toward the Four Seasons Hotel, located near the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, residents held up their smartphones trying to capture his arrival. Security was heightened around the hotel.

On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, some users posted about his arrival. A video post by the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showing Trump walking out of the plane had more than 66,600 likes and nearly 4,000 comments in less than two hours. Under the post, a comment that read “China and the U.S. join hands to advance together and create a bright future!” drew more than 2,300 likes.

Wall Street is mixed following another discouraging inflation report and a recovery for tech stocks

The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% in early trading, still near its all-time high set at the start of the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 235 points, or 0.5%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.2% higher.

Gains for tech stocks helped support the market, like Micron Technology’s 4.3%. They had stumbled the day before after momentum suddenly halted for stocks riding excitement around artificial-intelligence technology.

Nvidia, the chip company that became one of the first faces of the AI boom, rose 2.4% and was the strongest force pushing upward on the S&P 500. Its CEO, Jensen Huang, got an invitation to join President Trump on his trip to China, where they could discuss allowing shipments of Nvidia AI chips to the world’s second-largest economy.

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Trump had personally invited Nvidia’s Huang on the China trip

A surprise appearance on the Anchorage tarmac as Air Force One refueled en route to Beijing was Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who wasn’t initially included on the manifest of corporate executives accompanying Trump to China.

The president had realized through news reports that Huang, with whom he is close, wasn’t on the trip. So he personally called the CEO on Tuesday and invited him to join, according to a person with knowledge of the discussion. The person was granted anonymity to discuss a private conversation.

“CNBC incorrectly reported that the Great Jensen Huang, of Nvidia, was not invited to the incredible gathering of the World’s Greatest Businessmen/women proudly going to China,” Trump said on social media as the presidential plane traveled from Anchorage to Beijing. “In actuality, Jensen is currently on Air Force One and, unless I ask him to leave, which is highly unlikely, CNBC’s reporting is incorrect or, as they say in politics, FAKE NEWS!”

— Seung Min Kim

Trump is also expected to visit the Temple of Heaven on Thursday

That’s where Chinese emperors once prayed for bumper crops.

And Trump will take part in a formal banquet Thursday.

Trump’s arrival is trending on Chinese social media platform Weibo

A video posted by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showing Trump stepping out of the plane and walking down the stairs had more than 18,000 likes in less than 30 minutes.

More than 1,300 comments were made in response to the post. Some welcomed Trump to China and others wrote: “peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation.”

The status of Taiwan will be a major topic

China is displeased with U.S. plans to sell weapons to the self-governing island the Chinese government claims as part of its own territory.

Trump told reporters Monday he’d be discussing with Xi an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan the U.S. administration authorized in December but hasn’t yet begun fulfilling. The arms package is the largest ever approved for Taiwan.

But the U.S. leader has demonstrated greater ambivalence toward Taiwan, an approach that’s raising questions about whether Trump could be open to dialing back support for the island democracy.

At the same time, Taiwan — as the world’s leading chipmaker — has become essential for the development of AI, with the U.S. importing more goods so far this year from Taiwan than China. Trump has sought to use Biden-era programs and his own deals to bring more chipmaking to America.

Trump pauses to take in the elaborate welcome scene in Beijing

Three hundred youngsters waved miniature American and Chinese flags in front of themselves and then over their head in unison.

“Welcome, welcome! Warm welcome!” the children chanted in Chinese.

Trump greeted dignitaries after deplaning, then stopped and grinned, taking in the scene.

He didn’t answer questions, instead climbing in a limo on the way to his hotel.

The president has nothing more on his public schedule until Thursday.

Following him off the plane were Trump’s son, Eric, and Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, as well as assorted travelers, including SpaceX chief Elon Musk.

The Chinese offered Trump a pomp-filled welcome

A red carpet was rolled out for him after Air Force One landed.

The president was to be greeted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng; Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to Washington; Ma Zhaoxu, executive vice minister of foreign affairs; as well as the U.S. envoy to Beijing, David Perdue, according to the White House.

The welcoming ceremony includes some 300 Chinese youths, a military honor guard and a military band.

The meat of Trump’s summit in China won’t happen until Thursday

That’s when the leaders will hold bilateral talks and a formal banquet.

The Trump administration hopes to begin the process of establishing a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries. The board could help prevent the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes, an action China countered through its control of rare earth minerals. That led to a one-year truce last October.

Trump arrives in Beijing ahead of meetings with Xi

Trump has touched down in Beijing for his summit with Xi Jinping.

Trump has no public events beyond his arrival on Wednesday’s schedule, but is set to meet with Xi a series of times on Thursday and Friday.

U.S. and China have “candid” exchanges in South Korea’s trade talks, CCTV says

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in “candid, in-depth and constructive” exchanges on resolving economic and trade issues of mutual concern and further expanding practical cooperation, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.

The officials led the trade talks between the world’s two biggest economies in South Korea, hours before Trump’s arrival in Beijing.

CCTV said they were guided by the important consensus reached by the heads of state of both countries, and upheld the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

Nvidia CEO is late-announced addition to Trump’s trip

The White House said Huang’s schedule hadn’t permitted his coming, but then changed, clearing the way for him to make the trip.

The last-minute addition inspired online commentary and memes on the Chinese internet.

Those including on Xiaohongshu and Weibo, where people shared manipulated images of Huang clinging to Air Force One with his bare hands.

Musk, Cook and other prominent US executives invited to join Trump on trip to China

These prominent U.S. executives from Big Tech to agriculture have been invited to join Trump on his trip to China, according to a White House official:

1. Elon Musk - CEO of Tesla and SpaceX 2. Tim Cook - CEO of Apple 3. Kelly Ortberg - Boeing CEO 4. Jensen Huang - Nvidia President and CEO 5. Larry Fink - BlackRock Chairman and CEO 6. Stephen Schwarzman - Blackstone Chairman, CEO and co-founder 7. Brian Sikes - Cargill Chairman and CEO 8. Jane Fraser - Citi Chairman and CEO 9. Jim Anderson - Coherent CEO 10. H. Lawrence Culp - GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO 11. David Solomon - Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO 12. Jacob Thaysen - Illumina CEO 13. Michael Miebach - Mastercard CEO 14. Dina Powell McCormick - Meta President and Vice Chairman 15. Sanjay Mehrotra - Micron Chairman, President and CEO 16. Cristiano Amon - Qualcomm President and CEO 17. Ryan McInerney - Visa CEO

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Soaring inflation and plummeting economy test Iran’s ability to withstand war and US blockade

Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz is throttling the world’s energy supplies and inflicting global economic pain, but the struggles of the Islamic Republic’s own economy are testing its ability to withstand the war and defy Washington’s demands.

Iranians have been hit by spiraling prices for food, medicine and other goods. At the same time, the country has seen mass job losses and business closures caused by strike damage to key industries and the government’s monthslong shutdown of the internet.

The economic cost of the war and the U.S. naval blockade “has been very substantial and unprecedented for Iran,” said Hadi Kahalzadeh, an Iranian economist and research fellow at Brandeis University.

But Iran has withstood decades of economic pressure and sanctions and its capacity to adapt has not been dismantled, Kahalzadeh said.

The International Monetary Fund has predicted the Iranian economy will shrink by about 6 percentage points in the next year.

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"Para la jornada de hoy se pronostica un déficit de más de 2.000 megavatios en el horario de máxima demanda o pico nocturno”, escribió el mandatario cubano en su cuenta de X.

Un reporte de la estatal Unión Eléctrica de Cuba de esta jornada indicó que la demanda estaría sobre los 3.250 megavatios, por lo que el 61% de la isla estará apagada en el horario pico —sobre las siete u ocho de la noche, cuando las personas cocinan o regresan a sus hogares.

Gracias a ese cargamento de crudo enviado por Rusia disminuyeron los apagones durante la última quincena de abril.

“La entrada a puerto cubano de un solo un buque de combustible, de ocho que se necesitan como mínimo cada mes, permitió reducir el déficit y con ello los apagones que, aunque no desaparecieron del todo, lograron atenuarse”, expresó Díaz-Canel.

Fue el primer buque con petróleo que se atrevió a llegar a Cuba en cuatro meses. Una segunda embarcación rusa con petróleo se dirige a la isla, sin que las autoridades de ambos países hayan precisado dónde se encuentra en estos momentos ni cuándo se estima su llegada.

En enero el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump impuso un cerco energético a la isla luego de atacar militarmente Venezuela a principios de ese mes y provocar la caída del entonces presidente Nicolás Maduro. Trump amenazó con imponer aranceles a los productos de los países que se atrevieran a vender petróleo a la isla.

El titular de la Casa Blanca dijo que estaba dispuesto a asfixiar a Cuba o incluso invadirla, presionando por un cambio en su modelo político.

La isla apenas produce el 40% del combustible que necesita para mover su economía.

El barco Anatoly Kolodkin de bandera rusa llegó a Cuba el 31 de marzo con 730.000 barriles de crudo y en los días posteriores fue descargado y refinado, reduciendo los apagones radicalmente, según constató The Associated Press.

Expertos y funcionarios dijeron que serviría para surtir unas dos semanas.

En tanto, el canciller Bruno Rodríguez salió este miércoles a responder a los reiterados comentarios de Trump y su secretario de Estado Marco Rubio sobre la isla y las amenazas de una escalada militar.

“Una agresión militar de Estados Unidos contra Cuba provocaría una verdadera catástrofe humanitaria, un baño de sangre. Perderían la vida ciudadanos cubanos y estadounidenses, un hecho al que sólo apuestan los políticos que no envían sus hijos y familiares a las guerras”, expresó Rodríguez.

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Abedayo partnered with TikToker Zachery Dereniowski, better known as MDMotivator, to surprise Bianca Grey with a new car and a full year of rent.

Grey, whose husband died in a motorcycle crash, has a 5-year-old daughter. She was homeless when she was a teen, and this fuels her work at the homeless shelter.

“My mom, it was just us and my sister, we was homeless, so now I am helping other people,” Grey told Abedayo and Dereniowski about her work at Camillus House.

When Abedayo and Dereniowski surprised her at a bus stop, Grey thought she was waiting for a human trafficking victim who needed housing.

The duo blind folded Grey and walked her toward the parked new car, which had a big red bow on it.

“This is going to change our lives forever,” Grey said through tears.

Abedayo’s BBB Foundation focuses on helping single mothers in honor of his. The Miami Heat star had also already donated the basketball court at Camillus House.

Watch MDMotivator’s video

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Dalton Eatherly, 28, and an unidentified man were involved in a confrontation that resulted in gunfire, District Attorney Robert J. Nash said in a statement. But Nash wouldn’t say why Eatherly was at that courthouse in Clarksville, what he was doing or what prompted the confrontation.

Police didn’t provide the race of the other man. However, a witness who said she saw him loaded into an ambulance described him as Black.

Both men were transported to hospitals for medical treatment and were stable, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said.

Eatherly was being held at the Montgomery County jail until bond can be set at an arraignment hearing, the county sheriff’s office said. Eatherly was also charged with employing a firearm during dangerous felony, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, the sheriff's office said.

