Tensions are growing between India and Pakistan after an attack killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir. As the exchange of accusations and gunfire continues, Kashmiris fear for what is to come.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in her sharpest remarks about President Trump since leaving office, blasted his policies as a dangerous betrayal of the nation’s founding principles and warned Wednesday of a looming constitutional crisis.

“Now I know tonight’s event happens to coincide with the 100 days after the inauguration,” she told about 500 people at a fundraising gala at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. “And I’ll leave it to others to give a full accounting of what has happened so far. But I will say this, instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals.”

The end result — cutting the size of government, privatizing services, giving tax breaks to the rich and slashing public education — predate Trump and are the outcome of decades-long efforts to reshape the nation’s norms and safety net, she said.

“It’s an agenda. A narrow, self-serving vision of America where they punish truth tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power, and leave everyone to fend for themselves,” Harris said. “All while abandoning allies and retreating from the world. And folks, what we are experiencing right now is exactly what they envision for America. Right now, we are living in their vision for America. But this is not a vision that Americans want.”

A Trump spokesman dismissed Harris’ remarks.

“A failed loser desperately clinging to relevance as she spirals into the political abyss,” White House spokesman Steven Cheung posted on X.

Harris’ roughly 15-minute speech at a fundraiser for Emerge, which focuses on electing female Democrats, comes amid mounting speculation about whether she will run for California governor in 2026 to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom. Harris has been criticized by top Democrats already in the race for not announcing her intentions thus far. Harris, 60, could forgo that race and instead decide to run for president for a third time in 2028.

Since losing the presidential election to Trump in November, Harris has appeared in public a few times but largely avoided wading into the political turmoil that has consumed the nation since she left office in January.

After conceding defeat in the presidential race, Harris spoke to students in the Maryland Corps service year program. Harris also made brief remarks after meeting with firefighters and volunteers in Altadena hours after attending Trump’s inauguration, taking in a Broadway show, accepting an award from the NAACP in February and making a surprise appearance at a national conference of Black female business and political leaders in Dana Point.

In those appearances, Harris spoke about the erosion of rights for minorities, women and the LGBTQ+ community under Trump, without mentioning him by name, and pledged to stay active in politics.

But Harris’ remarks Wednesday were her most pointed to date, taking place one day after Trump’s 100th day in office, in the city that launched her political career by electing her district attorney in 2003 and was her first stop in California after becoming the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024. Her speech was also the first time since leaving office that she’s publicly mentioned Trump by name.

Harris argued that citizens’ dissent is the strongest, most effective way to stop Trump’s policies.

“We all know, President Trump and his administration and their allies are counting on the notion that fear can be contagious. They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others,” she said. “But what they’re overlooking, what they have overlooked, is that fear isn’t the only thing that’s contagious. Courage is contagious.”

She pointed to Americans’ protests over Trump policies that she said have created “the greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history.” Such policies are raising the cost of living and sinking the value of retirement savings, threatening Social Security and the deportation of citizens and others without due process, she said.

“The courage of all these Americans inspires me,” Harris said.

Harris said she has been asked about what’s on her mind these days, and she pointed to the viral video of elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park forming a circle to protect their calves during an earthquake this month.

“As soon as they felt the earth shaking beneath their feet, they got in a circle and stood next to each other to protect the most vulnerable,” she said. “Think about it, what a powerful metaphor.”

Harris said while some use fear to divide and conquer, the animals demonstrated the power of standing together.

“In the face of crisis, the lesson is, don’t scatter. The instinct has to be to immediately find and connect with each other and to know that the circle will be strong,” Harris said. “I am not here tonight to offer all the answers, but I am here to say this: You are not alone, and we are all in this together. And straight talk, things are probably going to get worse before they get better. But we are ready for it. We are not going to scatter. We are going to stand together.”

The dynasty continues for Palisades High lacrosse.

A season that began with uncertainty ended in triumph Wednesday night in Woodland Hills, where the Dolphins outscored El Camino Real 14-5 to capture their 10th City Section boys championship, ninth in 10 years and fifth straight under head coach Dave Bucchino.

Will Fishman scored three goals, Gavin Zuniga and Dylan Wong each added two, and Maddox Walker made eight saves for the top-seeded Dolphins, who had to practice and play games off campus due to the Palisades fire.

“Our goal coming into every year is to win City and keep the streak going, but this year the fire got us fired up and made us even more determined,” said Fishman, a senior headed to Ohio State. “Half the players lost their homes but this is a great way to go out… winning a championship with my best friends.”

It marked the sixth consecutive finals clash between the teams and it was the closest margin in that span mostly because of the reflexes of Royals goalie Brandon De La Rosa, who made 20 saves. El Camino Real scored twice in the first four minutes to grab an early lead. After that it was all Palisades.

Matthew Belden had three goals and Garett Pike scored the other two for host and No. 2-seeded El Camino Real, which was eager to avenge two lopsided league losses during the regular season.

In the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, Palisades’ girls squad won its third straight section crown under head coach Dexter O’Connell with a 12-3 victory over El Camino Real. Freshman middie Elexus Ray led the way with nine goals, Emma Yoffe had two and Amanda Wexler added one as the Dolphins claimed their fourth title overall.

