InsiderWire Staff

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old California vineyard owner and millionaire big-game hunter, died Friday after being crushed by a group of elephants during a hunting expedition in Gabon's Lope-Okanda rainforest.Dosio was hunting yellow-backed duiker, an antelope species, when he and his professional guide unexpectedly encountered five female elephants with a calf. The elephants killed Dosio and seriously injured his guide, according to safari operator Collect Africa, which confirmed the death of its client.The Lodi, California native owned Pacific AgriLands Inc, a company managing 12,000 acres of vineyard land in Modesto and providing services to wine producers. He was well-known in Sacramento Safari Club circles and had built an extensive collection of hunting trophies over decades, including elephants and lions.&quot;Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US,&quot; a retired hunter who knew Dosio told the Daily Mail. &quot;Although many disagree with big-game hunting, all Ernie's hunts were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers.&quot;The source described the elephants as being &quot;surprised&quot; by the hunters' presence, leading to the fatal encounter. Gabon's forests shelter approximately 95,000 forest elephants — most of the species' global population — which are considered highly endangered.Trophy hunting remains a multimillion-dollar industry popular with wealthy Americans. In South Africa alone, the industry was valued at $120 million in 2015, according to the EMS Foundation. Each year, trophy hunters kill tens of thousands of wild animals worldwide through legal hunting tours.During his first term, Donald Trump created a controversial wildlife advisory board to rewrite federal rules for importing heads and hides of African elephants, lions, and rhinoceroses. The board was disbanded in 2020 following lawsuits. Trump Jr. himself was photographed holding a severed elephant's tail during an African hunting trip more than a decade ago.US embassy officials in Gabon are now coordinating the return of Dosio's remains to California. The incident highlights the inherent dangers of big-game hunting in Africa, even for experienced hunters pursuing smaller prey.

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old California vineyard owner and millionaire big-game hunter, died Friday after being crushed by a group of elephants during a hunting expedition in Gabon's Lope-Okanda rainforest.

Dosio was hunting yellow-backed duiker, an antelope species, when he and his professional guide unexpectedly encountered five female elephants with a calf. The elephants killed Dosio and seriously injured his guide, according to safari operator Collect Africa, which confirmed the death of its client.

The Lodi, California native owned Pacific AgriLands Inc, a company managing 12,000 acres of vineyard land in Modesto and providing services to wine producers. He was well-known in Sacramento Safari Club circles and had built an extensive collection of hunting trophies over decades, including elephants and lions.

"Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US," a retired hunter who knew Dosio told the Daily Mail. "Although many disagree with big-game hunting, all Ernie's hunts were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers."

The source described the elephants as being "surprised" by the hunters' presence, leading to the fatal encounter. Gabon's forests shelter approximately 95,000 forest elephants — most of the species' global population — which are considered highly endangered.

Trophy hunting remains a multimillion-dollar industry popular with wealthy Americans. In South Africa alone, the industry was valued at $120 million in 2015, according to the EMS Foundation. Each year, trophy hunters kill tens of thousands of wild animals worldwide through legal hunting tours.

During his first term, Donald Trump created a controversial wildlife advisory board to rewrite federal rules for importing heads and hides of African elephants, lions, and rhinoceroses. The board was disbanded in 2020 following lawsuits. Trump Jr. himself was photographed holding a severed elephant's tail during an African hunting trip more than a decade ago.

US embassy officials in Gabon are now coordinating the return of Dosio's remains to California. The incident highlights the inherent dangers of big-game hunting in Africa, even for experienced hunters pursuing smaller prey.

Ernie Dosio, 75-year-old California vineyard owner and big-game hunter, died after being crushed by elephants during hunting expedition in Gabon.