Jacob Fendley, an attorney listed in court records as representing Eatherly in a separate harassment case from November, did not immediately return a phone message.

Claire Martin, who works in an attorney’s office across the street from the courthouse, said Eatherly is “well known in Clarksville for antagonizing people to see what he can get them to do.” She said he “yells racial slurs” at people while filming them. “He’s not a contributing member of society,” she said.

Martin did not see the altercation but saw the aftermath. The other man “waved at us as he got in the ambulance,” she said.

‘Did I shoot myself ... ?’

In a video posted on the website Pump.fun on Wednesday, Eatherly said he shot a man in self-defense after the person starting hitting him. Eatherly speaks with paramedics in the clip, one of whom takes note of a wound's entry and exit point.

“Did I shoot myself or did it graze it?” Eatherly asked.

Eatherly had been scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning in Clarksville, located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Nashville, over a $3,300 debt allegedly owed to a credit company, according to Montgomery County court records. The civil case was filed in February on behalf of Midland Credit Management.

Court records didn’t indicate whether Eatherly showed up for the status hearing. Online records list the case as open.

Eatherly, a white man, livestreams confrontations to social media where he can be seen and heard making racially derogatory statements to Black people in public.

In one video taken in a market, he says to a passing Black man, “You chimpin’ out," a reference to chimpanzees. He then uses the N-word a number of times.

The Black man is seen using a cellphone to record the confrontation, telling Eatherly, “Don’t touch me.”

A clerk tells Eatherly he’s not allowed to say that word. He responds “America is free speech. Tell me I can’t say something again. This is (expletive) America."

Racists in the United States and other countries historically have compared Black people to monkeys or apes. In February, President Donald Trump posted a racist social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle. It was deleted after both Republicans and Democrats criticized the video as offensive.

Steakhouse theft and disorderly conduct charges

In addition to the credit debt case, Eatherly faces a separate criminal case in which he is accused of becoming unruly at a Nashville steakhouse on Saturday and refusing to pay the nearly $400 bill.

According to an affidavit in the case, the restaurant had asked him not to stream inside the business, but he did anyway. When they asked him to stop, he began yelling and screaming and “started making racial statements.”

He was arrested and charged on Sunday with theft of services, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and released on $5,000 bond. His next appearance in this case was scheduled for July 17 in Davidson County criminal court.

Clarksville resident Larry Quillen said he's seen videos in which Eatherly carries a gun and mace “and goes around and starts things.”

“I was just kind of like it’s a matter of time. I mean, because what he’s doing is hate. It’s not even freedom of speech and that’s what he claims to do,” Quillen said.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said one of the two men involved in Wednesday's shooting was taken to Vanderbilt of Clarksville Hospital for treatment. A message left with the hospital wasn’t immediately returned.

The other was transported by Lifeflight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, the sheriff's office said. A spokesperson for the hospital, Craig Boerner, said medical privacy laws prohibited the disclosure of information about victims of violence.

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This story has been updated to correct that Clarksville is northwest of Nashville, not northeast.

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Loller reported from Nashville, Tennessee, and McAvoy from Honolulu. Associated Press writers Corey Williams in Detroit and John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed.

Edward Harold King, who left the bench at the end of last year, and Yechiel “Sam” Sprei, a politically connected real estate developer, were arrested by the FBI on wire fraud conspiracy charges after federal prosecutors say they duped a pair of investors into forking over $6.5 million for a bogus property bid and then failed to return all but a fraction of the money.

The allegations are similar to claims made against King in civil lawsuits and in complaints to the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, whose investigation precipitated his resignation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Wang told a judge at the men’s initial court appearance on Wednesday that the transaction described in the criminal case was “one of several schemes that the government has been investigating." Discussing Sprei's finances, the prosecutor said “it’s safe to say many, many millions of dollars” have moved through his bank accounts in the last few years.

King, 72, and Sprei, 37, were released on bail and are scheduled to return to Brooklyn federal court on Monday to finalize their bond arrangements. King and his lawyer, Michael Vitaliano, declined to comment as they left the courthouse. The former judge cut through trees in a nearby park to avoid reporters and photographers. Sprei's lawyer, Ezra Lent, declined to comment.

In court, Wang said that during Sprei's arrest, the developer lied to FBI agents that he had no electronic devices on him other than his cellphone. Agents executing a search warrant seized the phone and then found a second phone while patting Sprei down, Wang said.

If convicted, King and Sprei could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

“As alleged, the defendants stole millions of dollars from investors by cynically leveraging King’s position as a sitting judge to lend false legitimacy to supposed investment opportunities,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said in a statement.

King resigned on Dec. 31, 2025, just three years after becoming a judge, after the Commission on Judicial Conduct informed him that it was investigating complaints mirrored in his criminal case.

Among the complaints, the commission said, were that King was involved in a scheme to defraud real estate investors and that he continued to act as a lawyer — including by accepting funds into his own attorney escrow accounts — despite rules barring full-time judges from practicing law, acting as fiduciaries or engaging in business activities. King denied the allegations.

According to federal prosecutors, King and Sprei pitched investors on fictitious investment opportunities with false promises that their money would be kept safe in attorney escrow accounts and returned on demand if the investors decided to end their involvement.

In November 2024, prosecutors said, Sprei and King offered two investors an opportunity to buy commercial real estate in Freehold, New Jersey, through a bankruptcy auction. In order to proceed, Sprei told them, all bidders first needed to show “proof of liquidity” and that they could do so by depositing $6.5 million in King’s escrow account, prosecutors said. Sprei told the investors that King was both an independent escrow agent and a judge, according to prosecutors.

The investors wired the money to King's account, where they were told it would be left untouched and not spent or transferred without their permission, prosecutors said. Within days, prosecutors said, King and Sprei transferred several million dollars to a bank account in Sprei’s name.

Later, when the investors exercised their right to have the money back, King offered up excuses and alternatives, at one point saying he would have his lawyer deposit the funds with an unspecified court, prosecutors said. King and Sprei eventually returned $1.5 million to the investors, but have yet to cough up the rest, prosecutors said.

King became a judge in 2023. He won a seat on the New York City Civil Court in Brooklyn and was appointed to the state’s main trial court in June 2024.

Prior to that he was in private practice and, according to news articles about his campaign, was appointed by courts to manage assets in real estate disputes. He also served as an administrative law judge for the city's Parking Violations Bureau and as legal counsel to the state assembly.

When the state commission accepted King's resignation, its administrator Robert Tembeckjian called the allegations "so egregious as to warrant his permanent departure from the bench.”

Thursday will bring a sun/cloud mix and west-northwest winds, sustained five to 10 mph. A few showers or a thunderstorm or two may develop as the afternoon unfolds. Temperatures will make a run for the low 90s.

The soldier was identified as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Taveres, Fla., the U.S. military Europe and Africa said in a statement. She was 19 years old.

“Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported the Soldier’s remains by a Moroccan helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco,” the statement said.

Collington served as an air and missile defense crewmember and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa said.

Collington entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023 before beginning active-duty service in 2024. She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember. She reported to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025 and was promoted to specialist on May 1, 2026.

Her awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.

The announcement came days after the military said the remains of another soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, had been recovered. The two soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco. Their remains are en route to the United States.

A spokesperson for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa told The Associated Press that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

The two soldiers were reported missing May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco. Their disappearance triggered a search operation involving more than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel, the SETAF-AF spokesperson added.

Assets deployed during the operation included a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, thermal and ISR sensors, an unmanned underwater vehicle, side-scan sonar, a Moroccan multibeam echosounder and U.S. Coast Guard drift modeling capabilities, according to the spokesperson.

African Lion 26, is a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations.

In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises

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The victims, who live in the 69 units at the Midway Gardens community, had already had their mail stolen back in February.

“We have had checks stolen, we have had property stolen, we have had credit cards stolen,” said Arturo Abraeu, the homeowners’ association president at Midway Gardens.

The video shows that the thief wasn’t working alone. After throwing the stolen mail into a white sports utility vehicle, he sat in the back seat, and the driver fled.

“I usually try to get my mail every day,” said Esther Pereira, a resident at Midway Gardens.

The U.S. Postal Service has the case. Mail theft is a federal crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Abraeu had a question for the thieves: “Why would you risk your liberty over such a small reward?”

Related story: Miami-Dade deputies accuse 3 of stealing mail, 1 surrenders

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Tamarius Blair Davis Jr. shot and killed Dustin Wakefield, 21, of Castle Rock, Colorado, as he shielded his 1-year-old son, Eli, on Aug. 24, 2021 as they sat outside of La Cerveceria de Barrio, a Mexican restaurant at 1412 Ocean Drive.

The then-22-year-old Davis, of Norcross, Georgia, was a total stranger and was believed to be in a magic-mushroom-induced psychosis at the time.

He also pleaded guilty to attempted murder and child abuse charges Wednesday in connection with the shooting.

Wakefield’s father, Matt Wakefield, said it’s the first step towards justice.

“It’s just been a lot of waiting, a lot of praying, a lot of patience, a lot of trusting in the Lord that this will work out in Dustin’s favor,” he said, describing his son as “a loving man, not just to his wife, not (just) to his son, but to all of us.”

Davis’ sentencing proceedings are expected to take two to three days.

No date has been set for Davis’ sentencing hearing; a pre-sentencing investigation must take place by June 12.

Matt Wakefield said he and other family members plan to be there when Davis is sentenced. But any sense of justice won’t take away a lifetime of pain.

“I wouldn’t say that I speak to Dustin, but I visit his grave site and I imagine in my mind that day that he and I will be reunited in heaven,” Matt Wakefield said. “I look forward to it.”

Davis could face 25 years to life in prison.

The White House requested $1 billion for the U.S. Secret Service, including about $220 million for “hardening” the ballroom.

“We live in a dangerous time, and there are new and increasing threats that we have never faced before, and so Congress has a role in funding that,” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday.

Democrats and some Republican lawmakers were skeptical. Trump said private donations would fund the $400 million East Wing project.

“Well, give me a break. He’s put a billion dollars in the budget for it. This staggering waste of taxpayer dollars has nothing, nothing to do with security and everything to do with Trump’s ego,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee included the $1 billion in the next budget reconciliation bill, which will fund immigration law enforcement.

Supporters considered the assassination attempts, including the most recent during the White House Correspondents’ dinner.

“Keeping the leader of the free world safe is an expensive proposition,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said on Tuesday. ”The Secret Service has a job to defend and protect the president, and we need to make sure they have the tools to do it.”

La primera instalación de desvío de salud mental del condado Miami-Dade, única en su tipo, ha permanecido vacía durante años.

El condado compró el edificio ubicado en el 2200 de la avenida 7 del noroeste con fondos de bonos aprobados en 2004.

El juez retirado Steven Leifman ha sido el impulsor de la muy elogiada instalación.

“Necesitamos construir un sistema para esa población muy aguda para que podamos romper el ciclo de la indigencia, podamos romper el ciclo de la cárcel y podamos romper el ciclo de las hospitalizaciones”, dijo Leifman.

Los comisionados coincidieron en gran medida en que la instalación es importante para salvar vidas y liberar espacio en las cárceles.

