Poles begin voting for a new president in a pivotal runoff election

Poles begin voting for a new president in a pivotal runoff election

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poles began voting Sunday ina decisive presidential runoffthat could set the course for the nation's political future and its relations with the European Union. The contest pits Warsaw MayorRafał Trzaskowski, a liberal pro-EU figure, against Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historianbacked by the right-wing Law and Justice party. The outcome will determine whether Poland continues alonga nationalist pathor pivots more decisively toward liberal democratic norms. With conservative President Andrzej Duda completing his second and final term, the new president will have significant influence over whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government can fulfill its centrist agenda, given the presidential power to veto laws. Voting began at 7 a.m. local time and will end at 9 p.m., when an Ipsos exit poll is expected. Final results are likely to be announced Monday. The runoff follows a tightly contested first round on May 18, in which Trzaskowski won just over 31% and Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates. The campaign has highlighted stark ideological divides. Trzaskowski, 53, has promised to restore judicial independence, ease abortion restrictions, and promote constructive ties with European partners. Nawrocki, 42, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values, skeptical of the EU, and aligned with U.S. conservatives, includingPresident Donald Trump. Nawrocki's candidacy has been clouded by allegations of past connections to criminal figures and participation in a violent street battle. He denies the criminal links but acknowledges having taken part in "noble" fights. The revelations have not appeared to dent his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the allegations as politically motivated. Amid rising security fears over Russia's war in neighboring Ukraine,both candidatessupport aid to Kyiv, though Nawrocki opposes NATO membership for Ukraine, while Trzaskowski supports it in the future. Nawrocki's campaign has echoed themes popular on the American right, including an emphasis on traditional values. His supporters feel that Trzaskowski, with his pro-EU views, would hand over control of key Polish affairs to larger European powers like France and Germany. Many European centrists are rooting for Trzaskowski, seeing in him someone who would defend democratic values under pressure from authoritarian forces across the globe.

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Poles begin voting for a new president in a pivotal runoff election

Poles begin voting for a new president in a pivotal runoff election WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poles began voting Sunday ina decisive presidentia...

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Top defense officials say Ukraine war has blurred lines, exposing global threats

Top defense officials say Ukraine war has blurred lines, exposing global threats

SINGAPORE (AP) — China and North Korea's support for Russia in itswar against Ukrainehas exposed how lines between regions have blurred, and the need for a global approach toward defense, top security officials said Sunday. North Korea has sent troops to fight on the front lines in Ukraine, while China has supported Russia economically and technologically while opposing international sanctions. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premiere defense forum, that if Ukraine were to fall, it would have a ripple effect in Asia and suggested it could embolden China in its territorial claims on Taiwan and virtually the entire South China Sea. "If Russia prevails in Ukraine, it's not about Europe. It's not about one region," she said. "It will send a very clear signal also to smaller states here in Indo-Pacific that anyone can ignore their borders, that any fabricated excuse can justify invasion." The comments echoed those fromFrench President Emmanuel Macronas he opened the conference on Friday advocating for greater European engagement in the Indo-Pacific. On Saturday,U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethsuggested European countries should focus their defense efforts in their own region andleave the Indo-Pacific more to the U.S.,but Šakalienė said the regions were clearly intertwined. "It's not a secret that when we talk about the main perpetrators in cyber security against Japan it's China, Russia and North Korea," she said. "When we talk about main cyber security perpetrators against Lithuania it's Russia, China and Belarus — two out of the three are absolutely the same." She added that "the convergence of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea into an increasingly coordinated authoritarian axis," demands a unified response. Iran has been a key supplier of attack drones to Russia for its war effort. "In this context, the United States' strategic focus on Indo-Pacific is both justified and necessary, but this is not America's responsibility alone," she said. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters on the sidelines that his main takeaway from the three-day conference, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, was the "real intent in the way in which European countries have engaged" in the debates. "It reflects the sense of connection, interconnectedness ... between Indo-Pacific on the one hand and the North Atlantic on the other," he said. China sent a lower-level delegation from its National Defense University this year to the conference, but its Foreign Ministry on Sunday responded to comments from Hegseth that Beijing was destabilizing the region and preparing to possibly seize Taiwan by force. "No country in the world deserves to be called a hegemonic power other than the U.S. itself, who is also the primary factor undermining the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific," it said, while reiterating its stance that the Taiwan issue was an internal Chinese matter. "The U.S. must neve play with fire on this question," the ministry said. Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, whose country has been involved inincreasingly violent clashes with Chinaover competing claims in the South China Sea, scoffed at the idea that the U.S. was the problem. "What the Chinese government considers fair and just may stand in stark contrast to the norms and values accepted by the rest of the world, especially the smaller countries," he said. "To envision a China-led international order, we only need to look at how they treat their much smaller neighbors in the South China Sea." He also underscored the international implications of the tensions in the Indo-Pacific, noting that the South China Sea was one of several maritime routes that are "arteries of the global economy." "Disruption in any of these maritime corridors triggers ripple effects across continents, impacting trade flows, military deployments, and diplomatic posture," he said. Singapore's Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing said China missed an opportunity to have its voice heard by not sending its own defense minister, but it was still incumbent upon others to reach out to Beijing to try and build bridges and prevent misunderstandings. Singapore has close ties to both the U.S. and China, and is part of the regionally influential Association of Southeast Asian Nations along with the Philippines and others. "It is in the interest of all of us to work with China, and it is also in the interest of China to work with everyone else in the world," he said. "It is in the interest of all of us to have a deeper understanding of China's fears, concerns and aspirations, just as it is important for China to understand how the rest of the world perceives China."

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Top defense officials say Ukraine war has blurred lines, exposing global threats

Top defense officials say Ukraine war has blurred lines, exposing global threats SINGAPORE (AP) — China and North Korea's support for Ru...

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A new natural gas project off Senegal makes fishing communities feel threatened

A new natural gas project off Senegal makes fishing communities feel threatened

GUET NDAR, Senegal (AP) — It's impossible to miss the gas platform off the coast of northernSenegal. Its flare stack burns day and night above the rolling breakers. Thenatural gas project, a joint venture between British energy giant BP and U.S.-based Kosmos Energy, started operations on the final day of 2024. It is meant to bring jobs to the densely populated fishing community of Guet Ndar, just outside the old colonial capital of Saint Louis. The gas extraction plant, the deepest in Africa, is aimed at helping to transform Senegal's stagnant economy after the discovery just over a decade ago ofoil and gas off the country's coast. The first offshore oil project also began last year. Fishermen say the project is killing their livelihoods Mariam Sow, one of the few remaining sellers in the once-thriving fish market, said the decline began in 2020 when the platform started rising from the sea. "This market used to be full every day," Sow said, gesturing at the barren lot. The nearby beach is now occupied by hundreds of unused boats. Fishing is central to life in coastal Senegal. It employs over 600,000 people, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The country exported nearly half a billion dollars worth of fish in 2022, according to think tank Chatham House, citing international trade data. What's the gas project about? The Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project plans to extract gas off Senegal and neighboring Mauritania. According to BP, the field could produce 2.3 million tons of liquefied natural gas every year. Last year, Senegal electedPresident Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who ran on an anti-establishment platform. He pledged to maximize the country's natural resources, including by renegotiating what he called unfair contracts with foreign firms and distributing revenues to the population. "I will proceed with the disclosure of the effective ownership of extractive companies (and) with an audit of the mining, oil, and gas sector," he said in his first address. It was not clear whether contract renegotiation efforts had begun, or whether they would include the gas project. The fishermen of Guet Ndar say the benefits promised by both the project and Senegal's government have not materialized. The cost of living remains high, and the price of natural gas, a major cooking source in Senegal, is still rising. Lower gas prices had been a major selling point for the gas project. Mohamed Sow, a shopkeeper in Dakar, said his customers complain that a 12-liter gas canister has gone from 5,000 CFA ($8.50) to 8,000 CFA ($13.80) in the past few years. "It's impossible to keep raising the price," he said. Senegal's government did not respond to requests for comment. The fishing community near the project says it has noticed more signs of trouble. A leak that took weeks to fix Soon after the gas project's production began, fishermen said they noticed a large number of bubbles in the sea. BP cited a temporary gas leak that "had no immediate impact on ongoing production activities from the remaining wells." The leak took weeks to fix. BP did not say how much gas — largely methane — leaked into the ocean, or what caused a leak so early in the new project. In a response to written questions, BP said "the environmental impact of the release was assessed as negligible" considering the "low rate" of release. The environmental charity Greenpeace, however, called the effects of such spills on the environment significant. "The GTA field is home to the world's largest deep-water coral reef, a unique ecosystem. A single spill can wipe out decades of marine biodiversity, contaminate food chains and destroy habitat," it said in a statement. Sitting outside a BP-built and branded fish refrigeration unit meant to help community relations, Mamadou Sarr, the president of the Saint Louis fishermen's union, talked about the concerns. Sarr asserted that fish have become more scarce as they are attracted to the platform and away from several reefs that the people of Guet Ndar had fished for centuries. Drawing in the sand, he explained how the fish, drawn by the project's lights and underwater support structures, no longer visit their old "homes." Areas around the platforms are off-limits to fishermen. Sarr also said an artificial reef that BP is building lies in the path of ships that regularly visit the structures, keeping the fish away. A fisherman's life One fisherman, Abdou, showed off his catch after two days at sea: two insulated boxes full of fish, each about the size of an oil drum. A box of fish fetches 15,000 CFA, or $26. Prior to the gas project, he said, he would get four or five boxes per two-day trip. Now, getting two is a win. That worsens a problem already created byoverfishingby foreign vessels. BP stressed that face-to-face talks with members of the community about such issues are ongoing, and noted its community-facing projects such as microfinance and vocational training programs in the region. Sarr said that despite its promises, the government failed to consider his community when agreeing to the gas project. "This is our land and sea, why don't we get a voice?" he asked. He and others expressed irony that the refrigeration unit sitting next to them cannot be opened. The key is "somewhere in Dakar" Sarr said, and locals said they have never seen inside it. ___ For more on Africa and development:https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP'sstandardsfor working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas atAP.org.