California Hunter Ernie Dosio Crushed to Death by Elephants in Gabon

President Trump is sending advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner back to Pakistan for another round of talks with Iranian officials on a potential peace deal, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday.The diplomatic mission marks a continued push by the Trump administration to reach a negotiated settlement with Tehran, even as tensions remain high following recent military confrontations in the Persian Gulf. Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in the talks between Washington and Tehran.Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, and Kushner, the former president's son-in-law who previously handled Middle East policy during Trump's first term, have become the administration's point men on Iran diplomacy. Their return to Pakistan suggests the initial talks produced enough progress to warrant continued negotiations.The diplomatic outreach comes as <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-i-want-to-take-my-time-on-iran-negotiations">Trump has emphasized taking a measured approach</a> to Iran negotiations despite pressure for quick results. The president has repeatedly stressed he wants to avoid rushing into any agreement that doesn't serve American interests.Pakistan's role as host reflects Islamabad's unique position as one of the few nations maintaining diplomatic relations with both Washington and Tehran. The country has historically served as a backchannel for sensitive negotiations between the two adversaries.For American taxpayers, a negotiated settlement could potentially reduce military spending in the region and ease oil price pressures that have strained household budgets. However, any deal would need to address core U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear program, support for proxy groups, and threats to American allies.The talks occur against a backdrop of ongoing military tensions, with both nations maintaining significant naval assets in the strategically vital Persian Gulf. Iran controls key chokepoints that could disrupt global energy supplies, while the U.S. maintains a substantial military presence to protect shipping lanes.Trump's decision to dispatch both Witkoff and Kushner signals the administration views these negotiations as a high priority. Kushner's involvement is particularly notable given his central role in Middle East diplomacy during Trump's previous presidency, including the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab nations.The success or failure of these Pakistan-hosted talks could determine whether the administration pursues further diplomatic engagement or shifts toward a more confrontational approach with Iran. Watch for any public statements from Pakistani officials about the timeline and scope of the upcoming discussions.

President Trump is sending advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner back to Pakistan for another round of talks with Iranian officials on a potential peace deal, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday.

The diplomatic mission marks a continued push by the Trump administration to reach a negotiated settlement with Tehran, even as tensions remain high following recent military confrontations in the Persian Gulf. Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in the talks between Washington and Tehran.

Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, and Kushner, the former president's son-in-law who previously handled Middle East policy during Trump's first term, have become the administration's point men on Iran diplomacy. Their return to Pakistan suggests the initial talks produced enough progress to warrant continued negotiations.

The diplomatic outreach comes as Trump has emphasized taking a measured approach to Iran negotiations despite pressure for quick results. The president has repeatedly stressed he wants to avoid rushing into any agreement that doesn't serve American interests.

Pakistan's role as host reflects Islamabad's unique position as one of the few nations maintaining diplomatic relations with both Washington and Tehran. The country has historically served as a backchannel for sensitive negotiations between the two adversaries.

For American taxpayers, a negotiated settlement could potentially reduce military spending in the region and ease oil price pressures that have strained household budgets. However, any deal would need to address core U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear program, support for proxy groups, and threats to American allies.

The talks occur against a backdrop of ongoing military tensions, with both nations maintaining significant naval assets in the strategically vital Persian Gulf. Iran controls key chokepoints that could disrupt global energy supplies, while the U.S. maintains a substantial military presence to protect shipping lanes.

Trump's decision to dispatch both Witkoff and Kushner signals the administration views these negotiations as a high priority. Kushner's involvement is particularly notable given his central role in Middle East diplomacy during Trump's previous presidency, including the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab nations.

The success or failure of these Pakistan-hosted talks could determine whether the administration pursues further diplomatic engagement or shifts toward a more confrontational approach with Iran. Watch for any public statements from Pakistani officials about the timeline and scope of the upcoming discussions.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirms Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will return to Pakistan for continued negotiations with Iranian officials.

Trump Sends Witkoff, Kushner Back to Pakistan for Iran Peace Talks

The Justice Department on Friday authorized firing squads, electrocution and lethal gas for federal executions while ordering prison officials to consider expanding death row facilities. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the policy reversal as part of Trump's campaign to &quot;restore and strengthen&quot; capital punishment after Biden's four-year moratorium.&quot;The federal death penalty has been rendered a dead letter, effectively transforming sub silentio each death sentence into a life sentence,&quot; Blanche wrote in the policy document. &quot;This changed when Donald Trump became President.&quot;The 20-page directive instructs the Federal Bureau of Prisons to explore building additional execution facilities &quot;to permit additional manners of execution,&quot; including firing squads. Currently only five states allow firing squads: Idaho, South Carolina, Utah, Mississippi and Oklahoma. South Carolina executed three people by gunfire last year, the first such executions in 15 years.The policy reinstates pentobarbital as the primary drug for lethal injections, dismissing Biden administration concerns that the neural depressant &quot;causes unnecessary pain and suffering.&quot; The document claims Biden officials &quot;got the science wrong&quot; in halting the drug's use.Trump has pushed for expanded death penalty use throughout his political career. Last November, he accused Democratic lawmakers who are military veterans of &quot;SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH&quot; after they published a video encouraging troops to refuse illegal orders.The Justice Department maintains that execution by gunfire, electrocution and lethal gas comply with the Eighth Amendment's ban on &quot;cruel and unusual punishments.&quot; However, critics point to problems with recent executions. An autopsy of one South Carolina firing squad victim suggested no bullets struck his heart, potentially prolonging his death.The policy shift marks a sharp break from Biden's approach to federal executions. During Trump's first term, his administration carried out 13 federal executions in his final six months in office. Biden imposed a moratorium immediately upon taking office in 2021.The directive comes as the Trump administration faces legal challenges to other policies. Courts recently blocked the administration's asylum restrictions, though the death penalty expansion faces different constitutional questions around execution methods rather than executive authority over immigration.Prison officials must now evaluate capacity at the federal death row facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, and determine whether additional sites are needed. The policy requires the Bureau of Prisons to report back on construction timelines and costs for new execution facilities within 90 days.

