VIENNA, May 31 (Reuters) – Iran has carried out secret nuclear activities with materials not declared by the UN nuclear watchdog at three locations that are long under investigation, Watchdog said in a wide range of secret reports to member states seen by Reuters.
The findings of the “comprehensive” International Atomic Energy Agency report, requested in November by the governor’s committee of 35 government agencies, paves the way for the US, UK, France and Germany to promote, paving the way for the board to declare Iran in violation of its non-enhancing obligations.
The resolution could infuriate Iran and further complicate nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.
Using the findings from the IAEA report, the four Western countries will submit a resolution for the board to adopt at their next meeting on June 9, diplomats say. It is probably the first time in almost 20 years that Iran has been officially found for non-compliance.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Iran’s nuclear agency rejected the report, calling it “politically motivated” in a joint statement. They said Tehran will take “appropriate measures” in response to efforts to take action against the country at the board meeting, state media reported without elaborating.
Tehran says it has long denied accusations by Western countries that it wants to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and is aiming to develop nuclear weapons.
While many of the findings have been related to activities several decades ago and have been done before, the conclusions of the IAEA report were more conclusive. It summarises recent developments and points out more clearly the coordinated secret activities related to the production of nuclear weapons.
He also writes that Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA continues to do things that are “not satisfying” with “many respect.” The IAEA is still seeking an explanation of uranium tracing found several years ago at two of the four sites it is investigating. Three hosted secret experiments have been found.
The IAEA concluded that “these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared, unstructured nuclear programme conducted by Iran until the early 2000s, with some activities using undeclared nuclear material.”
Nuclear materials and/or severely contaminated equipment from that program were stored at the fourth site Turquzabad between 2009 and 2018.
“The agency concludes that Iran did not declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities in three undeclared locations in Iran.
At Rabisan Cian in Tehran, discs made of uranium metal were used at least twice in 2003 “used in the production of explosively driven neutron sources.” This is a process designed to launch a nuclear weapon explosion, the report says, and is part of a “small” test.
The report is likely to lead to Iran being introduced to the UN Security Council, but it will likely happen at the later IAEA Council, diplomats said.
More immediately, Iran could lead to re-accelerating or expanding its rapidly moving forward nuclear program, as it did after its previous responsibilities at the board. It could also complicate consultations with the US that aim to curb the program.
Uranium enrichment
According to another IAEA report sent to member states on Saturday, Iran’s uranium stock was concentrated to a maximum of 60% purity, nearly 90% of the arms grade, up from about half to 408.6 kg. According to the IAEA Yard Stick, if it’s even richer, it’s enough for nine nuclear weapons.
Both IAEA reports say enrichment to such a high level is “serious concern” as it is the only country that does not produce nuclear weapons.
Israel has long urged strong action against Iran’s nuclear program, and the IAEA report said it showed Tehran is determined to complete its nuclear weapons program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the world should now act to stop Iran from doing this.
The US intelligence agency and the IAEA have long believed that Iran has a secret coordinated nuclear weapons program that was stopped in 2003.
Separately on Saturday, Foreign Minister Abbas Arakich said his Omani counterparts presented elements of the US proposal for a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington when he visited Tehran.
In a post on X, Araqchi said Iran “responds to US proposals in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the Iranian people.”
His statement preceded the expected sixth round talk between Washington and Tehran. The date and location of the meeting have not been announced yet.
(Reporting by François Murphy, Ala El Din and Muhammad Al Gebery of Dubai Edited by Toby Chuprah and Francis Kelly)
President Trump has drawn up the nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire commercial astronaut with close ties to Elon Musk, as NASA administrator.
Trump calls Elon Musk “a great guy” amidst drug use allegations
President Trump said he was unaware of Elon Musk’s alleged drug use and supported the billionaire’s cost cuts.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has drawn up the nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire commercial astronaut with close ties to Elon Musk, as the candidate to serve as NASA administrator.
The White House confirmed its withdrawal on May 31, saying Trump will soon announce a new candidate to lead NASA. There was no reason to say goodbye to Isaacman, who led and funded the Private Astronaut Missions Polaris Dawn and Inspiration4, conducted by Musk’s SpaceX.
The withdrawal, first reported by the news website Semafor, comes after 42-year-old Isaacman already cleared the Senate Commerce Committee in April and showed up well for a full Senate vote.
“NASA administrators will help us carry out our bold mission to lead humanity into space and plant President Trump’s bold mission on planet Mars,” White House spokesman Liz Houston said in a statement. “It is essential that NASA’s next leader is perfectly aligned with President Trump’s first American agenda, and President Trump will soon announce a direct replacement.”
more: The Rise and Fall of Elon Musk: From Trump’s Chainsaw-Winning Band to Quick Exit
The move comes the day after Musk, a business partner and friend of Isakuman, left the White House after spending four months as a senior White House advisor overseeing government efficiency. Musk joined Trump to mark the end of billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s White House tenure.
Laura Rumer, a conservative activist who has proven to affect many Trump decisions, has raised vigilance over the status of Isaac Man’s nomination.n The X-Post wrote, hours before the White House confirmed it had been withdrawn, “There is reason to believe that Isaacman could be facing retaliation due to his friendship with Musk.”
more: Trump’s Pick to the Head of NASA has been on a billionaire mission twice to space
Isaacman, founder and CEO of payment processing company Shift4 Payments, took on his first private space venture in 2021. In 2024, he returned to space with all the CREWs of the amateur space farrer with Polaris Dawn Missions, and jointly funded with SpaceX.
The Polaris Dawn mission was descended from the ground on September 10th with the help of a Falcon 9 rocket. This brought the SpaceX Dragon Capsule into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew also included pilot Scott “Kid” pots and mission specialists Saragilis and Annamenon.
NASA has lacked a full-time administrator since Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator for the Biden administration, stepped down when Trump took office on January 20th.
After 17 years of dormancy, Brood XIV’s Cicadas will return and invade parts of the United States this spring.
Millions of Chicada were expected in Georgia
This year, more than usual is expected in Georgia, where 14 of the 17-year Chicadas appear.
Fox-5 Atlanta
Cicadas is invading the US as Brood XIV continues to move into dozens of US states.
The second-largest regular CICADA brood, Brood XIV, has begun to appear in the spring, most of the bustling and clicking in western North Carolina, southern Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. Jean Kritsky, a professor at Mount St. Joseph’s University in Cincinnati, told USA Today that sightings are expected to occur in 13 states this year.
Asheville, North Carolina sightings have risen from 140 to 739 since early May, according to Cicada Safari, a group from Kristsky.
Brood XIV appears every 17 years. So they last came when former President George W. Bush took office and the average price of eggs was just $1.99.
Cicada chicks usually know that it’s time to appear when the underground temperature reaches about 64 degrees 8 inches below the surface.
As Chicadas flew around the US, photos of photogenic creatures appeared. Watch the insects as you enjoy your time in the sun.
See Brood XIV’s Cicadas invade the US
Contributors: Anthony Robredo, Saleen Martin, Elizabeth Wise, Janet Loafke/ USA TODAY
Jonathan Limehouse covers USA Today’s broken and trending news. Contact him at jlimehouse@gannett.com.
Popular Mexican-regional music band Grupo Firme announced Friday that it was canceling performances at California music festivals over the weekend after the US government suspended musicians’ visas.
It comes after the US State Department cancels visas for many Mexican musicians to perform a genre of music they say praise the cartel violence.
The group, which has surged into international fame playing Mexican regional music, said in a statement posted on their Instagram account that their visas and their team are currently undergoing “management review by the US Embassy” and would make it “impossible” to take place at Landa Fest in the city of Napa Valley, California on June 1.
However, the post did not detail what it meant in the long run for the music group.
The US Embassy and the State Department in Mexico said the visa case is confidential in accordance with US law and cannot provide further information regarding the case.
The pause is the latest in a series of moves where President Donald Trump is targeting Mexican artists of the genre.
The “narco-oridos” genre has sparked controversy, but much of the music also speaks to the harsh reality facing Mexican youths who are caught up in cartel violence.
Two months ago, Mexican music group Los Alegress del Baranco was approved after predicting the image of the Jalisco New Generation’s cartel leader, feared at a concert in western Jalisco.
“I am a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free from the outcome,” said U.S. Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the time.
“The last thing you need is a welcome mat for those who praise criminals and terrorists.”
However, Grupo Firme has taken steps in recent months to distance himself from the genre side of the music that praises criminal groups, and announced in April shortly after the controversy that such music would not be sung at concerts.
Hamas on Saturday responded to the US proposed ceasefire plan in Gaza, ending the war, saying that US Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkoff is called “completely unacceptable.”
In a statement, Hamas said the mediator (“proposed” to Qatar and Egypt” “is aiming to ensure a flow of assistance to the people and families of the Gaza Strip, aiming to provide a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”
“As part of this agreement, the 10 living Israeli prisoners held by resistance will be released in addition to the return of 18 bodies in exchange for the agreed number of Palestinian prisoners,” the statement said.
This comes after Hamas officials told CNN earlier this week that the group sent back three extended counter-proposed proposals and demanded assurances that negotiations over a permanent ceasefire would continue and combat would not resume after a suspension. The humanitarian assistance will be provided through the United Nations. And the IDF will be redirected to the position it held on March 2nd.
