World Bank chief economist warns of hunger risk from war in Iran

(The Center Square) – With hours left before the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was set to expire, President Donald Trump has extended it, citing a “seriously fractured” Iranian government.

Trump did not indicate a timeline for the latest ceasefire. Prior to the Tuesday afternoon announcement, Vice President JD Vance, Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner were tentatively scheduled to attend a second round of talks in Pakistan.

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” the president said in a statement.

Despite the extended ceasefire, the president remains committed to continuing the naval blockade on Iranian ports, put in place over two weeks ago.

Trump indicated that the U.S. stands “ready and able” during the ceasefire, waiting for a unified proposal that can be submitted and “discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

In the lead-up to the extended ceasefire, the president accused Iran of violating the ceasefire “numerous times” on a Truth Social post Tuesday morning.

The president told CNBC that the U.S. was prepared to carry out further strikes if a deal wasn’t struck, while acknowledging the Iranians could be using the ceasefire to restock their arsenal.

“They probably have done a little bit of restocking. We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China, perhaps, I don’t know. But I was a little surprised, because I have a very good relationship, and I thought I had an understanding with President Xi,” the president said during his phone interview with the network.

The ship named Touska was intercepted Sunday in the Gulf of Oman after the U.S. Navy “gave them fair warning to stop,” according to the president. Trump claims the “nearly 900 feet long” ship attempted to get through the naval blockade put in place over a week ago at the direction of Trump.

A U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship en route to an Iranian port originating from China, raising concerns that China could be resupplying the Islamic Republic with weapons.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy intercepted and boarded a “stateless” sanctioned boat in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the Department of War.

“As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran,” the DOW wrote in a social media post.

U.S. Central Command has said since the start of the Naval blockade on Iranian ports, the U.S. has intercepted 28 vessels to “turn around or return to port.”

(The Center Square) — Lawmakers and industry leaders proposed implementing artificial intelligence to address gaps in financial literacy across the country.

The lawmakers spoke at Axios’ Financial Confidence event in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Young Kim, R-Calif., said artificial intelligence would be essential to educating the public about financial responsibility.

“I think a lot of Americans have no access to financial assistance and it’s a huge issue because you leave some out and they don’t get the right advice or any advice whatsoever,” Gottheimer said.

Both lawmakers said artificial intelligence chatbots can act as personal financial advisors for people who would otherwise be unable to pay for the assistance. Kim cited ChatGPT as a source to obtain more information on tax refunds secured through the One Big Beautiful Bill.

“It will tell you how to invest,” Kim said. “It’s a free advisor!”

However, both lawmakers also warned against giving artificial intelligence models too much knowledge about personal financial information.

Gottheimer called for greater transparency and disclosure requirements from banks that use artificial intelligence, and when the tools are used to give financial advice.

“The key is being transparent, knowing there’s not some sort of big company getting some of a product that you’re not aware of,” Gottheimer said.

He pointed to artificial intelligence being used in the workforce as well. Gottheimer said AI will both create new jobs and allow for greater workforce training.

“Making sure that more people are able to have tools for the future so that they’re ready for whatever’s coming at you,” Gottheimer said.

Kim also warned of AI’s increased use to commit fraud and scamming schemes. She pointed to the PACE Act, legislation she introduced on Tuesday to allow payment companies to get approved for federal registration, cutting out other companies that handle payment processes in between.

“This means we're going to build a faster, more efficient, more secure payment system that works better for everyday Americans,” Kim said.

She also called for greater rewards for people who make timely payments for goods and services. She said individuals who pay off credit card balances on time should be rewarded, rather than rewarded for going into greater debt.

John Hope Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE, spoke about the Trump administration’s recently unveiled Trump accounts.

The "Trump account" initiative was included in the "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law in July 2025. It provides a $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury Department to a tax-free account for babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. The program is set to launch on July 4.

Bryant said the administration’s idea is helpful for building financial literacy, but said it should be more politically neutral.

“The best way for the administration to get credit for it is not to try to get credit for it,” Bryant said. “If it has no edge attached to it and it just is something for everybody.”

Kim celebrated the Trump accounts and called for Congress to codify the program into law. She said the accounts can help educate students about financial literacy and help families manage their investments.

“We encourage students to be better incentivized to learn about how can I maximize those funds when I turn 18 and be able to invest those funds directly,” Kim said. “If something like this Trump account is working really well, why not make it into a permanent program?”

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, a candidate for UN secretary-general, said Tuesday she hoped the world is finally "ready" for a woman in the position.

Since the United Nations was founded after World War II, all nine UN chiefs have been men, although many countries have advocated for the appointment of a woman.

In 2016, despite several female candidates, Antonio Guterres of Portugal won the race.

"If I am polite, I would say the world was not prepared for it. Is it prepared now? I hope so," Bachelet, 74, told reporters after a three-hour hearing before member states.