The Justice Department on Friday authorized firing squads, electrocution and lethal gas for federal executions while ordering prison officials to consider expanding death row facilities. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the policy reversal as part of Trump's campaign to "restore and strengthen" capital punishment after Biden's four-year moratorium.

"The federal death penalty has been rendered a dead letter, effectively transforming sub silentio each death sentence into a life sentence," Blanche wrote in the policy document. "This changed when Donald Trump became President."

The 20-page directive instructs the Federal Bureau of Prisons to explore building additional execution facilities "to permit additional manners of execution," including firing squads. Currently only five states allow firing squads: Idaho, South Carolina, Utah, Mississippi and Oklahoma. South Carolina executed three people by gunfire last year, the first such executions in 15 years.

The policy reinstates pentobarbital as the primary drug for lethal injections, dismissing Biden administration concerns that the neural depressant "causes unnecessary pain and suffering." The document claims Biden officials "got the science wrong" in halting the drug's use.

Trump has pushed for expanded death penalty use throughout his political career. Last November, he accused Democratic lawmakers who are military veterans of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH" after they published a video encouraging troops to refuse illegal orders.

The Justice Department maintains that execution by gunfire, electrocution and lethal gas comply with the Eighth Amendment's ban on "cruel and unusual punishments." However, critics point to problems with recent executions. An autopsy of one South Carolina firing squad victim suggested no bullets struck his heart, potentially prolonging his death.

The policy shift marks a sharp break from Biden's approach to federal executions. During Trump's first term, his administration carried out 13 federal executions in his final six months in office. Biden imposed a moratorium immediately upon taking office in 2021.

The directive comes as the Trump administration faces legal challenges to other policies. Courts recently blocked the administration's asylum restrictions, though the death penalty expansion faces different constitutional questions around execution methods rather than executive authority over immigration.

Prison officials must now evaluate capacity at the federal death row facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, and determine whether additional sites are needed. The policy requires the Bureau of Prisons to report back on construction timelines and costs for new execution facilities within 90 days.

Justice Department under Acting AG Todd Blanche authorizes firing squads, electrocution, lethal gas for federal executions. Trump reverses Biden moratorium.

DOJ Orders Firing Squads, Death Row Expansion in Federal Executions Push

A federal appeals court blocked President Donald Trump's executive order suspending asylum claims at the US-Mexico border on Friday, ruling the policy violates federal immigration law. The decision upholds a lower court's injunction against the order Trump signed during his first week back in office.The ruling deals a significant blow to Trump's immigration crackdown, which has included <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-administration-prepares-workplace-immigration-raids-despite-record-deportations">workplace raids despite record deportations</a> and broader enforcement measures. The appeals court agreed with district court findings that federal law requires the government to accept asylum applications regardless of where migrants enter the country.Trump's order had attempted to bar asylum claims from migrants who crossed the border illegally, directing immigration officials to immediately remove such individuals without processing their applications. The administration argued the measure was necessary to restore order at the southern border and prevent abuse of the asylum system.Immigration advocates who challenged the policy in court argued it violated the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the right to seek asylum to anyone physically present in the United States. The law makes no distinction between legal and illegal entry methods when it comes to asylum eligibility.The court's decision comes as Trump faces mounting legal challenges to his immigration agenda. Federal judges have temporarily blocked several of his executive orders, creating a patchwork of enforcement policies across different judicial districts.Border Patrol agents reported confusion about which policies to follow in the wake of conflicting court orders. The Department of Homeland Security has not immediately responded to requests for comment on how the ruling will affect current operations.The administration is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, setting up a potential showdown over presidential authority on immigration enforcement. Legal experts predict the high court will face pressure to resolve the conflicting lower court rulings quickly.

A federal appeals court blocked President Donald Trump's executive order suspending asylum claims at the US-Mexico border on Friday, ruling the policy violates federal immigration law. The decision upholds a lower court's injunction against the order Trump signed during his first week back in office.