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

A new natural gas project off Senegal makes fishing communities feel threatened

A new natural gas project off Senegal makes fishing communities feel threatened GUET NDAR, Senegal (AP) — It's impossible to miss the ga...

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Nationals use a 10-run first inning to beat the reeling Diamondbacks, 11-7

Nationals use a 10-run first inning to beat the reeling Diamondbacks, 11-7

PHOENIX (AP) — Luis García Jr. had a double and three RBIs during a10-run first inningfor the Washington Nationals, who held on late to beat the reeling Arizona Diamondbacks 11-7 on Saturday night. Washington has won 11 of 15 games and scored at least nine runs in four straight games. Arizona has dropped nine of 10. The Nationals' first 11 batters reached base and they scored nine runs before the D-backs recorded an out, which was the second-most in the big leagues since 1961. The Boston Red Sox scored 10 runs before the Florida Marlins got an out in a game on June 27, 2003,according to Elias Sports. Arizona's Brandon Pfaadt (7-4) lasted just eight batters, giving up eight earned runs on six hits. He also hit two batters. The Nationals sent 16 batters to the plate in the first and it took 30 minutes for the D-backs to get three outs. Arizona rallied with two runs in the fourth and five more in the sixth. Randal Grichuk's two-run homer cut it to 11-7. He finished with three hits. Washington starter Michael Soroka (2-3) retired the first 11 batters he faced before Geraldo Perdomo hitting a looping single into right field in the fourth. Josh Naylor followed with a two-run homer. Soroka gave up four runs on six hits and a walk through 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three. Washington's C.J. Abrams was hit by a pitch three times. James Wood, Robert Hassell III, Keibert Ruiz and Daylen Lile all had two hits. Key moment Pfaadt recorded two strikes on Abrams — the game's leadoff hitter — before hitting him on the foot with a pitch, starting the 10-run avalanche. Key stat Pfaadt's ERA ballooned from 3.90 to 5.05. D-backs pitchers hit five batters. Up next The D-backs send RHP Corbin Burnes (3-2, 2.72 ERA) to the mound Sunday while the Nationals counter with LHP Mitchell Parker (4-4, 4.65). ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Nationals use a 10-run first inning to beat the reeling Diamondbacks, 11-7

Nationals use a 10-run first inning to beat the reeling Diamondbacks, 11-7 PHOENIX (AP) — Luis García Jr. had a double and three RBIs during...

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LAFC claims final spot in Club World Cup with 2-1 victory over Club América in play-in match

LAFC claims final spot in Club World Cup with 2-1 victory over Club América in play-in match

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Denis Bouanga scored late in extra time and Los Angeles FC dramatically secured the final spot in the FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Club América in a play-in match on Saturday night. Igor Jesus tied it for LAFC in the 89th minute, slipping through traffic and converting a header for his first goal with his new club. After 24 tense minutes of extra time, Bouanga jumped into the play and fired home a deflected shot from the top of the penalty area in the 115th minute, setting off a wild celebration at BMO Stadium and sending LAFC to its first Club World Cup. LAFC will join English club Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Tunisia's ES Tunis when group play begins in two weeks across the U.S. South. LAFC's victory is extraordinarily lucrative for the Major League Soccer power, guaranteeing at least $9.55 million in prize money for making the tournament field. The club also has a chance at nearly $100 million more in prize money from FIFA's nearly $1 billion pool. Brian Rodríguez put América ahead midway through the second half by converting a penalty kick against his former team, but Las Águilas fell short in front of thousands of supporters. One spot in the 32-team Club World Cup was open because FIFA disqualified León under its rules against participation by multiple clubs owned by the same entity. León and Pachuca are owned by the same group, and León lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport four weeks ago after attempting to change its ownership structure. With a stadium full of raucous fans supporting both teams, LAFC and América were cautious in the first half, putting just one shot on target apiece. Rodríguez beat Hugo Lloris from the spot in the 64th minute, capitalizing on a penalty awarded following a video review of Mark Delgado's risky, spikes-up challenge on Erick Sánchez. Rodríguez, who came on as a halftime substitute after recently recovering from injury, spent parts of four seasons with LAFC from 2019-22 before the Uruguayan winger moved to América for a hefty transfer fee. LAFC got moving offensively when Olivier Giroud came on as a second-half substitute. The French star nearly tipped home a pass in the box in the 81st minute, but Luis Malagón thwarted him. LAFC cranked up its late pressure behind Bouanga and Giroud. Jesus, the 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder, finally beat Malagón with a header in the box. Lloris stopped a point-blank chance for Javairô Dilrosun in the second half of extra time shortly before Bouanga's winner. Tickets for the match were distributed equally between the clubs' supporters — and América has a large fan base in Los Angeles, where Mexican teams and players are greeted with massive support whenever they visit. América fans mobbed the south stands at BMO Stadium 90 minutes before kickoff, while LAFC's famed North End crowd was packed. Both sections set off fireworks and smoke bombs after kickoff, underlining the remarkable atmosphere and giving a taste of what's to come in June and July. The largest Club World Cup to date will be held across the U.S. as a precursor to the FIFA World Cup's return to North America in 2026. Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders already qualified from Major League Soccer, while Pachuca and Monterrey already qualified from Liga MX. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/soccer

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

LAFC claims final spot in Club World Cup with 2-1 victory over Club América in play-in match

LAFC claims final spot in Club World Cup with 2-1 victory over Club América in play-in match LOS ANGELES (AP) — Denis Bouanga scored late in...

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LAFC earns final FIFA Club World Cup spot with win over Club America

LAFC earns final FIFA Club World Cup spot with win over Club America

USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. LAFChas secured the last ticket to the big dance, rallying to defeat Club América, 2-1, ina FIFA Club World Cup playoffthat required extra time at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Former LAFC attacker Brian Rodríguez had given América a 64th-minute lead froma VAR-assisted penalty kick, and the Liga MX powers seemed to have done just enough to claim a win that will be worth nearly $10 million at a minimum. However,Igor Jesus' 89th-minute headerleveled the scored, saving LAFC, and in extra time Denis Bouanga — the club's most important player in recent years — added to his legend byfiring home the winnerin the 115th minute. The win sends LAFC into the Club World Cup, where they will join English giant Chelsea, Tunisian club Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Flamengo, arguably the most well-supported club in Brazil. LAFC and Club América were in a playoff due to a convoluted series of events that could only happen when you get Concacaf and FIFA together to sort out a new tournament format. Initially, the last four winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup — Monterrey, the Seattle Sounders, Club León, and Pachuca — were set to take places in the Club World Cup. However, Club León and Pachuca share owners, something FIFA said cannot be permitted at the Club World Cup. FIFA eventually decided that León was disqualified, and announced a playoff between LAFC (the team León defeated in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup) and Club América (the top-ranked Concacaf team in FIFA's rankings for Club World Cup purposes). León, Pachuca, and Costa Rican club Alajuelense all appealed, with Alajuelense arguing that as Central America's top-ranked team, they should be admitted, but all were rejected. That leaves the final spot in Group D up for grabs, with Saturday's winner claiming the place. Group Stage: June 14-June 26 Round of 16: June 28-July 1 Quarterfinals: July 4-5 Semifinals: July 8-9 Finals: July 13 There are 32 teams in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that have been separated into eight groups of four for the round-robin group stage in June. Here's how the field breaks down Al Ahly FC (Egypt) FC Porto (Portugal) SE Palmeiras (Brazil) Inter Miami (United States) Paris Saint-Germain (France) Atlético de Madrid (Spain) Botafogo (Brazil) Seattle Sounders FC (United States) FC Bayern München (Germany) Auckland City FC (New Zealand) CA Boca Juniors (Argentina) SL Benfica (Portugal) Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) CR Flamengo (Brazil) Chelsea FC (England) LAFC (United States) CA River Plate (Argentina) Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) CF Monterrey (Mexico) Inter Milan (Italy) Fluminense FC (Brazil) Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Ulsan HD (South Korea) Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa) Manchester City (England) Wydad AC (Morocco) Al Ain FC (United Arab Emirates) Juventus FC (Italy) Real Madrid (Spain) Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) CF Pachuca (Mexico) FC Salzburg (Austria) Every match during the 2025 FIFA World Cup will be live streamed for free onDAZN.com, which is the exclusive global broadcaster of the event. Saturday, June 14 Group A:Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. ET (Miami) Sunday, June 15 Group C:Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group B:Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Group A:SE Palmeiras vs. FC Porto, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group B:Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders, 10 p.m. ET (Seattle) Monday, June 16 Group D:Chelsea vs. LAFC, 3 p.m. ET (Atlanta) Group C:Boca Juniors vs. Benfica, 6 p.m. ET (Miami) Group D:Flamengo vs. Espérance de Tunis, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Tuesday, June 17 Group F:Fluminense vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group E:River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group F:Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns, 6 p.m. ET (Orlando, Florida) Group E:Monterrey vs. Inter Milan, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Wednesday, June 18 Group G:Manchester City vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group H:Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal, 3 p.m. ET (Miami) Group H:Pachuca vs. FC Salzburg, 6 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group G:Al Ain vs. Juventus, 9 p.m. (Washington, D.C.) Thursday, June 19 Group A:Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly, 12 p.m. ET, (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group A:Inter Miami vs. Porto, 3 p.m. ET, (Atlanta) Group B:Seattle Sounders vs. Atlético Madrid, 6 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group B:Paris Saint-Germain vs. Botafogo, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Friday, June 20 Group C:Benfica vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET (Orlando, Florida) Group D:Flamengo vs. Chelsea, 2 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group D: LAFC vs. Espérance de Tunis, 6 p.m. ET (Nashville, Tennessee) Group C:Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, 9 p.m. ET (Miami) Saturday, June 21 Group F:Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group E:Inter Milan vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group F:Fluminense vs. Ulsan HD, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group E:River Plate vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Sunday, June 22 Group G:Juventus vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group H:Real Madrid vs. Pachuca, 3 p.m. ET (Charlotte, North Carolina) Group H:FC Salzburg vs. Al Hilal, 6 p.m. ET (Washington, D.C.) Group G:Manchester City vs. Al Ain, 9 p.m. ET (Atlanta) Monday, June 23 Group B:Atlético Madrid vs. Botafogo, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Group B: Seattle Sounders vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group A:Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras, 9 p.m. ET (Miami) Group A:Porto vs. Al Ahly, 9 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Tuesday, June 24 Group C:Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. ET (Charlotte) Group C:Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors, 3 p.m. ET (Nashville) Group D:Espérance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group D:LAFC vs. Flamengo, 9 p.m. ET (Orlando) Wednesday, June 25 Group F:Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD, 3 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group F:Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense, 3 p.m. ET (Miami) Group E:Inter Milan vs. River Plate, 9 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group E:Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena) Thursday, June 26 Group G:Wydad AC vs. Al Ain, 3 p.m. ET (Washington) Group G:Juventus vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m. ET (Orlando) Group H:Al Hilal vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m. ET (Nashville) Group H:FC Salzburg vs. Real Madrid, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Saturday, June 28 Match 49: Winners of Group A vs. Group B runner-up (Philadelphia) Match 50: Winners of Group C vs. Group D runner-up (Charlotte) Sunday, June 29 Match 51: Winners of Group B vs. Group A runner-up (Atlanta) Match 52: Winners of Group D vs. Group C runner-up (Miami) Monday, June 30 Match 53: Winners of Group E vs. Group F runner-up (Charlotte) Match 54: Winners of Group G vs. Group H runner-up (Orlando) Tuesday, July 1 Match 55: Winners of Group F vs. Group E runner-up (Atlanta) Match 56: Winners of Group H vs. Group G runner-up (Miami) Friday, July 4 Match 57: Winners of Match 49 vs. Winners of Match 50 (Philadelphia) Match 58: Winners of Match 53 vs. Winners of Match 54 (Orlando) Saturday, July 5 Match 59: Winners of Match 51 vs. Winners of Match 52 (Atlanta) Match 60: Winners of Match 55 vs. Winners of Match 56 (East Rutherford) Tuesday, July 8 Match 61: Winners of Match 57 vs. Winners of Match 58 (East Rutherford) Wednesday, July 9 Match 62: Winners of Match 59 vs. Winners of Match 60 (East Rutherford) Sunday, July 13 Match 63: Winners of Match 61 vs. Winners of Match 62 (East Rutherford) The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments bysubscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Club World Cup schedule: LAFC punches final ticket to FIFA tournament