"It will be a very good signal," she said. "It could get hope for many people."

In a world ravaged by wars, the candidate pleaded with member states to rebuild trust in the UN, particularly by continuing the organization's reform amid a political and financial crisis. 

She also advocated for a secretary-general who would be "present in the field," somebody "who has the moral voice" and a "diplomatic stature that can be heard" by powerful states.

While distrust of the UN is often illustrated by the Security Council's paralysis on many pressing issues, she acknowledged that she had no "magic formula" to change things. 

"I don't have a magic potion that I can give to member states" -- especially, she said, the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council -- so that "everybody's friends." 

Three other candidates -- Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan and Senegal's Macky Sall — will be interviewed by member states on Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping to secure what General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described as "one of the toughest jobs in the world."

When asked what makes her the best candidate to succeed Guterres on January 1, 2027, Bachelet emphasized her "extensive experience." As for questions about her age, she said, "I have accumulative youth."

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The war in the Middle East has boosted demand to move vital cargo through the Panama Canal to such an extent that one vessel carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) paid $4 million to skip the line and avoid a wait that can take up to five days, according to an official report.

A surge in such payments has been recorded since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began February 28, which led to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas exports from Gulf countries.

To meet fuel demand, Asia's refineries are choosing to buy oil or gas from the United States and ship it through the transoceanic waterway instead of purchasing from Gulf countries who rely on the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from the Panama Canal Authority. 

The average number of ships passing through the canal on a daily basis has "remained strong," the authority told AFP in a statement Tuesday, with 34 ships in January and 37 ships in March. Some days exceeded 40 transits.

"The increase reflects changes in global trade patterns and market conditions, including geopolitical factors affecting key routes," the authority said.

Ships transiting the canal book their passage well in advance, and ships without bookings wait an average of five days to get through, but there is an auction where last-minute transits can be purchased.

The most recent auction included a $4 million bid for an LNG vessel, and in recent weeks two oil tankers exceeded bids of $3 million, the authority said. 

Past average auction prices between October and February stood at around $130,000, and rose to $385,000 in March and April.

Five percent of global maritime trade passes through the Panama Canal, and its main users are the US and China. The route primarily connects the US East Coast with China, South Korea and Japan.

In the first half of the 2026 fiscal year, which runs October to September, the Panamanian waterway recorded passage of 6,288 ships, a year-on-year increase of 3.7 percent, according to official figures.

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Dirk Nowitzki and Sue Bird were among eight new inductees into the FIBA Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Berlin on Tuesday, which also featured the draw for the 2026 Women's World Cup.

Alongside Nowitzki and Bird, Celine Dumerc, Hedo Turkoglu, Clarisse Machanguana, Wang Zhizhi, Ismenia Pauchard and coach Ludwik Mietta-Mikolajewicz were also inducted.

Nowitzki, the 2007 NBA MVP and 2011 NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks, thanked "special human being" Holger Geschwindner, his long-time coach and mentor. 

"Harry Potter had Dumbledore, Alexander the Great had Aristotle, and I had Holger."

In a career played in the United States and Russia at club level, Bird won five Olympic gold medals and four World Championships with the US women's team. 

Bird, who retired in 2022 aged 41, told reporters: "When you start playing as a kid, you're not thinking about fame, that's not the destination. 

"But when you get here and you look back on your career, you can see what a ride it's been."

A rematch between 2022 champions the United States and runners-up China headlined the group-stage draw for the 2026 Women's World Cup, to be held in Berlin in September. 

Italy and Czech Republic join the USA and China in Group D. In Group A, hosts Germany take on Euros runners-up Spain, Japan and Mali. 

European champions Belgium face Asian champions Australia, Puerto Rico and Turkey. 

France face African champions Nigeria, South Korea and Hungary. 

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(The Center Square) – Medical group Do No Harm sent a letter Monday to the Federal Trade Commission urging an investigation into the American Psychological Association, accusing APA of holding two contradictory stances on gender-affirming care for minors, which could prove to be misleading.

Chief Medical Officer of Do No Harm Dr. Kurt Miceli told The Center Square that “the American Psychological Association appears to be contradicting itself to have its cake and eat it too.”

The APA is “attempting to protect against regulatory action for promoting experimental and dangerous adolescent sex-change interventions, while also staving off anger from the radical gender activists who have captured the organization,” according to Miceli.

According to Do No Harm, the APA possesses a 2024 policy that promotes gender-affirming care in minors but also a 2025 letter to the FTC displaying caution. 

Miceli told The Center Square that “by promoting two irreconcilable positions, the APA is deceiving the FTC, psychologists, and minor patients and their guardians.”