Witkov said in a post on X on Saturday that he received Hamas’ response, calling it “totally unacceptable” and wrote that it “just brings us backwards.”
“Hamas should accept the proposed framework proposal as a basis for proximity consultations, which can be started immediately this week,” Witkoff continued.
Israeli officials told CNN on Saturday that they saw the militant group’s latest response “effectively rejected the latest Witkoff proposal and proposed a new offer on its own terms.”
On the same day, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office repeated Witkov’s response to Hamas’ reaction, saying, “Israel agreed to Witkov’s overview, which was updated for the release of our hostages, but Hamas continues to stick to rejection.”
“Israel will continue its actions to revive the hostages and to Hamas’ defeat,” the statement said.
The proposal, backed by the US and approved by Israel on Friday, CNN saw Hamas released 10 Israeli hostages and 18 dead hostages in exchange for 125 Palestinian prisoners who had been in custody since the fight was made by 1,111 Gaza.
According to the US proposal, negotiations for a permanent ceasefire will begin immediately on the first day of the 60-day ceasefire. According to the proposal, the terms of the contract also allow humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza “quickly” and be distributed through “agreed channels” through agreed channels including the United Nations and Red Crescent.
However, the draft contract did not include the lasting end of the war, the major Hamas demands, and essential assurances that guaranteed that the ceasefire would be extended as long as negotiations continued. Instead, US President Donald Trump said he is “working to ensure that sincere negotiations continue until a final agreement is reached.”
Hamas initially made a statement of resistance to accepting the terms of the transaction. Hamas Politburo member Bassem Naim said on Thursday on Facebook that the framework “did not respond to any of our people’s requests,” but that the debate was still underway.
The front and back of Israel and Hamas comes as the hunger situation worsens in the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s 11-week humanitarian blockade has led to the enclave’s population facing starvation. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, it was lifted last week, but many of the small aid that has entered the strip have since been looted, killing several people after chaos broke out near the aid distribution site.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said about 80 aid trucks travelling south and central Gaza on Saturday had been looted by hopeless civilians.
In a statement issued in X, WFP said 77 trucks had crossed into Gaza, loaded with flour. They all “were stopped halfway through and filmed foods that were primarily hungry people trying to feed their families.”
“Eighty days after the entire lockdown, the community is hungry, and they are no longer willing to pass through food,” he added.
May 30 (Reuters) – The US Court of Appeals on Friday left a lower court order in place that allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to carry out massive layoffs of federal workers and restructure agencies, blocking a full government overhaul.
The decision by the San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals means that for now the Trump administration cannot proceed with plans to cut down tens of thousands of federal jobs and shut down many agencies and programs.
On May 22, US District Judge Susan Ilston in San Francisco blocked massive layoffs at around 20 federal agencies, agreeing to unions, nonprofits and municipal groups that the president could restructure agents when approved by Congress.
A panel of three judges in the 9th Circuit on Friday denied a bid to maintain the Trump administration’s appeal to maintain Illiston’s decision in a 2-1 ruling. The administration will likely ask the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend the ruling.
“The Trump administration will soon fight back against this absurd order,” the White House said in a statement. “One judge is writing about taking the power of employment and firing.”
The coalition of plaintiffs praised the “confirmed block of illegal, destructive and destructive reorganization of the federal Trump Vance administration.”
The appeals court said the lower court order remained in force and that the administration had not provided evidence that if the plaintiff said it was likely to win, the government would have no evidence that it would result in irreparable injuries.
“The problematic executive order here far outweighs the president’s oversight powers under the constitution,” said a majority opinion of Justice William Fletcher, appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton. He was joined by Judge Lucy Coe, who was appointed Democrat President Joe Biden.
Judge Consuelo Callahan, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, opposed the administration’s likely success in appeals and that it was irreparable harm by blocking the policy.
Government overhaul
In addition to blocking Tesla Tsla.o. Layoff, the world’s wealthiest person and electric car maker Tesla Tsla.o. Layoff, Ilston banned government efficiency from orders to cut or restructure jobs in federal agencies.
Dozens of cases challenged Doge’s work for a variety of reasons, including claims that it violated labor and privacy laws and exceeded its authority. Two judges have individually ordered the Trump administration to revive thousands of probation employees. These employees are usually new employers and were fired in large numbers in February, but the Court of Appeals suspended these decisions.
Musk attended a farewell event with Trump in his oval office on Friday, marking the end of his active involvement in the administration.
Trump in February also directed agencies to work with DOGE to identify targets for large-scale layoffs as part of their administration’s restructuring plan.
The Republican president urged agencies to automate routine tasks, close local offices and reduce the use of external contractors, while eliminating overlapping roles, unnecessary management and non-critical work. Most federal agencies have announced plans to fire a large number of workers, including 10,000 staff from health agencies.
On Friday, the accused unions and groups said only Congress has the authority to create agencies, shape their missions and determine the level of funding, and that massive layoffs undermine that power.
Illston, who is also an appointee of Clinton, said in her ruling that if the layoffs were carried out, the plaintiffs would likely suffer various irreparable damages.
She said the U.S. Labor Service in Pittsburgh, which, for example, studies the health risks facing miners, would lose all but one of its 222 employees.
Illston gave a similar example at his local office at Head Start. It supports early learning, farm services agencies and the Social Security Agency.
(Reporting by Daniel Wisner of Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Rod Nickel, and Tom Hogue)
USA Today TV Critic Kelly Lawler shares the top 5 TV shows she’s most excited about this year
Austin, Texas – The King of the Hill Revival is currently cooking with propane.
Hulu, which streams the original series, has revealed that Season 14 revival on August 4 will debut on August 4 in all 10 episodes.
The updated credit sequence shows what Hank Hill, his wife Peggy, son Bobby, and a friend in the fictional Texan town of Arlen have been doing since signing off in 2010. The hill then returned, and grew older and older.
Co-creators of Greg Daniels and Mike Judge, who are also voiced by Hank Hill, were held on May 30th by executive producer Saladin Patterson and audio actors Pamela Adlon, Lauren Tom and Toby Huss, teased the upcoming season on a panel at the ATX TV Festival.
“It clicked for me,” the judge told an audience ready to shout out memorable quotes. “When they actually started aging the ideas of the characters and Hank, they started retiring propane gigs to Saudi Arabia. The idea started.”
Seth Myers grant A good look at the brain of his uneasy writer: “Always biting my nails.”
In the clip shared with fans, Hank is very pleased to be back in Texas. Hank has retired and “I realize I don’t have a job I go to every day,” Patterson said, so “he may always find things around the house and plague my wife.”
As for Peggy (Kathy Najimmy), Patterson says, “If there are characters who think they can do something, if they have free time now, enjoy what those possibilities are.”
Bobby (Adlon), now in his 20s, is a successful chef at a German sushi fusion restaurant in Dallas.
“He’s hardworking. He learned from his parents,” Adlon said. “It almost like an adult, he became more central and like a dad.”
Johnny Hardwick, the voice of Hank’s fellow, passed away in 2023 at 64. Hardwick appears in six episodes of the Revival, with the judge telling the crowd and Hass taking over the role of Dale.
“The fact that you all trusted me to make his voice again is really humble,” Hass said. “And what I’ve been trying to do – I’m not trying to copy Johnny as much as I’m trying to become Johnny, and Dale comes out through it. But it was because he had a lot of weird minds for him, so he had a really great, goofball character lay. It’s sad that he’s not here.”
During the panel, Daniels highlighted the talent of Brittany Murphy, who died of pneumonia in 2009 in 32. Murphy has announced the role of Hank and Peggy’s Nie Luanne.
“One of the people who point out who I am great and who isn’t here is Brittany Murphy,” Daniels said. “Brittany is someone who has never read the way you thought it would be read.”
Luanne married Lucky and Tom Petty called out to her. The singer passed away in 2017 at the age of 66 from an accidental drug overdose.
“We found an opportunity,” Patterson said. “You can reference them on the show and see the importance of them being both in the life of the characters.
Dating experts reveal signs that relationships are toxic
Dr. Ramani explains how certain behaviors and conversations can show that your relationship is toxic.
Many of us consider anger to be a restrictive or almost negative emotion, but it can be useful. Raymond Chip Tuffrate, a clinical psychologist and professor at Central Connecticut State University and co-author of “Anger Management for All: 10 Proven Strategies to Control Anger and Live a Happy Life,” said Raymond Chip Tuffrate, a clinical psychologist and professor at Central Connecticut State University and co-author of “Anger Management for All: 10 Proven Strategies to Control Anger and Live a Happy Life.”
Anger can reveal issues that need to be resolved, make necessary changes, and motivate you to have a tough conversation. You decide to get angry with a health condition like obesity and decide to tackle it, participate in public protests to influence social change, and gain the courage to approach friends and colleagues to insist on treating you and others.
At the same time, “If anger is too often, too strong or too long, it can become a problem,” says Tuffret. And there’s a huge difference between helping anger motivate you to have a hard conversation in the first place and getting closer to someone. In a state of anger Instead of using measured words and actions.