Pero el presidente de la junta, Anthony Rodriguez, expresó preocupación sobre mantenerla abierta después de los primeros dos años, que ya están financiados.

“¿Estamos preparados para aumentar los impuestos a la propiedad para pagar este centro?”, preguntó.

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Miami-Dade County’s first-of-its-kind mental health diversion facility has been sitting empty for years.

The county purchased the building at 2200 NW 7th Avenue with bond money approved in 2004.

Retired Judge Steven Leifman has been the force behind the much-lauded facility.

“We need to build system for that very acute polulation so we can break the cycle of homeless, we can break the jail cycle, and we can break the hospitalization cycle,” Leifman said.

Commissioners largely agreed the facility is important to saving lives and freeing up jail bed space.

But board chair Anthony Rodriguez expressed concern about keeping it open after the first two years, which are already funded.

“Are we prepared to raise property taxes to pay for this center?” He asked.

All four are considered potential stars and a clear cut above the rest in a loaded draft class. What remains to be seen is the order they will be taken.

The Washington Wizards hold the No. 1 pick for the first time since they drafted John Wall in 2010. Utah, Memphis and Chicago round out the top four.

“It would mean a lot,” Dybantsa said Wednesday at the NBA draft combine of being picked first. “It would just mean that all my hard work is paying off. All the countless hours and all the sacrifices I made have paid off.”

Dybantsa, who led the country in scoring last season, thinks he would be a good fit in Washington. The Wizards went 17-65 and finished with the league's worst record for the first time since 1967. But after eight straight losing seasons, they could be poised for bigger things.

Then again, it's no sure thing Dybantsa goes first. There's a case for Peterson, not to mention Boozer and Wilson.

“For me, it's just about going to the right fit, the right situation for me,” said Boozer, the AP national player of the year. “An organization that really believes in me, and understands what I bring to the team. I understand where you go really matters for your career and how your trajectory goes, so that’s the biggest thing for me for sure.”

Boozer, the son of former Duke and NBA star Carlos Boozer, tied for the national lead with 22 double-doubles while averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. His dad played for the Jazz and Bulls, and now, there's a chance he winds up on one of those teams.

“He loves it here,” Cameron Boozer said. “I think he has a very strong fan base here as well. I think he'd be very happy if I was sent to Chicago.”

Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in a dominant season cut short by injuries. He broke a bone in his left hand days after a thrilling win against rival Duke. Then, when he was about to come back, he broke his right thumb in a non-contact drill in practice to end his season on the eve of another meeting with the Blue Devils.

He said his hand is “perfectly fine” and the team that drafts him will get a “winner.”

“They're gonna get somebody who's dedicated to their franchise, somebody who will change their city for the better,” he said.

Peterson was hospitalized because of full-body cramping before the season and dealt with other injuries and illnesses that caused him to miss 11 games. But he was terrific when he played, averaging 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc in 24 games.

Peterson and Dybantsa were considered the top two prep basketball players for years. They put on a memorable show during a Grind Session game on the winter AAU circuit, when Peterson went off for 58 points for Prolific Prep and nailed the winning 3 in the final seconds. Dybantsa scored 49 for Utah Prep.

“I just remember me and AJ going back and forth,” Peterson said. “It was a great game and I was blessed to come out on top. I'm getting back to that now.”

Dybantsa described it as an unforgettable experience for anyone who witnessed it.

“If you were at that game, that’s probably a core memory in your whole basketball-watching as a fan,” he said. “That was probably a core moment. I think there was a time in the game where we went 15 for 15 straight. It was crazy. He ended up winning, so he got the best me.”

Peterson did it again when Kansas beat BYU in late January, scoring 18 points while Dybantsa finished with 17.

Now, Peterson is trying to show that the physical issues that slowed him last season are a thing of the past. They also might have helped him develop into a more well-rounded player.

“I didn't have the same step that I had before,” he said. “If one thing's bad, something else improves. My shooting improved because of that.”

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Dr. Stephen Kornfeld of Bend, Oregon, was among more than 120 passengers and crew evacuated from the ship and flown to different countries to enter quarantine. Kornfeld was brought to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with 15 other Americans, but he was the only one taken to an isolated biocontainment unit after a nasal swab he took on the ship produced inconclusive results about whether he had the virus.

On Wednesday, the hospital announced that Kornfeld will now join the 15 other Americans who were taken for monitoring at the National Quarantine Unit, instead of the biocontainment unit, according to hospital spokesperson Kayla Thomas.

Kornfeld appeared on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront” on a video call from his hospital room Tuesday, saying, “I feel wonderful, 100%."

He said there was a period on the ship when he came down with flu-like symptoms including night sweats, chills and fatigue but he said he has no symptoms now.

The World Health Organization said Wednesday that a total of 11 hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported worldwide, including three deaths. Eight cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests.

Kornfeld said a nasal swab he took on the ship was later tested twice in the Netherlands. One result came back negative, the other positive. Earlier this week, he was awaiting results from a new test taken when he returned to the U.S.

“The initial test that we received was from abroad and it was inconclusive in its results,” Dr. David Fitter of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters Wednesday.

In addition to the passengers taken to Nebraska, two other Americans are being monitored at the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Health authorities say it is the first hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. While there is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus, the WHO says early detection and treatment improves survival rates.

Public health officials say the risk to the general public from the cruise ship outbreak is low. Hantavirus usually spreads from rodent droppings and is not easily transmitted between people, though the Andes virus detected on the Hondius may be able to spread between people in rare cases.

The WHO is recommending that passengers and crew from the cruise ship stay in quarantine, either at home or other facilities, for 42 days.

Kornfeld described his quarters at the biocontainment unit in Nebraska as a hospital room with a comfortable bed.

“It’s a little weird being in here by myself,” he said before he was cleared to leave. “But the nurses come in, the doctors come in. I’m on WhatsApp all the time. It’s really amazing how quickly time flies.”

La organización alega que David Suarez pagó las vallas publicitarias, gastando alrededor de $4,000 USD en los anuncios móviles.

“Nos encanta ser judíos y estamos orgullosos de los valores judíos que nos guían a amar”, dijo Hayley Margolis, de Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida.

Miembros de la organización se reunieron allí, alegando que Suarez atacó a dos constituyentes judíos al mostrar sus fotos y nombres en las vallas junto a la frase “odiador de judíos”.

“Soy una de las personas cuya cara y nombre estaban en la valla que el comisionado Suarez creó y pagó”, dijo Donna Nevel, de Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida.

“El comisionado me ha atacado y me ha llamado odiadora de judíos porque difiero de sus opiniones sobre Israel”, agregó Nevel.

Alan Levine, otro miembro de la organización, dijo que ver su rostro en una de las vallas fue impactante.

“Mi primera reacción fue horror”, dijo Levine.

“Que un comisionado de la ciudad llame odiadores de judíos a dos de sus constituyentes, eso puede o no estar protegido por la libertad de expresión, pero es sumamente poco ético e inapropiado para un funcionario público”, agregó.

Levine también es uno de los abogados que demandan a la ciudad, al alcalde Steven Meiner y a Suarez, alegando que infringieron el derecho de la organización bajo la Primera Enmienda a protestar.

“He hablado muchas veces ante la comisión de la ciudad y el alcalde Meiner me ha llamado amante de Hamás y él y David Suarez me han llamado antisemita”, dijo Levine.

La organización presentó una moción el miércoles vinculada a su demanda existente, buscando documentos adicionales relacionados con las vallas móviles. Los abogados afirman que obtuvieron una factura de la empresa de vallas que incluye el nombre de Suarez y lo que describen como su dirección de correo electrónico personal.

“Obtuvimos la información de la empresa de vallas, estamos realizando el proceso de descubrimiento de pruebas como parte de esta demanda”, dijo Katherine Giannamore, abogada que representa a Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida.

Aún no está claro qué fuente de financiamiento se utilizó para pagar las vallas.

Giannamore dijo que todavía no han recibido respuesta directa de Suarez sobre las acusaciones.

Local 10 News se comunicó con la oficina del alcalde, pero no había recibido respuesta.

Ocurrió el miércoles alrededor de las 3:44 p.m. en el área de Northwest 75th Street y la avenida 29.

Según la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade (MDSO), los agentes respondieron a la escena tras recibir una llamada de que un hombre había sido baleado.

Los socorristas llegaron y encontraron a un hombre que aparentemente había sido baleado en lo que los agentes describieron como sus extremidades inferiores.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue trasladó al hombre al Ryder Trauma Center del Hospital Jackson Memorial en condición crítica, informaron las autoridades.

La MDSO no ha informado si buscan a algún sospechoso o persona de interés, ni ha divulgado información sobre las circunstancias que llevaron a la balacera.

Según la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade (MDSO), la balacera fue reportada a las 3:53 p.m. en el área de Southwest 102nd Avenue y West Circle Plaza, en el área no incorporada de West Perrine, en el condado.

“Según los investigadores, la madre escuchó un fuerte estallido dentro de la residencia y encontró a su hijo sufriendo una aparente herida de bala autoinfligida en una extremidad superior”, dijeron funcionarios de la MDSO en un comunicado de prensa.

Los detectives dijeron que la madre del niño, Myeisha Sharie Smith, lo llevó al Jackson South Medical Center y luego fue trasladado por aire al HCA Florida Kendall Hospital.

El niño se encuentra en condición estable, informaron las autoridades.

Según un informe de arresto obtenido el miércoles por Local 10, Smith admitió ante los detectives que dejó su arma desatendida en su habitación con su hijo, quien luego tomó el arma y se disparó en el hombro, justo encima de la clavícula.

Smith fue arrestada por un cargo de negligencia infantil que causó graves daños corporales.

Hasta la mañana del miércoles, permanecía detenida en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight. Se espera que comparezca ante el tribunal de fianzas más tarde en la mañana o en la tarde.

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It happened Wednesday around 3:44 p.m. in the area of Northwest 75th Street and 29th Avenue.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene after receiving a call that a man had been shot.

First responders arrived to found a man who appeared to have been shot in what deputies described as his lower extremities.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rushed the man to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, authorities said.

There has been no word from MDSO on whether they are seeking any suspects or persons of interest, or any information regarding the circumstances that led up to the shooting.

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According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the shooting was reported at 3:53 p.m. in the area of Southwest 102nd Avenue and West Circle Plaza in the county’s unincorporated West Perrine area.

“According to investigators, the mother heard a loud popping sound from inside the residence and found her son suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his upper extremity,” MDSO officials said in a news release.

Detectives said the boy’s mother, Myeisha Sharie Smith, drove him to Jackson South Medical Center and he was then airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital.

The boy is in stable condition, authorities said.

According to an arrest report obtained Wednesday by Local 10, Smith admitted to detectives that she left her gun unattended in her bedroom with her son, who then grabbed the gun and shot himself in the shoulder, just above the clavicle.

Smith was arrested on a charge of child neglect causing great bodily harm.

As of Wednesday morning, she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She is expected to appear in bond court later in the morning or afternoon.

If convicted, Smith could face up to 15 years in prison.

