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World News

Oprah Winfrey’replaces’ Stephen Colbert in the Late Show hot seat for a possible ‘last interview.’

Oprah Winfrey'replaces' Stephen Colbert in the Late Show hot seat for a possible 'last interview.'

Oprah Winfrey’replaces’ Stephen Colbert in the Late Show hot seat for a possible ‘last interview.’

The beloved TV personality made her likely final appearance on The Late Show, which is set to conclude next month.

In a humorous twist, Oprah Winfrey took over as host for her final appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night.

Winfrey made her fifth and final visit as a special guest on the evening satirical show on Tuesday, where the two television hosts reflected warmly on their lengthy careers in the industry. She will be one of Colbert’s final guests, with the show set to conclude in a few weeks next month. CBS revealed less than a year ago that Colbert’s “Late Show” would end on May 21 following a ten-year stint.

The network justified the “agonizing” choice to budgetary constraints, but some think that it was also politically driven, given Colbert’s regular criticism of Trump on the satirical late-night show.

The cancellation coincided with CBS parent firm Paramount’s proposal to the Trump government to merge with Skydance.

The 11:35 p.m. EST time slot will now be replaced with “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen,” the network said earlier this week.

Some admirers turned to social media to relive the painful moment between Winfrey and Colbert.

Oprah Winfrey’replaces’ Stephen Colbert in the Late Show hot seat for a possible ‘last interview.’

The Late Nighter wrote on social media ahead of the show, “The countdown to the final episode continues! We’re celebrating the icons that stopped by to say farewell along the way, which continues tonight with Oprah Winfrey’s fifth appearance on Colbert.”

At the start of the final late-night interview exchange, Winfrey reminisced on her career after her program ended more than a decade ago, in light of Colbert’s home stretch.

About halfway into their chat, the two executed a clever prank and SwaPped seats, allowing Winfrey to serve as an interviewer and ask Colbert questions.

While taking over as interviewer, Winfrey asked Colbert what he thought he’d miss most about the show. Colbert responded brilliantly, saying he will miss communicating with the audience.

The answer sparked a talk between the two about their careers as television hosts, with the duo applauding their fans for helping them improve their interviewing and communication skills.

Winfrey also mentioned that her popular TV show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, had been off the air for over a decade. She now claims to be happier than ever, giving Colbert optimism as the show’s 10-year run on CBS comes to an end.

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Politics News

Clay Fuller, a Republican favored by Trump, wins the election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Clay Fuller, a Republican favored by Trump, wins the election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Clay Fuller, a Republican favored by Trump, wins the election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

 

Republican Clay Fuller is expected to win Georgia’s runoff election to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a once-close supporter of Donald Trump who resigned earlier this year after disagreeing with the president.

CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, reports that Fuller won the election to succeed her on Tuesday. He is a Trump-endorsed candidate who defeated Democrat Shawn Harris, keeping the very conservative district in Republican hands.

 

The victory strengthens the party’s slim 217-214 majority in the House of Representatives.

Fuller, a lieutenant colonel in the Georgia Air National Guard, will fill the remainder of Greene’s tenure, which expires in January.

 

In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday night, he stated that Trump’s backing was “the key factor in us winning.”

“He was the difference-maker,” Fuller stated. “He made all the difference in the world.”

 

On March 10, a special election was held, and Harris narrowly defeated Fuller, thanks in part to a large Republican field that split the vote. That night, no single candidate gained a majority, necessitating Tuesday’s runoff election.

To keep his place in Congress beyond next January, Fuller must immediately begin campaigning again, this time for the midterm elections in November. It is probable that he will confront Harris again.

 

Harris announced on social media that he intends to run. He stated, “This election wasn’t the result we wanted, but the message is clear—people here are ready for leadership that puts them first.” “The fight continues.” On to November!”

Fuller, a White House fellow during Trump’s first term, is closely aligned with the president’s policies, notably those aimed at reducing illegal immigration and implementing mass deportations.

 

Thanks to Trump’s endorsement, he rose to the top of a crowded Republican primary field. Washington observed the race from a distance, looking for indications of Trump’s influence among his supporters in the lead-up to the 2018 elections.