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

LAFC earns final FIFA Club World Cup spot with win over Club America

LAFC earns final FIFA Club World Cup spot with win over Club America USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pri...

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Trump officials are visiting Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling

Trump officials are visiting Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Trump administration is sending three Cabinet members to Alaska this week as it pursues oil drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and reinvigorating anatural gas projectthat's languished for years. The visit by Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin comes after Trumpsigned an executive orderearlier this year aimed at boosting oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in Alaska. It also comes amidtariff talkswith Asian countries that are seen as possible leverage for the administration to secure investments in the proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas project. Their itinerary includes a meeting Sunday with resource development groups and U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski in Anchorage before heading to Utqiagvik, an Arctic town on the petroleum-rich North Slope where many Alaska Native leaders see oil development as economically vital to the region. The federal officials also plan to visit the Prudhoe Bay oil field Monday — near the coast of the Arctic Ocean and more than 850 miles (1,368 kilometers) north of Anchorage — and speak at Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy's annual energy conference Tuesday in Anchorage. While it's not unusual for U.S. officials to visit Alaska during warmer weather months, Dunleavy's office said the officials' visit is significant. Dunleavy,a Trump ally, said he is thankful for an administration that "recognizes Alaska's unique value." Government and industry representatives from a number of Asian countries, including Japan, are expected to participate in a portion of the trip, reflecting pressure from the U.S. to invest in the pipeline — despite skepticism and opposition from environmental groups. In Alaska, some environmentalists criticized the agenda for Dunleavy's conference. Highlighting fossil fuels alongside renewable or alternative energy make "energy sources of the past look more legitimate at a conference like this," said Andy Moderow, senior policy director with the Alaska Wilderness League. "I think we should be looking at climate solutions that work for Alaskans, not trying to open up places that industry is taking a pass on, namely the Arctic refuge," he said. A push for more drilling Trump has long taken credit for provisions of a 2017 tax law championed by Alaska's congressional delegation that called for two oil and gas lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's coastal plain by late 2024.The firstone remains the subject of ongoing litigation, with the main bidder a state corporation that saw itsseven leases later canceledby then-President Joe Biden's administration.A judge in Marchruled Biden's administration overstepped, and the Interior Department, in line with Trump's executive order, is working to reinstate the leases. There weren't any bids in the second sale, held under Biden andblasted by the stateas overly restrictive. Debate over drilling in the refuge — home to polar bears, musk ox, birds and other wildlife — has long been a flashpoint. Indigenous Gwich'in leaders consider the coastal plain sacred land, noting its importance to a caribou herd they rely upon. ManyNorth Slope Iñupiat leaderswho support drilling in the refuge felt their voices were not heard during the Biden era. During the Trump officials' visit, they also hope to make a case for additional development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which Trump has advocated, and for being included in planning decisions. Nagruk Harcharek, president of Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, an advocacy group whose members include leaders from the region, called the officials' visit "a step in the right direction." 'Gigantic natural gas pipeline' For years, the state has sought to develop its stores of North Slope natural gas as a way to provide affordable energy to more residents and bolster revenues via exports. But cost concerns,shifts in direction, competition from other projects and questions about economic feasibility have stymied progress. Oil companies have long reinjected gas that occurs with oil deposits on the slope to produce more oil, which remains Alaska's economic lifeblood. The latest gas proposal calls for a roughly 810-mile (1,300-kilometer) pipeline that would carry gas from the North Slope to port and a facility that would process and export liquefied natural gas to Asian countries. In a March speech to Congress, Trump touted his ongoing support of the "gigantic natural gas pipeline." He said countries like Japan and South Korea "want to be our partner, with investments of trillions of dollars each." No firm commitments from countries have been made. The company advancing the project — in partnership with a state corporation — is in a stage of refining cost estimates, previously pegged at around $44 billion for the pipeline and related infrastructure, before final decisions are made on whether to move forward with the project. Alaska in the spotlight While Dunleavy has likened Trump's friendly approach to energy development as "Christmas every day," Alaska's fortunes remain tightly linked to the volatility of oil prices, which are down sharply from a year ago, squeezing state revenues. State lawmakers across party lines overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging Congress to provide Alaska with 90% of royalty revenues for oil and gas leases in the Arctic refuge, arguing the U.S. government reneged on past promises for such a share. The resolution also asked for that to be extended to the petroleum reserve. Alaska's tax structure allows companies like ConocoPhillips Alaska — which is pursuing amassive oil project known as Willowin the reserve — to write off a portion of their development costs against production taxes they incur elsewhere on the North Slope. While lawmakers widely support Willow, they also have argued a change in federal royalty share would address a hit to state revenues created by production in the reserve.

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Trump officials are visiting Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling

Trump officials are visiting Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Trump administration is sending thr...

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Putin’s tough stance on a Ukraine peace plan shows his resolve on Russia’s demands

Putin's tough stance on a Ukraine peace plan shows his resolve on Russia's demands

