US Officials Press Cuba Amid Talks, Potential Indictment

 

Washington this week saw a series of U.S. actions aimed at Cuba: Secretary Marco Rubio told NBC on May 15 that Cuba's political and economic model is 'broken', while on May 14 CIA Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Havana to meet Cuban officials about intelligence cooperation and conditional engagement. The meetings...

Howard, Williams lead Lynx to 90-86 victory Thursday

 

ARLINGTON, Texas — On Thursday night the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Dallas Wings 90-86 as Natasha Howard scored 26 points, including a go-ahead layup with 51 seconds remaining. Courtney Williams added 21 points and rookie Olivia Miles contributed 15 points and six assists while Kayla McBride made key free throws...

Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Brace For Rapid Weekend Warmup

 

Charlotte, North Carolina — Local forecasts show a rapid shift from cool, dry mornings to a significant warmup this weekend as an upper-level ridge and a strengthening Bermuda high build over the Southeast. Friday begins below-average and dry, then temperatures climb into the mid-to-upper 80s Saturday and Sunday, with many...

Arkansas reinstates tennis programs after donor fundraising surge

 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas reinstated its men's and women's tennis programs this week after donors provided short-term funding that reversed an April 24 decision to cut both teams. Athletic director Hunter Yurachek said meetings with alumni and stakeholders, plus immediate fundraising, created a viable path forward for...

Thirteen charged over cross-border gun-trafficking operation

 

Concord, New Hampshire — Federal prosecutors announced this week that 13 people were charged or pleaded guilty in an international gun-trafficking operation that moved firearms from New Hampshire into Canada through New York and Akwesasne tribal land. The investigation traced purchases at licensed dealers and recruitment in Keene and Vermont,...

U.S. Cancels Deployment Of 4,000 Troops To Poland

 

Washington — The U.S. Defense Department canceled this week the planned temporary deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, roughly 4,000 soldiers, to Poland; officials said some unit elements and equipment were already in transit when the order arrived. Gen. Christopher LaNeve testified on Friday that the instruction originated...

Border Patrol chief Michael Banks announces his resignation

 

Washington — Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced his resignation on Thursday, saying he is leaving after more than 23 years with the agency. Banks' career spanned multiple units including ATVs, horse patrol, bikes, boats and investigations; the announcement was reported May 15 and later confirmed by Department of Homeland...

Washington appeals court reviews Trump law-firm sanctions

 

The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reinstate executive orders aimed at penalizing four major law firms, Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, and Susman Godfrey. Hearings are taking place in Washington on Thursday before a three-judge panel, two appointed...

Senate votes to suspend pay during shutdowns nationwide

 

Washington — The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution Thursday to withhold senators' pay during federal government shutdowns, sponsored by Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana and advanced by voice vote and unanimous consent this week; the secretary of the Senate will suspend pay when one or more agencies lose funding...

United States firm Instructure pays ransom after breach

 

United States – Instructure, the U.S.-based parent company of the Canvas learning management system, has confirmed it paid an undisclosed ransom to the cybercrime group ShinyHunters following a massive data breach that affected more than 8,000 educational institutions, including major universities and K-12 school districts. The breach, first detected in...