THE NEWS

Non-ferrous metal maker Korea Zinc said Wednesday it posted record results during the first three months of this year despite a tough environment.

CEO Lisa Su highlighted the growing demand for central processing units, doubling her long term forecast after strong first-quarter earnings.

China Wants Iran War End, Pushes ‘Immediate’ Hormuz Reopening During Araghchi Visit Ahead Of Trump-Xi Summit

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is currently in Beijing meeting with his Chinese counterpart, FM Wang Yi, and the timing of the visit sends a resounding message to Washington and the West. The highly anticipated Trump-Xi meeting is still scheduled for next week, expected for May 14-15, though there has been ample speculation the ongoing events of the unpredictable Iran war and Hormuz Strait crisis could derail the trip at the last minute.

Of course, Iran and the question of peace will be high on the agenda as Trump visits – and currently it seems the White House is desperate to set in place some kind of final offramp, given the Tuesday night ‘pause’ in Project Freedom operations in the Gulf.

Upon the occasion of Araghchi’s visit, Foreign Minister Wang has taken the opportunity to again call for the immediate opening of the strait. And the Iranian top diplomat seconded this at a moment the US Navy has imposed an effective blockade of Iranian ports, which of course severely impacts Iranian oil going to China. “Currently, it is possible to resolve the issue of reopening the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” Xinhua quoted Araghchi as saying.
Source: Iranian Foreign Ministry

Wang during the meeting also called for a “comprehensive ceasefire,” saying his country is deeply distressed by the war. Xinhua further quoted him as saying:

“The international community shares a common concern for restoring normal and safe passage through the Strait, and China hopes the relevant parties will respond as quickly as possible to the strong calls from the international community.”

The two sides are clearly coordinating their messaging to some degree, given Wang also expressed that China “appreciates Iran’s pledge to not develop nuclear weapons.”

Tehran has for years insisted its program is only for peaceful nuclear energy development and for domestic needs, but has amid Trump’s Operation Epic Fury made clear it will never given up its right to enriched uranium. It has said this is as “sacred as the soil” and sees it as a matter of national sovereignty. This in the face of US demands that it transfer all nuclear material out of the country.

More out of Beijing on Wednesday:

“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire brooks no delay, a resumption of hostilities is inadvisable, and persisting with negotiations is particularly important,” Wang told Araghchi at the start of their meeting, according to footage released by Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV.

…Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to press Iran to ease its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.

As for what China gains in this high-level diplomacy and engagement with Tehran at a moment it could face more US and Israeli bombs, Associated Press presents the following:

Some noted that the Iranian foreign minister visited at Beijing’s initiative. “It’s China exercising their leverage… to summon the Iranian foreign minister,” said Hoo Tiang Boon, a professor of Chinese foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University.

“By holding the talks with the Iranians, you can’t fault for them not putting in any effort,” Hoo said.

As for some further specifics to come out of the Araghchi-Wang meeting, Iran “expressed appreciation for China’s four-point proposal” – according to a readout in semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).

Hilarious that the message Rubio is asking China to give Iran during Araghchi’s Beijing visit is that Iran is “globally isolated” when the very fact he’s invited to China (and that China is now fighting US sanctions on Iran’s oil) proves they aren’t.pic.twitter.com/UUGmfrL2d1
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 6, 2026
“Iran supports the formation of a new framework for the post-war period in the region” the readout adds. As for the ‘four points’ – these were issued by Beijing earlier in the conflict and are quite broad. These official points are featured below in their entirety, via Chinese state sources:

Stay committed to the principle of peaceful coexistence. The Gulf states in the Middle East are close neighbours that cannot move away. It’s important to support the Gulf states in improving their ties, work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region, and consolidate the foundation for peaceful coexistence.
Stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. Sovereignty serves as a foundation for all countries, especially developing countries, to survive and thrive, and it must not be violated.
Stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. We should safeguard the authority of international rule of law, reject selective application, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. Security is a prerequisite for development and development serves as a safeguard of security.
If negotiations between the US and Iran don’t proceed, and if they stay at ‘square one’, this could weaken any big leverage President Trump hopes to have entering his meeting with Xi Jinping. This is perhaps why American officials are scrambling to cobble something together, to at least cite progress toward resolving the Hormuz situation. Still Trump has insisted he has “all the cards” when it comes to Iran.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 05/06/2026 – 11:20