By making harsh, uncompromising demands inpeace talks with Ukrainewhile continuing to pummel it withwaves of missiles and drones,Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they're met. At the same time, he has sought to avoid angering U.S.President Donald Trumpby praising his diplomacy and declaring Moscow's openness to peace talks — even as he set maximalist conditions that are rejected by Kyiv and the West. Trump, who once promised to end the3-year-old warin 24 hours, hasupended the U.S. policyof isolating Russia by holding calls with Putin and denigrating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the same time, however, Trump warned Putin against "tapping me along" and threatened Moscow with sanctions if it fails to back his peace proposals. Trump says Putin is 'playing with fire' In recent days, Trump signaled he was losing patience with Putin, declaring the Russian leader had gone "crazy" by stepping up aerial attacks on Ukraine. He also said: "What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who serves as deputy head of Putin's Security Council, fired back: "I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!" Fyodor Lukyanov, a Moscow-based analyst familiar with Kremlin thinking, said Putin is engaged in a "psychological game" with Trump, with both men thinking they understand each other well. "Putin's tactics is apparently based on an assumption that the issue has a lesser priority for his interlocutor, who wants to get rid of it one way or another, while for the Russian side, nothing compares to it in importance," Lukyanov wrote a commentary. "In this logic, the one who sees it as something of lesser importance will eventually make concessions." While Ukraine's European allies urge Trump to ramp up sanctions against Moscow to force it to accept a ceasefire, some fear that Trump may end up distancing the U.S. from the conflict. If the U.S. halts or reduces military aid to Kyiv, it would badly erode Ukraine's fighting capability. Growing Russian pressure Kyiv already is experiencing a weapons shortage, particularly air defense systems, leaving it increasingly vulnerable to Russian missile and drone attacks. Across the over 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line, the exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian troops are facing increasing Russian pressure. This month, Russian forces accelerated their slow push across the Donetsk region, the focus of Moscow's offensive, grinding through Ukrainian defenses at the quickest pace since last fall. Russia also expanded its attacks in the northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions following Putin's promise to create a buffer zone along the border. Many observers expect Russia to expand its offensive over the summer to try to capture more land and set even tougher conditions for peace. "Moscow thinks its leverage over Ukraine will build over time, and since Trump has strongly implied that he will withdraw from negotiations the Russian military is set to intensify its operations," said Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute in London. He predicted Russia would intensify efforts to take all of the Donetsk region while also pressing a bombing campaign. "The Kremlin will want to suggest a deteriorating situation as negotiations continue and to signal to Europe that the rear is not safe, to discourage European militaries from putting forces in country," Watling said in an analysis. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin, Moscow-based analyst, said the long-expected offensive hasn't yet begun in earnest as Russia is cautious not to anger Trump. "If Kyiv derails peace talks, the Russian army will start a big offensive," he said. Putin's conditions for peace Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — the four regions that Russia illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully controlled. That demand had been rejected by Kyiv and its allies, but the Russian delegation reportedly repeated it during talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16. Those talks, the first since botched negotiations in the opening weeks of the war, came after Putin effectively rejected a 30-day truce proposed by Trump that was accepted by Kyiv. Russia had linked such a ceasefire to a halt in Ukraine's mobilization effort and a freeze on Western arms supplies. Putin proposed talks to discuss conditions for a possible truce. Trump quickly prodded Kyiv to accept the offer, but the negotiations yielded no immediate progress except an agreementto exchange 1,000 prisonerseach. Russia offered to hold another round of talks Monday in Istanbul, where it said it will present a memorandum setting conditions for ending hostilities. It refused to share the document before the negotiations. Some observers see the talks as an attempt by Putin to assuage Trump's growing impatience. "Putin has devised a way to offer Trump an interim, tangible outcome from Washington's peace efforts without making any real concessions," said Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Facing Western accusations of stalling, the Kremlin responded that the conflict can't be resolved quickly and emphasized the need to address its "root causes." When Putin invaded Ukraine, he said the move was needed to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and protect Russian speakers in the country -– arguments strongly rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies as a cover for an unprovoked act of aggression. Along with those demands, Putin also wants limits on Ukraine's sovereignty, including the size of Ukraine's military, and for Kyiv to end what Moscow sees as glorification of Ukraine's World War II-era nationalist leaders, some of whom sided with the invading forces of Nazi Germany over the Soviet leadership in the Kremlin. A Kremlin negotiator who's been there before Seeking to underline that Moscow will press home its initial demands, Putin appointed his aide Vladimir Medinsky to lead the Russian delegation in Istanbul. He also led the Russian side in the 2022 talks. Kyiv reportedly has asked the U.S. to encourage Putin to replace him. The soft-spoken, 54-year-old career bureaucrat, who was born in Ukraine, ascended through the Kremlin ranks after writing a series of books exposing purported Western plots against Russia. In an interview with Russian state television after the May 16 talks, Medinsky pointed to Russia's 18th century war with Sweden that lasted 21 years, a signal that Moscow is prepared to fight for a long time until its demands are met. "History repeats itself in a remarkable way," he said.

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Putin’s tough stance on a Ukraine peace plan shows his resolve on Russia’s demands

Putin's tough stance on a Ukraine peace plan shows his resolve on Russia's demands By making harsh, uncompromising demands inpeace t...

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Trump White House steps up attacks on courts after tariff ruling

Trump White House steps up attacks on courts after tariff ruling

The White House is increasing its attacks on the judicial branch in the wake of decisions that briefly blocked President Trump's sweeping tariffs. It's a battle-tested playbook the administration has used before on a number of fronts with the courts, which have emerged as an even greater bulwark to the president's policies in his second term, especially with a GOP Congress that has largely left him unchallenged. At the same time, the Trump team's verbal attacks on the judiciary are more intense than any other administration in recent U.S. history, and underscore the public relations battle the White House is engaging in. That battle is intended to rile up Trump's base, while also pressuring his opponents and the courts. Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller decried a three-judge panel's ruling that initially halted Trump's sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs as "judicial tyranny." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it part of a "troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision-making process." National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, a typically mild-mannered adviser, attacked the panel as "activist judges." It echoed the same rhetoric Miller, Leavitt and others have routinely used to push back on judicial rulings that block or undermine the administration's agenda on immigration, efforts to shrink the government and more. It is also similar to the way Trump attacked judges who handled his legal cases before he won a second term. The tactic serves the White House's goals on multiple fronts. It allows officials to go on offense, where they are most comfortable. It also provides fodder to Trump's MAGA base, creating a common opponent at a time when Democrats are out of power and largely helpless to impede the president's agenda. The strategy has been cause for alarm for Democrats and experts who have voiced concerns about the long-term impact of attacks on the courts. "Courts upholding the rule of law is what separates America from dictatorships around the world. We are not ruled by kings, but by laws," Skye Perryman, president of left-leaning legal group Democracy Forward, posted on the social platform X. "Intimidation of courts and ignoring the rule of the law betrays these values." The three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of International ruled on Wednesday to block Trump's April 2 "Liberation Day" tariffs, which placed a 10 percent levy on all imports along with higher "reciprocal" tariffs for dozens of countries that could go into effect over the summer. The ruling also blocked earlier orders that imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. Many had already been adjusted or delayed as stocks fell, and Treasury yields rose in the wake of Trump's trade shifts. An appeals courttemporarily liftedthe block in a ruling on Thursday. But in the 24 hours in between, Trump allies went to work attacking the trade court and portraying it as the latest instance of judges deliberately undermining the president. The attacks came despite the fact that one of the judges who presided over the tariffs case was appointed by Trump. Leavitt devoted the start of her briefing with reporters on Thursday to bashing the decision. She argued Trump was on sound legal footing and was being undermined by judges who "brazenly abused their judicial power." Jason Miller, a former senior adviser on the Trump campaign, claimed the trade court's ruling showed a brewing battle "between American sovereignty and having a globalist takeover." After an appeals court temporarily reversed the trade court's ruling, the target shifted slightly to the conservative group the Federalist Society and its longtime leader, Leonard Leo, who played a central role in shaping Trump's judicial picks during his first term. "I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations," Trump wrote Thursday. "This is something that cannot be forgotten! With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others." Alex Brusewitz, a GOP digital strategist and Trump adviser, called the Federalist Society "anti-MAGA." The barrage of attacks on the trade court followed a well-worn strategy Trump and his allies have used to try to shake confidence in judges and the court system. Dating back to his first campaign in 2016, Trump questioned whether one judge was biased against him because of their Mexican heritage. During the 2024 campaign, Trump relentlessly attacked the judge overseeing his hush money trial, comparing him to "a devil" in remarks after the case concluded with Trump being found guilty on 34 felony counts. Critics argue that the attacks from Trump and his allies are not only harmful, but also ignore context about who is ruling against the president. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, noted the federal judges who have issued court orders blocking or pausing the Trump administration's actions thus far have been appointed by five presidents. "Trump keeps taking executive actions that blatantly, flagrantly exceed his authorities under the law and the Constitution. And he keeps losing in court, regardless of WHO appointed the judges. (Some of them were HIS.)," David Axelrod, an official in former President Obama's administration, posted on X. "Yet he and his apparatchiks call it a 'judicial coup.'" But the attacks are part of a hardened outlook among Trump and some of his closest advisers that judges across the country are attempting to run out the clock on his second term by issuing injunctions and rulings that halt his agenda. "That is the crisis in the courts," said one White House official. "The president is elected to a four-year term, and it should not be possible for a dozen district court judges to grind down that term to prevent the president from doing what he campaigned on." Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Trump White House steps up attacks on courts after tariff ruling

Trump White House steps up attacks on courts after tariff ruling The White House is increasing its attacks on the judicial branch in the wak...