According to Andra Gillespie, Donald Trump backed Fuller with the understanding that a strongly MAGA-aligned candidate could turn off moderate voters, and the endorsement was meant to appeal to that middle ground rather than push them away.

Clay Fuller, a Republican favored by Trump, wins the election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

On Monday night, the president reiterated his support for Fuller on social media, writing, “I am asking all Republicans, America First Patriots, and MAGA Warriors to please GET OUT AND VOTE for a fantastic candidate, Clay Fuller, who has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”

Harris had relied on the unpredictable nature of the run-off, which takes place outside of a traditional election cycle when voter turnout may be low, in the hopes of attracting enough Democratic and Independent votes to secure a surprise victory.

 

The Democratic Party had targeted the seat as a possible pickup, and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg conducted a town hall with Harris in March.

“Everybody who voted for any other candidate […] I want to talk to every last one of them and say, ‘Give me a chance,'” Harris told the BBC after advancing to the runoff.

 

However, according to Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University, Harris’s victory in this election depended on a number of factors, including the need for Harris to win and Fuller to lose.

Georgia’s 14th congressional district covers the northwest half of the state, from the northwest Atlanta suburbs to the Tennessee border. The mostly rural district is dominated by Republicans, but there are pockets of Democratic supporters in Atlanta and around Rome.

 

Trump had constantly weighed in on the campaign, hoping to keep it in Republican hands. The GOP holds a slim majority in the House of Representatives, so even a few Republican defections may block a vote.

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National News

The United States and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire, with negotiations to heal the gap between them. Here’s what to know

The United States and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire, with negotiations to heal the gap between them. Here's what to know

The United States and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire, with negotiations to heal the gap between them. Here’s what to know

 

After a month and a half of escalating violence in the Middle East, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week cease-fire on Tuesday, less than two hours before US President Donald Trump’s deadline, after which he had threatened to destroy a “whole civilization.”

 

That threat, which critics said could be a war crime if carried out, appears to have been averted at the eleventh hour. However, there is still a divide between the two countries, with each portraying the temporary truce as a win for their country.

 

The ceasefire is a beginning point for future negotiations, and it is unclear what final terms would be included in a proposal to end a war that has upended the Middle East and caused a major global oil disruption.

This is what we know.

What did the United States and Israel say?

Trump announced the truce in a Truth Social post, stating that it was reached on the condition that Iran agree to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows.

 

The ceasefire was mediated by Pakistan’s prime minister and military leader, he stated. Iran had submitted a 10-point plan, which the US considers “a workable basis on which to negotiate,” Trump noted.

 

He stated that the following two weeks will enable the creation of a definitive agreement.

In an interview with the AFP news agency on Tuesday, Trump praised the agreement as a “total and complete victory.” However, he refused to specify whether he would carry out his previous threats to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure if Tehran broke the accord, adding simply, “You’re going to have to see.”

 

Shortly after midnight, he took to Truth Social again, saying the United States would assist in easing congestion in the Strait of Hormuz, and also suggesting that significant profits are on the horizon.

 

According to US officials, the Trump administration is preparing for future in-person meetings, most likely in Islamabad, where Pakistan’s prime minister has asked both sides to send delegations.

 

Israel has agreed to the truce and will pause bombing of Iran, according to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

But it also said Lebanon isn’t part of the ceasefire, which contradicts Pakistan’s PM. Trump made no reference to Lebanon in his statement.

What did Iran say?

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, has stated that if attacks against Iran end, so would Iranian operations.

During the ceasefire, the country’s military will ensure safe transit across the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency stated that Iran and Oman want to levy passage fees for vessels transiting through the strait during the ceasefire, with the proceeds going toward rehabilitation.

 

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the country’s highest security council, issued a more furious statement, claiming it had forced the US to adopt its 10-point plan. It called the truce an “enduring defeat” for Washington.

The United States and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire, with negotiations to heal the gap between them. Here’s what to know

It also mentioned prospective discussions in Islamabad, warning that “even the slightest error by the enemy will be met with full force.”

What are the provisions of the ceasefire agreement?