The ruling deals a significant blow to Trump's immigration crackdown, which has included workplace raids despite record deportations and broader enforcement measures. The appeals court agreed with district court findings that federal law requires the government to accept asylum applications regardless of where migrants enter the country.

Trump's order had attempted to bar asylum claims from migrants who crossed the border illegally, directing immigration officials to immediately remove such individuals without processing their applications. The administration argued the measure was necessary to restore order at the southern border and prevent abuse of the asylum system.

Immigration advocates who challenged the policy in court argued it violated the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the right to seek asylum to anyone physically present in the United States. The law makes no distinction between legal and illegal entry methods when it comes to asylum eligibility.

The court's decision comes as Trump faces mounting legal challenges to his immigration agenda. Federal judges have temporarily blocked several of his executive orders, creating a patchwork of enforcement policies across different judicial districts.

Border Patrol agents reported confusion about which policies to follow in the wake of conflicting court orders. The Department of Homeland Security has not immediately responded to requests for comment on how the ruling will affect current operations.

The administration is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, setting up a potential showdown over presidential authority on immigration enforcement. Legal experts predict the high court will face pressure to resolve the conflicting lower court rulings quickly.

Federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Trump's executive order suspending asylum claims at the US-Mexico border violates federal law.

Appeals Court Blocks Trump's Border Asylum Ban as Illegal

Israeli forces killed six Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon during a firefight in the border village of Bint Jbeil, the Israeli military announced. The clash occurred in an area that witnessed heavy combat before the current ceasefire took effect on April 17.Israeli troops first identified the six Hezbollah members operating in Bint Jbeil before engaging them in what the military described as an &quot;intense exchange of fire.&quot; The army said soldiers initially killed two fighters during the direct confrontation.&quot;After identification, an intense exchange of fire began between the terrorists and the soldiers, during which the soldiers eliminated two terrorists,&quot; the Israeli army stated. &quot;Subsequently, the soldiers struck the structure from which the terrorists were operating. The four remaining terrorists were eliminated.&quot;The Israeli military's claims could not be independently verified. Bint Jbeil, located in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, has been a flashpoint for conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in previous confrontations.This incident marks another test of the fragile ceasefire that has held since mid-April, as Insider Wire <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-extends-israel-lebanon-ceasefire-three-weeks-after-oval-office-meeting">previously reported</a>. The Trump administration has worked to maintain stability along the Israel-Lebanon border while pursuing broader Middle East diplomatic initiatives.For American national security interests, maintaining the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire remains a priority as it prevents a wider regional conflict that could draw in U.S. forces or disrupt global energy markets. Any escalation along this border threatens to complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.The elimination of these Hezbollah fighters demonstrates Israel's continued military readiness along its northern border, even during periods of relative calm. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, maintains significant military capabilities in southern Lebanon despite international efforts to limit their presence near the Israeli border.Watch for any Hezbollah response to this incident, which could signal whether the current ceasefire framework will hold or face new pressures from cross-border violence.

Israeli forces killed six Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon during a firefight in the border village of Bint Jbeil, the Israeli military announced. The clash occurred in an area that witnessed heavy combat before the current ceasefire took effect on April 17.

Israeli troops first identified the six Hezbollah members operating in Bint Jbeil before engaging them in what the military described as an "intense exchange of fire." The army said soldiers initially killed two fighters during the direct confrontation.

"After identification, an intense exchange of fire began between the terrorists and the soldiers, during which the soldiers eliminated two terrorists," the Israeli army stated. "Subsequently, the soldiers struck the structure from which the terrorists were operating. The four remaining terrorists were eliminated."

The Israeli military's claims could not be independently verified. Bint Jbeil, located in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, has been a flashpoint for conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in previous confrontations.

This incident marks another test of the fragile ceasefire that has held since mid-April, as Insider Wire previously reported. The Trump administration has worked to maintain stability along the Israel-Lebanon border while pursuing broader Middle East diplomatic initiatives.

For American national security interests, maintaining the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire remains a priority as it prevents a wider regional conflict that could draw in U.S. forces or disrupt global energy markets. Any escalation along this border threatens to complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.

The elimination of these Hezbollah fighters demonstrates Israel's continued military readiness along its northern border, even during periods of relative calm. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, maintains significant military capabilities in southern Lebanon despite international efforts to limit their presence near the Israeli border.

Watch for any Hezbollah response to this incident, which could signal whether the current ceasefire framework will hold or face new pressures from cross-border violence.