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Fort Dallas Park is a gem hidden in plain sight, located at 64 SE Fourth St. along the Miami River.

“The cottage is a fantastic story,” said Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo. “When Henry Flagler was building the railroad, his workers lived in tents, and he didn’t want them to live in tents, so he built a series of cottages for them to be able to live in. This is the last of those cottages, so it is priceless.”

The historic park ― that goes back 200 years ― is one that many in South Florida have likely never seen.

“It’s been closed for a decade and yet we are in the urban core and everyone knows the urban core from development, traffic, all these issues,” said Pardo. “People need a place to go by the water that is nice, that has canopy, that is a pleasure experience, and this is what we are trying to build here. We passed a $13 million allocation for our district. We are taking $2 million of that allocation and we are applying that to Flagler Cottage.”

Fort Dallas Park represents the birthplace of Miami.

It used to be the site of old Fort Dallas, built in 1836 to provide a U.S. military presence during the Seminole Wars.

In 1891, the city’s founder, Julia Tuttle, purchased 644 acres on the north bank of the Miami River, which included Fort Dallas. She’s who convinced Florida East Coast Railway executive Henry Flagler to come and build a railroad, and hotels nearby, sending him orange blossoms and oranges to persuade him in order to bring tourism dollars and economic prosperity to the area.

For years, Miami River Commission Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre said he and others have advocated for the historic structure to be restored and for that section of river front to be re-opened to the public.

“We have been working on this for maybe like 15 or 20 years,” he said. “For me, this is very, very moving.”

That’s because he’s seeing action.

“What you see happening here today is phase one,” said Pardo. “We’re adding ground cover, trees, building the canopy, and we’re giving access to the public, to the residents, to this wonderful area and the waterfront, which has been denied.”

Pardo said when they get to phase two, officials will bring in food trucks and different kinds of activities for residents to enjoy.

“And, of course, the restoration of the cottage, which is where the money goes,” he said.

Added Aguirre: “We’ve got trees that go back several hundred years. We are going to protect and preserve those. They are unbelievably valuable, and are going to stay here.”

Most Miami commission meetings including public comment will come with residents expressing their frustration at the lack of green space in the city and concern that enough is not being done to preserve its history.

“This is super important,” said Aguirre. “The Miami River Commission insists that all properties on the Miami River allow public access.”

Pardo said this project aims to address both the lack of green space and preserving the city’s history.

“That’s how we retain the character and the identity of our neighborhoods, that’s why this is so important, because in the end, that’s what makes Miami interesting,” he said. “If we don’t have that, why live here?”

Built around 1897, the cottage is also one of the city’s few surviving examples of folk Victorian architecture and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Officials said the full restoration of the cottage is expected to be completed by mid-2028.

Below you’ll find a rendering of what the finished work should look like, along with a current photo of the cottage and a plaque placed on the historic structure in 1897.

RENDERING:

CURRENT STATE OF COTTAGE:

HISTORIC PLAQUE:

RELATED LINK

Ft. Dallas Park Selective Demo & Flagler Worker House Restoration

Sunseeker International Limited y Sunseeker USA Sales Co. Inc. admitieron dos violaciones de la Ley Lacey, una ley que prohíbe la importación de madera obtenida ilegalmente.

Las violaciones estaban relacionadas con una puerta y otras piezas hechas de teca de Myanmar que estaban en yates importados a Estados Unidos, según los fiscales.

“El sur de Florida es una de las grandes puertas de entrada del mundo para embarcaciones de lujo, pero nuestros puertos no están abiertos a mercancía ilegal”, indicó en un comunicado el fiscal federal Jason A. Reding Quiñones para el Distrito Sur de Florida.

Estados Unidos ha impuesto sanciones contra Myanma Timber Enterprise, el único vendedor autorizado de teca de exportación en Myanmar.

Doug Ault, subdirector de la Oficina de Aplicación de la Ley del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de Estados Unidos, emitió un comunicado reaccionando al caso.

“El tráfico de madera es un crimen transnacional que daña los bosques y pone en desventaja a los negocios legítimos”, dijo Ault.

Las empresas acordaron pagar una multa de $200,000 USD e implementar un plan de cumplimiento, según los fiscales. La sentencia será el 20 de agosto.

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Sunseeker International Limited and Sunseeker USA Sales Co. Inc. admitted to two violations of the Lacey Act, a law that bans the import of illegally taken timber.

The violations were related to a door and other parts made out of teak from Myanmar that were in yachts imported to the U.S., according to prosecutors.

“South Florida is one of the world’s great gateways for luxury vessels, but our ports are not open to illegal goods,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said in a statement.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions against the Myanma Timber Enterprise, the sole authorized seller of export teak in Myanmar.

Doug Ault, the assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, released a statement reacting to the case.

“Timber trafficking is a transnational crime that damages forests and puts legitimate businesses at a disadvantage,” Ault said.

The companies agreed to pay a $200,000 fine and to implement a compliance plan, according to prosecutors. Sentencing is Aug. 20.

El robo de junio de 2025 terminó en una persecución policial y con un agente disparándole en la pierna a uno de los sospechosos.

Ocurrió en un negocio no identificado ubicado en el 10893 de la calle 17 del noroeste en Sweetwater.

La Policía indicó que los tres principales sospechosos volaron desde San Francisco y se armaron con pistolas de airsoft o de balines, fueron al negocio y amarraron con bridas plásticas a los empleados, obligándolos a entrar a un baño.

Luego, el grupo reunió 170 productos Apple diferentes y tomó las llaves de la camioneta del negocio, su supuesto vehículo de escape.

Tras escuchar sirenas policiales, los tres huyeron en la camioneta. Mientras los hombres subían al vehículo, la Policía abrió fuego e hirió en la pierna a uno de los sospechosos, Eric Chase, de 42 años y residente de Oakland, California.

A pesar de la herida de Chase, el trío condujo durante una persecución en la que lanzó objetos, incluido un “chaleco negro estilo policial” y una de las máscaras.

Las autoridades indicaron que detuvieron a los hombres después de que la camioneta quedara inmovilizada cerca de la cuadra 10800 de South River Drive en Medley.

Posteriormente, las autoridades anunciaron los arrestos de Chase, junto con Aaron Brown, de 35 años y residente de Oakland, California, y Ranier Landry, de 27 años y residente de Hayward, California. Poco después, los tres fueron acusados federalmente.

Documentos de la corte federal revelaron que un cuarto sospechoso, Jiayin Nian, de 26 años, también fue acusado formalmente en el caso.

Todos fueron hallados culpables de varios cargos.

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The June 2025 robbery ended in a police chase and an officer shooting one of the suspects in the leg.

It happened at an unidentified business at 10893 NW 17th St. in Sweetwater.

Police said the three main suspects flew from San Francisco and armed themselves with airsoft or BB guns, went to the business and zip-tied the employees, forcing them into a bathroom.

The group then gathered up 170 different Apple products and took the key’s to the business’s van ― their would-be getaway vehicle.

After hearing police sirens, the three took off in the van. As the men were getting into the van, police opened fire and shot one of the suspects, Eric Chase, 42, of Oakland, California, in the leg.

Despite Chase’s injury, the trio led police on a chase in which they would discard objects, including a “black police-style vest” and one of the masks.

Authorities said they stopped the men after the van became immobile near the 10800 block of South River Drive in Medley.

Authorities later announced the arrests of Chase, along with Aaron Brown, 35, of Oakland, California, and Ranier Landry, 27, of Hayward, California and the three were soon charged federally.

Federal court documents revealed that a fourth suspect, 26-year-old Jiayin Nian, was also indicted in the case.

All were found guilty of various charges.

Fort Dallas Park es una joya escondida a simple vista, ubicada en el 64 de Southeast Fourth St., a lo largo del río Miami.

“La cabaña tiene una historia fantástica”, dijo el comisionado de Miami Damian Pardo. “Cuando Henry Flagler estaba construyendo el ferrocarril, sus trabajadores vivían en tiendas de campaña, y él no quería que vivieran en tiendas, así que construyó una serie de cabañas para que pudieran vivir allí. Esta es la última de esas cabañas, así que no tiene precio”.

El histórico parque, que se remonta a 200 años, es uno que probablemente muchas personas en el sur de Florida nunca han visto.

“Ha estado cerrado durante una década y, sin embargo, estamos en el núcleo urbano y todos conocen el núcleo urbano por el desarrollo, el tráfico y todos esos problemas”, dijo Pardo. “La gente necesita un lugar junto al agua que sea agradable, que tenga sombra, que sea una experiencia placentera, y eso es lo que estamos tratando de construir aquí. Aprobamos una asignación de $13 millones USD para nuestro distrito. Estamos tomando $2 millones USD de esa asignación y los estamos destinando a Flagler Cottage”.

Fort Dallas Park representa el lugar de nacimiento de Miami.

Anteriormente era el sitio del antiguo Fort Dallas, construido en 1836 para proporcionar presencia militar estadounidense durante las Guerras Seminolas.

En 1891, la fundadora de la ciudad, Julia Tuttle, compró 644 acres en la ribera norte del río Miami, que incluían Fort Dallas. Ella fue quien convenció al ejecutivo de Florida East Coast Railway, Henry Flagler, de venir a construir un ferrocarril y hoteles cercanos, enviándole flores de azahar y naranjas para persuadirlo y atraer dólares del turismo y prosperidad económica a la zona.

Durante años, el presidente de la Comisión del Río Miami, Horacio Stuart Aguirre, dijo que él y otros han abogado por la restauración de la estructura histórica y por reabrir al público esa sección de la ribera del río.

“Hemos trabajado en esto durante quizás 15 o 20 años”, dijo. “Para mí, esto es muy, muy conmovedor”.

Eso se debe a que está viendo acción.

“Lo que están viendo aquí hoy es la fase uno”, dijo Pardo. “Estamos agregando cobertura vegetal, árboles, construyendo sombra y dando acceso al público, a los residentes, a esta maravillosa área y al frente marítimo, que les había sido negado”.

Pardo dijo que cuando lleguen a la fase dos, los funcionarios traerán camiones de comida y diferentes tipos de actividades para que los residentes disfruten.

“Y, por supuesto, la restauración de la cabaña, que es donde se destina el dinero”, dijo.

Aguirre añadió: “Tenemos árboles que tienen varios cientos de años. Vamos a protegerlos y preservarlos. Son increíblemente valiosos y permanecerán aquí”.

La mayoría de las reuniones de la comisión de Miami, incluidos los comentarios públicos, cuentan con residentes expresando su frustración por la falta de espacios verdes en la ciudad y la preocupación de que no se esté haciendo lo suficiente para preservar su historia.

“Esto es sumamente importante”, dijo Aguirre. “La Comisión del Río Miami insiste en que todas las propiedades a lo largo del río Miami permitan acceso público”.

Pardo dijo que este proyecto busca abordar tanto la falta de espacios verdes como la preservación de la historia de la ciudad.

“Así es como mantenemos el carácter y la identidad de nuestros vecindarios, por eso esto es tan importante, porque al final eso es lo que hace interesante a Miami”, dijo. “Si no tenemos eso, ¿por qué vivir aquí?”