According to Araghchi, while Washington accepted the “general framework” of Iran’s 10-point plan as a “basis for negotiations,” Iran was also evaluating the US’s 15-point proposal.

 

The entire terms of the US plan have not been released, but it is reported to involve Iran pledging to have no nuclear weapons, handing up its highly enriched uranium, limiting Tehran’s defense capabilities, ending regional proxy groups, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Other considerations on the table include acknowledging Israel’s right to exist, according to the two regional sources.

 

Iran had earlier rejected the 15-point plan, with one official calling the demands “largely excessive, unrealistic, and unreasonable” on Monday, despite Trump’s declaration in late March that Tehran had agreed to “most of” the criteria.

While the White House has not specified what Iran’s 10-point proposal entails, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has outlined essential components of the plan.

 

CNN acquired the statement from Iranian officials. It was also covered by several Iranian state media agencies.

It included regulating passage through the Strait of Hormuz, ending attacks on Iran and its regional proxy forces, withdrawing US forces from the region, compensating Iran, lifting international sanctions and unfreezing assets, and passing a binding UN resolution to secure any eventual peace deal.

 

In an interview with AFP, Trump stated that Iran’s uranium will be “perfectly taken care of or I wouldn’t have settled.”

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World News

‘All bets are off’: Brutal battles beckon in final season of ‘The Boys’

‘All bets are off’: Brutal battles beckon in final season of ‘The Boys’

‘All bets are off’: Brutal battles beckon in final season of ‘The Boys’

Summary:

  • Season five brings high-stakes combat, shifting alliances, and unexpected character flaws.
  • The confrontation between Homelander and Butcher heats up, with The Boys threatening all super-powered beings.
  • Spin-offs and prequels broaden the series, with creator Eric Kripke open to new projects.

According to American actor Jensen Ackles, no character is safe in the fifth and final season of “The Boys,” a blood-soaked superhero satire that premieres on Prime Video on Wednesday.

 

“This marks the payoff after four seasons, as the story heads into its major finale,” the Supernatural star said in an interview with Reuters. “At this point, anything can happen.”

 

Ackles, who plays the volatile super-powered Soldier Boy, said show creator Eric Kripke had crafted a final season that tests friendships and reveals unexpected vulnerabilities.

The show’s primary actors, including Erin Moriarty as Starlight, Laz Alonso as Mother’s Milk, and Karen Fukuhara as Kimiko Miyashiro, return for the final season.

 

Season five features the much-anticipated clash between the arrogant adversary Homelander, who now considers himself a god, and Billy Butcher, the gruff leader of the vigilante squad known as The Boys. Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios are responsible for the series’ distribution.

‘All bets are off’: Brutal battles beckon in final season of ‘The Boys’

In a last-ditch effort to break Homelander’s hold over the globe, the Boys plan to unleash a lethal virus capable of wiping out all super-powered beings.

“That’s the harrowing situation we’re in when season five begins,” says Jack Quaid, who plays Hughie Campbell. “Homelander is steadily moving toward achieving immortality — and now it’s up to The Boys to stand in his way.”

The last season focuses on the rivalry between Butcher and Homelander, which has fueled the show from its premiere in 2019.

 

Karl Urban, who plays Butcher, stated that the character’s newfound abilities come at a cost.

“He becomes very cold, calculated and turns into Terminator-like,” Urban stated, “while the other Butcher (when he doesn’t use his powers) is really just struggling ⁠to hold onto the last vestiges of his humanity.”

 

Antony Starr, who plays Homelander, stated that his character has shifted in the opposite direction.

“Evolution is paused,” Starr stated. “Arrested development has prevented him from growth.” He referred to Homelander as emotionally and morally bankrupt.He said. “Because it means he’s going to make a mess.”

 

“The Boys” has generated spin-off series, including “Gen V,” “The Boys Presents: Diabolical” and the planned prequel series starring Ackles, “Vought Rising,” which was announced in 2024 at San Diego Comic Con. No formal premiere date has been announced.

 

Kripke stated that he is open to create other spin-offs in the future as long as they make sense within the series and offer something beyond the original plot of “The Boys.”