Israeli troops eliminated six Hezbollah fighters in Bint Jbeil during firefight near Lebanese border, military says, testing fragile ceasefire.

Israeli Forces Kill Six Hezbollah Fighters in Lebanon Border Village

Israeli warplanes struck the Lebanese town of Deir Aames three times Friday, violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that President Trump extended by three weeks just one day earlier.The consecutive airstrikes hit Deir Aames in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. Israeli forces also conducted demolition operations that triggered a large explosion heard across surrounding areas. Artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of Mansouri and Bayt Siyad, while demolition activities continued in Al-Bayyada.Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee had warned residents on X to &quot;evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from the village&quot; before the strikes occurred. The Israeli military later activated air raid sirens in northern settlements including Zarit and Kiryat Shmona after intercepting a drone approaching Israeli airspace.The strikes came hours after Trump announced the ceasefire extension following ambassador-level talks at the White House. The original 10-day ceasefire, which began April 16, was scheduled to expire Sunday but now runs through mid-May.The violation highlights the fragile nature of the agreement, which has <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/lebanese-journalist-killed-in-israeli-strike-during-us-mediated-ceasefire">already seen breaches</a> since its implementation. Lebanese authorities report nearly 2,500 people killed and more than one million displaced since Israel expanded attacks on Lebanon starting March 2.For American taxpayers, the continued instability threatens the billions in military aid Washington provides to maintain regional security partnerships. The ceasefire's effectiveness directly impacts whether U.S. diplomatic efforts can prevent a wider Middle Eastern conflict that could draw in American forces.Trump's decision to <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-extends-israel-lebanon-ceasefire-three-weeks-after-oval-office-meeting">extend the agreement</a> despite repeated violations signals his administration's commitment to preventing escalation while managing multiple regional crises. However, the pattern of strikes during supposed ceasefires raises questions about enforcement mechanisms.Watch for whether Trump will impose consequences for ceasefire violations or adjust the terms to make compliance more binding as the three-week extension progresses.

Israeli warplanes struck the Lebanese town of Deir Aames three times Friday, violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that President Trump extended by three weeks just one day earlier.

The consecutive airstrikes hit Deir Aames in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. Israeli forces also conducted demolition operations that triggered a large explosion heard across surrounding areas. Artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of Mansouri and Bayt Siyad, while demolition activities continued in Al-Bayyada.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee had warned residents on X to "evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from the village" before the strikes occurred. The Israeli military later activated air raid sirens in northern settlements including Zarit and Kiryat Shmona after intercepting a drone approaching Israeli airspace.

The strikes came hours after Trump announced the ceasefire extension following ambassador-level talks at the White House. The original 10-day ceasefire, which began April 16, was scheduled to expire Sunday but now runs through mid-May.

The violation highlights the fragile nature of the agreement, which has already seen breaches since its implementation. Lebanese authorities report nearly 2,500 people killed and more than one million displaced since Israel expanded attacks on Lebanon starting March 2.

For American taxpayers, the continued instability threatens the billions in military aid Washington provides to maintain regional security partnerships. The ceasefire's effectiveness directly impacts whether U.S. diplomatic efforts can prevent a wider Middle Eastern conflict that could draw in American forces.

Trump's decision to extend the agreement despite repeated violations signals his administration's commitment to preventing escalation while managing multiple regional crises. However, the pattern of strikes during supposed ceasefires raises questions about enforcement mechanisms.

Watch for whether Trump will impose consequences for ceasefire violations or adjust the terms to make compliance more binding as the three-week extension progresses.

Israeli warplanes hit Deir Aames three times Friday despite Trump's three-week ceasefire extension. Artillery shelling continues in Tyre district.

