JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 859

Boston — Defending champion Sharon Lokedi will start the 130th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton on Monday, joined by reigning men's champion John Korir and a field of more than 30,000 runners. This week organizers cited cool temperatures and an expected tailwind, conditions that could favor fast finishing times and influence pacing strategies.

Race officials and local law enforcement reiterated safety and logistical plans this weekend as competitors assembled and Connecticut runners boarded shuttles to Boston. Lokedi said this week she is uncertain whether she will chase another record; the race is scheduled to begin at 9:05 a.m. Monday and weather and timing will be monitored closely.

Iran has publicly rejected the idea of transferring its enriched uranium abroad, underscoring a key impasse in ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on state television that Iran’s enriched uranium "is not going to be transferred anywhere," framing the stockpile as a red line for Tehran, which maintains it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. U.S. officials, cited by Reuters, say Washington wants the stockpile removed and had believed Iran might agree. The denial, issued Friday, directly contradicts President Donald Trump’s April 16 claim that Iran had agreed to give up the material.

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs, finishing the regular season 62-20 as the No. 2 seed, host the seventh-seeded Portland Trail Blazers this Sunday in the opening game of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. The matchup followed the Play-In Tournament and represents San Antonio’s first home postseason action since 2018-19.

This week the teams are weighing health and rotation decisions: Victor Wembanyama, 22, figures centrally after missing earlier meetings, and Spurs coaching staff said he could return in Game 4; Portland will rely on Jerami Grant in Lillard’s absence. Fans and arena staff completed playoff preparations at Frost Bank Center ahead of Game 1.

PITTSBURGH — The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series. Travis Sanheim scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and rookie Porter Martone added an insurance goal late, giving Philadelphia a 1-0 series lead.

The win returned the Flyers to postseason success after a multi-year drought and shifted early momentum toward Philadelphia ahead of Game 2 on Monday. Dan Vladar made key saves, Evgeni Malkin scored for Pittsburgh, and local reaction included tributes such as a Bernie Parent commemorative shirt while teams prepare tactical adjustments for the next matchup.

Washington — The White House ordered a federal review this week after media reports identified at least ten scientists and researchers who have died or gone missing dating back to June 2022 and July 2023. President Trump was briefed earlier this week, and officials said further details will emerge over the next week and a half.

Federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Energy, have been directed to assess potential commonalities, with the White House press office confirming coordination this week. Lawmakers such as Rep. Eric Burlison have called for an urgent investigation, citing possible links to classified aerospace, defense, and UFO-related work and urging prompt agency action.

Chicago — A United Airlines flight that departed O'Hare Saturday morning bound for New York's LaGuardia was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport after the crew reported a potential security concern, according to United and flight-tracking data; the Boeing 737 carrying 159 passengers and six crew landed at about 11:45 a.m. and was met by local authorities.

Pittsburgh officials and Allegheny County Police deployed bomb squad, EOD and K9 units and passengers evacuated the aircraft via emergency slides; sweeps of the plane, passengers and luggage returned negative results, the scene was cleared later Saturday, and authorities reported no injuries while investigations and standard security protocols continued.

Oman – Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats fired on an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) in the Strait of Hormuz less than 24 hours after Iran and former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared the waterway fully open, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman, where the master of the tanker reported being approached by two IRGC gunboats that opened fire without issuing a VHF radio challenge. UKMTO said the tanker and its crew were reported safe following the attack and noted that tracking data from Pole Star Global placed the vessel in the same area at the time of the incident.

Oman – UKMTO said it is likely the tanker involved is the Indian-flagged VLCC Sanmar Herald (IMO 9330563), which has changed its name to INDIANSHIPINDIANCREW on AIS, and a purported radio recording circulating in the industry features a crew member identifying the ship as the Sanmar Herald and protesting that it had been cleared to proceed before being fired upon. Earlier in the day, the vessel approached the entrance to the Strait for an eastbound crossing, turned around, and then made a second attempt when it appears the attack occurred. UKMTO also reported a container ship struck by an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to containers but no fire or environmental impact, and a separate cruise ship that reported a splash from an unknown projectile close to the vessel three nautical miles east of Oman. Iranian military officials later said they had returned the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state, placing it under the strict management and control of the armed forces, and four CMA CGM container ships attempting to transit the Strait subsequently reversed course back toward the Arabian Gulf.

LOS ANGELES. Three people were sentenced this week after prosecutors say they used a person in a bear costume to stage attacks on high-end vehicles in 2024, then submitted fraudulent insurance claims for a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes. The California Department of Insurance, naming the probe 'Operation Bear Claw,' reported video and photo evidence linked to the claims.

The Los Angeles-area defendants pleaded no contest on Thursday and received weekend jail assignments, probation, and restitution orders; two were ordered to pay more than $50,000. Insurers were asked for nearly $142,000 in payouts; investigators say a fourth person connected to the scheme faces a court hearing in September as authorities continue administrative and legal follow-up.

United States: New Jersey Transit announced on April 18 that it will charge a $150 round-trip fare for fans traveling from New York City to MetLife Stadium for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The fee represents roughly a tenfold increase over the normal commuter fare and coincides with planned parking closures and enhanced security measures for the tournament.

FIFA operations chief Heimo Schirgi warned on April 18 that the pricing could have a 'chilling effect', pushing fans to alternative transport and increasing congestion and late arrivals; MetLife will host eight matches including the July 19 final. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Governor Mikie Sherrill defended the charge as necessary to cover event-related costs and security.

Casper, Wyo. local meteorologists and National Weather Service offices reported that an early morning freeze warning gave way to a steady warming trend this weekend, with sunny conditions, gusty west winds, and highs rising from the 50s into the 60s and 70s before reaching around 80 by Tuesday in parts of the region.

Charlotte and Mobile outlets reported a cold front moving through this weekend bringing scattered showers and cooler air Sunday, but forecasts show high pressure returning midweek; low humidity and gusty winds are expected across multiple states, keeping fire-weather concerns and drought impacts elevated while freeze risks abate early next week.