“I was on today and my teammates were looking for me,” said Ray, who racked up 17 goals in two playoff contests and finished the season with 113—putting her among the national leaders. “I was aiming for a lot of goals this season, but didn’t think I’d get over 100.”

Sarah Finestone had eight saves to up her season total to 145.

Kailani Mercury, Desarae Estana and Taylor Christensen all scored for El Camino Real, which beat Palisades in the 2021 and 2022 finals, but lost to the Dolphins 13-7 in last year’s title game.

Palisades’ boys and girls teams have both made the finals every year since the City sanctioned lacrosse playoffs in 2014 and this is the third straight time the Dolphins have won both the boys and girls titles.

THOUSANDS of Brits on benefits have just hours left to bag the cheapest broadband deal before prices go up this Friday.

BT is set to hike the cost of its Home Essentials social tariff from £15 to £16 a month on Friday, May 3.

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However, eligible customers can lock in the cheaper rate for the next 12 months before the price hike.

To do so, they must apply by tonight, Thursday 1 May .

The deal offers average speeds of 36Mbps, which is plenty for streaming, browsing and video calls. 

It’s aimed at people receiving certain benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance.

There’s a £12 upfront fee for postage and packaging, but the monthly broadband cost is fixed for a year and crucially, customers on the social tariff won’t be hit with mid-contract price rises, which many standard tariffs face every spring.

BT also offers a faster option at 67Mbps for £20 a month, which is due to rise to £21 from Friday.

Both tariffs are part of BT’s commitment to support low-income households with affordable connectivity.

Who can get it?

To be eligible for BT’s Home Essentials plan, you need to be receiving one of the following:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)

You don’t need to be an existing BT customer to apply, and you can switch even if you’re still in a contract with another provider without facing early exit fees.

Martin Lewis and his team at MoneySavingExpert have warned people to act quickly. 

In its latest newsletter, it said: “Check now, thousands are missing out, and this deal gets more expensive after Thursday. Apply NOW to lock in the cheaper price for a year.”

One reader who switched said she saved over £900 a year by moving her mum onto the £15 BT plan.

Why it matters

The cost of broadband has soared in recent years and inflation-linked mid-contract price hikes mean that millions of households face bills increasing by up to 8.8% this spring alone.

Yet despite rising costs, take-up of broadband social tariffs remains shockingly low.

According to Ofcom, over four million households in the UK are eligible for a cheaper broadband deal, but only 220,000 (around 5%) are actually signed up.

That means millions could be missing out on vital savings.

Other cheap deals available

BT isn’t the only provider offering social tariffs and depending on where you live and how fast your internet needs to be, you may find a better option elsewhere.

Here are some of the best social tariffs available:

• Virgin Media Essentials: £12.50/month for 15Mbps or £20/month for 54Mbps. No setup cost and a rolling 30-day contract.
• Sky Broadband Basics: £20/month for 36Mbps. 18-month contract, no setup fee.
• Vodafone Essentials: £12/month for 38Mbps or £20/month for 73Mbps. 12-month contract.
• Hyperoptic Fair Fibre: £15/month for 50Mbps or £20/month for 150Mbps. Rolling contract, available in select urban areas.
• NOW Broadband Basics: £20/month for 36Mbps. Includes line rental and has no setup cost.
• TalkTalk: Offers its Future Fibre social tariff in partnership with the DWP. It’s available to benefit claimants and provides full-fibre speeds at a lower cost.

TalkTalk’s low-cost broadband isn’t always listed alongside the others, but it may be an option for those already receiving benefits especially if you’re in an area with full-fibre availability.

Each of these providers has its own eligibility rules, so check directly with them.

How to apply for BT Home Essentials

To sign up for BT’s discounted broadband, head to the BT Home Essentials page and follow the steps to apply. You’ll need to prove your benefit status using your National Insurance number — BT checks this automatically with the DWP.

Once accepted, you can either switch to BT or downgrade your current BT plan without penalty.

If you’re on a low income or claiming benefits, switching to a social tariff could save you hundreds of pounds a year.

But time is running out, BT’s current £15 a month price expires at 11.59pm on Thursday.

REE says the outage cannot be blamed on Spain’s high share of renewable energy, cause not clear yet.

Spain’s grid operator has denied that solar power was to blame for the country’s worst blackout, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces increasing pressure to explain what went wrong.

Red Electrica de Espana (REE) on Wednesday said the source of the outage had been narrowed down to two separate incidents of loss of generation in substations in southwestern Spain, but stressed that it was too early to draw conclusions, as it had yet to identify their exact location.

REE’s head, former Socialist minister Beatriz Corredor, told Cadena SER radio that it was wrong to blame the outage on Spain’s high share of renewable energy.

“These technologies are already stable, and they have systems that allow them to operate as a conventional generation system without any safety issues,” she said, adding she was not considering resigning.

Life across the Iberian Peninsula was returning to normal after a power outage halted trains, shut airports and trapped people in lifts in Spain and Portugal on Monday.