Israel Strikes Lebanon Town Despite Extended Ceasefire Deal

The Justice Department announced Friday it will drop its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, ending an unprecedented probe into the nation's top central banker.The decision marks a sharp reversal for DOJ prosecutors who launched the investigation into Powell's conduct while leading the Fed. The probe represented the first time in the central bank's 111-year history that federal prosecutors examined a sitting Fed chair for potential criminal violations.Powell's investigation created complications for President Trump's efforts to reshape the Federal Reserve. The criminal probe had cast uncertainty over the confirmation process for Trump's expected nominee to replace Powell when his term expires in May 2026.The Fed chair wields enormous influence over American monetary policy, setting interest rates that affect everything from mortgage payments to credit card bills. Powell has overseen the Fed's response to inflation that peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 before falling to current levels around 3.1%.Justice Department officials provided no details about the scope of the investigation or what triggered prosecutors to open the case. Federal law enforcement agencies rarely comment on closed investigations, particularly those involving high-ranking government officials.Powell, who Trump first nominated to the Fed board in 2012 and later elevated to chairman, has maintained his innocence throughout the probe. The Fed chairman continued his regular duties during the investigation, including testifying before Congress and leading Federal Open Market Committee meetings.Trump criticized Powell repeatedly during his first presidency, calling him a &quot;bonehead&quot; and suggesting he might fire him over interest rate decisions. Federal Reserve chairs serve four-year terms and can only be removed for cause, giving them independence from political pressure.The dropped investigation removes a major obstacle for Trump's Fed plans. The president can now proceed with selecting Powell's replacement without the complication of ongoing criminal proceedings against the current chair.Financial markets showed little reaction to the news, with major stock indices closing mixed Friday. Fed watchers expect Trump to name a replacement who favors lower interest rates and less banking regulation.Trump's Fed pick will require Senate confirmation and face questions about monetary policy during a period of persistent inflation concerns. The president has signaled he wants more direct influence over Fed decisions, breaking with decades of central bank independence.This is a developing story and will be updated.

The Justice Department announced Friday it will drop its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, ending an unprecedented probe into the nation's top central banker.

The decision marks a sharp reversal for DOJ prosecutors who launched the investigation into Powell's conduct while leading the Fed. The probe represented the first time in the central bank's 111-year history that federal prosecutors examined a sitting Fed chair for potential criminal violations.

Powell's investigation created complications for President Trump's efforts to reshape the Federal Reserve. The criminal probe had cast uncertainty over the confirmation process for Trump's expected nominee to replace Powell when his term expires in May 2026.

The Fed chair wields enormous influence over American monetary policy, setting interest rates that affect everything from mortgage payments to credit card bills. Powell has overseen the Fed's response to inflation that peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 before falling to current levels around 3.1%.

Justice Department officials provided no details about the scope of the investigation or what triggered prosecutors to open the case. Federal law enforcement agencies rarely comment on closed investigations, particularly those involving high-ranking government officials.

Powell, who Trump first nominated to the Fed board in 2012 and later elevated to chairman, has maintained his innocence throughout the probe. The Fed chairman continued his regular duties during the investigation, including testifying before Congress and leading Federal Open Market Committee meetings.

Trump criticized Powell repeatedly during his first presidency, calling him a "bonehead" and suggesting he might fire him over interest rate decisions. Federal Reserve chairs serve four-year terms and can only be removed for cause, giving them independence from political pressure.

The dropped investigation removes a major obstacle for Trump's Fed plans. The president can now proceed with selecting Powell's replacement without the complication of ongoing criminal proceedings against the current chair.

Financial markets showed little reaction to the news, with major stock indices closing mixed Friday. Fed watchers expect Trump to name a replacement who favors lower interest rates and less banking regulation.

Trump's Fed pick will require Senate confirmation and face questions about monetary policy during a period of persistent inflation concerns. The president has signaled he wants more direct influence over Fed decisions, breaking with decades of central bank independence.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Justice Department ends unprecedented criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, clearing path for Trump's Fed nominee confirmation.

DOJ Drops Criminal Probe of Fed Chair Powell

An Israeli airstrike killed at least three people in Gaza City, Palestinian health officials reported, targeting what Gaza's interior ministry described as a police patrol guarding a bank.The strike hit a crowded area of Gaza City where Palestinian police were deployed to provide security for a banking facility. Medics and eyewitnesses confirmed the location was heavily populated when the attack occurred.Gaza's interior ministry directly accused Israel of targeting the police patrol, marking another escalation in strikes against Palestinian security forces in the enclave. The ministry did not immediately release names of the victims or their ranks within the police force.The attack represents the latest in a series of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with this strike specifically targeting law enforcement personnel rather than militant groups. Palestinian health officials have not yet provided details on additional casualties or the extent of damage to surrounding buildings.The strike comes as regional tensions remain high across multiple fronts, with American taxpayers funding billions in military aid to Israel while the administration seeks to balance support for the ally with broader Middle East stability concerns.Israeli military officials have not yet commented on the specific targeting of the police patrol or provided justification for the operation in the densely populated area of Gaza City.This is a developing story and will be updated.

An Israeli airstrike killed at least three people in Gaza City, Palestinian health officials reported, targeting what Gaza's interior ministry described as a police patrol guarding a bank.

The strike hit a crowded area of Gaza City where Palestinian police were deployed to provide security for a banking facility. Medics and eyewitnesses confirmed the location was heavily populated when the attack occurred.