“Make no mistake, the APA’s original policy position pushes for unobstructed access to sex-rejecting interventions for children, equates non-affirmation with violence, and condemns state protections as human rights violations,” Miceli said.

“By recently doubling down on that position, the APA is contradicting its more measured comments to the FTC, which encourages caution and comprehensive psychological assessments rather than medical intervention,” Miceli said.

Miceli explained that “this raises serious questions about the APA’s maneuvering and if serious regulatory action is in order.”

“As the FTC continues to investigate WPATH, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Endocrine Society for potentially deceptive practices in ‘gender-affirming care,’ we recommend that it launch a similar investigation into the APA,” Miceli said.

The FTC and the APA have not yet responded to The Center Square’s request for comment.

In its letter to the FTC, Do No Harm outlines how the 2024 APA Policy Statement supports gender-affirming procedures for minors and opposes state bans on gender affirming care for children, while also listing “non-affirmation” of a preferred gender as “violence.”

Meanwhile, a letter the APA sent to the FTC in 2025 “adopts a far more cautious, tempered tone focused on psychological assessment rather than medical intervention” as it relates to gender dysphoria in minors.

Do No Harm’s letter reads: “The 2024 Policy Statement explicitly endorses medical gender-affirming care and condemns non-affirmation as harmful, while the 2025 FTC submission appears to walk that back in the face of regulatory scrutiny.”

“An investigation into potentially unfair or deceptive trade practices in this space must examine why the nation’s largest psychological organization appears to present one face to the public and practitioners and a different face to federal regulators,” the letter said.

“The APA cannot have it both ways,” the letter said. “These conflicting messages, which will influence how psychologists and other providers counsel children and families on irreversible medication interventions, are misleading to consumers, patients, and the FTC.”

Executive Director of American Parents Coalition Alleigh Marré told The Center Square that “medical organizations whose mission is to provide guidance to healthcare providers across the country continue to prioritize transgender ideology over the wellbeing of children.”

“The evidence continues to show that allowing children to undergo experimental and irreversible gender interventions have detrimental effects, but groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association remain committed to propping up the ideology,” Marré said. 

“American parents deserve medical guidance from these institutions that prioritize their children,” Marré said. “American Parents Coalition continues to support public officials who are pushing back on allowing transgender ideology to be promoted and pushed onto our kids.”

(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, resigned from Congress Tuesday minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing that would have decided sanctions against her.

The committee previously found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on 25 of 27 ethics charges after a nearly three-year investigation into allegations she stole millions in COVID-19 relief money and routed some of it to her congressional campaign.

Federal charges remain in place. Prosecutors say she stole $5 million and bought items like a 3-carat yellow diamond ring with what should have been used as disaster relief money.

Her resignation cut off Tuesday’s sanctions hearing with the Committee on Ethics effectively losing its jurisdiction in the case.

“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of my district and I remain proud of the work we have accomplished on behalf of our communities,” wrote Cherfilus-McCormick in her resignation letter addressed to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La. “After careful reflection and prayer, I have concluded it is in my best interest, and the interest of my constituents and the institution, that I step aside at this time. I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition and ensuring continuity of service for the district.”

In a social media post, the former congresswoman called the investigation a witch hunt.

“This was not a fair process,” Cherfilus-McCormick wrote. “The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense. By going forward with this process while a criminal indictment is pending, the committee prevented me from defending myself. I will not stand by and pretend that this has been anything other than a witch hunt. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished.”

Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., said she had plenty of time to defend herself.

“I will tell you that the committee has worked diligently to investigate this matter,” Guest said Tuesday. “This was not a rush to judgment as some would claim. This was a very deliberate process to gather information into allegations that were extremely serious and extremely complicated. There were multiple witnesses that were spoken to over a two-year period. There were tens of thousands of documents that were subpoenaed, gathered and reviewed. And throughout this process, Ms. McCormick, who has now resigned from Congress, had multiple ample opportunities to present exculpatory evidence to the committee and to address the committee by way of a voluntary statement and also to comply with the subpoena that was issued in this case.”

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., praised the work of the committee while expressing his frustration. He's the ranking member for the minority party.

“Nobody’s happy," he said. "I don’t think any of us are happy with what we’ve gone through but I am extremely proud to be associated with all of you and I’m grateful for the hard work and diligence of the staff.

On Election Day 2024, Republicans won a 220-215 majority in the House. With Tuesday’s resignation, there are four vacancies, Republicans have a 217-213 majority and former California Republican Kevin Kiley is independent and caucusing with his former party.

Rep. Clayton Fuller, R-Ga., was sworn in April 14 to succeed Margorie Taylor Greene, and on Monday Rep. Analilia Mejia, D-N.J., was sworn in to succeed now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

Special elections are scheduled Aug. 4 in the 1st Congressional District of California to get a successor to the late Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and Aug. 18 in the 14th Congressional District of California to get a successor to former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell

The latter resigned April 14, the same day as did Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales. No date for a special election in the 23rd Congressional District has been set.