Just before the system crashed, Spain’s solar energy accounted for 53 percent of electricity production, wind for almost 11 percent and nuclear and gas for 15 percent, according to REE data.

Political opponents criticised Sanchez for taking too long to explain the blackout and suggested he was covering up for failings, after his left-wing coalition government invested in expanding the renewable energy sector.

“Since REE has ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack, we can only point to the malfunctioning of REE, which has state investment and therefore its leaders are appointed by the government,” Miguel Tellado, a parliamentary spokesperson for the opposition conservative People’s Party, said in an interview on RTVE.

Tellado called for an independent investigation to be conducted by Spain’s parliament rather than the government probe Sanchez has announced. The prime minister has not ruled out a cyberattack, although this has been dismissed by REE.

Antonio Turiel, an energy expert at the state-owned Spanish National Research Council, told Onda Vasca radio station on Tuesday that the fundamental problem was the grid’s instability.

“A lot of renewable energy has been integrated without the responsive stabilisation systems that should have been in place,” he said, adding that vulnerabilities stemmed from “the unplanned and haphazard integration of a host of renewable systems”.

The government had forecast private and public investment of some 52 billion euros ($59bn) through 2030 to upgrade the power grid so it can handle the surge in demand from data centres and electric vehicles.

Tech giants beat Wall Street expectations after weeks of volatility in US stocks.

Tech giants Microsoft and Meta posted better-than-expected results in the first quarter of the year, offering some reprieve to investors after months of turbulence unleashed by United States President Donald Trump’s trade war.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reported a net quarter profit of $16.64bn, or $6.43 per share, for the January–March period – up 35 percent year-on-year.

Revenue rose 16 percent, ending at $42.31bn and higher than Wall Street expectations of about $41.4bn.

Microsoft posted a net quarter profit of $25.8bn, or $3.46 per share, and up 18 percent year-on-year.

The company’s revenue came to $70.1bn, up 13 percent year-on-year and ahead of analysts’ expectations.

Both companies cited artificial intelligence (AI) as a major driver of growth, helping to ease investors’ concerns about a possible slowdown in demand for the burgeoning technology.

Meta recently incorporated AI tools into its advertising business, its top source of revenue, while Microsoft reported strong growth in its cloud computing business.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, which has also invested heavily in AI, last week reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue of $90.23bn.

The results are a boost for the US tech sector, whose share prices have been on a rollercoaster ride since Trump returned to the White House on January 20.

The market value of the top seven US tech companies – Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, Apple and Alphabet – plunged by 24 percent, or $4.2 trillion, in the first 100 days after Trump’s inauguration.

Trump’s tariffs, including a 145 percent duty on China, have disrupted businesses and unnerved investors, who are anxiously awaiting his next moves following his announcement of a 90-day pause on so-called “reciprocal” duties targeting almost all countries.

The US economy shrank 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025, the US Department of Commerce said on Wednesday, adding to fears that the US is likely to tip into a recession this year.

In an earnings call with investors, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Meta is “well-positioned to navigate the macroeconomic uncertainty” of recent months.

The company also released a standalone AI app this week, MetaAI, and plans to spend between $64bn and $72bn on capital expenditure in 2025 to complete construction on data centres.

SUN SEEKERS are rushing to invest in a “stylish yet comfortable” egg chair, which has been slashed in price on the Dunelm website.

The Santorini Egg Chair from £249 to £199 – with perfect timing for the gorgeous weather.

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Santorini Egg Chair, £249 £199

With a mini-heatwave on the horizon and the “Garden Glow-Up” trend taking social media by storm, it’s the perfect time to invest in your outdoor space.

Egg chairs have been known to fly off the virtual shelves, and continue to be a hugely popular staple item for any patio or garden owner.

They’re ideal for long afternoons basking in the sun or unwinding with a good book (and a glass of Pimm’s to sip, perhaps).

This pretty, rattan-style egg chair features a sturdy frame and is completely weather-resistant due to its powder-coated steel construction, yet it still promises ultimate comfort with a thick padded cushion.

The rattan hanging chair is suspended by a strong chain, allowing it to create a gentle rocking motion.

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Santorini Egg Chair, £249 £199

Measuring 196cm tall and 95cm wide, it’s compact enough for smaller gardens, yet spacious enough to have room to curl up in.

One shopper praised this quality, saying, “I couldn’t believe how comfortable it is. Also, for my legs, it’s low – so that makes it so much better.”

Shoppers have also commented on the assembly process, describing it as “really easy to put together.”

However, if you do encounter any difficulties, Dunelm provides a stripped-back, step-by-step YouTube video to help.

With temperatures rising and days getting longer, many shoppers are raving about how this chic chair has elevated their outdoor spaces.

Many happy customers have praised the chair for its affordability, with one saying, “I’ve been eyeing egg chairs for ages, and this is by far the best value for money. It looks so expensive, but the price is brilliant!”

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Santorini Egg Chair, £249 £199

Another commented on its value, saying: “Excellent value for the price. All in all, a very good buy.”

Others highlighted the comfort it offers, describing it as “comfortable and supportive and doesn’t move around”, as well as being “very secure and sturdy.”