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).The fiancé of a popular New Jersey social media influencer is breaking his silence after having his passport seized by authorities amid an investigation into her apparent suicide while the pair was vacationing off the coast of Africa last month. Ashly Robinson, who was also known as Ashlee Jenae, died while on a trip to Zanzibar celebrating her 31st birthday just days after getting engaged to her boyfriend, Joe McCann, according to her family members. McCann, who initially had his passport seized by Zanzibar authorities amid the investigation into Robinson’s death, spoke out for the first time in a lengthy statement posted to social media.MEDICAL EXAMINER DETERMINES TEXAS A&M STUDENT’S MANNER OF DEATH AS FAMILY ATTORNEY DISPUTES FINDING: ‘FLAWED'”There are no adequate words to describe the total devastation, emptiness, and shock I feel after losing my best friend, confidante and fiancé, Ashly Jenae Robinson,” McCann said. “As a father myself, I am also heartbroken for Ashly’s parents, Yolanda Endres and Harry Robinson. Ashly’s death is an incomprehensible tragedy.” The grieving fiancé went on to remember Robinson’s creativity as an influencer, as well as her love of music and hosting gatherings with her friends.”Devoted fans knew Ashly through her charismatic online persona Ashlee, but the person I loved was Ashly, a woman who embodied the virtues of compassion, empathy, kindness, generosity, and love,” McCann continued. “A nurturing presence, Ashly cared deeply for the people closest to her, which to my eternal gratitude included me.”FITNESS INFLUENCER STEPHANIE BUTTERMORE DEAD AT 36, FIANCÉ CONFIRMS IN HEARTBREAKING POSTMcCann finished the post with an emotional tribute to Robinson, signed “Joe.””Ashly was an angel who shined her light on everyone fortunate enough to be in her presence. There is no way to fill the unfillable void left by Ashly’s passing and no way to make sense of this unfathomable loss,” McCann said. “All we can do is carry on Ashly’s legacy of helping other people and strive to live up to her virtues every single day.” The post comes on the same day Robinson’s family laid her to rest in New Jersey, with sources telling TMZ that McCann was not invited to the content creator’s funeral.Robinson’s death was ruled a suicide after she attempted to hang herself from her door in her hotel room on April 9, local authorities said. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries one day later. HAUNTING NOTE ON VEGAS HOTEL DOOR HINTED AT TRAGEDY BEFORE CHEER MOM, DAUGHTER FOUND DEADTanzania Police previously revealed Robinson’s death is “attributed to a misunderstanding” between the influencer and McCann, while adding that the incident forced hotel staff to separate the newly engaged couple by placing McCann in another room “for their safety.”Shortly after her death, local authorities said McCann “continues to be questioned by the Police Force and his passport has been suspended,” but did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.Sources told the BBC that McCann was being interviewed as a witness in the case and is not accused of any wrongdoing.Robinson’s remains were returned to her family last month, though her personal belongings — including her engagement ring — have yet to be handed over by authorities, her father, Harry Robinson, told TMZ.MICA MILLER CASE: FBI CONDUCTS SEARCH OF SOUTH CAROLINA PASTOR HUSBAND’S HOMEHer father reportedly said he believes the items are being held by authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.In the immediate aftermath of Robinson’s death, her family spoke out to dispute authorities’ ruling that the 31-year-old influencer died by suicide.  In a previous interview with TMZ, Robinson’s parents, Harry and Yolanda Robinson, rejected authorities’ ruling that their daughter would take her own life, adding, “She was a beacon of light. A happy, go-lucky girl. Very excited to go on this birthday trip which later turned into a proposal.”Her family also reportedly said that McCann waited 11 hours after Robinson was transported to the hospital before he contacted them, and only reached back out again to inform them she had passed.Robinson’s parents told TMZ they have not heard from McCann since she died, a development that they find “very very odd,” FOX 29 reported.”The sadness, the unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more overwhelming for our family,” Robinson’s parents said in a previous statement shared to social media. “At this time, there is an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashly’s suspicious passing,” they added.Robinson, a popular social media influencer, had 145,000 followers on Instagram and regularly posted lifestyle content. Details regarding the status of McCann’s passport and whether he has since returned to the United States remain unclear. Fox News Digital reached out to McCann’s attorney, Zanzibar Police and the U.S. Department of State.

