JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 828

Baton Rouge, La. Two groups exchanged words and opened fire at the Mall of Louisiana food court on Thursday afternoon, killing a 17-year-old Ascension Episcopal School senior and injuring five others; police said three of the wounded were students from the Lafayette-area school and several suspects were taken into custody.

Lafayette, La. officials and school leaders expressed grief on Friday as community members placed flowers and mourned the victim; Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said the shooting appeared linked to social-media disputes and 'maybe gang-related,' while Gov. Jeff Landry pledged targeted warrant sweeps and coordination with federal partners as the investigation continues.

Washington. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that the United States has widened a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and vessels and is expanding the operation globally. He told reporters, "Our blockade is growing and going global," and said U.S. forces have so far redirected 34 ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He added, "No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy." Hegseth said U.S. forces have seized several vessels linked to Iran, and that commercial ships will be required to comply with U.S. conditions.

Washington. Hegseth said the Defense Department, under the direction of Donald Trump, will ensure Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. He said Washington prefers to resolve the issue through diplomacy and a verifiable agreement but warned that if Tehran refuses to change its stance the United States is prepared to stop it "the hard way." He described the measures as a full naval blockade intended to increase pressure on Tehran and said the operations could deal a severe blow to Iran's economy as they continue.

Washington: On April 24, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that the Justice Department will close its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding costly renovations at the Fed’s Washington headquarters and instead asked the Fed’s Office of Inspector General to examine alleged cost overruns.

The announcement on Friday removes an immediate legal impediment to the Senate confirmation of President Trump’s nominee Kevin Warsh and follows subpoena actions earlier this year that were blocked by a federal judge; Pirro said she may reopen a criminal probe if the IG’s findings or new evidence warrant further action.

HONOLULU — First Hawaiian Inc. reported first-quarter 2026 net income of $67.8 million and earnings of $0.55 per share on April 24, 2026, exceeding Zacks Investment Research consensus of $0.53 per share while posting total revenue of $282.5 million. The company said revenue net of interest expense was $220.3 million, slightly below four-analyst Street forecasts of $221.2 million.

The company declared a dividend and CEO Bob Harrison highlighted loan and deposit growth and maintained credit quality this week, and he noted ongoing support for recovery from recent floods in Hawai'i and Typhoon Sinlaku impacts on Guam and Saipan. Regional outlets published the AP/Zacks earnings snapshots on Friday and the GlobeNewswire release provided management commentary and next-step communications.

Islamabad — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is reported to be traveling to Pakistan this weekend to hold talks, Pakistani officials told the Associated Press on Friday; he could arrive as soon as Friday and is expected to be accompanied by a small government delegation, and Araghchi posted that his tour will include Russia and Oman prior to Pakistan.

Washington — On Friday the White House said President Donald Trump extended a 90‑day Jones Act waiver to allow non‑American vessels to transport oil and natural gas to U.S. ports, and media reports say the administration may dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad with Vice President J.D. Vance on standby if discussions progress, measures aimed at restarting negotiations and easing energy disruptions.

Islamabad has remained under tight security for nearly a week as Pakistan prepares to host a second phase of peace talks between the United States and Iran, although there is currently no indication the two sides will meet. On April 24, 2026, authorities continued to seal key roads into the capital and maintain a strict cordon around the Red Zone administrative district. In the nearby Blue Area, markets and bus terminals are largely shut, leaving cafes short of supplies and commuters stranded. Officials say the lockdown will remain in place in case any delegation, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives.

Boston — On Monday, Aaron Beggs of Northern Ireland and Robson De Olivera of Brazil carried fellow runner Ajay Haridasse across the finish line of the Boston Marathon after he collapsed about 1,000 feet (305 meters) from the end of the course. Beggs said in a Thursday interview he had been struggling earlier but acted on instinct.

The action allowed Haridasse to complete the race and drew cheers from spectators on Boylston Street; Beggs recounted being energized by the crowd and motivated by his running club. Medical response or subsequent condition were not detailed in reports; news organizations provided interviews and eyewitness accounts this week describing the sequence of events.

Richmond, Va. meteorologists issued forecasts this week stating hot, dry conditions will persist through Friday, with scattered showers and storms expected Saturday and into next week across parts of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Broadly, highs through Friday climb into the upper 70s and 80s, with some models showing localized readings near 90 degrees and initial rain chances low.

Across the region, forecasts this week warn of elevated fire danger and a Code Orange air-quality alert on Friday, driven by low humidity and transported smoke; Saturday night into Sunday carries the highest rain probabilities and cooler temperatures. Officials and meteorologists advised residents to monitor conditions Friday and into the weekend for changing timing, potential heavy downpours, and safety guidance.

New York — India’s Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, met Alexandre Zouev, Acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, on April 24 to discuss terrorism threats and cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. He also called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss UN reforms and Global South representation at high-level meetings.

On April 25, George met UNGA President Annalena Baerbock to broaden talks to peace, security, development, reformed multilateralism, and the global fight against terrorism. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted details on X and said these engagements underscore India’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and calls for greater Global South representation ahead of ongoing UN deliberations.

Arkansas — ArkansasOnline and the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published high-school sports scores this week, listing baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer results from multiple schools across the state. The reports, posted Tuesday and updated through the week, include detailed final scores such as Memphis White Station 18, West Memphis 3 and North Little Rock 12, Little Rock Southwest 0.

Little Rock-area and regional teams recorded wins and losses that will be referenced for local standings and reporting. This week’s entries show notable margins — Woodlawn 26, Hampton 0; Pulaski Academy 12, Episcopal Collegiate 1 — and include softball and soccer entries that local editors and athletic departments will use to update records and schedules.