This egg chair ticks all the boxes for comfort, style and affordability – just make sure you pick it up while it’s on sale, if you’re keen.

Dunelm offers payment options such as Klarna and PayPal Pay in 3 to help you split the cost, and provides free standard delivery on orders over £49, as well as free and flexible returns.

Head to The Sun’s shopping home and garden hub for more of the latest deals and sales I’ve spotted.

Last week, I spotted a pair of Flamingo topiary trees slashed to £40 and there’s a ‘stylish’ Gtech patio heater reduced from £150 to £40.

Visit our shopping garden and tools hub for more deals on plants and gardening accessories.

Three Republican senators join Democrats in voting for resolution to oppose US president’s trade policy.

The United States Senate has rejected an effort to block US President Donald Trump’s tariffs amid bipartisan concerns about the impact of his trade salvoes on the economy.

The upper house of the US Congress voted 49-49 to knock back the resolution on Wednesday, hours after government data showed that the US economy shrank for the first time in three years.

Three Republican senators – Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – voted for the measure in a rare rebuke of Trump from within his own party, along with all present Democrats and Independents.

“The United States Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,” Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, who represents Oregon, said ahead of the vote.

“The Congress has the power to set tariffs and regulate global trade.”

The resolution was widely viewed as a symbolic gesture since it was unlikely to have gained traction in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and would ultimately be subject to Trump’s veto power.

“It’s still a debate worth having, because, you know, if a month from now, we have massive tariffs go on, and we have a massive sell off in the stock market, and we didn’t have a first good quarter in growth, and if it’s worse again in the second quarter, people would start asking, ‘Is it good policy, or is it a bad policy?’” Paul, who co-sponsored the resolution, said of the failed vote.

Trump has played down fears that his sweeping tariffs, including a 145 percent duty on China, could tip the US into recession.

The US Department of Commerce on Wednesday reported that the economy contracted 0.3 percent during the first three months of the year, a period that occurred before Trump imposed his steepest tariffs.

A recession is typically defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.

An Assembly committee backed away on Wednesday night from a controversial provision in a proposed bill to end solar credits for 2 million owners of rooftop solar systems, saying it would apply only to those who sold their homes.

Assembly Bill 942, introduced by Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier), targeted long-standing programs that provide energy credits to Californians who installed solar panels before April 15, 2025.

As originally drafted, the bill would have limited the current program’s benefits to 10 years — half of the 20-year period the state had told rooftop owners they would receive. The committee nixed that provision, leaving another that would cancel the program for those selling their homes.

With the amendment, the bill passed 10 to 5, sending it on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Scores of rooftop solar owners attended the hearing, asking the committee members to vote no. Some said that even with the amendment they believed the measure would reduce the value of their home.

“We just put our home up for sale yesterday,” said Dwight James, a resident of Simi Valley, who is still making payments on a loan he took out to pay for his solar system. “We didn’t expect the state to break its promise to us.”

Calderon, a former executive at Southern California Edison, said she proposed the bill because the financial credits given to rooftop solar owners for excess electricity they send to the grid are raising electric bills for those who don’t own the panels.

Edison and the state’s two other large for-profit electric companies supported the bill, along with members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Major utilities use unionized labor to build and repair equipment, including the lines connecting distant industrial-scale solar farms in the desert. Companies installing rooftop panels generally don’t use union workers.

The legislation doesn’t affect customers served by municipal utilities.

Several members of the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee said at the hearing that their offices have been overwhelmed with calls and emails from solar customers.

“I’ve gotten more opposition to this bill than to any other by eight- to tenfold,” said Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita), who voted no.

Before the hearing began, an analyst who reviews legislation for the committee recommended the 10-year sunset provision be removed from the bill. She cited a state requirement that solar owners sign a consumer protection guide that calls the arrangement a “contract” and says the credits are “guaranteed” for 20 years.

Keeping that provision, said analyst Laura Shybut, the committee’s chief consultant, could pave the way for legal challenges to the legislation.

The bill prompted protests this month by owners of the rooftop solar panels, who said they had invested thousands of dollars in the green energy systems based on assurances the incentives would last for 20 years.

Also opposing the bill were schools, businesses, apartment owners and others who had installed the rooftop panels.

A group of school districts including Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified and the Alameda County Office of Education filed a letter to the Assembly committee in opposition to the proposed legislation.

“School districts made good faith investments in solar energy technology based on the commitments of the state,” the schools wrote. “It is unfair and could raise legal concerns to retroactively change the rules.”

“The state should be supporting investments in rooftop solar to meet our climate goals and to promote affordability for all customers, not undermining those who heeded its guidance and mandates to make these investments,” the schools wrote.

Committee members said that with the amendment the schools would no longer be affected.

Also opposing the bill were dozens of environmental groups, consumer organizations and the rooftop solar industry, which argued that electric bills are rising because of excessive utility spending — not from credits given to owners of the green energy systems.

