JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 829

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.

Washington, DC — The Institute for the Study of War this week reported that recent public statements by Iran's top officials on April 24–25 reflected a coordinated response intended to project unity amid external pressure from the United States. The ISW said heads of Iran's government branches issued aligned messages and that top leadership actions appeared choreographed to demonstrate cohesion.

ISW added on April 25 that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Ahmad Vahidi and his inner circle have repeatedly blocked pragmatist efforts, reportedly prevailing in an intra-regime rivalry; reports also indicate Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may step down from the negotiating team. Negotiators in Islamabad continue discussions while Tehran's internal power shifts may affect negotiation posture and timelines.

Dubai/Washington: President Donald Trump said he was in no rush to reach a peace agreement with Iran and said he wanted any deal to be 'everlasting,' while asserting that the United States held a clear upper hand in a recent naval stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump dismissed the threat posed by what he called Iran's 'little wise-guy ships' and said Tehran was hamstrung from making a deal because its leadership was in turmoil. He said the U.S. Navy has orders to 'shoot and kill' Iranian boats that are laying mines in the strait, adding that the waterway would remain 'sealed up tight' until Iran agreed to terms. The president also said the United States could disable within a day any refurbished weapons Iran may have produced during the ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.

METAIRIE, Louisiana. The New Orleans Saints selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026, adding a 6-foot-2, 203-pound pass-catcher who produced major college receiving totals and carries a documented injury history.

The pick immediately addresses the Saints' thin receiving depth ahead of the second season of coach Kellen Moore's tenure; coach Moore and Tyson provided quotes this week noting expectations that Tyson will compete for snaps alongside veteran Chris Olave while medical evaluations and offseason work determine his availability for training camp and the regular season.

Enid, Okla. — A powerful tornado struck southeastern Enid on Thursday evening, April 23, 2026, ripping roofs from homes, snapping power poles and moving through neighborhoods near Vance Air Force Base at about 8:21 p.m.; video and National Weather Service alerts showed a large, rapidly rotating column of air touching down in the Grayridge area.

Local emergency crews, law enforcement and county officials responded immediately on Thursday night and into Friday morning, reporting multiple injuries, residents trapped in homes and search-and-rescue operations; officials conducted door-to-door welfare checks, the City of Enid issued road-closure and safety advisories, and the National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes with the primary twister rated at least EF3.

Colorado Springs — A former funeral home owner, Carie Hallford, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to corpse abuse related to the discovery of nearly 200 decomposing bodies at facilities linked to Return to Nature; she and her ex-husband were arrested in October 2023 following community complaints and investigations.

The sentences follow coordinated state and federal prosecutions that produced an 18-year federal term in March to run concurrently with Friday’s state sentence; Jon Hallford previously received a 40-year sentence at a February hearing. This week state officials said the case has prompted regulatory reviews and steps to tighten oversight of the funeral industry.

PITTSBURGH — The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick Thursday night in the NFL draft, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced; the 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner celebrated with family at home in Miami and is set to travel to Las Vegas Friday to begin his NFL career.

The first round featured significant trade activity, leaving eight teams awaiting their first picks in Round 2 and 16 of 32 selections unchanged; other early selections included edge rusher David Bailey and running back Jeremiyah Love at the next spots, and teams such as Buffalo and San Francisco executed multiple moves that reshaped draft order this week.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 113-96 on Thursday night in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series, taking a 2-1 lead. Jaden McDaniels had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Ayo Dosunmu added 25 points and nine assists off the bench, and Rudy Gobert limited Nikola Jokić.

The loss occurred with starting forward Aaron Gordon sidelined by left calf tightness; Jokic shot 7-for-26 and Jamal Murray was 5-for-17. The Timberwolves established a postseason franchise mark by allowing just 11 points in the first quarter, and the series now shifts to Game 4, where Denver must adjust its rotations and recover offensively.