So, what does that mean if you feel angry all the time, and how do you manage your emotions and lead to more productive outcomes?
What is anger?
Anger is a common and often intense emotion characterized by feelings of frustration, friction, annoying, or conflict with another person, event, or situation. That’s the feeling that Tuffret says it evolved as part of a physical battle or flight response to help our ancient ancestors survive challenged and threatening situations. But today, he says, “Most of what pisses us off are not life-threatening circumstances.” Instead, we are pissed off by concerns about the world’s injustice, inadequate treatment of ourselves and others, stressors of everyday life, or social, physical, or financial positions.
Another point of view is that anger is the emotion that you experience when your views of right and wrong are violated and you have the opportunity to correct a situation.
What is cortisol? Everything about “stress hormones” and what it does for the body
Why am I always angry? What causes anger?
For this reason, some of the people who find themselves angry are those who focus on these violations and injustice.
People also experience anger in general. Because they are occupations and families, and are often attacked and can feel unfair or helpless.
You may also experience anger more frequently as it is modeled as a reliable response in your childhood home and other settings.
Anger can also be amplified by people and groups who use emotions as a tool to invigorate and motivate others. “And different organizations and cultures have different standards for when and how expressing anger is accepted or unacceptable,” explains Heather Wrench, professor of psychology and brain science at Texas A&M University.
Genetics could also play a role. Many people are born with a more responsive nervous system and tend to respond negatively to perceived threats, says Tuffret. Genes can also affect the way we manage emotional responses more generally, says Kross.
Stress related to lack of sleep, illness or illness, drug or alcohol, mental illness, work, finances, and relationships can also be rewarding to feel angry and more likely to respond anger to a situation.
Note: What you need to know about cortisol, hormonal tictalker says you need to balance
How to manage anger issues
No matter what you feel angry, learning to control and manage it will help you hurt yourself and others and avoid you from trouble and embarrassing situations. For example, screaming, calling names and using violence against others or property is a surefire way to make an already intense situation even worse. It is also not good for your body to frequently experience floods of anger-related stress hormones.
“When it comes to managing anger, there’s no perfect solution for every size,” Cross says. “There are so many tools you can use.” For example, distancing from the source of frustration until you learn to wait until your emotions settle down or you’re ready to approach them thoughtfully is a great way to avoid problems.
“Rage usually subsides over time,” says Cross. Running your hands under cold water, counting from 10 backwards, taking deep breaths, running, rejuvenating, getting out, distracting with engaging jobs, distracting friends, and listening to calming music is all proven options.
Another option that makes you feel less angry is to change your mindset towards people and situations. It also helps to avoid people and situations where possible, whether you’re a friend or colleague who rubs the wrong way, news articles, or the wrong way on social media, or avoid people or situations that you find angry.
And because anger is likely to arise when you’re overwhelmed, Tuffrate “prioritizes self-care by getting plenty of sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and avoiding excess substances like alcohol and caffeine.”
The Indian army confirmed for the first time that an unspecified number of fighters had been shot down during a strike on Pakistan-controlled territory amid a fierce battle among its neighbors in early May.
Indian officials had previously refused to confirm the loss of a single aircraft.
On Saturday, a Bloomberg correspondent asked if Pakistan was correct in claiming that “six Indian jets” had fallen. Anil Chauhan, the head of national defense of the Indian Army, initially denied the truth behind the claims, saying, “It’s absolutely wrong.
But he went on to say, “What’s important is the reason they fell.” It appears to imply that many jets were fired down while fighting among historic enemies. “That’s more important to us. And what have we done after that? It’s even more important,” he said.
Officials also answered another question about Pakistan’s claims and accepted that the Indian military had made a “tactical mistake.”
“The good part is that we understood the tactical mistakes we made, improved it, fixed it, implemented it again two days later, flew all the jets and targeted them again over long distances,” he said.
Pakistan claimed that after India launched a military operation against Pakistan in early May, the pilots shot down five Indian fighters, including three advanced French-made Rafares from India. Pakistan said it used Chinese-made fighter jets to shoot down Indian fighters, including Rafares.
India initially denied the claim, saying that Narin Kohli, a spokesman for India’s Bharatiya Janata Party, “If that was the case, and if that level had happened, I would have said so.”
A senior official from the French intelligence agency told CNN at the time that one of the Indian Air Force-run Lafale fighters fell by Pakistan, and that French authorities were considering whether multiple fighters were defeated. An Indian witness also told CNN that he saw one aircraft plunging from the sky.
The fighting was a major escalation among South Asian neighbours, responding to the murder of tourists in India-controlled Kashmir in April. India blamed Pakistan for its attack, but was rejected by Islamabad. A ceasefire between Islamabad and New Delhi was announced on May 10th.
CNN’s Benjamin Brown, Matthew Chance, Sofia Saifi and Saska Vandorn contributed to this report.
The results were similar across all income levels. Pet advocates say it shows the need for veterinarians to coordinate to address client financial concerns.
Some states have lost pet insurance nationwide
Nationally, it says inflation and pet veterinary care are one of the reasons why pet insurance is dropped.
Fox-35 Orlando
Whether their best is Fido or FIFI, owners are becoming more cranky about the cost of pet health care.
More than half of owners (including high-income households) either skipped the required veterinary care the previous year or rejected the recommended treatment at some point in the past.
A study conducted by Petsmart Charities and Gallup found that about seven out of ten people who skipped or refused care cited costs as the main reason, saying they didn’t think it was worth spending.
The results were surprisingly similar at all income levels, said Amy Gilbrace, president of Petsmart charity, indicated the need for veterinarians to fit their clients’ financial concerns.
“There’s a story that says that this only affects people at the bottom of the revenue spectrum,” Gilbreth said. “But it’s all the whole spectrum. It surprised me – and it bothers me.
According to the PET of Pet Care report, veterinary care costs in the United States have skyrocketed by more than 60% since 2014, causing many owners to refrain from pet recommended treatment, with sometimes life-threatening consequences.
“At least 60% of households have pets and people love them as a family,” Gilbress said. “We don’t think they should be a gorgeous item. They’re good for people’s mental, physical and emotional health, and even if it gets out of hand, it’s a really sad situation.”
According to the American PET Products Association, PET owners are expected to spend an estimated $39 billion in 2024, and in a survey of dog owners conducted by Pawsafe.com that year, more than 44% of respondents felt the cost of care had risen significantly. 84% accused them of veterinarians.
Even higher income owners feel in trouble
A survey of 2,498 US adults who own at least one dog or cat, conducted between November 2024 and January 2025 found that 52% of pet owners refused to skip or refuse.
Diagnostic procedures (22%), vaccinations (18%), and elective surgery (16%) were the most commonly rejected PET healthcare services, while 11% refused the recommended medication and 7% refused life-saving surgery.
Of those who skipped or refused care, 71% of respondents said cost was a key factor. That response was the highest (80%) of people with household incomes ranging from $36,000 to $60,000, with almost two-thirds (66%) of people who earned more than $90,000 said the same thing.
For people with high incomes, it wasn’t necessarily an issue of affordability. Only a third of people making more than $90,000 said they couldn’t pay for the cost, compared to 72% of people making more than $36,000 to $60,000. However, 44% of people in high brackets said the cost is not worth it.
Gilbreth said pre-veterinary investigations suggest an increasing problem as veterinarian costs have increased.
“When I look at veterinarian pricing over the past five years, I’ve been shot faster than other indexes,” she said. Inflation has exacerbated the rise in health care costs, in part, prompted by more expensive diagnostic tests and higher wages for veterinary staff.
“For many pet families, the dramatic increase in that dramatic cost in a short period of time makes things very painful,” Gilbress said. “We are in an age where families are really growing, and it’s hard to manage unexpected costs like the massive veterinary bills.”
Payment plans can be a pet’s lifesaver
Animal shelters across the country said they are seeing the effects.
Ginnebele Shuster of the Utah Humane Society of Murray said: Last year, the number of owners who became pets increased by more than 22% because they couldn’t afford to get a pet, she said.
In Tennessee, the Nashville Humane Society will partner with the Banfield Foundation to fund monthly low-cost clinics, allowing owners to access more affordable veterinary care for their pets.
“As the cost of living increases year by year across the US and many private veterinarian practices are open, the costs of care are skyrocketing and plans are filling up for months,” Whittemore said. “We hope these clinics are currently experiencing some of the financial stock owners in our community.”
Additionally, Gilbreath said he has begun exploring medical options for animals that were not considered 20 years ago as owners are increasingly treating pets as part of their family.
“Now there are options they didn’t have and that could be increasing costs,” she said. “There is treatment for dogs with cancer. You can get a pet CT scan and MRI or advanced orthopedic surgery. If your dog was bred 20 years ago, you can go with wooden frame rest and pain management.
Petsmart charity estimates that around 15% of pet households can provide gold standard care.
“They want the best and most technically advanced care,” Gilbress said. “But there are many other households that aren’t an option and those people should be able to get more affordable care.”
Despite financial constraints that hinder veterinarian access to care, 73% of owners who refused treatment were not offered affordable alternatives, and surveys found that fewer than one in four (23%) said they were offered a payment planning option.