The value of the credits — provided to panel owners at the retail rate of electricity — has increased rapidly as the state Public Utilities Commission voted to approve rate increases requested by the utility companies.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Calderon appeared with members of utility worker unions, saying the credits were shifting billions of dollars in costs to people who did not own the panels, which was especially hurting the poor.

“This is about fairness and equity — nothing more,” she said.

Rooftop solar advocates have challenged that assertion, citing statistics from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that show 39% of the owners of the rooftop panels in 2023 had household incomes of less than $100,000. About 12% had incomes below $50,000.

Several committee members said Wednesday night that they had heard from solar owners of all income levels.

“I have to push back on the narrative that these are all high-income people,” Schiavo said.

Some also questioned whether those without solar panels would actually see a reduction in their electric bills if the measure passed.

“How much of this will go back to the consumer?” asked Laurie Davies (D-Laguna Niguel), who voted no. Her question wasn’t answered.

Rory Smith, Julien Laurens and Stephen Warnock discuss how Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s “remonstrating and demonstrations” may have “set the tone” for the Gunners’ “nervous” first-half performance against PSG.

WATCH MORE: Champions League highlights – Arsenal 0-1 PSG

Available to UK users only.

One island in the Philippines is home to a world-class beach, 34C weather in May, and prices are so cheap it’s been named one of the best value destinations for Brits

A holiday spot with a top beach, balmy climes, and budget-friendly brews is the dream for many – and this stunning island in the Philippines ticks all the boxes. Panay Island, basking in average temperatures of up to 34C in May, boasts one of the globe’s most exquisite beaches.

TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards have crowned the island’s White Beach as one of the Best of the Best, lavishing it with a stellar 4.4 out of five stars on the travel review site. Discussing White Beach, the travel firm said: “Boracay’s most popular beach draws a crowd for good reasons: soft white sand, turquoise waters, and amazing sunsets.

READ MORE: Shoppers ‘obsessed’ with £20 retinol serum that ‘smooths deep wrinkles’ in two months

“It’s a great place to swim and snorkel, and when you’ve worked up an appetite, lots of local dining and drinking joints are just steps away.”

And when it comes to enjoying a tipple at one of the local haunts, your wallet won’t feel the pinch – a pint will only set you back 94p, and a three-course meal for two in the Philippines averages at a mere £16.

Visitors to White Beach concur that the sandy expanse is worthy of its lauded status. A tourist commented: “Still the island paradise and no wonder that it is one of the best beaches in the world.”, reports the Express.

“The crystal clear water and pure powdery white sand stretching to approximately 3 km makes it an ideal to explore the island from end to end. It has a variety of restaurants, local shops and food spots to just stay, lie down and rejuvenate. Lots of activities from sun up to sun down.”

One visitor who dropped by earlier in the year said: “Amazing and beautiful beach, lovely soft sand, warm sea, even in January. Nice local shops. I have been to many beaches all over the world and this is one of the best.

“Definitely worth a visit to this one. Great for swimming getting some sun or just chilling out.”

Aside from the stunning beach, the island boasts cultural and historical treasures like the Jaro Cathedral, a Romanesque Revival monument that dates back to 1587.

From Panay, island hopping to nearby destinations such as Maraison Island, Guimaras, and Lakawon Island is a breeze. For those enamoured with history, the island also houses Aklan, touted as the oldest province in the Philippines.

With a host of locals offering guide services, Aklan presents an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the island’s rich heritage while enjoying its natural splendour.

April 30 (UPI) — The United States and Ukraine on Wednesday created a Reconstruction Investment Fund that includes rare earth mineral rights in the European nation.

The arrangement, which was signed in Washington, D.C., serves as compensation for munitions sent to defend Ukraine against Russia after the invasion in February 2022. It is seen as a move toward peace between the Moscow and Kyiv.

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were originally set to sign the minerals deal on Feb. 28, but the plan was scrapped after a tense exchange between them in the Oval Office in which Trump accused him of “gambling with World War III.”

“Thanks to President Trump’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund,” U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said. “As the President has said, the United States is committed to helping facilitate the end of this cruel and senseless war.

“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term. President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine. And to be clear, no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine.”

The United States wants access to more than 20 raw materials, including some non-minerals, such as oil and natural gas, as well as titanium, lithium, graphite and manganese. The minerals are used in electric vehicle batteries.

The Trump administration has been in a trade war with China, where 90% of the rare minerals are located.

Ukraine’s Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydensky posted on X: “Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment into our country.

Bessent, in a video posted on X, spoke about the fund: “This partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”

Zelensky said on March 1 that he wanted the deal to be completed as he thanked the United States for supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

Specific details of the minerals deal, including whether the United States is providing any form of security guarantee after the war ends, have not been made public.

“We made a deal today where we get, you know, much more in theory, than the $350 billion but I wanted to be protected,” Trump said Wednesday night during an interview on NewsNation. “I didn’t want to be out there and look foolish.”

The Untied States had committed about $135 billion in wartime military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine through February 2025, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think tank that closely tracks wartime aid to Ukraine.

Technical documents were signed last week.

There were some late disagreements on the deal, ABC News reported.

The United States said it wanted the main minerals resources agreement and the creation of an investment fund document signed at the same time.

