JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 803

Washington: U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper will brief President Donald Trump on Thursday about new military options against Iran, U.S. media reported, outlining plans described as a 'short and powerful' wave of strikes and additional measures including potential control of the Strait of Hormuz and special forces operations.

The briefing follows a fragile ceasefire that began roughly three weeks earlier after reported hostilities traced to 28 February, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine is expected to attend; this week lawmakers including Senator Roger Wicker urged tougher measures, while officials have not issued formal confirmation and no final decision has been announced.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Dozens of Utah Mammoth fans gathered at the Delta Center on Wednesday for an official, free watch party to see Game 5 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Mammoth organization provided a DJ, food trucks, a beer garden and space for lawn chairs to watch the big screen. "We couldn't get it in overtime last time, so hopefully we capitalize tonight," said Austin Ewell. Liz Kemp said, "I'd love to go home knowing that we're up three to two."

Fans arrived early and brought energy, with Jim Morgan claiming front-row seats nearly two hours before puck drop. "This is awesome!" Morgan said, noting that having a Utah team in the NHL playoffs once seemed unlikely. Others reflected on the distinctive playoff atmosphere: "I've watched many playoffs, and it's different when it's your own team," Kemp said. Fans said they wanted a hard, physical game and appreciated the chance to savor the moment together on the big screen.

Los Angeles. Nkosi Tafari headed Son Heung-Min's stoppage-time free kick to give Los Angeles FC a 2-1 win over Toluca FC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night, with Timothy Tillman opening the scoring in the 51st minute and Jesús Angulo equalizing in the 73rd.

The aggregate tie will be decided in the second leg in Toluca on May 6, giving Toluca an opportunity to overturn the deficit; LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris produced a key double save before halftime, and LAFC will travel without Denis Bouanga and Eddie Segura due to yellow-card accumulation, affecting lineup options for the return leg.

West Sacramento, Calif. — On Wednesday night the Oakland Athletics defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-2 as Lawrence Butler hit a three-run home run and Luis Severino pitched seven innings with eight strikeouts; Nick Kurtz had an RBI double and drew a walk, marking his 18th consecutive game with a walk.

The victory snapped the Royals' four-game winning streak and extended several individual streaks: Kurtz tied a notable walk streak near historic marks, Bobby Witt Jr. extended a 10-game hit streak, and Mark Leiter Jr. earned his third save; the article also notes the Athletics' planned move to Las Vegas in 2028.

Washington — The U.S. government this week sought international partners to form the "Maritime Freedom Construct" to restore commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an internal State Department cable dated April 28 and subsequent reports on April 29–30. Diplomats were asked to solicit diplomatic and military partners to coordinate maritime information sharing.

The cable describes the State Department as the diplomatic hub and U.S. Central Command providing real-time maritime domain awareness; the initiative would coordinate sanctions enforcement and protect energy shipping, the reports said. Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Xinhua and regional agencies reported that embassies were instructed this week to press counterparts to join the coalition.

Baton Rouge — Governor Jeff Landry plans to suspend the state's May 16 primary elections to allow lawmakers time to approve a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s second majority-Black district, the Washington Post reported. Landry told Republican House candidates Wednesday that he would pause the primary process so the legislature could redraw lines. In a 6-3 decision, the court's conservative majority found the district, represented by Democrat Cleo Fields, relied too heavily on race.

Baton Rouge — The Washington Post said an announcement to suspend the May 16 election could come as soon as Friday. It is unclear whether any suspension would apply only to the primaries for the six House seats affected by the map change or would extend to other contests, including the Senate primary. Officials have noted the timing could affect early voting schedules and which contests are delayed as lawmakers work to approve new boundaries for District 6.

STARKE, Fla. A Florida man previously convicted for the July 31, 1976, killing of 13-year-old Cynthia Driggers was executed Thursday evening at Florida State Prison; James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, received a lethal three-drug injection beginning at 6 p.m., and officials pronounced him dead shortly after the procedure began.

Officials said Hitchcock was initially sentenced in 1977 and resentenced in 1988, 1993 and 1996 after appeals; this execution was reported as Florida's sixth of 2026 following a record 19 in 2025. Prison officials described procedural details including the timing of the injection and a final statement made by Hitchcock before he was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.

New York: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday he would privately encourage King Charles III to return the Koh‑i‑Noor diamond if given the opportunity, making the remark ahead of a wreath‑laying at the National September 11 Memorial where the monarch and other officials gathered to honor the victims of the 2001 attacks.

The comment this week drew public attention and criticism from commentators who described the approach as inappropriate for the memorial setting; video captures a brief, smiling exchange between Mamdani and the King, no private meeting was confirmed, and the monarch continued his four‑day US visit that included additional civic, agricultural and cultural engagements.

Washington — President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is 'studying and reviewing' a possible reduction of U.S. troops stationed in Germany, posting the announcement on his Truth Social account amid a public dispute with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war in Iran. The announcement follows Merz's recent criticism of U.S. strategy and allied responses this week.

The statement raises immediate questions about force posture in Europe and NATO cohesion, with DMDC data noting roughly 36,400 U.S. active-duty troops in Germany as of December 2025; Trump also indicated on Thursday that cuts could extend to Italy and Spain, prompting diplomatic reactions and media inquiries to the White House this week.

Cleveland rallied Wednesday night in Game 5, as Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and Evan Mobley hit two pivotal 3-pointers to help the Cavaliers defeat the Toronto Raptors 125-120 and seize a 3-2 lead in the first-round series at home.

The Cavaliers’ comeback followed a halftime deficit and a 103-100 deficit entering the fourth; James Harden contributed 23 points and Donovan Mitchell added 19, while Toronto’s RJ Barrett led his team with 25. Brandon Ingram left with right heel inflammation, and Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Toronto with the Raptors facing elimination.