Research has shown that offering payment plan options makes a big difference. Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they could afford under $1,000 if their pets were in a life-threatening condition. However, given an option of no interest for a year, he said that in most cases it would double what they could pay.
“We want to see options like 18 months of interest-free financing,” says Gilbreath. “More veterinarians are beginning to offer options, but that’s relatively new.”
For example, a blocked intestine that requires surgery may require a single action, but “a lot more people would have thought they would be offered a payment plan or a more affordable treatment option,” Gilbreath said.
She added that Petsmart Charities hopes to look into veterinarians later this year and learn more about why.
“Pets are family.”
Necessary or recommended pet care is associated with inadequate outcomes, the study found. Among the decline in care, one in seven (14%) reported that their pets had worsened or died.
Three in 10 pet owners (30%) said they have friends and family whose pets have passed away in the past five years due to affordable treatment.
Gilbreath recommends that pet owners discuss possible treatments or payment options with their veterinarians and find solutions that meet their needs. Additionally, veterinary care and other resources may be found through community nonprofits and animal shelters with public clinics.
She noted the experiences of “relatively wealthy” women who adopted cats when they settled in the home they purchased. The cat developed a dental condition that required expensive treatment.
“This woman was heartbroken,” she said. “She didn’t want the cat to suffer, so she gave it up to the shelter in hopes of it getting the care it needed.”
Suffering from guilt, the woman returned to the shelter the next day to retrieve the cat, learning that community organizations could provide the necessary care at a more affordable price.
“She got her cat back and got the care she could afford,” Gilbreth said.
Research has shown that offering payment plan options makes a big difference. Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they could afford under $1,000 if their pets were in a life-threatening condition. However, given an option of no interest for a year, he said that in most cases it would double what they could pay.
“We want to see options like 18 months of interest-free financing,” says Gilbreath. “More veterinarians are beginning to offer options, but that’s relatively new.”
Additionally, Gilbreath said veterinary schools can provide a range of options by ensuring students recognize low-tech treatment alternatives to high-tech ones.
“The data shows that despite interest in such options, many pet parents are not presented with alternative care options that could make veterinary services more accessible,” said Zach Hrynowski, a senior researcher at Gallup, in a press release accompanying the report. “The data analysis points to a clear opportunity for the veterinary industry to expand affordable and flexible solutions to meet the needs of pet parents.”
Gillbless said he hopes to help pet owners feel alone or unashamed about their decisions, given how common these situations are.
“Pets are family,” Gilbreth said. “For a lot of people, they are the only family, so we do this job. We want our pets and their people to be together.”
Nearly 80 aid trucks traveling in southern and central Gaza were looted by hopeless civilians on Saturday, and the UN World Food Programme said they were looted as hunger situations worsened in the Palestinian enclave.
In a statement issued in X, WFP said 77 trucks had crossed into Gaza, loaded with flour. They all “were stopped halfway through and filmed foods that were primarily hungry people trying to feed their families.”
“Eighty days after the entire lockdown, the community is hungry, and they are no longer willing to pass through food,” he added.
Nahed Shekhiber, the head of the association, told CNN that 20 trucks carrying wheat flour have been plundered near Netzarim in central Gaza, stripping around 50 flour trucks of cargo from Khan Eunice in southern Gaza.
“The humanitarian situation at #Gaza is in spiral. Border closures, hunger and despair have destabilized the delivery of aid,” WFP wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
“We must flood our communities with food to restore hope, relieve fear and prevent further confusion.”
The video shows dozens of people at Khan Yunis carrying bags of flour. A similar scene unfolds in Netzarim, where a burst of gunfire was heard as the crowd rushed to grab a bag of flour.
The hangars are spreading across Gaza, with UN agencies warning of imminent hunger without dramatically expanding the aid distributed to it. There have been several cases of looting.
The United Arab Emirates said last week that only one of the 24 trucks it organized had reached its planned destination.
Chaos broke out last week when tens of thousands of hungry Palestinians arrived at two new food distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The incident killed 11 people and injured dozens of people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
GHF, a controversial private foundation supported by Israel and the US, says it continues to expand its distribution across four hubs in central and southern Gaza. On Saturday, the company distributed a total of 28,800 boxes of 30 trucks of food to its hub in Rafa in southern Gaza, adding, “Today’s meal distribution is the largest ever, five times more than yesterday.”
The UN aid agencies have criticised the GHF’s aid mechanism, saying it violates humanitarian principles and poses risks for Palestinians.
Philip Lazarini, executive director of UNRWA’s executive director (Palestinian territory), who reportedly sent 900 trucks to Gaza over the past two weeks as Israel’s lockdown partially relaxed, reportedly said that the 900 trucks have been sent to Gaza over the past two weeks. The UN also says that once Gaza arrives it is struggling to coordinate the safe distribution of aid within Gaza.
“That’s only 10% of the daily needs of the people of Gaza. The aid currently being sent makes ocky laugh at the mass tragedy unfolding under our watch,” Lazarini posted an X, comparing the amount of 600 to 800 trucks that come into Gaza every day during a ceasefire earlier this year.
“We can stop the massive starvation we have today. We need political will,” he said.
The number of people hospitalized with illness from the outbreak of salmonella linked to contaminated cucumbers continues to increase. Currently, cases have been reported in 18 states.
Tips for managing food recalls and preventing foodborne illnesses
Approximately 128,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 die from preventable foodborne diseases each year.
Payton, USA Today
Salmonella diseases associated with cucumber continue to rise, with more states reporting additional cases and hospitalizations. Another major retailer, Target, is issuing its own recall.
The first recall of cucumbers, grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed through a fresh start produce sale, linked the produce to the outbreak of salmonella in 15 states. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 26 people became ill and nine were hospitalized on May 19.
Health officials are now increasing to 18 states reported in 18 states, including Georgia, Indiana and Massachusetts (the latest states where Georgia, Indiana and Massachusetts are the most recent), according to the FDA and CDC.
Tough Cookies: Oreo Maker sues Aldi for allegedly copycat cookie packing
According to the CDC, eight people told the eight people they boarded the cruise before they got sick. The passengers were on six different ships, all of which departed from Florida from March 30th to April 12th. The three were on the same boat, the agency said.
No deaths have been reported in the Salmonella outbreak, the CDC says.
The first voluntary recall involved cucumbers sold directly to consumers at Bednar’s Farm Fresh Market. Additional recalls were later announced by grocery stores such as Harris Teeter, Kroger and Walmart, selling the entire cucumber or using it on ready-to-eat products such as vegetable trays and salads.
Target issued a recall of products purchased from May 7 to May 21, the FDA said in its May 30 update. These products included prepared foods such as individual cucumbers, two packs of cucumbers, Good and Lemon Pepper Greek-style chicken salad, My Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl with White Rice, and My California Roll along with White Rice. A complete list of over 40 recalled products is available on the Target’s Product Recall page.
Target was also among retailers who recalled Homer Foods’ Dantimoore Beef Stew, as the product could contain “foreign material,” especially wood fragments.
USA TODAY Recall Database: Search for vehicle, product, food recalls
What if you think you might have remembered cucumbers
The recalled cucumber should no longer be on store shelves, health officials said. The CDC and FDA advise anyone with cucumbers to throw away anyone at home if they don’t know where they come from. Wash any surfaces or items that may have been exposed to the cucumber.
According to the CDC, Bedner growers were also linked to the outbreak of salmonella, involving cucumbers that had 155 hospitalized in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
Investigators discovered untreated canal water carrying bacteria used by Bedner growers, the CDC said. Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company of Boca Raton, Florida, said there is a high probability of an outbreak, but the company did not explain all outbreak diseases.
Symptoms of Salmonella
Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths each year, according to the CDC and FDA.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection, including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, usually occur 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and can last for 4 to 7 days. Severe infections include pain, headache, increased fever, lethargy, rash, and blood in the urine or stool.
Which states are affected by the salmonella outbreak?
As of May 30, cucumber-related salmonella outbreaks have been disgusted by 45 people in the next 18 states.
Alabama
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
North Carolina
new york
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
Contributed by Gabe Hauari and Mary Walrath-Holdridge.
Mike Snyder is a reporter for the trending team at USA Today. You can follow him in the thread, send BlueSky, X with X and send him an email Bliss & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider &msnider@usatoday.com
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President Trump signs executive orders to ease some automobile fares
President Donald Trump has signed several executive orders to ease car rates, but the industry does not see a complete exemption.
The dramatic move follows Toyota’s all-hybrid transformation last year, along with the Camry, the number one midsize sedan in the US.
The new outdoor forest model can be used as a hybrid or PHEV. AWD becomes standard.
The non-picked American bestsellers will switch to an all-hybrid lineup when the 2026 Toyota RAV4 compact SUV is released later this year.
The dramatic move follows Toyota’s all-hybrid transformation last year, along with the Camry, the number one midsize sedan in the US.
Toyota is dramatically increasing sales of hybrid and electric vehicles. At the same time, the company says that US tariffs will increase prices and make it difficult for people to afford new vehicles.
“The 25% tariff is not a sustainable long term without a significant price rise,” said Mark Templin, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota North America, at the company’s vast headquarters complex in Plano, Texas. “They put their new cars out of reach of many consumers.”
New sporty and outdoor model
The new RAV4 lineup includes plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and performance GR sports models as automakers increase sales of franchise vehicles. The PHEV generates 302 to 320 horsepower for the 2025 RAV4. The sporty GR sports will be PHEV.
Other Toyota reviews: I watched Toyota’s 2025 Land Cruiser again – and loved it more
For the first time, the hybrid will be available in front and all-wheel models.
The new outdoor forest model can be used as a hybrid or PHEV. AWD becomes standard.
Toyota will announce the electric range, fuel economy and prices close to when sales begin.
Main features:
PHEV DC Fast Charging Port
Nine speaker JBL audio
Head-up display
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
New lights, gauges, screens
Toyota’s “hammerhead” grille and front lights are new, along with LED taillights.
The interior features a 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim level. Digital climate control is integrated at the bottom of the screen.
The 12.3-inch digital device will replace the 7-inch mechanical gauge. The top trim level gets the toggle switch gear selector.
The Rav4’s dimensions remain the same, but the body has become stiffer to reduce noise and improve ride and handling.
Please contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Please read more Auto And sign up for us Automotive Newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Experts estimate that 3,500 wooden carousels were built at the turn of the 20th century, with only 150 remaining.
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WASHINGTON – In the shadows of Washington National Cathedral on Saturday afternoon, Esme Olsen sat on a colorful wooden horse, waving to her mother and grandmother while she and dozens of smiling children were spinning around and around.
It was a moment when the girl was eagerly waiting for her ever since she learned that the Cathedral’s two-day fundraising event featured a merry-go-round.
“I like how fast it went,” the 9-year-old said of the sound of an antique Wallitzer organ playing “The Carousel Waltz.” She added, “I wish I could go up and down.”
What Esme didn’t know was that the antique wooden carousel she rode was one of a rare group of merry-go-rounds built at the turn of the 20th century, and still spins over a century later.
Experts estimate that as many as 3,500 carousels were built by several American companies and artisans from the 1880s to the 1930s. Today, around 150 remain, only a few of them are still working.
“That’s pretty amazing,” said Patrick Wentzel, president of the National Carousel Association. “These vehicles are the only bone-lide items that you can ride, not just touch, but also throw away your feet.”
These spinning historical artifacts are survivors of decades of economic, social and technical disruption, from the invention of Great Repression and roller coasters to countless carousel frenzys.
In the face of what appears to be an imminent extinction, nonprofits, local governments, museums and other groups intervened to save the last American carousel. These operators pay the best dollars by artisans and professional mechanisms to maintain and renovate vehicles from the century to maintain the original design and craftsmanship.
This job is financially burdensome, but today’s carousel caretakers are on their mission to maintain the remainder of the golden age of carousel production.
“It’s completely financially vulnerable,” said Carol Kelleher, a member of the All Hallows Guild, which maintains the National Cathedral carousel. “But we want to leave it as is.”
A short history of American carousels
The Merry-Go-Round was born in Europe, but did not gain popularity in the US until the late 1800s, when German and British artisans were using the country’s vast, untouched forests.
These sculptors, although many sculptors are classically trained, have been hand-covered and painted intricate designs that often evoke memories of their hometown. Meanwhile, cities and small towns were looking for attractions to develop parks and attract crowds. The lively, spinning carousel was the perfect spotlight.
To meet the growing demand, businesses began to jump out and stir vehicles. A small version for traveling the carnival for town squares and entertainment parks.
However, the carousel boom that began at the turn of the 20th century came to an abrupt end. The rapid decline was touched by World War I and was delimited by the Great Repression.
“The park was closed and no one was buying a carousel,” Wentzel said. “It killed almost everything.”
After World War II, Carousel saw a modest revival when new companies began making them out of cast aluminum. And later fiberglass – a material used in most modern carousels today. These hundreds of easy-to-built vehicles appeared in suburban parks in the postwar period. However, unlike their wooden predecessors, these lacked the craftsmanship and personality that defined the early days.
Collectors noticed, and by the 1970s and 1980s, wooden carousel animals began to appear at auctions, discovering that operators could make more money selling individual horses than maintaining the entire ride. For carousel lovers, it was devastating.
“The carousel numbers were each sold for $40,000,” Wentzel said. “It was really tragic.”
Movement to preserve what remains
The antique carousels were left to be demolished or deteriorated, and the National Carousel Association was formed and helped to maintain them. The group eventually found success as local governments, museums and nonprofits joined the cause and often maintained the carousel with sudden economic losses.
“We haven’t sold carousels in 20 years,” Wentzel said.
Today, these historic rides can be found in parks, playgrounds and museums across the country, but they do not remain completely original. Many replaced steam engines with electric motors, replaced pipe organs with modern sound systems, and installed straps and lamps for wheelchair accessibility.
Kelleher, who helps maintain the carousel at the National Cathedral, said the ride has seen several major restorations over the past 60 years. In 2021, the guild hired the company for a multi-year project to complete all 22 ride animals.
“It’s a big effort,” Kelleher said.
In New Philadelphia, Ohio, the 1928 carousel is the heart of Tascola Park. Like the Washington carousel, the 1990s saw major renovations, including painting jobs and new $53,000 motors.
Richard Gaib, president of nonprofit RTY Inc., which oversees the ride, says it’s money worth the money to make sure people in New Philadelphia can enjoy the carousel, as he and his family have been around for decades.
“I have my photo in that carousel with my grandparents and now my grandchild is helping me manipulate it,” he said. “It’s like a part of our family, and for many people in town.”
Artisans live in traditional carousels
The grassroots movement to restore and maintain antique carousels has created a stable flow of work for a small group of skilled artisans.
One of the leading companies in this field is carousels and sculptures based in Marion, Ohio. The workers have renovated some of the nation’s most beloved merry-go-rounds, including the Washington National Cathedral carousel.
Todd, a former cabinet maker known as “The Carousel Doctor,” founded the company in the 1990s as the movement to restore antique carousels was full of energy. What began as an foray into carousel repairs turned into a job in his life.
Today, events and his 20 employees maintain dozens of carousels across the country, repainting animals, upgrade mechanical systems and routine maintenance. They also began building their own carousels from scratch in a 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Marion.
“I can’t speak for everyone, but we’re busier than ever,” he said.
Still, the events had to confront an existential threat to his business: an older workforce of carousel artisans.
About five years ago, he noticed that most of his employees were over 60 years old, with some in their 70s. To ensure his trade future, he began hiring and training what he considers a new generation of artisans, including his son, whom he hopes to eventually take over the family business.
“This shop has a good feeling right now about the future,” he said. “We haven’t counted to the end of years anymore.”
“Some magic”
On May 3rd, a long family was eagerly waiting for the historic carousel outside the Washington National Cathedral.
Among the bustling crowd was 81-year-old Catherine Wardrow. He was with his family. Wardrow said he couldn’t ride the carousel himself, but he came to love them through his granddaughter Emily.
For Emily, who was nonverbal and suffering from mobility, the carousel was the only vehicle she could safely enjoy. Until her death at age 25, Emily asked to be taken to a carousel at a mall near her home in Columbia, Maryland.
“She’s going to be spinning around – she was very happy,” Wardrow said. “It was one of the few things that brought her joy and brought her joy to come with her grandma and ride the carousel.”
Others reflected emotions and often linked carousels to their childhood memories.
Sarah Allsen, who took her son and daughter to a cathedral fundraising event, said she grew up riding a carousel for over 100 in Hershey Park, Pennsylvania.
What she said is the whims and accessibility of the animals that make the ride special.
“Everyone can continue with them,” she said. “And it doesn’t matter how old you are – people just love to ride horses.”
Its enduring appeal is part of what continues to be committed to their restoration work. For them, and for countless people who enjoy riding a round of merry-go-rounds, the carousel is more than a mechanical novelty.
“It might seem like a kind of pointless thing – a bunch of animals in circles,” Geings said. “But when you get on, there’s magic coming in. The lights turn on, the music goes, and people laugh. Suddenly, there’s something magical.”
Ultra-highly processed foods, seed oils, pesticides, fluorides: they are all targets of the “American Health Again” movement, with its main supporters being Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services.
Maha Films, a production company currently specializing in promoting the value of the movement, has released its first documentary.
“Toxic Countries: From Fluoride to Seed Oils – How We Come Here, How to Make Profit, and What You Can Do” by Kennedy’s nonprofit Maha Action, the film’s advocacy partner, highlights four food and environmental issues that put millions of Americans at risk every day. Released online on Tuesday, the film is the first in a planned, four-part series.
“If we can love our kids more than we hate each other, we can solve the chronic disease epidemic that affects them,” producer and director Jeff Hayes said in a news release, citing Kennedy’s spirit. “The “toxic nation” is our love letter to its vision and a call to create an America where families can ultimately thrive in true health. ”
The documentary’s release follows the publication of the first Maha Committee Report on May 22nd. This lays the foundation for an overhaul of federal policies to reduce the burden of chronic illness in American children. Still, significant budgets and staff cuts at the HHS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could potentially undermine the agenda for overhauling food systems, medicines and environmental toxins.
“The Trump administration can’t have it both ways,” wrote Scott Faber, senior vice president of government affairs at Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental health organization, in an email. (There is considerable overlap with some issues that became Kennedy’s focus on HHS, but the documentary was not released by the federal government.)
“On the other hand, they are sounding alarms about diet-related illnesses and diseases caused by dangerous chemicals,” Faber added. “On the other hand, they make it difficult for people to make healthy meals and eliminate safety measures that protect us from toxins such as PFA and pathogens.”
Some experts have been talking for a long time about the impact of what we have on the risk of illness, but there is a controversy about potential risk, benefits, or neutrality regarding details.
Here’s what recent research has said about the four targets of “toxic countries.”
Claim: The documentary calls ultra-positive foods as one of the roots of chronic diseases.
background: Ultra-highly processed foods, which make up to 70% of the US food supply, are made with industrial technology and ingredients. “The class of additives has the ability to never be used in the kitchen or rarely be used, or to make the final product taste and appeal.”
Ultra-positive foods usually contain less fiber. It has high calorie content, added sugar, refined grains and fats, and sodium. Includes additives such as preservatives, flavor enhancers, and dyes.
the study: Many studies over decades of research have shown that consumption of ultra-highly processed foods is associated with disease or health issues such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, premature birth, cancer, depression, cognitive decline, stroke and sleep disorders.
The harm could be partly due to the effects on the metabolism of ultra-positive foods, experts said – for example, refined carbohydrates can increase blood glucose levels in triglycerides and spikes, for example.
quiz: How many super positive foods do you eat?
What you can do: Limit the intake of ultra-highly rocessed foods by increasing consumption of whole fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. Read the ingredient label and pay attention to the amount of sodium you are eating and how certain foods make you feel. Super positive foods are more cravings, whereas whole foods are more satisfying.
Read more about ultra-highly processed foods: Eating more ultra-positive foods is at risk of premature death, research finds
Claim: The documentary challenges the long-standing guidance that for heart health, chefs need to exchange saturated fats in animal products such as beef, pork lard and butter for seed oils. (Kennedy praised the shake’s switch from seed oil to beef fat, as he calls it a healthier choice by deep fries.)
background: Vegetable oil and seed oils were popular in 20th The century when scientists began to see animal fatIt promoted oil as a healthy alternative to the perpetrators and heart behind the increased cardiovascular problems.
Some of the concerns of seed oils are based on chemistry, industrial production involving a variety of chemicals, and the behavior of seed oils when exposed to heat, air and light. The oil is extracted from plant seeds, such as canola oil from canola, or rapeseed plant seeds. Other seed oils of concern are corn, cottonseed, grape seeds, sunflower, safflower and rice bran oil.
Seed oil is primarily polyunsaturated fats and is less chemically stable than saturated fats, the main lipid of animal fats. Thus, polyunsaturated fats can cause faster peroxidation when exposed to oxygen or cooked, producing molecules related to cell damage and oxidative stress, Dr. Daige Zamora, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, told CNN in March.
the study: Over the past decades, scientists continue today have published a wealth of data showing that a diet with high plant fats produces higher health outcomes than animal fats.
Studies on seed oil have been featured over the past decade, including a clinical trial of Zamora, which found that restricting seed oil improves chronic pain in participants. Other studies have linked seed oil intake to biomarkers of atherosclerosis or fat accumulation within the arterial artery.
Dr. Eric Decker, professor of food science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst University, says that unless the oil is too hot, repeated, long-term, long-term use, or long-term use, there may be no risk of harmful, degraded products.
What you can do: If you’re worried about seed oil, you can replace extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, experts said. Experts also recommend that you consume moderate fat.
Read more about seed oil: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the tallow in beef is healthier than seed oil. Is he right?
Claim: The film raises concerns about the herbicide glyphosate, citing a previously documented link to cancer. Sources say glyphosate can cause endocrine destruction and damage to the gut microbiota, the latter of which could increase the risk of irritable bowel disease and celiac disease.
background: Glyphosate is commonly used to kill weeds in human and animal food crops, forestry and gardens.
the study: Although harm has been found in rats, studies on the effects of glyphosate on the human gut microbiota are in early stages. A 2019 analysis of studies in thousands of people and animals found that glyphosate exposure was associated with a 41% higher risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
The role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to ensure that pesticides or herbicide residues set by the EPA do not exceed the limits set by the EPA, at a level that determines that the EPA will “provide reasonable certainty without harm.”
The EPA says glyphosate is likely not carcinogenic to humans and “there is no risk to public health if glyphosate is used according to current labels.”
The EPA’s conclusions contradict the World Health Organization’s stance, but the latter has been controversial among both the industry and some health experts. The decision was followed by thousands of lawsuits against major producers of glyphosate-based weed killers, alleging that glyphosate exposure caused plaintiffs’ cancer. Some have been successful to varying degrees, including some well-known cases that Kennedy partially discussed when he was an environmental lawyer.
What you can do: You can limit the consumption of herbicides (and pesticides) primarily or by eating organic foods alone. Because it is unfeasible for many people, it can be impacted by intake of food on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list and increasing the intake of “clean 15” foods. The list refers to traditional fruits and vegetables that each have the lowest or lowest amount of pesticide residues.
Still, EWG also should not make perfection an enemy of good, as the health benefits of a fruit and vegetable rich diet outweigh the risk of pesticide exposure.
Read more about pesticides: Many breakfast cereals still polluted by weed killers, environmental groups say
Claim: Sources in the documentary claim that the type of fluoride used primarily in drinking water for most of the US population is different from sodium fluoride. It’s a hydrous separated spherical acid, a chemical by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry, and it’s a problem because it contains heavy metals such as arsenic.
It is true that fluorosylic acid is the perfect fluorinating agent for many municipalities. The fact that it contains more arsenic than sodium fluoride limits the amount of arsenic allowed in water, according to the EPA.
Sources of “toxic countries”He added that fluoride blocks thyroid receptors and can cause dental fluorosis. This is a cosmetic change in the enamel of children’s teeth caused by excessive fluoride while permanent teeth are still forming beneath the gums, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
background: Medical institutions or institutions such as the American Dental Association and CDC continue to support water fluorination and use of fluoride toothpaste. Most documentary sources acknowledged that sodium fluoride can enhance enamel.
the study: According to the American Dental Association, “water fluoride is effective in reducing at least 25% in children and adults, and at least 25% in children and adults.”
A new study published in the journal JAMA confirms this. Data on 8,484 children, average age 9, estimated that removing fluoride from public water systems is associated with a 7.5% increase in tooth decay.
However, several studies, including federal review published in August, support concerns about the high levels of fluoride in water that affect children’s intellectual development. Others have discovered only the small dental benefits of supplying water with fluorescent water. However, federal review noted that the association between normal levels of fluoride and pediatric IQ is not very consistent. And research on adults is rare.
What you can do: If you want to avoid fluoride intake, you can purchase a water filter that filters out fluoride. They should be independently accredited, such as the National Foundation for Health or another official research institute. Also, make sure your child does not swallow toothpaste containing fluoride.
To help prevent cavities, brush and floss teeth every day and every night, and limit the intake of sweet foods and drinks, the American Dental Association recommends. If you eat them, do so at mealtime. You should also visit your dentist regularly.
Read more about fluoride: Things you need to know about fluoride in drinking water
ISIS claims two attacks on Syrian security forces. This was the first attack that the transitional government under former jihadist Ahmed Arshara took office.
A terrorist group, also known as the Islamic State, said it killed and injured seven members of the “apostasy Syrian regime” and was injured in an explosive device that exploded on a road in southern Syria. They said the attack took place in the remote desert region of Tarur Safa in Sweida province, southern Syria.
A military source in the Sweida region told CNN that a Free Syrian Army reconnaissance force was ambushed on Wednesday to track down the ISIS movement in the area. One fighter was killed and three were injured.
The Free Syrian Army units are supported by US forces called the Altamp Deobiotic Zone near the Jordanian-Egyptian border, where the US has a small front-post base.
Sources added that the Talul Al Safa area is “a very sturdy and dangerous area, and ISIS has been exploiting the terrain for a long time.”
ISIS lost almost all of the territory controlled in Syria by the end of 2017, but maintains its foothold in Syria’s vast central desert. ISIS claimed another attack in the same area a few days ago.
CNN contacted the government in Damascus for comment. Last week, Syrian Interior Ministry said security forces operating in areas not too far from where the attack occurred had seized “many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and weapons” in places that belong to terrorist cells belonging to ISIS.
The Washington, D.C.-based War Institute says the group is likely to maintain cells in southern Syria, despite having not attacked for at least two years.
The US and other Western governments have urged the Syrian government to prevent the revival of ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syrian soil. However, the government is struggling to extend its powers to Sweida, where there has been clashes between the Druze and Sunni groups.
When the Pride flag was raised, officials, organizers and supporters gathered in front of the John A. Wilson building in Washington, DC.
June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month and begins a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) history, culture and resilience.
The first Pride Parade took place in New York City on June 28, 1970, a year after the Stonewall riots, along with those of Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles as the first protest march.
Here’s the history behind Pridemance, how it began, and how it’s used to commemorate the lives of LGBTQ individuals today:
Pride Month comes from police harassment and the riots at Stonewall Inn
Until the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision, homosexuality was considered a crime all over the United States, so people identified as LGBTQ often meet in places targeting straight people, said Bryona Simone Jones, a professor of queer studies at Spellman University in Atlanta.
One of these meetup spots is Stonewall Inn, a private club-turned bar on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.
New York police, who once had a public moral corps with disabilities, were known for harassing people in their communities, especially drug queens and transgender people, Jones told USA Today.
The NYPD used the “3 article rules” in the 1940s and 1960s. Although the rule did not become law, police often threatened arrest if an individual did not wear at least three clothes that matched the gender assigned to him at birth, Jones said.
Things went into order on June 28, 1969 after the NYPD attacked the facility, but the rise in users and crowds decided to fight back. The five-day riots from June 28th to July 3rd, 1969 proved to be a catalyst for the national civil rights movement for members of the LGBTQ community.
Now, almost 56 years later, the day is commemorated by a month-long celebration of parades, marches and flags.
The way that one march led to a month’s anniversary.
It took 30 years from the Stonewall riots to the federal approval of Pride Month through a declaration from President Bill Clinton in 1999. Since then, two other presidents, Barack Obama in 2011 and Joe Biden in 2024, have issued more declarations to highlight the achievements of the LGBTQ community.
According to Stephen Petrus, director of the Public History Program at Laguardia Community College, official White House approval took decades to come to fruition, organising efforts for gay, lesbian and transgender rights and forming advocacy groups.
How can an alliance become part of the Pride Month?
One of the best ways an alliance can support their LGBTQ loved ones is learning, said Nicholas Boston, an associate professor of media sociology at Lehman College and City University of New York.
“Education is the best form of alliance,” he told USA Today.
Petrus of Laguardia Community College said those who want to learn more can look into:
Saleen Martin is a reporter for the USA Today Now team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757. Email her to sdmartin@usatoday.com.
Disposable steam sales will be banned in the UK starting Sunday. This is because the country will be the latest in tackling the “environmental nightmare” of disposable devices. However, some campaigners have warned that the new restrictions are “sea reductions” in the war with plastic waste.
The ban follows similar moves in France and Belgium, and opposes disposable steam as it legislates the first European countries into the first European countries.
An estimated 8.2 million single-use steam (equivalent to 13 per second) is discarded weekly, according to an analysis published by the Environmental Group Materials Focus in December.
In the official guidance, the UK government described disposable steam as “eyebrows” and said their widespread disposal “has a major damage to our environment and wildlife.” The plastic used in disposable vampire products added that “it’s almost impossible for nature to completely break down.”
Batteries that were improperly disposed of could set fire to garbage trucks and waste facilities, and were focused on materials that would link such incidents to around 1,200 fires between May 2023 and May 2024.
“This ban will also help to curb the increase in vaping among young people,” the government said. “More than half of children using Vapes report that the ‘disposable’ model is the product of their choice. ”
This law does not criminalize the possession of disposable steam. Instead, it targets retailers and distributors who may face an initial penalty fine of £200 ($270) for violations after Sunday. Criminals could be hit with further fines and prison sentences due to continued violations of the new law.
For those already working on environmental fallout, the ban has been delayed for a long time.
“Without rapid and widespread action, the threat of ‘vapocalypse’ remains,” Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, told CNN. “The new ‘big puff’ and ‘pod’ steam models have already contributed to environmental nightmares.
“Vape producers are becoming endlessly creative with their products to avoid future disposable vape bans,” he added.
In anticipation of shifts, major steam manufacturers began adapting their product lines prior to the lawIt will come into effect.
“We have been actively preparing for this shift,” a spokesman for Elfbar and Lost Mary, owned by Chinese company Shenzhen Imiracle Technology, told CNN. “From launching the first reusable product in the UK in mid-2022 to developing reusable products as a result of the law a year ago.”
But on the ground, one London retailer warned that consumer habits could be difficult to change.
“Customers prefer the old disposables that offer 600 puffs rather than the newer, unplaceable 6,000 puff versions, because they prefer to change the steam taste more frequently.”
“New steam is also more expensive and more difficult for customers,” he added.
Prior to the ban, John Dunne, director of the UK’s Vaping Industry Association, said in a statement: He warned that the measure could lead to increased steam coming back to smoking cigarettes, creating a black market for disposable products.
In recent years, the use of steam has increased rapidly. An estimated 5.6 million people in the UK are vapeing, according to a survey conducted last year by public health charity on smoking and health.
Disposable steam has proven popular among young adults looking to quit smoking, but their sophisticated design, bright packaging and sweet taste also appealed to teenagers. According to the National Heath Service Survey, 1 in 10 people who are “frequently” in the UKIt was released in October and a quarter of 11-15 year olds attempted to vaping.
One former user told CNN that he was initially attracted to vapes due to his wide range of “flavors and colors,” but he was uncomfortable with how easily they were dumped.
“I just put them in the bin and it wasn’t the right way,” said 17-year-old Brighton student Eben Kusik. “I felt a bit of a waste of throw.(Leave it away)The battery will spew in 3 days.
“At first I thought, ‘I don’t like government banning things,’ but I think that’s a good thing,” he added.
For the environmental organization Greenpeace UK, this move progresses, but not very sufficient.
“Disposable steam is a clear environmental threat,” said Rollaburley, co-head of Greenpeace UK plastics.The campaign told CNN. “The ban may be that, so it’s a reduction in the ocean compared to a tsunami of plastic waste that is still being produced.”
Another cigarette and steam bill currently passing through Congress gives the Minister the authority to further limit the packaging, flavor and marketing of the village, what is seen as specifically targeting children.
The faithful will be flocking to Rome to honor the death of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m..
Given his relatively liberal policies and habit of phoning up members of the public for a chat, it’s possible that many non-Catholics will want to pay their respects, in addition to the nearly 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.
Foreign visitor numbers in Italy are already reaching all-time highs — and Rome is even fuller than usual this year because of the Vatican Jubilee, which will see an estimated more than 32 million pilgrims crowding in alongside regular visitors, who numbered 37.3 million last year.
That means that making your way to pay your respects may be difficult.
“We will see a huge media presence, much more than for Pope Benedict, since Francis is a current pope,” Mountain Butorac, who leads pilgrimages to Rome and tours of the Vatican as The Catholic Traveler, told CNN prior to the pope’s death. However, he added that he believes the crowd numbers will be similar to those for Benedict’s funeral: “I don’t expect numbers even close to [the funeral of] Pope John Paul II.” Around four million mourners flocked to Rome for the 2005 death of John Paul II.
The conclave — the meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope, usually two or three weeks after the previous pontiff’s death — will “be a big draw for people to come to Rome,” said Butorac, adding that unlike in the case of Benedict, time-strapped mourners may have to choose between traveling to Rome for the funeral or the conclave.
Pope Francis’ funeral is scheduled for Saturday April 26 at 10 a.m.
Before the funeral, there will be a period of lying in state. Francis’ coffin was transferred from his papal residence at the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica early on Wednesday, April 23.
Following a ceremony inside the basilica, the public will be able to file past the coffin. The basilica will be open until midnight Wednesday, from 7 a.m. to midnight Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. At 8 p.m. there will be a ceremony for the closing of the coffin.
The funeral, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, will take place in St. Peter’s Square outside the basilica, and will be open to the public. Tickets are not required — but expect extremely long lines. There will be a final Commendation and Valediction, before Francis’ coffin is taken inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the remainder of the service.
His body will then be taken to Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, just over two miles east of St. Peter’s, for burial. The route has not yet been announced.
The religious elements of a pope’s funeral are laid out in the “Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis” (Latin for “Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff”). However, popes can still weigh in on plans, as Francis did when he approved an updated edition of the liturgical book in 2024. Francis wrote in his 2025 autobiography, “Hope,” that the proposed funeral was “excessive” and that he arranged to “lighten” it. He also chose his burial place, and will be the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. He regularly worshiped at Santa Maria Maggiore, and last made a surprise visit there on April 12.
Vatican rules stipulate that the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after his death. The funeral then officially triggers nine days of mourning known as the “Novendiales,” which will see masses for Pope Francis held daily until May 4.
During this period, cardinals from across the world will be arriving in Rome, ready for the conclave, the date for which has not yet been announced.
“Every cardinal has a titular church here, and so usually two days before the conclave begins, they will have a Mass at their church,” said Butorac.
“The day before the conclave, there is a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. This is also open to the public. All the cardinals will be there. After this, they head into the Sistine Chapel, not to be seen in public again until the election of the pope.”
The conclave to elect the next pope can start no sooner than 15 days after the previous pope’s death (which would be May 6), though the exact date will be determined by cardinals in the days ahead.
During the conclave, while the cardinals are secreted away in the Sistine Chapel, crowds gather in St. Peter’s Square to pray, hoping to be there when they see white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel, meaning that a new pope has been chosen. Shortly afterwards, the newly elected pope will greet the crowds in the square from his balcony.
You don’t need a ticket to be in the square, but you will need to pass through security to access it, said Butorac.
