JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 860

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation says Moscow is simultaneously developing multiple scenarios for its war against Ukraine and future relations with NATO. Speaking in Kyiv, center head Andrii Kovalenko outlined three main options: continuing full-scale hostilities at least until 2028 with a possible spring–summer offensive this year, a gradual shift toward a ceasefire and freezing of the conflict, or prolonging the war on Ukraine while preparing hybrid aggression against NATO states by around 2028. He said Russia is considering drone strikes and small sabotage groups in Baltic countries, alongside information campaigns targeting NATO defense industries and legislation enabling foreign troop deployments.

DALLAS — The Minnesota Wild opened their Western Conference first-round series with a 6-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 1 at the American Airlines Center, with Matt Boldy scoring two goals and an assist and rookie Jesper Wallstedt making 27 saves in his playoff debut. The result gave Minnesota a 1-0 series lead and sent the Stars into a Game 1 deficit as both clubs prepared tactical adjustments for Game 2 on Monday night in Dallas.

The win underscored how different this Wild team is from recent postseasons: Minnesota arrives with deeper forward depth, a bolstered penalty kill and the high-end skill added by Quinn Hughes. A chippy regular-season meeting a week earlier hinted the series could be physical and intense, and Wild players have talked about the long motivation to finally get past the first round. Jesper Wallstedt’s recent run of strong starts and Boldy’s growing postseason impact were key factors in Game 1 and figure prominently as Minnesota seeks its first trip to the second round since 2015.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. The May 5 primary will test former President Donald Trump's influence after state senators resisted White House pressure to approve a redistricting plan; national groups and pro-Trump organizations have mobilized to back challengers against those senators in Indiana. Voters such as Julie Wise expressed reluctance to vote based solely on the president's endorsements, while pro-Trump spending exceeded $4.2 million on advertising.

Indiana Republican leaders, including Gov. Mike Braun, face heightened intra-party strain this week as Trump has endorsed seven challengers; primary outcomes on May 5 will determine whether national conservative groups can reshape state legislative representation and whether presidential endorsements translate into local electoral success, prompting renewed attention from political operatives and donors.

Detroit — The Detroit Pistons will host the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in the opening game of the Eastern Conference first-round series. This follows a regular season in which Detroit finished with 60 wins and secured the conference's top seed after an 8-3 stretch while All-Star guard Cade Cunningham missed nearly three weeks this spring with a partially collapsed lung.

Detroit's 60-win club will attempt to translate regular-season success into postseason wins this week, despite a franchise 10-game home postseason losing streak dating to May 26, 2008. Coaches cite bench depth — a bench that averaged 41.3 points — and will rely on role players such as Daniss Jenkins while countering Orlando's productive starting lineup led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday that American negotiators, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Islamabad on Monday for a second round of talks with Iran, following an initial meeting on April 11 that failed to produce an agreement over nuclear enrichment and ceasefire terms.

The announcement comes as the temporary ceasefire approaches its Tuesday expiry and after reports of gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz this weekend; Trump reiterated threats to strike Iranian infrastructure if Tehran rejects the U.S. offer, while discussions reportedly include proposals on enrichment pauses and potential release of frozen Iranian funds.

Washington — This week The Atlantic published a report alleging that FBI Director Kash Patel exhibited conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences, citing multiple unnamed officials and recounting an April 10 episode in which Patel believed he had been fired after failing to access an internal system; Patel has publicly denied the claims.

The allegations prompted immediate political and public reactions this week, including a mocked social post from California Governor Gavin Newsom and an AI-generated clip circulating online; the FBI issued a statement relaying Patel's denial while the Justice Department and FBI continue accelerated recruitment and hiring adjustments to address vacancies following a wave of resignations and retirements.

PHOENIX — Jalen Green scored 36 points and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-96 in the Western Conference play-in game Friday night, securing a playoff berth. The Suns controlled the tempo throughout the contest; Jordan Goodwin added 19 points and six steals while Devin Booker contributed 20.

Oklahoma City will host Game 1 on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., matching the No. 8-seed Suns against the defending champion Thunder. The Warriors' season ended with Stephen Curry limited to 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting; Devin Booker and Draymond Green were ejected late after exchanging technical fouls, and Phoenix advances to the first round.

Anaheim — The Los Angeles Angels beat the San Diego Padres 8-0 on Friday night at Angel Stadium, with José Soriano delivering 5 2/3 scoreless innings, Yoán Moncada hitting a second-inning homer and Jo Adell adding a two-run double in the fourth. The game included a pregame tribute and a large 'GA' stencil after the former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson died Thursday.

Angels' victory ended San Diego's eight-game winning streak and showcased Soriano's early-season dominance, with reports noting a 0.28 ERA and 39 strikeouts through five starts; Matt Waldron, making his season debut for the Padres, allowed six runs in two innings. Teams planned next matchups for this weekend, and the Angels continued wearing a 'GA' patch in remembrance.

Phoenix — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Friday night he is uncertain about his future after the Warriors were eliminated from the play-in tournament following a loss to the Suns. Kerr said he will take time to decompress and will meet with team leadership, noting that 'these jobs all have an expiration date.'

The postgame moment included an embrace between Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and Kerr indicated he will consult with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy in the next week or two. Kerr, who completed his 12th season with a 604-353 coaching record and guided USA Basketball to Olympic gold in 2024, has an expiring contract and did not pursue an extension this season.

Nevada, US: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh undertook a familiarisation flight in a Boeing F-15EX Eagle II at Nellis Air Force Base on April 9, flying alongside USAF Major Matthew Benson of the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron to examine the aircraft’s systems and performance.

The sortie, reported on April 18, provided Singh and US officials the opportunity to assess the aircraft’s relevance to Indo-Pacific air superiority; US statements described the F-15EX as among platforms essential to collaborative regional defence, and the exchange informs ongoing bilateral training and interoperability discussions.