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Sports

Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Double Sparks Nuggets’ Epic Comeback as NBA Playoff Race Heats Up

Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Double Sparks Nuggets’ Epic Comeback as NBA Playoff Race Heats Up

Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Double Sparks Nuggets’ Epic Comeback as NBA Playoff Race Heats Up

NBA playoff push intensifies as Jokic leads Denver surge.

The NBA regular season is nearing its end, and the playoff race is heating up with exciting performances and moving rankings. Nikola Jokic is making headlines after leading the Denver Nuggets to a stunning 137-132 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

 

Jokic dominated with 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, his 33rd triple-double of the season. Denver overcame a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, demonstrating resilience and championship-level calm. With this victory, the Nuggets won their ninth consecutive game and moved up to the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference, just ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jamal Murray also played an important role, scoring vital points in overtime, and Aaron Gordon contributed 23 points, including clutch jumpers late in regulation. Portland, despite excellent efforts from Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija, came up short after a hot shooting night from beyond the arc.

Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Double Sparks Nuggets’ Epic Comeback as NBA Playoff Race Heats Up

MVP Race: SGA Leads; Wembanyama Closes In

The MVP race is becoming clearer, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerging as the frontrunner. The Oklahoma City Thunder star has dominated this season, receiving the majority of first-place votes in the most recent media poll.

However, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is making a late run. His outstanding two-way efforts and team success have put him squarely in contention. Meanwhile, Jokic continues to produce historic numbers, and Luka Doncic remains in contention despite injury worries.

Rookie of the Year Competition Heats Up

The Rookie of the Year competition has taken a drastic turn. Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks has risen to prominence following two explosive performances, including a 50-point game.

Still, Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets has a little advantage because to his steady scoring and record-breaking three-point shooting. The matchup between the two young talents highlighted one of the most exciting rookie classes in NBA history.

Final Week: What to Watch

As the regular season comes to an end, playoff seeding remains extremely tight in both conferences. Teams are vying for position, while injuries and player returns, such as Cade Cunningham’s impending return to the Detroit Pistons, might have a huge impact on postseason outcomes.

 

With only a few days left, every game matters. From MVP arguments to playoff matchups, the NBA is delivering high-stakes drama as the season approaches its conclusion.

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National News

What was that?: SpaceX rocket launch lights up the Central California sky

What was that?: SpaceX rocket launch lights up the Central California sky

What was that?: SpaceX rocket launch lights up the Central California sky

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A spectacle in the skies over Central California has left many people wondering… “What was that?”

 

It seemed as a massive column of white smoke speckled with light dots.

That was a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Central Coast.

 

The rocket was carrying 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit.

The rocket’s first and second stages separated around two and a half minutes after launch.

What was that?: SpaceX rocket launch lights up the Central California sky

The second stage continued into orbit, while the first stage returned to Earth and landed safely on a drone ship off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

SpaceX launches rockets from Vandenberg roughly once every week, but this one stuck out.

 

Clear skies, paired with a twilight launch just after sunset, allowed the rocket to capture sunlight at higher elevations, making it visible across much of the Valley.

 

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World News

Offset Shot in Incident Outside Florida Casino, According to Police

Offset Shot in Incident Outside Florida Casino, According to Police

Offset Shot in Incident Outside Florida Casino, According to Police

Two individuals have been apprehended, and the investigation is ongoing.

NEED TO KNOW:

  • Offset was reportedly shot outside the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Police seized two people and established that the facility is secure, with no ongoing threat to the public.
  • Offset’s representative told TMZ that the rapper is “fine,” while further information concerning his condition are unknown.

A police source verified to PEOPLE that rapper Offset was shot outside a casino in Seminole, Florida.

 

“We can confirm that Offset was shot and is presently in the hospital undergoing medical care. “He is stable and being closely monitored,” Offset’s spokesperson told PEOPLE.

 

According to a statement to PEOPLE, the Seminole Police Department is “aware of an incident that occurred at a valet area after 7 p.m. Monday outside of Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood” and resulted in “non-life threatening injuries to an individual who was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.”

 

Police stated officers arrived swiftly and that “the situation was contained quickly.” Two people have been apprehended, and the investigation is ongoing.

 

Authorities further stated that the location is secure, there is no threat to the public, and operations at the property are proceeding as usual.