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NBA Finals bracket 2025: Pacers vs. Thunder schedule, times, TV

NBA Finals bracket 2025: Pacers vs. Thunder schedule, times, TV

The NBA Finals are set following theIndiana Pacers' victory over theNew York Knicksin Game 6 on Saturday night. Pascal Siakam and the Pacers closed out the Eastern Conference finals series with a125-108 victoryin front of Caitlin Clark and the home fans at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Siakam was named the series MVP after producing 31 points, five rebounds and three blocks against New York. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 21 points and 13 assists in the victory. OPINION:Small-market Pacers party down in big way with NBA Finals trip MORE:Pascal Siakam named Eastern Conference finals MVP after Pacers down Knicks It is just the second time that the Pacers have advanced to the NBA Finals. Indiana reached the finals in 2000. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and theOklahoma City Thunderreached the finals after closing out their Western Conference finals series against theMinnesota Timberwolveson Wednesday, 4-1. Here's what you need to know ahead of the championship series: All times Eastern.*-if necessary *-if necessary Game 1, June 5:Pacers at Thunder, ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET Game 2,June 8:Pacers at Thunder, ABC, 8 p.m. Game 3,June 11:Thunder at Pacers, ABC, 8:30 p.m. Game 4,June 13:Thunder at Pacers, ABC, 8:30 p.m. Game 5,June 16:Pacers at Thunder, ABC*, 8:30 p.m. Game 6, June 19:Thunder at Pacers, ABC*, 8:30 p.m. Game 7, June 22:Pacers at Thunder, ABC*, 8 p.m. Pacers win series 4-2 Game 1,May 21:Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT) Game 2, May 23:Pacers 114, Knicks 109 Game 3,May 25:Knicks 106, Pacers 100 Game 4, May 27:Pacers 130, Knicks 121 Game 5, May 29:Knicks 111, Pacers 94 Game 6,May 31:Pacers 125, Knicks 108 Thunder win series 4-1 Game 1,May 20:Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88 Game 2, May 22:Thunder 118, Timberwolves 103 Game 3,May 24:Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101 Game 4,May 26:Thunder 128, Timberwolves 126 Game 5,May 28:Thunder 124, Timberwolves 94 (1)Cleveland Cavaliersvs. (4)Indiana Pacers Pacers win series 4-1 Game 1:Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112 Game 2:Pacers 120, Cavaliers 119 Game 3:Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104 Game 4:Pacers 129, Cavaliers 109 Game 5:Pacers 114, Cavaliers 105 (2)Boston Celticsvs. (3)New York Knicks Knicks win series 4-2 Game 1:Knicks 108, Celtics 105 (OT) Game 2:Knicks 91, Celtics 90 Game 3:Celtics 115, Knicks 93 Game 4:Knicks 121, Celtics 113 Game 5:Celtics 127, Knicks 102 Game 6:Knicks 119, Celtics 81 (1)Oklahoma City Thundervs. (4)Denver Nuggets Thunder win series 4-3 Game 1:Nuggets 121, Thunder 119 Game 2:Thunder 149, Nuggets 106 Game 3:Nuggets 113, Thunder 104 (OT) Game 4:Thunder 92, Nuggets 87 Game 5:Thunder 112, Nuggets 105 Game 6:Nuggets 119, Thunder 107 Game 7:Thunder 125, Nuggets 93 (6)Minnesota Timberwolvesvs. (7)Golden State Warriors Timberwolves win series 4-1 Game 1:Warriors 99, Timberwolves 88 Game 2:Timberwolves 117, Warriors 93 Game 3:Timberwolves 102, Warriors 97 Game 4:Timberwolves 117, Warriors 110 Game 5:Timberwolves 121, Warriors 110 (1)Cleveland Cavaliersvs. (8) Miami Heat Cavaliers win series 4-0 Game 1:Cavaliers 121, Heat 100 Game 2:Cavaliers 121, Heat 112 Game 3:Cavaliers 124, Heat 87 Game 4:Cavaliers 138, Heat 83 (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic Celtics win series 4-1 Game 1:Celtics 103, Magic 86 Game 2:Celtics 109, Magic 100 Game 3:Magic 95, Celtics 93 Game 4:Celtics 107, Magic 98 Game 5:Celtics 120, Magic 89 (3) New York Knicks vs. (6)Detroit Pistons Knicks win series 4-2 Game 1:Knicks 123, Pistons 112 Game 2:Pistons 100, Knicks 94 Game 3:Knicks 118, Pistons 116 Game 4:Knicks 94, Pistons 93 Game 5:Pistons 106, Knicks 103 Game 6:Knicks 116, Pistons 113 (4)Indiana Pacersvs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks Pacers win series 4-1 Game 1:Pacers 117, Bucks 98 Game 2:Pacers 123, Bucks 115 Game 3:Bucks 117, Pacers 107 Game 4:Pacers 129, Bucks 103 Game 5:Pacers 119, Bucks 118 (OT) (1)Oklahoma City Thundervs. (8)Memphis Grizzlies Thunder win series 4-0 Game 1:Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80 Game 2:Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99 Game 3:Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108 Game 4:Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115 (2)Houston Rocketsvs. (7)Golden State Warriors Warriors win series 4-3 Game 1:Warriors 95, Rockets 85 Game 2:Rockets 109, Warriors 94 Game 3:Warriors 104, Rockets 93 Game 4:Warriors 109, Rockets 106 Game 5:Rockets 131, Warriors 116 Game 6:Rockets 115, Warriors 107 Game 7:Warriors 103, Rockets 89 (3)Los Angeles Lakersvs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves win series 4-1 Game 1:Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95 Game 2:Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85 Game 3:Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104 Game 4:Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113 Game 5:Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96 (4)Denver Nuggetsvs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers Nuggets win series 4-3 Game 1:Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 Game 2:Clippers 105, Nuggets 102 Game 3:Clippers 117, Nuggets 83 Game 4:Nuggets 101, Clippers 99 Game 5:Nuggets 131, Clippers 115 Game 6:Clippers 111, Nuggets 105 Game 7:Nuggets 120, Clippers 101 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA Finals bracket: Pacers vs. Thunder schedule, times, TV

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

NBA Finals bracket 2025: Pacers vs. Thunder schedule, times, TV

NBA Finals bracket 2025: Pacers vs. Thunder schedule, times, TV The NBA Finals are set following theIndiana Pacers' victory over theNew ...

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AP PHOTOS: Fans watch as Paris Saint-Germain wins the Champions League for the first time

AP PHOTOS: Fans watch as Paris Saint-Germain wins the Champions League for the first time

AP photographers capture fans watching the Champions League final won for the first time by Paris Saint-Germain in Munich on Saturday. PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5-0, a record margin in the final in the tournament's 69 years. This gallery has been curated by AP photo editors. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

AP PHOTOS: Fans watch as Paris Saint-Germain wins the Champions League for the first time

AP PHOTOS: Fans watch as Paris Saint-Germain wins the Champions League for the first time AP photographers capture fans watching the Champio...

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Teagan Kavan leads Texas softball to WCWS win vs Oklahoma hours after grandmother dies

Teagan Kavan leads Texas softball to WCWS win vs Oklahoma hours after grandmother dies

Teagan Kavan's right arm was dominant Saturday in helping herTexas softball team earn its first-ever winagainst rivalOklahomain theWomen's College World Series. Her excellence inside the pitching circle, however, came with a heavy heart. Kavan's complete-game performance in the Longhorns' 4-2 win against the four-time reigning NCAA championSoonerscame only hours after her grandmother diedSaturday morning at 97 years old. REQUIRED READING:Texas vs Oklahoma softball score: Longhorns score first ever WCWS win vs Sooners Kavan's grandmother was an instrumental force not only in her life, but her softball career. The 6-foot sophomore from West Des Moines, Iowa wears No. 17 in honor of her grandmother, who was born on Nov. 17, 1928. Despite being hundreds of miles away from Texas' campus, her grandmother watched every Longhorns game. When she'd get too nervous in a given moment to watch it live, she'd watch a replay of it later. As Kavan once said, "softball is her favorite part of most days. Her love and support for me knows no bounds." "My grandma, she's got the best seat in the house,"Kavan said in a postgame interview with ESPN. "This is where she wants me. She's rooting for us all the way. This is where she wants us." all heart from@teagan_kavan🤘#HookEm|@NCAASoftballpic.twitter.com/0ir1ghqfiu — Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball)May 31, 2025 In Saturday's win, Kavan kept one of college softball's most potent lineups largely in check, giving up two runs, only one of which was earned, and striking out eight in seven innings of work. In just her second college season, Kavan has been the ace of a Texas team that will be one of just two remaining unbeaten squads left in the WCWS by the end of the day on May 31. The win against the Sooners improved her record to 26-5 this season, and she leads all Longhorns pitchers with a 2.40 ERA and 221 strikeouts. She was named a second-team All-American this season by Softball America, D1Softball and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. WCWS SCHEDULE:Scores, start times, TV channels for Saturday NCAA softball games On Saturday, she saved her best, and certainly guttiest, performance of the season for her team's biggest game. "Through her, my teammates, they all have my back," Kavan said to ESPN. "All 21, 22 of us, they all have my back. … It was all for her. It was beyond me, honestly. Just relying on them, looking at them in the eyes and getting confidence from them." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Teagan Kavan keys Texas WCWS win vs Oklahoma after grandmother's death

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Teagan Kavan leads Texas softball to WCWS win vs Oklahoma hours after grandmother dies

Teagan Kavan leads Texas softball to WCWS win vs Oklahoma hours after grandmother dies Teagan Kavan's right arm was dominant Saturday in...

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White House urges Iran to accept nuclear deal as IAEA reports uranium enrichment spike

White House urges Iran to accept nuclear deal as IAEA reports uranium enrichment spike

TheWhite Houseon Saturday said it is in Iran's "best interest to accept" its proposal on a nuclear deal following a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency saying the country is swiftly increasing its stockpile of near weapons-grade enriched uranium. "President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it. Out of respect for the ongoing deal, the administration will not comment on details of the proposal to the media." The IAEA's reportsaid Iranhad increased its stockpile to 900.8 pounds of uranium enriched by up to 60% as of May 17, a nearly 50% increase since the agency's last report in February, which put the stockpile at 605.8 pounds. The report said Iran is "the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material," which is a "serious concern." Iran Condemns Austria Over Report On Advanced Nuclear Weapons Program The IAEAadded that just 92 pounds of 60% enriched uranium is enough to produce an atomic bomb if it is enriched to 90%. Read On The Fox News App Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but U.S. intelligence agencies say the country has "undertaken activities that better position it to produce anuclear device, if it chooses to do so." Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a joint statement that the report was based on "unreliable and differing information sources," claiming that it was biased and unprofessional. The statement added, "The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its disappointment about the report, which was prepared by imposing pressure on the agency for political purposes, and expresses its obvious objection about its content." On Thursday, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that he was unsure a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal could be imminently reached. "Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights — including enrichment," he wrote. Iran Foreign Minister Vows Nuclear Enrichment Will Continue 'With Or Without A Deal' Oman Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi presented the Trump administration's first formal proposal in Tehran Saturday, which calls for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment and for a regional consortium that includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states and the U.S. for producing nuclear power, TheNew York Times reported, citing people familiar with the document. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also put out a rare statement on a Saturday about the IAEA's report, calling it "grave." "The agency presents a stark picture that serves as a clear warning sign: Despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program," Netanyahu's office said. "The report strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful. This is evident from the alarming scope of Iran's uranium enrichment activity. Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever. "The report clearly indicates that Iran remains in non-compliance of its fundamental commitments and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and continues to withhold cooperation from IAEA inspectors. The international community must act now to stop Iran." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source:White House urges Iran to accept nuclear deal as IAEA reports uranium enrichment spike

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

White House urges Iran to accept nuclear deal as IAEA reports uranium enrichment spike

White House urges Iran to accept nuclear deal as IAEA reports uranium enrichment spike TheWhite Houseon Saturday said it is in Iran's ...