US defense companies are reporting a surge in demand for military equipment, as the war in the Middle East prompts fresh orders from governments around the world.

Earnings Tuesday signaled that 2026 will be another strong year after a robust 2025 in the wake of continuing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Russian incursions into European airspace, Chinese maneuverings towards Taiwan and Red Sea tensions.

More governments are ordering military equipment amid rising geopolitical strife. For those who are already in conflict, there is a need to spend more to replenish stocks or maintain machinery.

US defense companies RTX, Northrop Grumman and GE Aerospace all reported increased orders in the first quarter.

While hoping for a "sustained resolution" to the Middle East conflict, RTX CEO Chris Calio told a Wall Street analyst call the company was working with the Pentagon "to accelerate munitions production." 

US officials have announced new agreements in recent months to increase production of the Tomahawk, Patriot and GEM-T missiles, among other weapons systems. 

RTX unit Raytheon previously announced five "landmark" Pentagon agreements that Calio described as "vitally important for national security." The company has already invested nearly $900 million to expand capacity.

"The current landscape clearly underscores the need for munitions, depth, integrated air and missile defense technology and more advanced capabilities to counter evolving threats," Calio said.

"We're seeing really, really strong demand, both domestically and internationally," he added as the company raised several full-year financial projections.

Similarly, GE Aerospace described its first quarter as "strong," with revenues jumping 25 percent in light of what Chief Executive Larry Culp described as a "dynamic geopolitical landscape."

Culp said on a conference call the company expects the Middle East war and its effects to persist through the summer.

In its defense programs, GE Aerospace continues "to execute with speed against high-priority military needs in support of US and allied warfighters," Culp added.

But the company, which builds engines for Boeing and Airbus, also suffered some ill-effects from the war. Cutbacks in travel in the Middle East hit the company's maintenance business.

- New facilities -

At Northrop Grumman, the objective is also to deliver as quickly as possible on orders for weapons systems.

The company has added 20 new manufacturing facilities in the United States over the last two years, according to CEO Kathy Warden. 

"Clearly the conflict with Iran has created a heightened sense of urgency," she said.

Calio of RTX said the recent contracts with the Pentagon "will give the kind of long-term visibility that the supply chain will need to invest, which is critically important."

US undersecretary of defense Jules Hurst said President Donald Trump's fiscal 2027 budget requested $1.5 trillion, describing the demand as a "generational investment in the United States military, the arsenal of freedom," he said at a Pentagon briefing. 

"This 42 percent increase will supercharge our defense industrial base by expanding production of major weapon systems while strengthening supply chains and supporting tens of thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses," Hurst said.

Boeing, which also has a defense business, will report earnings Wednesday, while Lockheed Martin is set to release results on Thursday.

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Mexican authorities said Tuesday that the man who killed a Canadian woman and wounded 13 others the day before at the famed Teotihuacan pyramids had planned the attack in advance.

As authorities grappled with the security breach that occurred midday Monday, just weeks before Mexico hosts several World Cup football matches, President Claudia Sheinbaum called for tighter gun controls at tourist areas.

The attack, carried out by a Mexican man who then took his life, "was not spontaneous," Mexico State Prosecutor Jose Luis Cervantes told reporters at a press conference alongside Sheinbaum.

The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Mexico City resident Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, "made preliminary visits on multiple occasions to the archaeological site, stayed in hotels near the site ahead of time, and from there planned his violent acts," Cervantes said.

The famed pyramids are located less than an hour's drive from Mexico City.

The gunman died by suicide after military personnel approached and began to engage him, authorities said.

At least 13 people were injured, including some who suffered gunshot wounds.

Among the wounded, who were taken to different hospitals, were a six-year-old boy and a woman from Colombia, another Canadian woman, a Brazilian man and two Americans.

According to the prosecutor, a backpack was found at the scene containing the gun the assailant used, a knife and 52 rounds of ammunition.

It also contained literature and images linked "to violent events that are known to have occurred in the United States in April 1999," Cervantes said, in an apparent reference to the infamous Columbine High School shooting.

Two students, aged 17 and 18, attacked the Colorado high school on April 20, 1999, killing 12 classmates and a teacher in a matter of minutes, before taking their own lives.

Several other mass shooters in the United States have subsequently cited the high-profile tragedy as inspiration for their attacks.

Sheinbaum stated that the assailant had "psychological problems" and "was influenced by events that had occurred abroad."

The president said it was the first time something like this had happened at an archaeological site in Mexico and called for increased security at tourist sites around the country.

"We need to have better security to make sure someone can't enter an archaeological site, a tourist site, with a firearm," she said.

Mexico City hosts the World Cup's opening match on June 11.

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