Gaza's interior ministry directly accused Israel of targeting the police patrol, marking another escalation in strikes against Palestinian security forces in the enclave. The ministry did not immediately release names of the victims or their ranks within the police force.

The attack represents the latest in a series of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with this strike specifically targeting law enforcement personnel rather than militant groups. Palestinian health officials have not yet provided details on additional casualties or the extent of damage to surrounding buildings.

The strike comes as regional tensions remain high across multiple fronts, with American taxpayers funding billions in military aid to Israel while the administration seeks to balance support for the ally with broader Middle East stability concerns.

Israeli military officials have not yet commented on the specific targeting of the police patrol or provided justification for the operation in the densely populated area of Gaza City.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Israeli airstrike killed at least three people in crowded Gaza City area where police were guarding a bank, Palestinian health officials report.

Israeli Strike Kills Three in Gaza City — Police Patrol Targeted

The United States burned through more than half its stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles during five weeks of combat with Iran, according to a new Pentagon analysis that contradicts President Trump's claims of &quot;unlimited supply&quot; for America's war machine.The Center for Strategic and International Studies found the U.S. &quot;may have expended more than half of the prewar inventory&quot; of at least four key munitions systems during the bombing campaign that ended with <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-i-want-to-take-my-time-on-iran-negotiations">Trump's indefinite ceasefire extension</a> earlier this week. The depletion includes America's most advanced long-range strike weapons and air defense interceptors protecting U.S. forces across three combat theaters.Trump told reporters Thursday the U.S. faces no pressure to end the conflict, declaring &quot;we've never had so much ammunition.&quot; But congressional testimony this week painted a starkly different picture of America's war-fighting capacity heading into potential future conflicts with China or other adversaries.Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific forces, warned senators Tuesday that replenishing high-end systems like Tomahawks and AGM-158 JASSM stealth missiles could take years. Major defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX's Raytheon division would need &quot;one to two years&quot; to scale production back to adequate levels, Paparo testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.&quot;It won't be soon enough,&quot; Paparo said. &quot;There are finite limits to the magazine, and I have all the faith in the world that they're being employed judiciously.&quot;The munitions crunch affects more than just the Iran theater. Air defense interceptors remain in high demand across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, where Pentagon planners view them as essential for any potential Taiwan conflict. Defense officials have warned for years that supporting simultaneous operations in multiple regions strains America's most sophisticated weapons stockpiles.The CSIS report concluded that while &quot;the United States has enough missiles to continue fighting this war under any plausible scenario,&quot; the real danger lies ahead. &quot;The risk — which will persist for many years — lies in future wars,&quot; the analysis warned.Pentagon officials draw a sharp distinction between America's technological superiority and its actual capacity to sustain prolonged conflicts. While U.S. weapons remain unmatched in capability, the industrial base struggles to produce them in the quantities needed for extended combat operations against peer adversaries.The ceasefire extension provides breathing room to resupply forward-deployed forces in the Middle East with existing stockpiles. But rebuilding America's depleted munitions reserves will test the defense industrial base's ability to surge production while supporting ongoing operations worldwide.

The United States burned through more than half its stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles during five weeks of combat with Iran, according to a new Pentagon analysis that contradicts President Trump's claims of "unlimited supply" for America's war machine.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies found the U.S. "may have expended more than half of the prewar inventory" of at least four key munitions systems during the bombing campaign that ended with Trump's indefinite ceasefire extension earlier this week. The depletion includes America's most advanced long-range strike weapons and air defense interceptors protecting U.S. forces across three combat theaters.

Trump told reporters Thursday the U.S. faces no pressure to end the conflict, declaring "we've never had so much ammunition." But congressional testimony this week painted a starkly different picture of America's war-fighting capacity heading into potential future conflicts with China or other adversaries.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific forces, warned senators Tuesday that replenishing high-end systems like Tomahawks and AGM-158 JASSM stealth missiles could take years. Major defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX's Raytheon division would need "one to two years" to scale production back to adequate levels, Paparo testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"It won't be soon enough," Paparo said. "There are finite limits to the magazine, and I have all the faith in the world that they're being employed judiciously."

The munitions crunch affects more than just the Iran theater. Air defense interceptors remain in high demand across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, where Pentagon planners view them as essential for any potential Taiwan conflict. Defense officials have warned for years that supporting simultaneous operations in multiple regions strains America's most sophisticated weapons stockpiles.

The CSIS report concluded that while "the United States has enough missiles to continue fighting this war under any plausible scenario," the real danger lies ahead. "The risk — which will persist for many years — lies in future wars," the analysis warned.