Los funcionarios dijeron que se espera que la restauración completa de la cabaña esté terminada para mediados de 2028.

Manchester City cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the standings back to two points after beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

With two rounds of the season to go it means Arsenal will have to wait another week at least to be confirmed champion.

Mikel Arteta's team plays relegated Burnley on Monday and a victory would leave City needing to beat Bournemouth 24 hours later to take the title race into the final day of the season.

“We’ve seen a lot of things can happen on the final day," City forward Phil Foden told Sky Sports. “I’ve experienced it many times when the game doesn’t go your way, so we just have to keep pushing and doing our part.”

City plays Chelsea in the FA Cup final before all that and Pep Guardiola appeared to have Saturday's Wembley showdown in mind by making six changes to his team. But even without Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku in his starting lineup, City won comfortably.

Foden — making a rare start in recent months — provided assists for both of City's first half goals.

His backheel created an opening for Antoine Semenyo to open the scoring after 32 minutes and he set up Omar Marmoush for City's second eight minutes later.

Savinho added a third in the 84th.

The size of City's win could yet be significant as it moved one ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

Guardiola is targeting his seventh league title at City. He has never gone back-to-back seasons without winning a league title in his entire coaching career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.

“Unfortunately it’s not in our hands," Guardiola said. “It’s not easy, but it’s important that we are there. This group of players are all extraordinary.”

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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Warsh takes over a divided central bank wrestling with the economic fallout from the war started by the U.S. and Israel with Iran on Feb. 28. The conflict has driven up energy prices and made it even more difficult for the Fed to bring inflation down to its 2% target.

But Trump has demanded lower interest rates, not the higher ones that might be needed to keep inflation in check. Warsh, who had positioned himself as an inflation hawk earlier in his career, has more recently aligned himself with Trump's views, arguing that artificial intelligence and other technologies can boost productivity and economic growth without igniting inflation.

Trump had consistently attacked Powell for refusing the deep rate cuts the president believes will boost the economy. And his Justice Department had launched an investigation into the Fed that was widely seen as an attempt to oust Powell. The legal drama delayed Warsh's confirmation. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, said he would oppose Warsh until the Justice Department dropped the investigation, which it finally did last month.

In an unusual move, Powell said he would remain on the Fed's governing board indefinitely after Warsh came on as chair, citing Trump's "unprecedented'' attacks on the central bank's independence. Although Powell's term as chair is ending, his term as a Fed governor doesn't expire until 2028.

Powell's continued presence could make things awkward for Warsh, especially if he tries to convince other Fed officials to go along with rate cuts.

Trump has said that Warsh comes from “central casting,” revealing a lot about the president's own views of the 56 year-old's looks and conventional pedigree. Warsh has many of the trappings of a traditional pick to lead the world's most important central bank, yet he's doing so at a decidedly unconventional moment for the Fed as Trump has said the new chair needs to cut its benchmark rates to the White House's liking.

Rate cuts of the degree sought by Trump could temporarily boost growth, but they also pose the risk of overheating the economy at a time when inflation is already elevated and affordability is a top concern for much of the American public.

Warsh was previously a runner-up for the Senate-confirmed post of Fed Chair in 2017, when Trump selected Powell to lead the central bank. Trump has since said that he was given bad advice regarding Powell.

Warsh is credentialed with degrees from Stanford University and Harvard University Law School. He is also married to Jane Lauder, the daughter of billionaire cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder, a major Republican donor.

Senate Democrats have condemned Warsh for not fully divulging the details of his own wealth, which amounts to at least $100 million. His investments include stakes in Polymarket and SpaceX, but he hasn’t revealed the size of those holdings. He promised to sell all such assets within 90 days of being sworn in.

At 35, Warsh became the youngest governor on the Fed's seven member board, serving in that post from 2006 to 2011. He was previously an economic aide in George W. Bush’s Republican administration and was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley.

Warsh worked closely with then-Chair Ben Bernanke in 2008-09 during the central bank’s efforts to combat the financial crisis and the Great Recession. Bernanke later wrote in his memoirs that Warsh was “one of my closest advisers and confidants” and added that his “political and markets savvy and many contacts on Wall Street would prove invaluable.”

Still, Warsh appeared in key moments to be misguided about the depth of the challenges confronting the U.S. economy as mortgage defaults and layoffs mounted in the Great Recession. He wanted the Fed to keep its benchmark rates higher when the economy was at risk of deflation and possibly collapsing.

Warsh raised concerns in 2008 that further interest rate cuts by the Fed could spur inflation. Yet even after the Fed cut its rate to nearly zero, inflation stayed low.

And he objected in meetings in 2011 to the Fed’s decision to purchase $600 billion of Treasury bonds, an effort to lower long-term interest rates, though he ultimately voted in favor of the decision at Bernanke’s behest.

Warsh also behaved at times like a pre-Trump Republican, calling in a 2010 speech for ending “the creep of trade protectionism” that he declared to be the opposite of “pro-growth policies.” Trump has since largely overhauled GOP dogma by pushing for massive hikes in import taxes, having unilaterally imposed them last year by declaring an economic emergency.

Warsh has been working as a visiting economics fellow at the Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank located at Stanford University. He is also a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a partner at the Duquesne Family Office, which manages the wealth of billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller.

In what appeared to be an active campaign for the Fed post, Warsh criticized the Fed in interviews, calling for “regime change” and assailing Powell for engaging on issues like climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion, which Warsh said are outside the Fed’s mandate.

In a interview last year on CNBC, Warsh said Fed policy “has been broken for quite a long time.”

“The central bank that sits there today is radically different than the central bank I joined in 2006,” he added. By allowing inflation to surge in 2021-22, the Fed “brought about the greatest mistake in macroeconomic policy in 45 years, that divided the country.”

The National Transportation Safety Board said the pilots who safely landed that plane back in New Orleans told investigators the situation was far more challenging than anything they had ever experienced in training.

“If such an event occurred at night or in instrument meteorological conditions, the consequences could be catastrophic,” the NTSB determined.

The Federal Aviation Administration receives reports of smoke in the cockpit almost daily, but the NTSB said the agency still doesn't require airlines to conduct realistic smoke-in-cockpit simulations. Instead, the training usually just consists of a discussion of what to do in that situation. The FAA didn't immediately respond to the new recommendation on Wednesday.

The Southwest pilots at the controls during this incident in December 2023 said they had trouble seeing their instruments and checklists. They quickly donned oxygen masks and followed emergency procedures to land. None of the 139 people aboard were hurt. In a separate incident nine months earlier involving another Southwest 737 Max, smoke filled the cabin after a bird strike after takeoff in Havana, Cuba.

Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo, who was a pilot for United Airlines, said it is crucial that pilots are prepared to deal with smoke and quickly shut off the valve letting it into the cockpit, so he supports the recommendation. He said it would be good for pilots to experience dealing with smoke every time they go back for refresher training every nine months, so they’ll have the “muscle memory” to respond.

“Smoke in the cockpit is a very serious and time-critical emergency,” Arroyo said. “And I think creating the pilot awareness through real-life training is essential to reducing this potential safety threat.”

Southwest spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the airline is reviewing the new recommendation, but it is committed to ensuring its pilots can handle these kinds of emergencies and seeing that the underlying flaw in the engines on the 737 Max is fixed.

“Southwest routinely evaluates and enhances pilot training as part of its robust Safety Management System. As part of that effort, Southwest notified its Flight Crews about the effects of certain malfunctions following the two events in 2023 and reiterated the importance of following established safety procedures that are part of the company’s pilot training program,” Lunsford said in a statement.

The Airlines for America trade group didn't immediately respond to the new report.

Last year, the NTSB urged Boeing and engine maker CFM International to quickly develop a software fix for the engines on the 737 Max to help prevent smoke from filling the cockpit or cabin after a safety feature is activated following a bird strike.

Spokesman for the engine and plane makers said the software fix for the engines is still being developed.

Air from the left engine on a 737 Max flows directly into the cockpit, while air from the right engine flows into the passenger cabin.

A safety device CFM added to these engines to help limit damage after a bird strike had the unintended consequence of contributing to smoke inside the plane. The device releases oil after a bird strike, which generates a significant amount of smoke.

Both Boeing and CFM have said they are committed to addressing the engine issue, and the FAA said last year that the repair will be required as soon as it is ready.

DeSantis defendió la decisión de abrir y operar la instalación a pesar del costo para los contribuyentes de Florida.

“Ha hecho una gran diferencia”, dijo DeSantis. “Ahora, cuando lo abrimos en el verano de 2025, siempre estuvo destinado a ser temporal porque solo lo estábamos haciendo ya que el gobierno federal no tenía los recursos para mantener a estas personas por sí mismo. Bueno, ahora han recibido mucho dinero durante los últimos nueve meses, han podido trabajar y ajustar sus operaciones en consecuencia”.

Esto ocurre un día después de que The New York Times reportara que Florida y el gobierno federal estaban en conversaciones sobre cerrar la instalación de manera permanente.

Según los reportes, operar la instalación le cuesta a Florida un millón de dólares diarios.

Es un dinero que el estado ha dicho durante mucho tiempo que el gobierno federal reembolsará, pero eso no ha ocurrido, al menos no todavía.

Además, hay nuevos reportes que indican que los proveedores a los que el estado paga para operar la instalación aseguran que no han recibido pagos.

Un proveedor dijo a The New York Times que no ha recibido pago en 200 días.

La líder demócrata del Senado de Florida, Lori Berman, de Palm Beach, también habló sobre la situación.

“Me alegra escuchar reportes sobre su inminente cierre, pero el daño a Florida ya está hecho”, dijo. “Este tipo de ‘liderazgo’ imprudente de una rama ejecutiva descontrolada debe quedar en el pasado, y necesitamos volver a enfocarnos únicamente en hacer que Florida sea más asequible para todos. Maniobras políticas dañinas como esta no tienen lugar en nuestra política”.

Todo esto ocurre mientras críticos denuncian la instalación por condiciones inhumanas para los 1,400 inmigrantes detenidos allí, además de la batalla legal en curso por parte de grupos ambientalistas que también denuncian el daño causado a los Everglades.

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DeSantis defended the move to open and run the facility despite the cost to Florida taxpayers.

“It’s made a huge difference,” said DeSantis. “Now, when we opened it in the summer of 2025, it was always intended to be temporary because we were only doing it because the federal government didn’t have the resources to hold these people themselves. Well now they’ve gotten a lot of money over the last nine months, they’ve been able to work and adjust their operations accordingly.”

This comes a day after the New York Times reported Florida and the federal government were in talks regarding closing the facility for good.

It’s reportedly costing Florida a million dollars a day to run the facility.

This is money the state has long said the federal government will reimburse, but that has not happened, at least not yet.

Additionally, there are new reports stating vendors the state pays to run the facility are claiming they have not gotten paid.

One vendor told the New York Times it hasn’t gotten paid in 200 days.

The Florida Senate Democratic leader, Lori Berman of Palm Beach, also spoke about the situation.