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South Korea is voting for a new president after six months of political chaos. Here’s what to know

South Korea is voting for a new president after six months of political chaos. Here's what to know

After half a year of political turmoil, uncertainty and division, South Korea will vote for a new president to succeed Yoon Suk Yeol, the disgraced former leader who plunged the democratic nation into chaos by declaring martial law in December. This election feels particularly significant; the country, a US ally andAsian economic and cultural powerhouse, has floundered for months with a revolving door of interim leaders while navigating Yoon's impeachment trial and a multipronged investigation into the fateful night of his short-lived power grab. All the while, South Korea's economy has suffered, with US President Donald Trump's trade war and a potential global recession looming in the background. Two men are each promising to help the country recover if elected – a lawyer turned politician dogged by legal cases who survived an assassination attempt, and a former anti-establishment activist turned conservative minister. Polls open on Tuesday morning and a winner could be declared by Wednesday. Here's what you need to know. The frontrunner is Lee Jae-myung, 60, of the liberal opposition Democratic Party. A former underage factory worker from a poor family, Lee became a human rights lawyer before entering politics. He is a former mayor and governor, and most recently served as a lawmaker after narrowly losing to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election. He survivedan assassination attemptin January 2024 when a man stabbed him in the neck during a public event. He again made headlines on December 3, 2024 – the night Yoon declared martial law and sent troops to parliament. Lee was among the lawmakers who rushed to the legislature and pushed past soldiers to hold an emergency vote to lift martial law. Helive streamed himselfjumping over a fence to enter the building, in a viral video viewed tens of millions of times. On the campaign trail, Lee promised political and economic reforms, including more controls on a president's ability to declare martial law, and revising the constitution to allow two four-year presidential terms instead of the current single five-year term. He has emphasized easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula while holding on to the longtime goal of denuclearizing North Korea; he also supports boosting small businesses and growing the AI industry. But Lee has also been dogged by legal cases, including several ongoing trials for alleged bribery and charges related to a property development scandal. Separately, he was convicted of violating election law in another ongoing case that has been sent to an appeals court. Lee denies all the charges against him. Speaking to CNN in December, he claimed he had been indicted on various charges "without any evidence or basis," and that the allegations are politically motivated. Lee's main rival is Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP). When Yoonleft the party in May,he urged supporters to back Kim – a 73-year-old former labor minister, who had been a prominent labor activist at university, even being expelled and imprisoned for his protests. He eventually joined a conservative party, and stepped into the nomination after several rounds of party infighting. The PPP initially selected Kim as its candidate; then dropped him, eyeing former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo instead. The party finally chose Kim after he filed legal challenges. But the PPP remains deeply divided and its candidate trailed Lee in pre-election polling. In a statement after his nomination, Kim vowed to seek unity and build a "big tent" coalition to take on Lee,according to Reuters. Kim has also promised to reform the country's politics, judiciary and election management systems to rebuild public trust. His campaign emphasized making South Korea business-friendly through tax cuts and eased restrictions, and by promoting new technologies and nuclear energy. Several third-party and independent candidates are also running for the presidency. They include Lee Jun-seok, a former PPP leader who founded his own conservative New Reform Party last year. At the forefront of voters' minds is the country's flailing economy and rising cost of living. Youth unemploymenthas surgedand consumption has declined, with the economyunexpectedly contractingin the first quarter of this year. Part of that is due to Trump's trade war – which has hit South Korea's export-reliant economy hard.South Korea's exports to the US fellsharply in the first few weeks of April after US tariffs kicked in, andthe nation's largest airline haswarned the downturn could cost it up to $100 million a year. Though officials from both nations have met for tariff talks, the political turmoil at home is likely slowing progress and hampering a possible trade deal until a new South Korean president is elected. That's why both main candidates have focused on the economy, promising to stabilize the cost of goods and improve opportunities in housing, education and jobs. But there's a host of other problems the next president will have to tackle, too – such as the country'srapidly aging societyandplummeting birth rates, which represent an urgent demographic crisis also seen in other countries in the region likeJapanandChina. Among the common complaints of young couples and singles are the high cost of childcare, gender inequality and discrimination against working parents. Then there are regional tensions. There's the ever-present threat from North Korea, which hasrapidly modernized its armed forces, developingnew weaponsand testing intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach almost anywhere in the United States. Experts have warned in recent years that the country may also be preparing to resume nuclear tests, which it paused in 2018. Across the Yellow Sea lies China, which South Korea has a strong trade relationship with – but historically fraught diplomatic relations. South Korea also maintains a close security alliance with the US, and hosts nearly 30,000 American troops in the country. In recent years, South Korea, Japan and the US have drawn closer together, working to counter Chinese influence in the strategically important Asia-Pacific region. Yoon was removed from office in April following months of legal wrangling, after parliamentvoted to impeach himlate last year. It was a remarkable fall from grace for the former prosecutor turned politician, who rose to prominence for his role in the impeachment of another president – only to eventually meet the same fate. Soon after, Yoon moved out from the presidential residency and into an apartment in the capital Seoul. But his legal battles are ongoing; he faces charges including insurrection, an offense punishable by life imprisonment or death (though South Korea has not executed anyone in decades). Yoon denies all charges against him. CNN's Yoonjung Seo and Gawon Bae contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

South Korea is voting for a new president after six months of political chaos. Here’s what to know

South Korea is voting for a new president after six months of political chaos. Here's what to know After half a year of political turmoi...

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At least 7 killed, 30 injured after bridge collapse, train derailment in Russia near Ukraine

At least 7 killed, 30 injured after bridge collapse, train derailment in Russia near Ukraine

At least seven people were killed and 30 hospitalized after "illegal interference" caused a bridge to collapse and a train to derail in Russia's Bryansk region that borders Ukraine, Russian authorities said early on June 1. The train's locomotive and several cars derailed "due to the collapse of a span structure of the road bridge as a result of an illegal interference in the operation of transport," Russian Railways said on the Telegram messaging app. Two children were among those hospitalized, one of them in serious condition, Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, said on Telegram. Among those killed was the locomotive driver, Russia's state news agencies reported, citing medics. More:'Very disappointed': Trump continues to criticize Putin's war tactics during negotiations Russia's ministry of emergency situations said on Telegram that its main efforts were aimed at finding and rescuing victims, and that some 180 personnel were involved in the operation. Russia's Baza Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported, without providing evidence, that according to preliminary information, the bridge was blown up. Reuters could not independently verify the Baza report. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Since the start of the war that Russia launched more than three years ago, there have been continued cross-border shelling, drone strikes, and covert raids from Ukraine into the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions that border Ukraine. The train was going from the town of Klimovo to Moscow, Russian Railways said. It collided with the collapsed bridge in the area of a federal highway in the Vygonichskyi district of the Bryansk region, Bogomaz said. The district lies some 62 miles from the border with Ukraine. More:US and Russia clash over intensifying Ukraine war U.S. PresidentDonald Trumphas urged Moscow and Kyiv to work together on a deal to end the war, and Russia has proposed a second round of face-to-face talks with Ukrainian officials next week in Istanbul. Ukraine is yet to commit to attending the talks on Monday, saying it first needed to see Russian proposals, while a leading U.S. senator warned Moscow it would be "hit hard" by new U.S. sanctions. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Daniel Wallis) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Seven killed, 30 hurt after bridge collapse causes train derailment

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

At least 7 killed, 30 injured after bridge collapse, train derailment in Russia near Ukraine

At least 7 killed, 30 injured after bridge collapse, train derailment in Russia near Ukraine At least seven people were killed and 30 hospit...

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Mookie Betts' late-night mishap leaves Dodgers star sidelined for 2nd straight game with broken toe

Mookie Betts' late-night mishap leaves Dodgers star sidelined for 2nd straight game with broken toe

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers shortstopMookie Bettsfractured his fourth left toe and missed his second straight game Saturday. "The last couple days, it's been hard for him to even put on a shoe, so that's obviously why he's not in the lineup," manager Dave Roberts said. "But I still don't believe it's going to be an IL stint. I think day-to-day is fair right now." Roberts said Betts injured himself after the Dodgers returned from their road trip midweek. "It was something in the middle of the night in his house, in his bedroom," he said. "It was dark and he kind of hit something." Rookie Hyeseong Kim started in Betts' place Saturday against the New York Yankees. Betts missed the Dodgers' season-opening series in Japan with an illness that caused him to drop weight because he wasn't able to keep food down. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Mookie Betts' late-night mishap leaves Dodgers star sidelined for 2nd straight game with broken toe

Mookie Betts' late-night mishap leaves Dodgers star sidelined for 2nd straight game with broken toe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodge...