Pentagon officials draw a sharp distinction between America's technological superiority and its actual capacity to sustain prolonged conflicts. While U.S. weapons remain unmatched in capability, the industrial base struggles to produce them in the quantities needed for extended combat operations against peer adversaries.

The ceasefire extension provides breathing room to resupply forward-deployed forces in the Middle East with existing stockpiles. But rebuilding America's depleted munitions reserves will test the defense industrial base's ability to surge production while supporting ongoing operations worldwide.

Pentagon analysis shows America expended over half its prewar inventory of key munitions during five-week Iran conflict as Trump extends ceasefire.

U.S. Burned Through Half Its Tomahawk Arsenal in Iran War

Seventeen Democratic lawmakers signed a letter demanding the Trump administration grant temporary protection to Iranian nationals living in the United States, citing safety concerns about forced returns during ongoing Middle East tensions.Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona led the April 23 letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and top immigration officials. The lawmakers called for immediate designation of Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure for Iranians.&quot;The Administration must not forcibly return Iranian families in the United States to Iran — where they face the dual threat of the regime's humanitarian abuses and dangers a resumption of the war poses,&quot; the letter states. The Democrats also demanded the administration &quot;pause deportation flights&quot; and resume processing immigration benefits for Iranian nationals.The letter accuses Trump of launching &quot;attacks on Iran unlawfully, without the constitutionally required congressional authorization, plunging millions of innocent civilians into a state of insecurity.&quot; Democrats argued the administration &quot;bears a moral and humanitarian responsibility to provide Iranian nationals with an immediate shield from removal.&quot;Other signatories include Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Coons of Delaware, Alex Padilla of California, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Adam Schiff of California, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Peter Welch of Vermont, and Ron Wyden of Oregon. Representatives Dan Goldman of New York also signed.The push comes as the Trump administration has <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-administration-prepares-workplace-immigration-raids-despite-record-deportations">ramped up deportation efforts</a> while navigating complex Iran negotiations. Trump recently stated he wants to <a href="https://insiderwire.com/news/trump-i-want-to-take-my-time-on-iran-negotiations">&quot;take his time&quot; on Iran talks</a>, even as tensions remain high in the Persian Gulf.The request highlights a broader immigration enforcement challenge for the administration — balancing tough deportation policies with humanitarian concerns during active foreign conflicts. Iranian nationals face potential persecution from their own government, particularly those who have lived in the United States for extended periods.Republicans control both chambers of Congress and are unlikely to pressure Trump on immigration protections. The administration will likely respond that existing legal pathways provide sufficient protection for legitimate asylum seekers while maintaining that immigration enforcement remains a national security priority.

Seventeen Democratic lawmakers signed a letter demanding the Trump administration grant temporary protection to Iranian nationals living in the United States, citing safety concerns about forced returns during ongoing Middle East tensions.

Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Yassamin Ansari of Arizona led the April 23 letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and top immigration officials. The lawmakers called for immediate designation of Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure for Iranians.

"The Administration must not forcibly return Iranian families in the United States to Iran — where they face the dual threat of the regime's humanitarian abuses and dangers a resumption of the war poses," the letter states. The Democrats also demanded the administration "pause deportation flights" and resume processing immigration benefits for Iranian nationals.

The letter accuses Trump of launching "attacks on Iran unlawfully, without the constitutionally required congressional authorization, plunging millions of innocent civilians into a state of insecurity." Democrats argued the administration "bears a moral and humanitarian responsibility to provide Iranian nationals with an immediate shield from removal."

Other signatories include Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Coons of Delaware, Alex Padilla of California, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Adam Schiff of California, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Peter Welch of Vermont, and Ron Wyden of Oregon. Representatives Dan Goldman of New York also signed.

The push comes as the Trump administration has ramped up deportation efforts while navigating complex Iran negotiations. Trump recently stated he wants to "take his time" on Iran talks, even as tensions remain high in the Persian Gulf.

The request highlights a broader immigration enforcement challenge for the administration — balancing tough deportation policies with humanitarian concerns during active foreign conflicts. Iranian nationals face potential persecution from their own government, particularly those who have lived in the United States for extended periods.

Republicans control both chambers of Congress and are unlikely to pressure Trump on immigration protections. The administration will likely respond that existing legal pathways provide sufficient protection for legitimate asylum seekers while maintaining that immigration enforcement remains a national security priority.

Sen. Ed Markey leads Democratic lawmakers urging Trump administration to grant temporary protection for Iranian nationals who cannot safely return home.