“I’m happy to hear reports of its impending closure, but the damage to Florida has already been done,” she said. “This kind of reckless ‘leadership’ from a rogue executive branch needs to be left in the past, and we need to return to a single-minded focus on making Florida more affordable for everyone. Damaging political stunts like this one have no place in our politics.”

All of this happening amid critics denouncing the facility for inhumane conditions for the 1,400 immigrants being detained there, and the ongoing legal battle from environmental groups also denouncing the harm done to the Everglades.

Las víctimas, que viven en las 69 unidades de la comunidad Midway Gardens, ya habían sufrido el robo de su correspondencia en febrero.

“Hemos tenido cheques robados, hemos tenido propiedades robadas, hemos tenido tarjetas de crédito robadas”, dijo Arturo Abraeu, presidente de la asociación de propietarios de Midway Gardens.

El video muestra que el ladrón no actuaba solo. Luego de lanzar la correspondencia robada dentro de una camioneta SUV blanca, se sentó en el asiento trasero y el conductor huyó.

“Normalmente trato de recoger mi correspondencia todos los días”, dijo Esther Pereira, residente de Midway Gardens.

El Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos tiene el caso. El robo de correspondencia es un delito federal castigado con hasta 5 años de prisión.

Abraeu tuvo una pregunta para los ladrones: “¿Por qué arriesgarían su libertad por una recompensa tan pequeña?”

Historia relacionada: Agentes de Miami-Dade acusan a tres de robar correspondencia; una persona se entrega a autoridades

The streaming service will have five regular-season games as well as the NFL Honors through 2029. It had been carrying two games on Christmas Day since 2024. The announcement was made during its upfront presentation to advertisers.

Netflix will air a Week 1 game, one on Thanksgiving Eve, two on Christmas Day and a 1 p.m. ET contest on the Saturday of the final week of the regular season.

Two of the matchups — both featuring the Lost Angeles Rams — were made official on Wednesday. Netflix will carry the Week 1 game between the Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. The Rams will then host the Green Bay Packers in the first Thanksgiving Eve contest on Nov. 25.

Both games will be aired in primetime in the United States at 8:35 p.m. ET. The Week 1 game will be on Sept. 10 in the U.S. Melbourne is 14 hours ahead of New York and 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles and San Francisco, so it will kick off at 10:35 a.m. on Sept. 11 in Australia.

The Australia matchup between NFC West rivals is one of nine international games the NFL will play this upcoming season. The league released its complete international slate Wednesday morning.

“We’ve seen how many fans are already on Netflix, so we thought it was a tremendous opportunity to deepen the partnership, expand the reach of those games, and to do so around tentpole events at the beginning and end of the year with big holidays in the middle, then have them extend into honors and do what Netflix has shown they do so well, which is make big events even bigger,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL's executive vice president of media distribution.

Two games — Thanksgiving Eve and Week 18 — are from the four the league got back after ESPN bought NFL Network. The Week 1 game was on YouTube last season.

The NFL Honors started during the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis as a way for the league to announce all of its award winners in one show. It started airing the night before the Super Bowl but moved to the Thursday of Super Bowl week in 2022. It had been carried by the network airing the Super Bowl, but will now get a worldwide audience with the move.

The NFL Honors include the Associated Press awards for Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

The full schedule, including the Christmas Day matchups, will be released Thursday evening. The Week 18 Saturday games, which also include 4:30 and 8:15 p.m. ET matchups on ESPN/ABC, are not announced until six days out because the league prioritizes games with playoff implications in those spots.

The regular-season schedule was finalized Tuesday morning.

Netflix also announced the third season of the documentary series Quarterback will debut on July 14. It will feature Washington's Jayden Daniels, Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield, Tennessee's Cam Ward, the top pick in the 2025 draft, and Joe Flacco, who began the season with Cleveland before being traded to Cincinnati.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

The U.S. deported 5,033 Salvadorans back to their country in the first three months of 2026 compared with 2,547 deportees in the same period in 2025, according to El Salvador migration authority figures obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

That marks nearly a 98% increase at the same time that the Trump administration has boosted deportation flights across the world. Globally, deportation flights from the U.S. jumped around 61% between 2024 and 2025, according to data compiled by the Asociación Agenda Migrante El Salvador, or AAMES, and other organizations.

The U.S. has stopped regularly releasing deportation data, so experts instead are relying on other information from countries like El Salvador, deportation flights and other numbers.

The sharp increase in deportations “confirms a real hardening of the U.S. immigration system toward the region,” said César Ríos of AAMES.

The jump comes as Bukele, a tough-on-crime politician, has sought to align himself with U.S. President Donald Trump, and the U.S. government has lined up allies across Latin America to help him carry out his agenda. While Mexico and other Central American nations have quietly accepted deportees from third countries, Bukele has boldly embraced Trump's efforts in Latin America.

In March 2025, Bukele most notably accepted 238 Venezuelan deportees accused of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and locked them up in a mega-prison built for accused gang members in Bukele's ongoing offensive on El Salvador's gangs. The incident fueled widespread accusations of human rights abuses.

The geopolitical firestorm came after Trump's government struck a deal with Bukele to accept what they described as transfer and imprisonment of foreign criminals to El Salvador. Under the agreement, El Salvador would receive $6 million from the U.S.

In April, the Trump administration mistakenly deported a Maryland resident and Salvadoran citizen Kilmar Abrego García with protected status in the U.S., becoming yet another legal and political flashpoint. Bukele originally refused to return Abrego García and denied accusations of beating and torture — which have been widely documented by human rights groups in Salvadoran prisons.

He was later returned to the U.S. in June to face charges that he helped bring immigrants to the U.S. illegally, something his lawyers call “baseless.” Abrego García has pleaded not guilty and asked a judge to dismiss his case as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it hoped to deport Abrego García to Liberia.

Even more recently, Bukele joined a coalition of other right-leaning Trump allies in a group of countries that Trump dubbed the Shield of the Americas, purportedly aimed at cracking down on criminal groups in Latin America, even though the two most essential countries in that effort — Mexico and Colombia — refused to attend.

Meanwhile, many migrants in the U.S. are turning their eyes on U.S. Supreme Court arguments as Trump seeks to stop shielding hundreds of thousands of migrants from Haiti and Syria, a decision many of the more than 200,000 Salvadoran migrants with temporary protections worry might eventually affect them.

Bukele has helped the U.S. with its immigration agenda even before Trump entered office.

In 2023, El Salvador’s government began to slap a $1,130 fee on travelers from dozens of countries connecting through the nation’s main airport, amid pressure from the Biden administration to help control the number of migrants moving toward the United States' southern border. At the same time, migration from El Salvador, fueled by gang violence and poverty, dipped following Bukele's contentious war on the gangs.

Analysts said that Bukele's government used dips in migration as a bargaining chip to offset human rights criticisms by the U.S.

___

Megan Janetsky reported from Mexico City.

___

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

“I used to do that as a junior golfer because I had trouble with alignment,” Shattuck explained to his pupil. “It's a trick that you're able to do under the rules. You can't lay the club down and check it. But you can put it right over your toe line, check where you're at.”

Shattuck's teaching gig delayed his arrival later in the day at Aronimink Golf Club, where he was set to play at least nine holes in preparation of this weekend's PGA Championship in suburban Philadelphia.

Let Rory McIloy and Jordan Speith and most of the top-ranked players of the world spend Wednesday working on their game at Aronimink or signing endless amounts of autographs.

Shattuck had to clock in for his day job.

Shattuck, the PGA director of instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club, just 10 miles down the road from Aronimink, kept his appointment teaching a golf clinic, where he led a group of 10 women — from long-time students to the new La Salle women's golf coach — on tackling the more challenging parts of the game.

Shattuck is set to strike the opening tee shot of the tournament at 6:45 a.m. on Thursday — well before he ever usually grabs his bag — and is one of 20 golf professionals in the 156-man PGA Championship field. He finished eighth in April at the PGA Professional Championship in Oregon to earn a spot in the major.

He was raised in suburban Philadelphia and his local ties in Delaware County — Shattuck's been peppered with chants of “Do it for Delco!” — have made him an instant fan favorite. He laughed when he said the number of women were more than the normal number for a clinic — and certainly, there were more cameras than usual.

“If it makes any of you nervous, sorry,” Shattuck said with a chuckle.

His students didn't seem to mind their time in the spotlight, thanks to a PGA of America film crew and a pair of reporters that tagged along.

When one student boomed a shot down the middle of a hole on a course lined by gritty residential homes, she exclaimed, "Come on, Braden. Right in the middle, baby!”'

The 31-year-old Shattuck, in his fifth year at Rolling Green, said his sense of obligation kept him from ever considering canceling the clinic. There were swings to fix. Bunker shots to solve.

His students needed the practice.

Nancy Barton, a long-time club member from Drexel Hill, practiced her approach on the 11th hole shooting over a deep right greenside bunker.

“There's no confidence standing over your ball because this is so intimidating,” she said.

Shattuck counseled the golfer and told her more advice would come for the entire group if he scheduled more clinics at least once a month. He polled the golfers for ideal times, and they settled on a weeknight, preferably Tuesdays or Wednesdays. There was one caveat to the practice times:

“I expect all of you to show up,” Shattuck said.

Shattuck will show up and teach — and arrive at Aronimink around 4:30 a.m. Thursday — even if the longest of long shots (he has 2000-1 odds) somehow wins the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday.

He's successfully navigated one of the busiest weeks of his career — including convincing security at Aronimink to let him park his pick up truck even though he didn't have the right tag, to landing 18-year-old high school senior Beau Riviere to caddy for him — as he prepared to play in his first major since the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Gale Donoghue, who lives in the nearby borough of Media, played in the clinic and has received 1-on-1 lessons from Shattuck for years. She's such a fan of his, Donoghue insisted she would set the early alarm to watch Shattuck start his round. Donoghue said she was among a sizeable contingent of Rolling Green players that rooted him on when he played in the 2024 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.

“I have three boys, so I can compare; he's very focused, very earnest,” Donoghue said. “He's very astute. He has this quiet way of observing and listening and then moving forward.”

Shattuck is well-versed in moving forward.

He was forced to rebuild his swing from the ground up following a car accident in 2019 that resulted in multiple herniated disks in his lower back, led to years of mental health struggles and made even walking difficult.

“Having panic attacks almost daily, having chest pain daily, dealing with anxiety was by far the hardest part of that, and I dealt with that for years,” Shattuck said. “Had to go to work and put a smiling face on for everybody and that was quite a challenge. I’m finally on the back end of that after six or seven years of it, however long ago that accident was.”

He's on the back nine of his recovery and was in good spirits at the course that served as the site of the 1976 U.S. Women's Open and 2016 U.S. Women's Amateur teaching his students the finer points of selecting the proper tee box and greenside bunker shots.

There are perks to making the field that go well beyond rubbing shoulders with the game's greats and not all the talk at Rolling Green was about pins and putting.

One golfer needed to know what kind of courtesy car Shattuck had shuttling him to Aronimink.

The answer: A Lexus.