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Shohei Ohtani throws 29 pitches in 2nd live batting practice since elbow surgery

Shohei Ohtani throws 29 pitches in 2nd live batting practice since elbow surgery

LOS ANGELES (AP) —Shohei Ohtanichecked off another step Saturday as he works toward making his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-way superstar faced hitters for the second time since elbow surgery, throwing 29 pitches at Dodger Stadium in a 25-minute session before the defending World Series champions played the New York Yankees. Ohtani threw 22 pitches in hisfirst live batting practicelast weekend in New York. The stadium music was turned off and everyone from teammates to workers to media watched Ohtani. A Los Angeles Police Department helicopter flew noisily overhead. Freddie Freeman's 8-year-old son, Charlie, stood in the outfield holding his glove. Kiké Hernández sat cross-legged behind the mound. Ohtani threw to seven batters from Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in a simulated setting. He came out of it well, according to manager Dave Roberts. "He's just using his entire arsenal, also with today doing the up-down, he's certainly well beyond where he was in spring (training)," Roberts said. Against his first batter, Ohtani fielded a grounder to the left of the mound and made throw to first where no one was. The second hitter laced a single to right. He gave up a few more singles. Roberts looked on from third base and pitching coach Mark Prior stood behind the mound. Ohtani paused at times to talk to Prior. Roberts guessed the right-hander's velocity was "somewhere in the mid-90s." "I think he would wishes his command would have been a little bit better," Roberts said, "but really positive day for sure." Roberts said Ohtani could throw another two or possibly three innings next Saturday. The three-time MVP isn't expected to pitch in a major league game until after the All-Star break in mid-July. "You still got to get to five or six innings, so we still got a ways to go," Roberts said. Ohtani was coming offa two-homer performancein the Dodgers' 8-5 series-opening win Friday night. He leads the majors with 22 homers. "I think the thing that's most impressive is his ability to compartmentalize," Roberts said. "He's essentially doing the work of two players and still to go out there and perform on the offensive side is pretty remarkable." Ohtani is recovering from surgery in September 2023, the second major operation on his right elbow since he arrived in the majors from Japan. He hasn't pitched in a big league game since Aug. 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings during five seasons as a big league pitcher. He had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Oct. 1, 2018, and returned to a major league mound on July 26, 2020, though he was limited to just two starts during the pandemic-shortened season. He didn't speak with media after his session. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Shohei Ohtani throws 29 pitches in 2nd live batting practice since elbow surgery

Shohei Ohtani throws 29 pitches in 2nd live batting practice since elbow surgery LOS ANGELES (AP) —Shohei Ohtanichecked off another step Sat...

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Amari Avery has to borrow a friend's clubs and still manages to make cut in the U.S. Women's Open

Amari Avery has to borrow a friend's clubs and still manages to make cut in the U.S. Women's Open

ERIN, Wis. (AP) — Amari Avery had to borrow a friend's clubs for one of the biggest rounds of her life and still found a way to make the cut in the U.S. Women's Open. That was just part of an eventful weekend that also included an attempted break-in at the place where she was initially staying. "To say it was wild is putting it pretty nice," Avery quipped after completing her third round Saturday at Erin Hills. Avery's frantic Friday began at about 2 a.m. when she said her family had to notify the police about a suspicious person at the place in Milwaukee where they were sleeping. "My boyfriend, my mom, and my dad saw the person outside the door, so it was a little bit scary," Avery said. "We just kind of stayed back away from the front door, and we were just kind of hoping it would solve itself. It was nice that the guy ended up leaving and the police came and made us feel more safe." They then packed up their things while Avery's boyfriend, Gavin Aurilia, prepared to board a flight out of town. One problem: Aurilia inadvertently left with Avery's clubs instead of his own. Avery and Aurilia both have played collegiately at Southern California. "We use the same (bag) from USC, so it's obviously the exact same, it looks the exact same," Avery said. "I think it's equally my dad and my boyfriend's fault for not checking the bags. But they loaded it in the car, my dad took him to the airport, and he grabbed the wrong set. That was that, and we actually didn't realize until about like 12:15, before my tee time." Then the potential fallout from this oversight started to sink in. "I sat in my hotel at 12:30 like, 'I guess I am going to pull out from the U.S. Open after a pretty solid round,' " Avery said. "I was obviously devastated." Avery got rescued by former USC teammate Gabi Ruffels, who played Saturday morning and was unlikely to make the cut after finishing the first two rounds at 7-over par. "My agent asked, 'Do you want to use her clubs?' " Avery said. "I was like, 'Well, how did she play?' Because I was like, if she's playing good, no one in their right mind is giving me their clubs. I probably wouldn't, either, and I'm a nice person. "But unfortunately for her, she missed the cut, but it was fortunate for me and she's obviously a very class act, great friend of mine, so she lent me the clubs." Avery carded a 73 with the borrowed clubs in the second round, good enough to enable her to make the cut. She was playing her 17th hole of the day when darkness forced a suspension of play Friday night. Avery finished the round Saturday morning after her own clubs already had been returned to Wisconsin, though United States Golf Association rules required her to finish that round with the same equipment she'd used at the start of it. Avery got her own clubs back because Aurilia's mother had caught a flight from Phoenix on Friday to bring them to her. "I can't thank her enough," Avery said. "I can't thank my whole inner circle enough. To hop on a flight like that is crazy, and I'm just super grateful." Avery actually posted a better score with the borrowed clubs in the second round than she did with her own clubs in the third round. On a day when scores across the board were much weaker than they'd been in the first two rounds, Avery posted a 76, though she nearly aced the 189-yard, par-3 No. 6. "Based on the score and just based on how I felt yesterday, I felt like Gabi's clubs were honestly pretty good," Avery said. "I joked with her last night after I called her and I said, 'Obviously, thank you so much for lending me the clubs.' I was like, 'I might take your putter.' Like I love my putter, like everyone knows that. But I don't know, my college coach said I gained putts yesterday. "I was like, maybe I should take her putter and maybe like an iron or two. But, no, it was nice to have my clubs back." ___ AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Amari Avery has to borrow a friend's clubs and still manages to make cut in the U.S. Women's Open

Amari Avery has to borrow a friend's clubs and still manages to make cut in the U.S. Women's Open ERIN, Wis. (AP) — Amari Avery had ...

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Who could be the next face of DOGE?

Who could be the next face of DOGE?

A few names are coming into view as people who could lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which all signs suggest will have a big influence even with Elon Musk's departure from his official government work. The White House insists no single person will lead DOGE and that every Cabinet secretary and host of other officials will continue Musk's work. A few individuals stand out, however. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought is where "all the attention is turning toward," said Jordan Wood, a former communications aide in Trump's first term. "Elon was the necessary disruptor—he bulldozed his way in and got everyone's attention. But Russ is the operator. He understands how government really works better than just about anyone in the administration. He's methodical and knows exactly which levers to pull from the inside," Wood said. A source close to Trump World also pointed to Vought as the one person who would be at the helm, but noted that DOGE under Musk was not always politically popular. "DOGE served its purpose – but like much with Trump world, rapid fire approach can sometimes miss the political mark," the source said. Musk joined President Trump in the Oval Office for a press conference on Friday to mark his final day as a special government employee, which has a 130 day limit. "This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning," Musk said, adding that he is confident the team will be able to find $1 trillion in savings. "I'll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and adviser to the president," he added. Trump also suggested that Musk will continue to be a major figure in his administration, telling reporters, "Elon's really not leaving – he's going to be back and forth." Musk began Trump's second term with big plans to cut up to $2 trillion from the federal budget and as of Friday, DOGEestimatesthat it has saved $175 billion overall due to its cuts. That came with the firings of thousands of federal employees across multiple agencies, big and small. Meanwhile, Vought had previously advocated for slashing federal spending and putting federal bureaucrats "in trauma" prior to his appointment at OMB. Vought His agency was also at the center of a controversial memo in January that had called for agencies to freeze funding to ensure it aligned with the administration's priorities. Anew memo this weekfrom the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that directed agencies to not hire individuals based on their race, sex or religion, directs heads of departments to send reports to OPM and OMB by the end of June. Vought, at the helm of OMB, would receive those reports on recruitment and eliminating such practices the administration deems discriminatory. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller has also been floated as someone who can take over the work of DOGE. While one Trump ally pointed to Vought as the likeliest individual to spearhead DOGE's efforts in Musk's absence, the source noted Miller would likely seek to keep the federal bureaucracy in check. Miller, for his part, is a longtime Washington, D.C. figure who worked as a GOP Senate staffer and is well-acquainted with the ins and outs of the federal government. He replied to Musk's poston Xabout his time as a special government employee coming to an end to highlight the work. "The work DOGE has done to eliminate government waste and corruption — the rot embedded deep within Washington — is among the most valuable services ever rendered to government. And the work has only just begun," Miller said. Miller's wife, Katie Miller, was an adviser and spokesperson for Musk at DOGE and was among the few top officials who exited with the Tesla CEO. She is going to work for Musk full-time in the private sector, a source familiar told The Hill, confirming reportingfrom CNN. Ultimately, though, the Trump ally argued there was unlikely to be a single new face of DOGE. Musk's style and omnipresence would be difficult to replicate, the ally said, and a single leader is likely unnecessary at this point with major cuts to government staffing in particular already implemented. "As I understand it, Russ would oversee it in more of a team effort way, versus one person being the face," the Trump ally said. That's in line with what press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday in terms of who the next face of DOGE would be. She said that Trump's entire Cabinet would be tasked with rooting out what they see as waste and fraud. "The entire Cabinet understands the need to cut government waste, fraud and abuse and each Cabinet secretary at their respective agencies is committed, that's why they were working hand in hand with Elon Musk and they'll continue to work with the respective DOGE employees who have onboarded as political appointees at all of the agencies," she said. During their work to overhaul the federal workforce, DOGE staff members went into various agencies and some stayed working in those agencies and are embedded in them now. While many Cabinet officials embraced the work of DOGE, there was some pushback from the likes of FBI director Kash Patelwho told his staff in Februaryto hold off on replying to outreach from Musk. Wood argued that embedded DOGE workers could make more of an impact overhauling the government. "This shift from high-profile disruption to quiet execution could actually make the cuts more effective—and a lot harder to reverse," Wood said. To be sure, Musk is a unique figure to replace. He is the richest man in the world who sometimes espouses wild conspiracy theories, hassparked controversyover his alleged drug use, and with him also comes big-ticket checks for high-dollar political fundraising. The Tesla CEO has compared himself to the Buddha to argue that his efforts to slash the federal budget and workforce will carry on even after he leaves the White House. "Is Buddha needed for Buddhism?" Musk quipped in a briefing to a small group of reporters last month, when asked who will fill his avoid. He called DOGE "a way of life" and said converts have been made inside of the administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Who could be the next face of DOGE?