“Right now, it looks like he’s going to be fine,” a source tells People. “He’s at Memorial Regional Hospital and is not in the ICU.”

Offset Shot in Incident Outside Florida Casino, According to Police

The insider also states that they are not disclosing where he was shot at this time.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show the aftermath of the incident, with one person being led away by police while limping and another seen on the ground surrounded by officers.

 

TMZ first reported that Offset, real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was shot in the incident.

 

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World News

Kim Kardashian & Lewis Hamilton Go Instagram Official with Ferrari Ride

Kim Kardashian & Lewis Hamilton Go Instagram Official with Ferrari Ride

Kim Kardashian & Lewis Hamilton Go Instagram Official with Ferrari Ride

NEED TO KNOW:

  • Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton made Instagram official on Monday, April 6, with a Reel uploaded by the Formula One driver.
  • In the footage, Kardashian can be seen in the passenger seat of Hamilton’s red Ferrari while he does donuts in Tokyo.
  • “That’s insane,” the reality star exclaims in the video.

Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton are stepping up their friendship.

 

The reality actress, 45, and Hamilton, 41, made Instagram official on Monday, April 6, with a new Instagram Reel from the Formula One driver.

 

The two are seen driving at high speeds in the footage, which shows him whipping around in his Ferrari F40 at the Daikoku Parking Area in Tokyo, Japan.

 

Hamilton captioned the video “HERE WE GO AGAIN 🇯🇵 TOKYO DRIFT VOL. III,” set to the song “Victory Lap” by Skepta, PlaqueboyMax, and Fred Again.

 

Kardashian is visible in the passenger seat near the end of the video, dressed in a white turtleneck top. After her joy ride with Hamilton, the mother of four exclaimed, “That’s insane,” as the camera approached her in the car.

Kim Kardashian & Lewis Hamilton Go Instagram Official with Ferrari Ride

On March 25, a source told PEOPLE that Kardashian and Hamilton were on vacation in Tokyo with her three younger children, Saint, 10, Chicago, 9, and Psalm, 6, whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West, as well as daughter North, 12.

 

According to the insider, the SKIMS founder’s sister, Khloé Kardashian, and her two children, True, 7, and Tatum, 3, joined Hamilton on the trip to Tokyo.

 

According to a source, Hamilton is “an easygoing guy with great energy,” and the reality star’s “family likes him.” “Kim’s very into him,” the source stated, adding that they are both busy with their businesses but see each other as much as possible. It isn’t just a casual connection. It takes a lot to pique Kim’s curiosity, and she’s certainly intrigued.”

 

Rumors of their affair began in March, when Hamilton made a flirty comment on Kardashian’s Instagram picture. On March 16, the SKIMS founder tweeted photographs from an Oscar celebration, as well as videos and photos of herself getting dressed. Hamilton responded to the sexy photos with a simple comment: “😍.”

 

Categories
National News

Savannah Guthrie returns to ‘TODAY’ amid hunt for mother, saying “It’s good to be home.”

Savannah Guthrie returns to 'TODAY' amid hunt for mother, saying "It's good to be home."

Savannah Guthrie returns to ‘TODAY’ amid hunt for mother, saying “It’s good to be home.”

She wore a bright yellow dress that matched the yellow ribbons and flowers left at her mother’s house.

The two anchors then discussed the morning’s main topics, including an introductory section concerning the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Guthrie announced. “Let’s do the news.”

Authorities have described the incident as a suspected kidnapping or abduction.

Guthrie told Hoda Kotb last month that she believes returning to the “TODAY” anchor desk is “part of my purpose right now,” despite finding it difficult to envisage returning to a job she equates with “joy and lightness.”

But I can’t not return back because it’s my family,” Guthrie said in her first interview since the tragedy began. “I’m not sure if I can accomplish it. I’m not sure if I’ll belong anymore, but I’d want to try.”

“TODAY” co-anchor Craig Melvin announced Guthrie’s return during the show’s March 27 broadcast, saying, “It’s where she belongs.” That’s where we all want her to be.