“I’ll take it,” Shattuck said.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Uthmeier, who threatened possible enforcement actions against the league in March if it didn’t suspend the 23-year-old rule, sent the subpoena along with a letter to NFL executive vice president and attorney Ted Ullyot on Wednesday.

The subpoena commands the league to appear at the attorney general’s office in Tallahassee, Florida, on June 12. It asks the league to produce extensive documents, including “all diversity reports, coaching census data, or demographic surveys that reflect the race and sex of coaching staffs of the teams from 2017 to the present.”

"All in all, the Rooney Rule and the NFL’s related ‘inclusive hiring’ policies — and the NFL’s representations about these policies — continue to raise significant concerns under Florida law,” Uthmeier wrote in the letter.

The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. At least one minority candidate must be interviewed for the quarterbacks coach position.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at the league meetings in Phoenix in March, acknowledged the changing political landscape for diversity initiatives in the U.S., but added that he didn’t believe there should be any legal issues with the league’s policy. “The Rooney Rule has been around a long time,” Goodell said then. “We’ve evolved it, changed it. We’ll continue to do that.”

The NFL didn't comment Wednesday on the subpoena.

But in a letter to Uthmeier on May 1, the league said: “The NFL’s pursuit of top-tier talent led to the adoption of the Rooney Rule in 2003. Importantly, the Rooney Rule does not impose any hiring quotas or mandates, and it does not license clubs to consider race or sex in making hiring decisions. Hiring decisions for NFL teams are made by the individual clubs — not the League — and those decisions are based on merit. The Rooney Rule neither requires, nor permits, any team to make a hiring decision on the basis of race, sex, or any other protected characteristic. To do so would be an express violation of League policy.”

Uthmeier commended the league for altering the Rooney Rule language on its website after receiving his initial warning letter in March but added the revisions raise more questions.

The updated terminology on the NFL site says: “The Rooney Rule establishes best practices designed to expand opportunity and strengthen the NFL’s talent pipeline across leadership roles. It is part of a broader effort to develop a deep and sustainable talent pipeline across all levels of the NFL. The policy is intended to ensure that qualified candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are identified and considered for leadership roles.”

The website previously stated the Rooney Rule aims to “increase the number of minorities hired” in leadership positions and said that diversity “enriches the game and creates a more effective, quality organization.”

“We appreciate how quickly the NFL changed its website in response to our letter and capitulated on some of their discriminatory hiring quotas,” Uthmeier said. “But their response raises more questions about the Rooney Rule, and we look forward to their cooperation with the investigative subpoena we issued them today.”

In the May 1 letter, the league had told Uthmeier: “We appreciate that your letter has brought to our attention some outdated information on the NFL’s website regarding these programs. This information is in the process of being updated to accurately reflect the NFL’s current programs and policies.”

Uthmeier sent his first letter to Goodell in March, saying the Rooney Rule amounts to “blatant race and sex discrimination.”

The subpoena expands the focus beyond the Rooney Rule and includes other NFL diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including a discontinued mandate that required teams to hire a minority offensive assistant; the diversity accelerator program; the Mackie development program for college officials; and the resolution that awards teams draft picks if one of its minority assistant coaches or executives is hired to be the coach or general manager of another team.

The NFL's front office and coach accelerator program will be held next week in Orlando after it was paused in 2025. The program was created as an extension of the Rooney Rule in 2022 to increase diversity among coaches and front office executives. It will now include nonminority participants.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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In a statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department accused the regime of refusing to accept the aid to distributed in coordination with the Catholic Church and other independent organizations.

“The United States continues to seek meaningful reforms to Cuba’s communist system, which has only served to enrich the elites and condemn the Cuban people to poverty,” a State Department spokesperson wrote in the statement.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel also released a statement on Wednesday about the failures of Cuba’s National Electric Energy System, or SEN.

“For today’s operations, a deficit of more than 2,000 MW is forecast during the peak nighttime demand period,” Díaz-Canel wrote. “This dramatic worsening has a single cause: the genocidal energy blockade to which the United States subjects our country.”

Díaz-Canel denounced President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs against any nation that supplies Cuba with fuel and blamed “a small group of ultrarightists who have hijacked policy toward Cuba.”

Also on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez used X to raise awareness about a group of Cuban protesters at San Miguel del Padrón, a municipality in Havana.

Giménez also shared a report about Carlos MacDonald, a political prisoner whose family fears he isn’t getting proper treatment after an alleged cancer diagnosis.

“From the United States Congress, we demand the immediate release of all political prisoners inside Cuba,” Giménez wrote on X.

Giménez also blamed the crisis on the island on corruption.

“The dictatorship in Havana denies the people the opportunity to receive more than $100 million in food directly distributed by the USA,” Giménez wrote on X. “The regime only wants to keep doing what it always does: steal the aid and profit by reselling it to the people.”

Related social media

The State Department is publicly restating the United States' generous offer to provide additional direct humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people.

The Cuban regime must decide whether to accept our offer or deny life-saving help for the Cuban people, who desperately need it.

— Department of State (@StateDept) May 13, 2026

#AHORA Cacerolazos en La Habana a pocas cuadras de la “Plaza de la Revolución”. Sin miedo.#Cuba pic.twitter.com/TB0QSG1aq3

— Cristian Crespo F. 🇨🇺 (@cristiancrespoj) May 13, 2026

⚠️⚠️#Urgente. Continúan llegando imágenes de las afueras del gobierno municipal de San Miguel del Padrón.

Protesta masiva de cubanos tocando cacerolas. pic.twitter.com/FUErLVA2L7

— Mag Jorge Castro🇨🇺 (@MagJorgeCastro) May 13, 2026

“Voy a llegar a hacer una auditoría y... si Petro es solicitado en extradición, como creo que va a pasar, porque él está siendo investigado por una corte del Distrito Sur de Nueva York, pues lo entrego como corresponde en derecho”, aseguró De la Espriella en entrevista con The Associated Press desde Medellín, en el noroeste del país.

El candidato se refiere a que en los últimos meses, fiscales en Brooklyn y Manhattan han estado interrogando a narcotraficantes sobre sus vínculos con Petro y, en particular, sobre acusaciones de que representantes del presidente colombiano solicitaron sobornos para bloquear su extradición a Estados Unidos, según una persona con conocimiento de la investigación que no estaba autorizada a hablar sobre la investigación en curso y habló en marzo con la AP bajo condición de anonimato.

La persona indicó que no estaba claro si los fiscales federales han implicado a Petro en algún delito.

Petro negó entonces cualquier vínculo con narcotraficantes y sostuvo que no aceptó dinero alguno de ellos para la campaña electoral que lo llevó al poder en 2022, por lo que cree que estos procesos en Estados Unidos servirán para “desmontar las acusaciones de la extrema derecha colombiana” en su contra, a la que señala de tener supuestos vínculos con el narcotráfico.

De la Espriella, un abogado que lanzó su candidatura independiente por el movimiento “Defensores de la Patria”, promete mano dura para los criminales y narcotraficantes, así como acabar con la política de paz que ha construido Petro, el primer presidente de izquierda en Colombia.

El candidato hace campaña por el país rodeado de escoltas con armas largas y escudos de protección policial. Sube a tarimas con chaleco antibalas y ha denunciado amenazas en su contra.

“Todos los bandidos de Colombia me quieren matar, empezando por el gobierno, que no es un gobierno; en realidad es una banda criminal cuyo jefe es el presidente de la República. El jefe de esa mafia es el presidente de la República”, aseguró De la Espriella sin mostrar pruebas.

El candidato explicó que, de llegar a darse el escenario de una solicitud de extradición a Estados Unidos contra Petro, seguiría el conducto regular que implica que la Corte Suprema de Colombia se pronuncie para dar su concepto favorable o desfavorable a la extradición. De ser favorable, la última palabra la toma el presidente de turno.

“Si el concepto es negativo, no se puede extraditar... ahora, el presidente de la República en ejercicio, es decir, yo, si Dios quiere, puede objetarla por razones de conveniencia nacional. Yo no la voy a objetar. Yo mismo lo llevo (a EEUU)”, afirmó De la Espriella.

Petro ha dicho que sus opositores de la “extrema derecha” han querido formar un supuesto complot para que se le abran procesos en Estados Unidos en los que termine preso, especialmente utilizando como excusa los procesos de negociación de paz que ha abierto con múltiples grupos armados ilegales en su política de “paz total”.

El mandatario fue sancionado a finales de 2025 por el Departamento del Tesoro por acusaciones de participar en el tráfico global de drogas, sin ofrecer pruebas, por lo que ha pedido a ese país que lo excluya de la lista de sanciones que ha restringido el acceso a servicios financieros.

Colombia se prepara para elegir al sucesor de Petro en el poder el 31 de mayo en la primera vuelta presidencial, en la que compiten 13 candidatos, incluido el senador Iván Cepeda, que representa el movimiento político de Petro.

En un comunicado difundido el miércoles , el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos acusó al régimen de negarse a aceptar la ayuda que se distribuye en coordinación con la Iglesia Católica y otras organizaciones independientes.

“Estados Unidos sigue buscando reformas significativas al sistema comunista de Cuba, que solo ha servido para enriquecer a las élites y condenar al pueblo cubano a la pobreza”, escribió un portavoz del Departamento de Estado en el comunicado .

El presidente cubano, Miguel Díaz-Canel, emitió un comunicado el miércoles sobre las fallas del Sistema Nacional de Energía Eléctrica de Cuba, o SEN.

“Para las operaciones de hoy, se prevé un déficit de más de 2000 MW durante el período de máxima demanda nocturna”, escribió Díaz-Canel. “Este drástico empeoramiento tiene una sola causa: el bloqueo energético genocida al que Estados Unidos somete a nuestro país”.

Díaz-Canel denunció la amenaza del presidente Donald Trump de imponer aranceles a cualquier nación que suministre combustible a Cuba y culpó a “un pequeño grupo de ultraderechistas que han secuestrado la política hacia Cuba y que mienten o difunden desinformación de forma deliberada y cínica sobre la realidad cubana, mientras exigen más estrangulamiento y amenazas contra nuestro pueblo”.

El representante estadounidense Carlos Giménez utilizó la letra X el miércoles para concienciar sobre un grupo de manifestantes cubanos en San Miguel del Padrón , un municipio de La Habana.

Giménez también compartió un informe sobre Carlos MacDonald , un preso político cuya familia teme que no esté recibiendo el tratamiento adecuado tras un supuesto diagnóstico de cáncer .

“Desde el Congreso de los Estados Unidos, exigimos la liberación inmediata de todos los presos políticos que se encuentran en Cuba”, escribió Giménez en X.

Giménez atribuyó la crisis a la corrupción.

“La dictadura de La Habana niega al pueblo la oportunidad de recibir más de 100 millones de dólares en alimentos distribuidos directamente por Estados Unidos”, escribió Giménez en X. “El régimen solo quiere seguir haciendo lo de siempre: robar la ayuda y lucrarse revendiéndola al pueblo”.

Redes sociales relacionadas

The State Department is publicly restating the United States' generous offer to provide additional direct humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people.

The Cuban regime must decide whether to accept our offer or deny life-saving help for the Cuban people, who desperately need it.