Ukraine had wanted separate signings.

Trump and Zelensky held a 15-minute face-to-face meeting before Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican.

Trump, during the NewsNation interview, said he told Zelensky, “It’s a very good thing” if he signed this deal. “Russia is much bigger and much stronger.”

Talks have continued between Moscow and Washington over a possible cease-fire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a cease-fire before peace negotiations.

On Monday, he declared a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10.

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, blasted Trump after the deal was signed.

“With the signing of Donald Trump’s extortion of Ukraine deal, even as Ukraine continues to defend itself from Russia’s illegal invasion, I hope the administration can now turn to the real roadblock for peace: Vladimir Putin,” Meeks, of New York, said in a statement. “President Zelensky has shown time and again that he is willing to negotiate to work towards a sustainable peace; now is the time for Trump to put the pressure on Putin where it belongs.”

Meeks wants Russia to be held accountable for war crimes, additional security support for Ukraine and reconstruction for Ukraine from Russia’s frozen assets.

“Unfortunately, Donald Trump has so far demonstrated nothing but weakness by capitulating to Putin every step of the way, with nothing to show for it in return, while fixating his attacks on Zelensky and Ukraine. It should be news to no one that Vladimir Putin is a bully and will only respond to strength, not groveling.”

Apple Inc. violated a court order requiring it to open up the App Store to third-party payment options and must stop charging commissions on purchases outside its software marketplace, a federal judge said in a blistering ruling that referred the company to prosecutors for a possible criminal probe.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers sided Wednesday with “Fortnite” maker Epic Games over its allegation that the iPhone maker failed to comply with an order she issued in 2021 after finding the company engaged in anticompetitive conduct in violation of California law.

Gonzalez Rogers also referred the case to federal prosecutors to investigate whether Apple committed criminal contempt of court for flouting her 2021 ruling. The U.S. attorney’s office in San Francisco declined to comment.

The changes the company must now make could put a sizable dent in the double-digit billions of dollars in revenue the App Store generates each year.

Apple is potentially facing another multibillion-dollar hit from losing payments Google makes to be the default search engine for its Safari browser, which is the subject of a Justice Department antitrust case against the Alphabet Inc. unit.

After several weeks of hearings last year and this year, Gonzalez Rogers concluded Wednesday that Apple “willfully” violated her injunction.

“It did so with the express intent to create new anticompetitive barriers which would, by design and in effect, maintain a valued revenue stream; a revenue stream previously found to be anticompetitive,” she wrote in her 80-page ruling. “That it thought this court would tolerate such insubordination was a gross miscalculation.”

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Epic Games Chief Executive Officer Tim Sweeney called the ruling a “huge victory for developers,” saying in a phone call with journalists that it “forces Apple to compete with other payment services rather than blocking them.”

Following a trial in 2021, Gonzalez Rogers largely sided with Apple, saying that its App Store policies didn’t violate federal antitrust law. However, she required the company to let developers bypass its in-app payment tool to avoid a commission of up to 30%. The ruling was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year when it declined to hear appeals in the case.

Apple allowed developers to point users to the web to complete transactions for in-app purchases, but required developers to pay the company a 27% cut of whatever revenue they generated.

In Wednesday’s ruling, the judge said Apple tried to cover up its noncompliance with her 2021 order.

“After two sets of evidentiary hearings, the truth emerged,” Gonzalez Rogers wrote. “Apple, despite knowing its obligations thereunder, thwarted the injunction’s goals, and continued its anticompetitive conduct solely to maintain its revenue stream.”

The judge said that Alex Roman, Apple’s vice president of finance, lied on the witness stand.

“He even went so far as to testify that Apple did not look at comparables to estimate the costs of alternative payment solutions that developers would need to procure to facilitate linked-out purchases,” Gonzalez Rogers wrote, saying Apple did consider exactly that.

Because the company and its lawyers did not correct Roman’s testimony, “Apple will be held to have adopted the lies and misrepresentations to this court,” the judge wrote.

Gonzalez Rogers also found that Apple abused its use of attorney-client confidentiality in seeking to shield information from Epic and must pay the company’s legal fees it spent fighting for documents.

Sisco writes for Bloomberg.

In an unusual twist in the governor’s race, a wealthy Democratic businessman is suing former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over the use of a common phrase in political campaigns.

Stephen Cloobeck, a philanthropist and Democratic donor who made his fortune in real estate and hospitality, filed a lawsuit against Villaraigosa this week after the former mayor repeatedly described himself as a “proven problem solver” in campaign materials.

Cloobeck, who has applied for a federal trademark of the phrase “I am a proven problem solver,” texted the federal lawsuit to Villaraigosa late Tuesday, though the former mayor has not been served yet.

The lawsuit argues that Cloobeck has been using the phrase since March 2024, and that “it has acquired extensive goodwill, developed a high degree of distinctiveness, and become famous, well known, and recognized as identifying Cloobeck’s campaign.”

“In light of the fame, acquired goodwill, and overall consumer recognition of [the phrase Cloobeck is seeking to patent, he] is very concerned that the public will likely be confused or mistakenly believe that Villaraigosa’s campaign is endorsed, approved, sponsored by, or affiliated, connected, or associated with” Villaraigosa, the suit alleges.