Who could be the next face of DOGE? A few names are coming into view as people who could lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)...

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Pro-EU and MAGA visions clash in Poland's closely fought presidential runoff

Pro-EU and MAGA visions clash in Poland's closely fought presidential runoff

By Alan Charlish WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland holds a knife-edge presidential election on Sunday which will determine whether the largest country in the European Union's eastern wing cements its place in the bloc's mainstream or turns towards MAGA-style nationalism. Turnout holds the key to the contest between Rafal Trzaskowski of ruling centrists Civic Coalition (KO), who holds a narrow lead, and Karol Nawrocki, backed by nationalists Law and Justice (PiS). Parliament holds most power in Poland but the president can veto legislation so the vote is being watched closely in neighbouring Ukraine, as well as in Russia, the U.S. and across the EU. Both candidates agree on the need to spend heavily on defence, as U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding from Europe, and to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's three-year-old invasion. But while Trzaskowski sees Ukraine's future membership of NATO as essential for Poland's security, Nawrocki has recently said he would not ratify it as president as this could draw the alliance into a war with Russia. Trzaskowski says strong relations with both Brussels and Washington are essential for Poland's security, but Nawrocki, who met Trump in the White House in May, prioritises relations with the United States. If Nawrocki wins, he is likely to follow a similar path to President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally who has used his veto power to block the government's efforts to undo the previous PiS administration's judicial reforms which the EU says undermined the independence of the courts. Coming around a year-and-a half since Prime Minister Donald Tusk took office, the vote provides the stiffest test yet of support for his broad coalition government, with Nawrocki presenting the ballot as a referendum on its actions. Voting begins at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and is due to end at 9 p.m., with exit polls published soon afterwards. The electoral commission says it hopes final results will be announced on Monday morning or early afternoon. Opinion polls show that the difference between the candidates is within the margin of error. In 2023, huge queues outside polling stations in large cities forced some to stay open later than planned. Analysts said that high participation by younger, liberal, urban Poles was crucial in securing a majority for Tusk. Trzaskowski is hoping that such scenes will be repeated on Sunday. "Encourage everyone, so that as many Poles as possible vote in the presidential election," he told a rally in Wloclawek, central Poland, on Friday. Nawrocki, who draws inspiration from United States President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, told supporters in Biala Podlaska in the country's east that "these elections could be decided by single votes". SOCIAL ISSUES The two candidates also differ on social issues, with Trzaskowski favouring the liberalisation of abortion laws and introduction of civil partnerships for LGBT couples, while Nawrocki says predominantly Catholic Poland should reject such moves. The first round of the election on May 18 saw a surge in support for the anti-establishment far-right, suggesting that the KO-PiS duopoly that has dominated Polish politics for a generation may be starting to fracture. Nevertheless, after a tumultuous campaign in which Nawrocki in particular faced a slew of negative media reports about his alleged past conduct, once again candidates representing the two main parties are facing off in the second round. PiS has traditionally enjoyed high support in small towns and rural areas, especially in the south and east. These areas are typically more socially conservative than larger cities and poorer, creating a sense of exclusion that PiS has tapped into. "They want to build a Poland for the elites," Nawrocki told voters in Biala Podlaska, referring to his opponents from KO. "I am simply one of you, I am a citizen of the Polish state who has travelled a long road to be able to today face a person who is the creation of a political laboratory!" KO, meanwhile, campaigns on a pro-European centrist agenda that appeals to more liberal-minded Poles who mainly live in cities or bigger towns. Trzaskowski took heart from the turnout at a rally in Ciechanow, central Poland. "Looking at this mobilisation, I see how much hope you have - hope in a future in which Poland plays a leading role in the European Union," he said. (Reporting by Alan Charlish; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Pro-EU and MAGA visions clash in Poland's closely fought presidential runoff

Pro-EU and MAGA visions clash in Poland's closely fought presidential runoff By Alan Charlish WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland holds a knife-ed...

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Germany's new chancellor, Merz, to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday

Germany's new chancellor, Merz, to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday

BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will travel to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, German and U.S. officials said on Saturday. This will be Merz's first visit to the United States since taking office on May 6, and comes amid high tensions between the trans-Atlantic partners over trade and the Russian war in Ukraine. The visit was confirmed by a German government spokesman and a White House official. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Toby Chopra)

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Germany's new chancellor, Merz, to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday

Germany's new chancellor, Merz, to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Germany's new chancellor, Frie...

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Travis Kelce retiring? Patrick Mahomes, Greg Olsen talk TE's future

Travis Kelce retiring? Patrick Mahomes, Greg Olsen talk TE's future

Travis Kelcehas checked off all the boxes on the football field – except retirement. Everyone has an opinion on the 35-year-old, who is coming off, statistically, the worst season of his career since becoming the starter for theKansas City Chiefs. As he authors the final pages for the story of his football career, Kelce's retirement continues to be a topic. In aninterview with USA TODAY's Mackenzie Salmon, former NFL tight end and current Fox Sports broadcaster Greg Olsen spoke about Kelce's future. "He's got the world at his fingertips," Olsen said. "I think he's one of the unique guys that's gonna be able to control how he leaves the game and when. And that's not the reality for most guys." Kelce, who will turn 36 in October, is coming off a bad season by his standards. He totaled 97 receptions, 823 yards and only three touchdowns. While that may be a career-year for some, it continued a downward trend that began following the 2023 season. Despite that reality, Olsen highlighted how he was also 36 in his last season, noting that he wasn't as productive as Kelce has been at this stage. "He was highly productive last year," Olsen said. "I think we've kind of gotten spoiled that we think every year he's gonna have twelve-hundred yards and 10 touchdowns. And I don't think people realize just how hard that is. I wouldn't put a limit on anything he does." He added that he could call it quits after this upcoming season or play a few more years. Olsen maintained that Kelce has done enough throughout his career to be afforded the opportunity to leave when he wants to. Retirement talk has been a common theme throughout theChiefs' run of success, especially in the lead-up to Super Bowl 59 before they lost to thePhiladelphia Eagles. Now with training camp around the corner, even quarterbackPatrick Mahomesis being asked about Kelce's future. "If it's the last ride, you would never know,"Mahomes said in a press conference Thursday. "The way he's talking about football, the way he's talking about working and trying to be even better this year than he was last year. He doesn't seem like a guy that, it's his last ride or he's tired of the job. He's in here, he's working. I know his body feels good. I think it feels better than even last year before going into last season. I think he's motivated to go out there and have an even better year." Kelce appeared to truly debate walking away from the game this offseason but elected to return for another season. He spoke about that decision during theMarch 5 episode of his "New Heights" podcastwith his brother, Jason. "I think the biggest thing is that I (expletive) love playing the game of football," Kelce said. "I love playing. I still feel like I can play it at a high level and possibly at a higher level than I did last year. I don't think it was my best outing. I think I let my guys down in a lot more moments than I helped them, especially if you look at my track record and how I've been in years past. I want to give it a good run. I got a bad taste in my mouth in how I ended the year and how well I was playing and how accountable I was to the people around me." Of course, the Chiefs have played a lot of football over the years and the miles can begin to add up. It's not out of the question that Kelce's drop in production could be attributed in part to fatigue, especially given the attention he receives from defenses every week. All eyes will be on Kelce as he enters his 13th season NFL season and 12th as the starter, which will be the final year of his current contract. It carries a $19.8 million cap hit for 2025,according to Spotrac. Having already accomplished so much, these final years can be about chasing more rings and putting a bow on a great career. He's a three-time Super Bowl champion, a four-time All-Pro and has been selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times. He's a lock for the Hall of Fame and statistically ranks amongst the best tight ends in NFL history – No. 3 in receptions (1,004) and yards (12,151), despite playing just 11 seasons as the Chiefs primary starter at the position. Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten, the two who rank above Kelce in those categories, each finished their careers with 16 seasons as a starter. Off the field, Kelce is one-half of arguably the biggest celebrity couples going right now given his relationship with Taylor Swift. He has a successful podcast with his brother, helping him maintain his media presence. Retirement will continue to be a storyline on the field. Off of it, however, Kelce appears to just be getting started. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Travis Kelce retirement: Patrick Mahomes, Greg Olsen on TE future

byAlex Perish

in

May 31, 2025

Travis Kelce retiring? Patrick Mahomes, Greg Olsen talk TE's future

Travis Kelce retiring? Patrick Mahomes, Greg Olsen talk TE's future Travis Kelcehas checked off all the boxes on the football field – ex...

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