— Department of State (@StateDept) May 13, 2026

#AHORA Cacerolazos en La Habana a pocas cuadras de la “Plaza de la Revolución”. Sin miedo.#Cuba pic.twitter.com/TB0QSG1aq3

— Cristian Crespo F. 🇨🇺 (@cristiancrespoj) May 13, 2026

⚠️⚠️#Urgente. Continúan llegando imágenes de las afueras del gobierno municipal de San Miguel del Padrón.

Protesta masiva de cubanos tocando cacerolas. pic.twitter.com/FUErLVA2L7

— Mag Jorge Castro🇨🇺 (@MagJorgeCastro) May 13, 2026

McGrady will advise the college on the development of name, image and likeness investment, along with marketing and player development, the school said Wednesday.

McGrady — who did not play college basketball — will not take a salary in his position under coach Dwan McMillan. McGrady's son, Laymen, is joining the Seahawks after spending last season at Oral Roberts.

McGrady was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion who now works as a studio analyst for NBC's coverage of the league.

McMillan became the full-time coach last month at Wagner, where two-time national champion Dan Hurley of UConn got his first college head coaching position. McMillan led the Northeast Conference school on an interim basis last season, when the Seahawks went 14-17.

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Funcionarios del Servicio Forestal de Florida informaron la tarde del miércoles que el incendio Max Road Fire, que quemó 11,446 acres en los Everglades, ya está 100% contenido y controlado.

El incendio comenzó el domingo y previamente había sido reportado con un 70% de contención la mañana del martes.

Los bomberos también continúan con operaciones de limpieza en el cercano incendio 172 Avenue Fire, que ha quemado 315 acres y ahora está contenido en un 65%, indicaron las autoridades.

Con las condiciones secas que continúan en el sur de Florida, el Servicio Forestal de Florida exhorta a los residentes a “si ven algo, digan algo” y a evitar quemas al aire libre o desechar cigarrillos de manera descuidada.

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FFS officials said Wednesday afternoon that the Max Road Fire, which burned 11,446 acres in the Everglades, is now 100% contained and controlled.

The fire broke out Sunday and had previously been reported at 70% containment Tuesday morning.

Firefighters also continue “mop-up operations” on the nearby 172 Avenue Fire, which has burned 315 acres and is now 65% contained, officials said.

With dry conditions continuing across South Florida, the Florida Forest Service is encouraging residents to “see something, say something” and avoid outdoor burning or carelessly discarding cigarettes.

Luckily for them, they still have time to wait.

With at least a few more days before the Knicks would start the Eastern Conference finals, they can be patient with Anunoby's recovery from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the last two games of their second-round sweep of Philadelphia.

Coach Mike Brown said the starting forward did some things, though not when the Knicks went full speed. He said Anunoby looked fine with what he did, though it certainly sounds like there's a gap between what that was and the intensity of an NBA postseason game.

Brown added that he isn't sure when Anunoby can do more — and the Knicks don't even know how soon that would need to be. Game 1 against Detroit or Cleveland could be Sunday, though the series wouldn't begin until next week if those teams, who were tied 2-2 entering Game 5 on Wednesday, go the distance.

“They told me what he could do today. They have not told me what he could do tomorrow, so I don’t know what he’ll be able to do for Game 1,” Brown said.

Anunoby is one of the Knicks' most important players, a top defender whose offensive game has hit its peak during this playoff run. The Knicks were able to win two games without him against a tired Philadelphia team that never recovered after needing seven games to beat Boston in the first round, but it would be difficult to beat the top-seeded Pistons or Cavaliers without him.

Brown isn't thinking that far ahead. The Knicks plan to take Thursday off and practice again Friday, and he said only then will he ask for his next Anunoby update.

“At least for me, I’m taking it one game at a time,” Brown said. “I don’t want to know from medical or anybody else anything beyond that, because when I do that stuff I get my hopes up and I don’t like doing that at all.”

The Knicks have plenty of reason for hope after a dominant run through the first two rounds. They have won seven straight games since falling behind 2-1 against Atlanta in the first round and outscored the Hawks and 76ers by a combined 194 points, the largest margin ever through a team's first 10 postseason games.

They finished off the Hawks on April 30 and were back on the court against the 76ers on May 4. They could be idle more than twice as long this time.

“The first series we had what, four days’ break I think it was? That was good enough,” forward Josh Hart said. “This right now, I think at least a week if not nine days, that’s a long time. So obviously it’s good for recovery, but mentally I’m watching the games, I’m just like just waiting, just waiting to get back out there.”

Brown has some experience. His Cleveland Cavaliers swept the first two series in 2009, then were off more than a week before the opener of an East finals series they lost to Orlando. He replaced an ailing Steve Kerr for most of the 2017 postseason as the Golden State Warriors swept their first three series, leaving them a 10-day gap between the end of the West finals and the start of the NBA Finals.

“I’ve been part of sweeps, I've been part of getting swept and been part of long layoffs and short turnarounds, so you worry about different stuff at different times,” Brown said. “Like, quick turnaround you’re like: ‘Oh my God, we can’t prepare. Oh my god, guys are tired.’ And long layoffs, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, we got too much time, we’re not going to stay sharp.’”

He said the key during long layoffs is to manufacture ways to keep players' minds sharp and the Knicks believe it will work.

“I think we have our plan,” All-Star Jalen Brunson said. “Obviously utilize rest, but then when we’re in the gym we’re doing everything that we need to do to stay in rhythm, stay having the edge that we need to have, focusing on the things that we need to focus on and continuing to prepare.”

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Adebayo se unió al tiktoker Zachery Dereniowski, mejor conocido como MDMotivator, para sorprender a Bianca con un auto nuevo y un año completo de renta pagada.

“Mi mamá, solo éramos ella, mi hermana y yo, y estuvimos sin hogar, así que ahora estoy ayudando a otras personas”, dijo Bianca sobre su trabajo en Camillus House.

Adebayo y Dereniowski la sorprendieron en una parada de autobús, le vendaron los ojos y la guiaron hacia el auto nuevo estacionado, que tenía un gran lazo rojo.

“Esto va a cambiar nuestras vidas para siempre”, dijo Bianca, quien tiene una hija de 5 años.

La fundación BBB de Adebayo se enfoca en ayudar a madres solteras en honor a su madre.

Vea el video de MDMotivator

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Officials at an Illinois museum are among the people who would like to know. The Volo Museum near Chicago, which has a replica of the show's Trans Am that hasn't moved from its exhibit in years, recently received a $50 traffic ticket from the Big Apple, alleging its car was doing 36 mph (59 kph) in a 25 mph (40 kph) zone in Brooklyn on April 22.

The ticket came complete with traffic camera photos showing a black Trans Am with the California license plate KNIGHT, the same plate as the car on the show and the novelty one on the museum's unregistered car. The license plate is also connected to five other unpaid traffic violations in New York City since late 2024, city records show.

How the city linked the plate to the museum was not immediately clear. City officials did not immediately respond to email and phone messages Wednesday.

“The fact that we’re legally tied to a movie prop is interesting,” said Jim Wojdyla, the museum's marketing director. “We’re known for having our Hollywood cars from TV and movies, but I have no idea how we got registered from a ticket in New York to the plates in California to the Volo Museum in Illinois. We’re still trying to figure it out.”

The museum has requested a hearing challenging the ticket.

“It’s really amusing,” Wojdyla said. "We want to find out who this Knight Rider guy is because, birds of a feather. We just want to know is this from a museum, is this just a guy that built this car as a hobby? And it looks pretty damn accurate. We’d like to meet those guys.”

“Knight Rider” starring David Hasselhoff as a crime fighter aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986 and featured KITT, the black Trans Am with a snarky talking computer. (KITT stands for Knight Industries Two Thousand). Around 20 KITTS were built for the show but only five of the originals remain, Road & Track magazine has reported.

There are also numerous replicas around, including the museum's. The Facebook group Knight Rider KITT Car Club for people who own replicas has nearly 19,000 members.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a person with the last name Knight renewed their registration for the state plate KNIGHT in March.

New York City is authorized by state law to operate up to 750 cameras with speed detectors. When a camera catches a speeder, it records photos of the vehicle and its license plate. Staff at the city's Department of Transportation review the violations and mail tickets to the vehicle owners if the vehicles were going more than 10 mph (16 kph) over the speed limit, the city's website says.

The Volo Museum is having fun with the ticket trouble on its social media sites. It recently changed its header on its Facebook page to “Home of the Knight Rider KITT that famously got a speeding ticket in New York City without ever leaving its exhibit in Illinois!”

“Does anyone have Hasselhoff's number? He owes us $50!!!!” one of its posts says.

PSG needed only a draw to seal a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 crown and is now nine points ahead of Lens with one game left.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the 29th minute and Ibrahim Mbaye added the second goal in stoppage time after Lens missed several chances to score at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

“Without a doubt this was difficult, Lens did so well this season,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said. “I think they deserved more tonight but (goalkeeper Matvei) Safonov was incredible tonight.”

The match was rescheduled from April 11 by the French league to help titleholder PSG’s ambitions in the Champions League. PSG takes on Premier League leader Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest.

Although the postponement was strongly contested by Lens, coach Pierre Sage’s side had no say in the matter.

Lens also has a final to prepare for — against Nice in the French Cup on May 22 — and Sage left his two best forwards — wingers Florian Thauvin and Allan Saint-Maximin — on the bench against PSG until the hour mark.

Clinical versus wasteful

PSG punished a Lens error when Dembélé intercepted a sloppy pass from defender Malang Sarr and fed Kvaratskhelia, who scored with a clinical finish.

PSG scored in stoppage time through Mbaye, the 18-year-old forward who thumped a pass from Désiré Doué in off the crossbar moments after Lens had fluffed yet another chance.

Lens should already have been level — or even ahead — at the break but striker Wesley Saïd misjudged a close-range header and then shot straight at Safonov in first-half stoppage time.

Safonov kept out another effort from Abdallah Sima early in the second half when the striker went clean through. Sima then hit the post after collecting a superb pass from Thauvin in the 74th.

“I had some luck today," Safonov acknowledged. “If my opponents had put their shots a bit more either side of me it would have been different.”

Saint-Maximin was dangerous when he came on in the second half but wasted several good situations when excessively trying to put himself in the perfect shooting position.

“We created a lot of chances and stopped them playing. My players deserved at least a draw tonight,” Sage said. “Their goalkeeper had a great game but we missed a lot of chances. They had two chances and scored.”

The last team to stop PSG winning the title was Lille in 2021. This season was closer than the last, however, when PSG sealed the title without losing and with six games left.

Strasbourg wins

In the other match, Strasbourg won 2-1 at Brest in a game also rescheduled because of Strasbourg’s involvement in the UEFA Conference League, where it lost to Rayo Vallecano in the semifinals.

Defender Valentin Barco and midfielder Sebastian Nanasi scored for Strasbourg either side of a goal from Brest striker Ludovic Ajorque in a lively opening.

Strasbourg will finish the season in eighth and Brest was 12th heading into the final round of Ligue 1 games on Sunday. ___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer