1 Iran Conflict: US Launches "Self-Defense Strikes" On Iran
Three U.S. Navy destroyers came under attack yesterday from Iranian missiles, drones, and small boats while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, though none were hit. U.S. Central Command said American forces responded with "self-defense strikes" on Iranian targets, including drone and missile launch sites. Despite the exchange of fire, President Trump told ABC News the ceasefire with Iran remains in effect, calling the strikes "just a love tap." Despite the active day, the Iran war moved closer to a formal resolution yesterday, with growing optimism on multiple fronts even as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed. Saudi Arabia's state television reported that "intensive negotiations" had produced agreements on easing the blockade, and predicted a breakthrough allowing stranded ships through the strait "in the coming hours." Oil fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since before Project Freedom, with international benchmark Brent crude and U.S. West Texas Intermediate both dropping more than 2-percent yesterday.
2 Five US States Monitoring Passengers Who Left The Cruise Ship Before Any Hantavirus Cases Were Confirmed On Board
Health officials in at least 12 countries are monitoring people who left the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius before cases were confirmed on board. Five U.S. states are tracking former passengers: Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, and California, and so far, none of those individuals are showing symptoms. The WHO confirmed yesterday that the strain aboard the ship is the rare Andes variant, which can spread from person to person through close contact, unlike most hantavirus strains that require direct rodent contact. Three people have died, including a Dutch couple and a German woman; a British man evacuated in April remains hospitalized in South Africa but is improving. The ship is sailing toward the Canary Islands, where it will be allowed to anchor but not dock.
3 AI Was The Top Cause Of Layoffs In April, Making Up 26-Percent Of All Layoffs
Artificial intelligence was cited as the leading reason for layoffs for the second straight month in April, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Companies announced 21,490 AI-related cuts last month, accounting for 26-percent of the 88,387 total job cuts tracked, a 38-percent increase from March, with the technology sector accounting for the largest single share of those cuts at more than 33,000. Some firms say they are simply redirecting money previously spent on workers into AI investment instead. "Regardless of whether individual jobs are being replaced by AI, the money for those roles is," said Challenger workplace expert Andy Challenger. Other factors driving layoffs include market conditions, company closures, cost-cutting, tariff uncertainty, and the Iran war.