For those who wish to witness it, on day one of the conclave, there is just one vote, in the evening. On the following days, there are four votes: two in the morning, two in the late afternoon. Twice a day, until a pope has been elected, the ballots will be burned. Black smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel means no pope has been chosen. White means there is a new pope.
The pattern of voting continues each day with a break every five days until a new Bishop of Rome is selected. Once that happens, the ballots are immediately burned to produce the white smoke.
“The times are usually public, so people know when to be in the square,” said Butorac. “There are also no seats — so expect to stand for hours.” The voting can take hours, so be prepared to wait.
Rome has two international airports. Fiumicino, around 17 miles (27 kilometers) southwest of the city center, is Italy’s busiest airport and the hub for non-European airlines. Ciampino, southeast of the city, is much smaller and closer to central Rome. It currently serves budget airlines with intra-European routes as well as two destinations in Morocco.
From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train departs every 15 minutes for Termini station in the city center. Alternatively, taxis charge a fixed rate of 55 euros ($58) to destinations within the city walls. Buses to Termini take 50 minutes and cost 9.90 euros ($10.40) return.
From Ciampino, a taxi costs a fixed 40 euros ($42), or buses to Termini take 40 minutes and cost 9.90 euros.
While flying into Rome is obviously direct, it’s worth considering flying into other major Italian airports, too. Rome’s Termini station is a hub on Italy’s high-speed railway line, meaning Milan is just over three hours away, and Naples around an hour.
Rome will be incredibly busy, so it makes sense to stay near St. Peter’s — though be aware that hotels are already heavily booked throughout 2025 because of the Jubilee. Vatican City sits on the west side of the Tiber, across the river from the historical center of Rome. The rione (district) of Prati is right above it, and is your best bet, accommodation-wise. Campo Marzio, in the historic center, is just across the water — anywhere near Campo de’ Fiori or Piazza Navona is also an easy walk to the Vatican.
Not finding anything? The nearest metro stop to the Vatican is at Ottaviano. Stay anywhere around Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps) or the cheaper areas around Piazza della Repubblica and Termini train station, and you’ll be just a few minutes away by metro.
While many hotels appear to have hiked room rates over the next few days, there are some with availability at more reasonable prices. Checking Booking.com on Tuesday after the funeral and lying in state was announced, there were various two- and three-star hotels around Termini for around 500 euros ($574) for three nights from Wednesday to Saturday. This isn’t the time to go all out with a five star — the luxury Bvlgari hotel, for example, which is within walking distance from the Vatican, was selling rooms for the same dates (three nights) for 8,310 euros ($9,539).
If you’re looking for just one night and the pickings are looking slim, it could work out as more affordable to stay longer. For example, Hotel Lancelot, a family-owned three-star near the Colosseum, has implemented a three-day minimum stay during the lying-in-state and funeral period; however, it has not raised its reasonable rates. A single room for three nights is 420 euros ($482) as of Tuesday.
Vatican City is one of the most popular places to visit on a Rome trip, but this is a time when it shuts down its tourism operations and returns the buildings to what they were built for. The Sistine Chapel, for example, will hold the conclave, while St. Peter’s will be used for the lying in state. The museums will also be closed on Saturday 26 April, and all tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis are suspended, according to a statement on the Musei Vaticani website.
Instead, if you have time to sightsee, you’ll need to leave Vatican City — but there are still plenty of sites with papal links in Rome. A 10-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square is the colossal Castel Sant’Angelo, originally built as the mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian, and then used as a papal fortress. It was here that Pope Clement VII holed up during the Sack of Rome in 1527, eventually escaping the city.
If you’re here to pay respects to Francis, you’ll probably want to spend some time in church. Luckily, Rome’s basilicas are museums in their own right, so you’ll be sightseeing as you go. Prime amongst them are the city’s three other “papal basilicas” — which rank just below St. Peter’s for importance to the Catholic Church. San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paolo Fuori le Mura each have a “porta santa” (holy door), and a papal altar. The latter, at the end of the increasingly trendy Via Ostiense, is said to be the resting place of the apostle St. Paul.
Be aware that as the resting place of the pope, Santa Maria Maggiore will likely be subject to visiting restrictions around the date of the funeral. No information has been announced as of yet.
If you want to mix in some Michelangelo, there are several options in lieu of St. Peter’s. His formidable Moses statue in San Pietro in Vincoli, a church in Monti, is a match for the Pietà in St. Peter’s — and in fact it was designed for the funerary monument of Pope Julius II, an ill-fated project that Michelangelo only completed after the death of Julius.
The spectacular church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is a ruined Roman bath that Michelangelo redesigned as a church — while his Risen Christ statue stands in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the church behind the Pantheon.
Two of the most spectacular papal sites are located outside the capital. Castel Gandolfo was the pope’s summer residence from 1596 until Francis wound it down, preferring to live more simply. Since 2016, you can visit the Palazzo Apostolico, or Palazzo Papale (papal palace) — as well as its beautiful gardens with spectacular views over Lake Albano. It’s currently open to the public daily (check the website for opening times) although it will be closed on Saturday 26 April as a sign of mourning.
In Viterbo, around 100 minutes by train north of Rome, is the Palazzo dei Papi, or Palace of the Popes. From 1257 to 1281, the Curia was moved here from Rome, and a suitably grand papal palace was built for the occasion — which is open to visitors today. The city carried on being a favorite escape for popes even when they were based back in Rome — one 15th century pontiff even added a bathhouse to take full advantage of Viterbo’s famous thermal waters.
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched at arms-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN Nuclear Watch Agency called on Saturday to urgently change courses and comply with the agency’s investigation.
The report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have held several meetings in the past few weeks on the potential nuclear deal that President Donald Trump is about to reach.
A report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, seen by the Associated Press, says as of May 17, Iran had collected 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium, enriched to 60%.
This is an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds), or almost 50%, since the IAEA’s last report in February. 60% concentrated material is a short technical step from 90% weapon grade level. A February report showed that this stockpile level reached 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds).
There were no immediate comments from Tehran regarding the new IAEA report.
The IAEA report raised harsh warnings, saying Iran is “the only nuclear-weapon state that produces such materials.”
According to Watchdog, approximately 42 kilograms of 60% concentrated uranium is theoretically sufficient to produce a single atomic bomb.
The quarterly IAEA report estimated that as of May 17, the overall stockpile of Iran’s enriched uranium (including uranium enriched to lower levels) stood at 9,247.6 kilograms (20,387.4 pounds). This is an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since the February report.
Iran only maintains its nuclear program, but IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi warned Tehran that if they choose to do so, Tehran is enriched to nearby grade levels to make “some” nuclear bombs.
Iranian officials are increasingly suggesting that Tehran could pursue an atomic bomb.
The US Intelligence Agency rated Iran, which has not yet launched its weapons programme, “if it chooses to do so, it is carrying out activities that are better positioned to produce nuclear weapons.”
Israel said Saturday’s report was a clear warning sign that “Iran has fully decided to complete its nuclear weapons programme,” according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
The IAEA report said, “It reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran’s nuclear program is not peace.”
He also added that Iran’s level of enrichment “has no private legitimacy,” and urged the international community to “act now to stop Iran.”
Grossi said on Saturday that he would “cooperate fully and effectively in the urgent call to Iran” in a long-standing IAEA investigation into uranium traces found at several Iranian sites.
The IAEA also joined the second 22-page confidential report seen by the AP on Saturday. This called for Grossi after a resolution passed by 35 IAEA boards last November.
In this so-called “comprehensive report,” the IAEA stated that cooperation with Iran was “unsatisfied” with regard to traces of uranium discovered by IAEA inspectors in several locations in Iran that Tehran did not declare it a nuclear site.
Western officials suspect that traces of uranium discovered by the IAEA can provide evidence that Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003.
One of the sites was released in 2018 after Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a secret nuclear warehouse hidden in a rug washing factory.
Iran denied this, but in 2019 IAEA inspectors detected the presence of artificial uranium particles there.
After initially blocking IAEA access, inspectors were able to collect samples from two other locations in 2020, where the presence of artificial uranium particles was also detected.
The three locations became known as Takzabad, Balamin and Maliban.
The fourth undeclared location, named Lavisan-Shian, is also part of the IAEA probe, but IAEA inspectors did not visit the site as it was destroyed and destroyed by Iran since 2003.
In a comprehensive report on Saturday, the IAEA concluded that “the lack of answers and explanations provided by Iran” was a question to a question held by Watchdogs regarding Rabysancian, Balamin and Maliban, “these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of a nuclear programme that Iran had before it was implemented.”
Saturday’s comprehensive report could underlie further steps by European countries, leading to a potential escalation of tensions between Iran and the West.
European countries could move to raise snapback sanctions against Iran, which was lifted under the original 2015 nuclear deal, before October, when the deal officially expired.
On Thursday, a senior Iranian official dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that the agreement will lift sanctions entirely and continue the country’s nuclear program.
The comments came the day after Trump told Netanyahu to hold onto the US administration to give him time to seek a new contract with Tehran in lieu of attacking Iran.
Trump said Friday that he still believes the transaction could close in “not too distant future.”
“They don’t want to be blown up. They want to make a deal,” Trump said of Iran. He added: “It’s great that you can make a deal without dropping bombs across the Middle East.”