Cloobeck and Villaraigosa are two Democrats running in an increasingly crowded 2026 gubernatorial field to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Representatives for Villaraigosa were incredulous that a phrase that’s used by politicians and elected officials across the nation would be the subject of litigation.

“This is completely ludicrous. This lawsuit is a joke,” said Josh Pulliam, a strategist on the Villaraigosa gubernatorial campaign. “Antonio launched his campaign on his record as a proven problem solver, and Cloobeck wants to prevent him from saying that? We think it’s totally ridiculous and Trump-like tactics. Who knows what he’s going to go after next?”

Cloobeck said he sought to get Villaraigosa, who he has known for a quarter-century, to stop using the phrase and only filed the lawsuit after a lack of response to texts, phone calls and requests for a face-to-face meeting.

“The response from them — or the lack of response from Antonio to me — is frankly offensive,” he said, adding that they had lunch at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills six weeks ago. “You can be friends and have a business disagreement.”

Legal scholars said the lawsuit has little chance of success.

“The claim that this is a unique or distinctive phrase that could be trademarked is very difficult to succeed on. In the political context, people would want to tread even more carefully because you don’t want to take phrases out of the political debate,” said Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School.

“This sounds more like a political tactic than a legal tactic,” Levinson added.

One day after hitting the ball hard but scoring just one run in a loss to Harvard-Westlake, Crespi put together an eight-run first inning Wednesday en route to a 12-1 win over the Wolverines and moved back into a one-game lead in the Mission League.

Eleven players came to the plate in the first inning, which featured a two-run home run by Landon Hodge, a three-run double by Gavin Huff and two bases-loaded walks. Hodge finished with three hits, Huff finished with two doubles and four RBIs, and Troy Miller added three RBIs. Tyler Walton gave up one run in six innings with no walks.

Crespi is 19-2 and 12-2 in league. Harvard-Westlake is 17-8 and 11-3. The teams play for the third time this week Friday at O’Malley Family Field.

Loyola 11, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 3: Jack Murray had two hits for the Cubs.

St. Francis 7, Sierra Canyon 2: Jordan Lewallen and Dominik Hildago each had three hits for St. Francis.

Chaminade 11, Bishop Alemany 9: Anthony Costa had three hits and three RBIs in the Mission League win. Jacob Ortega had two doubles and three RBIs and Brody Thompson had three hits for Alemany.

Huntington Beach 3, Edison 0: Jared Grindlinger threw four scoreless innings, brother Trent Gindlinger had two hits and Trevor Goldenetz added two hits, including a triple, for the Oilers.

Newport Harbor 4, Marina 3: Gavin Guy had a home run and two singles and three RBIs.

Los Alamitos 7, Fountain Valley 4: Tyler Smith had a home run in the Sunset League win.

Granada Hills 6, Birmingham 2: After 11 straight West Valley League wins, the Patriots were handed their first defeat. Alex Schmidt finished with three hits, including two doubles. Left-hander Luke Chau limited the Patriots to six hits in 6-2/3 innings. Julina Pineda got the final out with the bases loaded in the seventh. Allen Olmos suffered his first pitching defeat against a City Section opponent.

El Camino Real 3, Chatsworth 0: Luke Howe threw an eight-inning shutout to help El Camino Real move into a tie for first place in the West Valley League. The Royals scored three runs in the top of the eighth.

Cleveland 2, Taft 1: Joshua Pearlstein struck out 11 in seven innings and went four for four, including a walk-off single in the eighth inning.

Warren 2, Downey 0: Angel Cervantes threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts and one walk.

Villa Park 6, Foothill 2 Jack McGuire gave up one hit in five innings and Val Lopez had two hits and two RBIs to help the Spartans move within a half-game of first place in the Crestview League.

El Modena 2, El Dorado 0: Fauston Aguirre and Matthew Gutierrez combined on the shutout for El Modena. Gutierrez drove in both runs.

Gahr 6, Bellflower 0: Noah Irwin struck out nine in the shutout.

Long Beach Wilson 5, Long Beach Poly 1: Gram Ludwig had a two-run single during a five-run first inning.

Carson 4, San Pedro 0: Joziah Agredano threw six scoreless innings while giving up two hits for the Colts.

Hart 8, Canyon 0: Zach Rogozik had three hits for the Hawks.

West Ranch 9, Golden Valley 1: Hunter Manning struck out 13 with no walks in six innings, and Mikey Murr homered for West Ranch, which clinched at least a share of the Foothill League title.

Etiwanda 10, Upland 2: The Eagles continued their late-season surge in the Baseline League. Mike Aleman struck out seven in five innings.

Chino Hills 4, Rancho Cucamonga 2: Brody Buoncristiani struck out seven with no walks in six innings for Chino Hills.

Los Osos 9, Damien 4: The Grizzlies are in first place in the Baseline League. Wyatt Mohler and Justin Yeutter each had two hits and two RBIs.

