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Headlines
Trump Announces “Project Freedom” to Open the Strait of Hormuz
President Trump announced the U.S. will deploy guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, and 15,000 service members to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded since the start of the U.S.-Iran conflict. Iran rejected the move, warning that any U.S. interference would constitute a ceasefire violation. Source
The Supreme Court stepped in Monday to temporarily restore access to Mifepristone nationwide, reversing a federal appeals court ruling that had blocked mail distribution of the widely used abortion medication. The high court’s order keeps access intact while legal challenges continue. Find out More
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 81, was hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to a statement from his spokesman, Ted Goodman. No cause for the hospitalization was disclosed. Source
Politics
President Trump dispatched Sean Hannity to meet with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman and pitch Fetterman on switching parties. Read More
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Rome and meet with Pope Leo. The meeting comes in the wake of Leo and Trump feuding over the Iran War. Source
The Secret Service exchanged gunfire with an armed suspect near the White House. The suspect and a juvenile bystander were hit. Source
U.S. News
The U.S. national debt crossed a historic threshold, surpassing 100% of gross domestic product for the first time since World War II, according to new data. See Details
As Walmart prepares to remodel hundreds of stores, at least one location will eliminate self-checkout entirely amid concerns about theft. Several major retailers, including Target, Dollar General, and Five Below, have also scaled back self-checkout options in recent months. See Details
Dolly Parton canceled her shows in Las Vegas due to long-running issues with kidney stones. Read More
Business
The S&P 500 fell 0.40% Monday to close at 7,201, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.1%, shedding 557 points, as investors remained unsettled by the lack of a breakthrough in U.S.-Iran negotiations and continued disruption to Strait of Hormuz shipping. Source
Maersk announced that one of its oil tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. protection. Read More
AMD will report its first-quarter earnings after the bell today. Wall Street is eyeing the report as a key indicator of AI data center demand. See Details
World News
The U.S. military destroyed six Iranian small boats and shot down missiles as well as drones after Iran launched another wave of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Source
Seven OPEC+ member nations — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman — agreed Sunday to raise combined output targets by 188,000 barrels per day in June, the third straight monthly increase. Analysts said the boost would have a limited impact on global supply given the ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruption. Read More
Health Officials are working to contain a Hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship located off the coast of West Africa. There are six confirmed cases with one death. Source
Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil facilities have triggered fires and toxic fallout, including reports of black, chemically contaminated rain in affected regions. The attacks add further strain to already stressed global energy supply chains, which have also been disrupted by refinery fires in Australia, the U.S., India, and Mexico. Find out More
Entertainment
Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni’s production companies reached a settlement in their legal dispute stemming from the production of the film It Ends With Us, releasing a joint statement described as amicable. A judge tossed most of Lively’s lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment. Source
Fashion’s biggest night, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute Gala, took place Monday in New York City, drawing global celebrities and generating widespread social media coverage. Kylie Jenner’s look drew particular attention online. See Details
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ roared out of the gate to a $233 million opening weekend box office haul. Read More
Sports
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, was scratched from his scheduled Monday start and will undergo elbow surgery, a significant blow to the Tigers’ rotation. Detroit remains 18-17 on the season. Find out More
The assault trial of wide receiver Stefon Diggs began Monday, with his attorney stating the alleged incident never occurred. The case has attracted widespread attention throughout the NFL offseason. Read More
The New York Knicks routed the Philadelphia 79ers 137-98 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final playoff series. Source
Off the Wall
A real-life WKRP radio station went on the air in Cincinnati. CBS aired the sitcom ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ for four seasons from 1978 to 1982. See Details