Guthrie recognized the “TODAY” fans who had gathered outside on Rockefeller Plaza on Monday, some holding placards with her mother’s photo. “Guthrie told her co-anchors, “I’m excited to see them all and give them hugs.” “I’ve been really feeling the love so much.”

Nancy Guthrie’s family reported her missing about noon on February 1 when she failed to show up at a friend’s house for virtual church services, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. According to authorities, she was last seen around 9:45 p.m. the night before, after supper at her daughter Annie Guthrie’s home.

The inquiry into her disappearance captivated the nation and focused intensely on Tucson’s tranquil Catalina Foothills neighborhood. Authorities have yet to identify a suspect or motive, but the FBI has revealed terrifying doorbell camera footage showing an armed and masked guy outside Nancy Guthrie’s home on the morning she was reported missing.

The bureau characterized him as a man of average build, standing between 5 feet, 9 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall and carrying a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter backpack.

Savannah Guthrie returns to ‘TODAY’ amid hunt for mother, saying “It’s good to be home.”

Guthrie and her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, have shared updates on the case on social media. In heartfelt Instagram videos, they have thanked the public for their prayers and made direct appeals to Nancy Guthrie’s possible abductor.

“Someone knows how to find our mom and bring her home,” Guthrie said in the description of a video posted on February 24.

The family has offered up to $1 million for information leading to the 84-year-old’s recovery. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for “information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”

Kotb, a “TODAY” contributor, filled in for Guthrie. During that time, Guthrie stepped down from NBC’s coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, and Mary Carillo took over as co-host of the opening ceremony alongside NBC Sports’ Terry Gannon.

Guthrie paid a visit to the “Today” set on March 5. A photographer for The Associated Press captured photographs of Guthrie wiping away tears and embracing her colleagues outside the studio.

The visit was not broadcast. “I really wanted to come and see everyone.” “I just love this beautiful place that we call home, where we get to come and be every day,” Guthrie told Kotb, adding: “When times are tough, you want to be with your family.”

Categories
Politics News

AM Markets Should Know: U.S.-Iran Updates, Global Chip Sales, and More

AM Markets Should Know: U.S.-Iran Updates, Global Chip Sales, and More

AM Markets Should Know: U.S.-Iran Updates, Global Chip Sales, and More

Stock index futures rose on Monday, as traders remained focused on Middle Eastern developments, notably the condition of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

U.S.-Iran The United States, Iran, and regional mediators are negotiating a potential 45-day ceasefire that might prepare the way for the war’s end, according to four U.S., Israeli, and regional sources familiar with the negotiations. The discussions are based on a two-phased agreement, with the first phase being a 45-day ceasefire to allow for more negotiations, and the second phase being an end-of-war settlement.

 

Trump issues an ultimatum over the Strait of Hormuz: United States President Donald Trump has given Iran till 8 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply could result in US assaults on critical infrastructure throughout the country.

 

Trump increased pressure on Tehran over the weekend with a series of social media postings and interviews, implying that power plants, bridges, and other important facilities could be targeted if the waterway continues closed. The strait, a critical corridor for global oil exports, has been mostly closed since confrontations between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated more than a month ago.

AM Markets Should Know: U.S.-Iran Updates, Global Chip Sales, and More

Iran admits Iraqi oil via the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has suggested a partial relaxation of restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Iraqi oil shipments to flow through the critical corridor after weeks of interruption that shook global energy markets, according to the Financial Times on Sunday.

 

The Ocean Thunder, an Iraqi tanker, safely passed the strait along Iran’s coastline over the weekend, transporting approximately 1 million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude, according to shipping data published by the newspaper. The passage is one of the most obvious indications yet that Tehran may be selectively reopening the waterway.

 

Global semiconductor sales rose to $88.8 billion in February 2026, up 7.6% month on month and 61.8% year on year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. “Sales into the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, and China were all major drivers of year-to-year growth,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO.

 

Markets begin to price in a “Trump risk premium” as policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions mount, according to economist Robin Brooks. Brooks, a former senior FX strategist at Goldman Sachs, believes recent movements in Treasury yields indicate that investors are beginning to price in political risk associated with President Donald Trump’s policy approach, particularly on trade, fiscal growth, and geopolitical issues.

 

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