Mira Costa 5, Redondo Union 3: The Mustangs (23-2, 11-0) broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning. Kellan Finn finished with two RBIs.

Vista Murrieta 13, Murrieta Mesa 5: Taytum Reeves hit two home runs for Vista Murrieta.

Santa Margarita 6, Servite 2: Warren Gravely III and Gavin Spiridonoff each had two RBIs for the Eagles.

St. John Bosco 11, JSerra 3: Micah Taguiam hit a home run, double and single and had three RBIs.

Softball

Granada Hills 15, Chatsworth 0: Jocelyn Jimenez and Zoe Justman hit home runs for the Highlanders.

Orange Lutheran 9, Los Alamitos 2: Kai Minor hit a two-run home run for Orange Lutheran.

Judge says administration must give migrants opportunity to express concerns about safety of deportation destinations.

A federal judge in the United States has placed limits on the Trump administration’s efforts to deport migrants held in Guantanamo Bay with few protections.

In a ruling on Thursday, District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston issued an order stating that the administration must give migrants an opportunity to raise concerns about the safety of the countries where they are being deported.

The ruling is the latest to advance concerns about the legality of Trump’s hardline moves on immigration and expansive interpretations of executive power.

The order is a victory for immigrant rights advocates who alleged that the administration had violated a previous court order by flying four Venezuelans held in the US military base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to El Salvador, although it remains to be seen how the White House will respond.

The administration challenged that order by arguing that it only applied to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), not the Department of Defense, which carried out the flight in question.

The Department of Justice has said that three of the four Venezuelans sent to El Salvador, where the administration has sent migrants to be warehoused in Salvadoran prisons, where abusive conditions and torture are widely alleged, are members of the Tren De Aragua gang, but it has frequently made similar claims with little evidence.

Immigrant rights groups have alleged that migrants are being held in Guantanamo Bay, previously used as a detention centre and torture site during the so-called “global war on terror”, in conditions of extreme isolation and without legal counsel.

“Officers at Guantanamo have created a climate of extreme fear and intimidation where immigrant detainees are afraid to communicate freely with their counsel,” a lawsuit brought on behalf of two Nicaraguan being held at Guantanamo states.

The complaint states that some detainees were interrogated about alleged gang affiliations while surrounded by military officers.

The Eurovision Song Contest’s grand final is just over two weeks away and the BBC have confirmed their broadcasting but it features a major twist on the big day

The Eurovision Grand Final date has been confirmed and the BBC are pulling out all the stops with their broadcasting schedule. Fans across the world will tune in to see who’ll be crowned the winner on Saturday, May 17. Remember Monday are this year’s entry and they’re hoping to walk away with the crown after competing in Switzerland.

This year, Scott Mills, Rylan Clark, Sara Cox and Richie Anderson will bringing all the latest information for those tuning in across the United Kingdom. Although the contest will air from Tuesday, May 13 with each country competing in the semi-finals, there will be a big change on BBC One on the night of the final.

In the lead up, the BBC will air a schedule of focused Eurovision content throughout the day. Presenters will be chatting to listeners, with Scott and Rylan chatting to guests. But that’s not all, Drag Race and Strictly Come Dancing legend Michelle Visage will be leading an Ultimate 21st Century Eurovision Song – sharing the Top 40 Eurovision entries between 2000 and 2024, voted for by the public.

It doesn’t stop there though. For the first time ever, Eurovision will be going inter-galactic, with a special episode of Doctor Who. The sci-fi programme will air The Interstellar Song Contest just before the grand final. During the special episode, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) will travel to the 803rd contest, which is co-hosted by Rylan.

Planets from across the universe will compete for the top prize, with Graham Norton also making an appearance alongside Freddie Fox, Kadiff Kirwin, Charlie Condou and Miriam-Teak Lee. The episode, written by Juno Dawson is the sixth episode of the second series.

Speaking about the big day, Syeda Irtizaali, Interim Director of Unscripted at the BBC said: “The BBC is the home of Eurovision in the UK and 2025 is set to continue that trend as we celebrate the contest on all our platforms, from TV, radio and online.

“We have Scott Mills’ Radio 2 Breakfast show coming to audiences live every morning from the Eurovision host city, Basel, for a week; A show stopping exclusive performance from the UK’s act, Remember Monday, on The One Show; A Doctor Who x Eurovision crossover and a one- off special on BBC One and iPlayer, When Graham Met Remember Monday.

“We really are pulling out all the stops this year to surprise and delight audiences with all things Eurovision. So, get in the party mood as the BBC’s Eurovision content offering this year is not to be missed this May!” Speaking about taking the Doctor Who special job, Rylan said: “As a massive Whovian, getting the call to be in Doctor Who was a call I’ve always dreamed of getting.

“The episode is all my favourite things about the show with an added song contest set in space. It really is a dream come true. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It is going to be out of this world.”

Remember Monday will be performing What The Hell Happened? are guaranteed a place in the grand final due to being from one of the ‘Big Five’ alongside Spain, Germany, France and Italy.

Doctor Who – The Interstellar Song Contest will air on Saturday, May 17. With the Eurovision Song Contest airing just after.

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