Liv Morgan returned to the top of WWE’s women’s division when she defeated Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 42.As Morgan made her run back into the title picture, Hall of Famers Nikki and Brie Bella returned to the fray. Then, at WrestleMania 42, Paige made her exciting return to team with Brie Bella. The two won the women’s tag team titles. AJ Lee also came back to WWE last year, won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship but lost it to Becky Lynch.ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!Fox News Digital asked Morgan if she was interested in potential “dream matches” with any of the women who came back into the company.”I know you know who you are talking to. I am the dream match,” Morgan declared. “I don’t pick the dream matches. I am everyone’s dream match.LIV MORGAN RETURNS TO THE TOP OF WOMEN’S DIVISION WITH WRESTLEMANIA 42 WIN OVER STEPHANIE VAQUER”So, I think we’ll just have to wait and see what happens at SummerSlam but I’m open for the challenge. I’m open to any and all challenges. Whoever wants to be embarrassed in Minnesota, I’ll gladly embarrass them.”Morgan also talked about how it felt to regain the women’s title once again.With her victory over Vaquer, she became a three-time champion. She’s also a four-time tag team champion with Raquel Rodriguez.”All feels right in the world. This title belongs on my shoulder. I run ‘Monday Night Raw.’ It is the Liv Morgan show – ‘Monday Night Morgan’ with the Judgment Day,” she said. “So, all feels right in the world, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. I mean look at me, I’m glowing. I couldn’t be happier.”

President Donald Trump hailed a tentative peace deal in the works with Iran with the caveat that in-person truce signings remain “too far” off.”Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.”If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”Shortly after that post, Trump told media outlets, “I don’t think” there should be any imminent plans to make a trip to the Middle East for any longtime peace deal talks or denuclearization signing.WHY TRUMP, IRAN SEEM LIGHT-YEARS APART ON ANY POSSIBLE DEAL TO END THE WAR”It’s too far,” Trump reportedly told the New York Post on Wednesday morning. “No, it’s too much.”Trump has long panned his peace negotiators getting on a long trek to the Middle East for merely exchanging ceasefire or peace proposals, repeating many times in the past week that talks with him and his administration can be done “telephonically” for now.”I think we’ll do it” over the phone, Trump has said.TRUMP CLAIMS IRAN ‘STARVING FOR CASH,’ ‘COLLAPSING FINANCIALLY’ AFTER EXTENDING CEASEFIRETrump’s Truth post came as reports suggested Washington and Tehran were nearing a possible framework to end their 67-day war, with Pakistan helping mediate talks. Trump said he was meeting with military officials Wednesday morning amid announcements of an end to Operation Epic Fury before the 60-day Authorization of Military Force deadline this week.Trump also announced a pause to “Project Freedom,” a mission he had announced two days earlier to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz.”Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump wrote Tuesday night on Truth Social.VANCE EN ROUTE TO PAKISTAN FOR HIGH-STAKES IRAN TALKS AS ‘FRAGILE’ CEASEFIRE TEETERSTrump has previously said he would be open to traveling to Pakistan to sign a formal agreement, citing the role of Pakistani defense chief Asim Munir in helping bring the two sides together.Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday, when he also delivered a White House daily press briefing, standing in for press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave.”They should check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they’re going,” Rubio told reporters, adding that it is difficult to get a full read on Iran’s scattered and in-hiding leadership because some of the leftover regime hardliners are “insane in the brain.”MARCO RUBIO WARNS IRAN WANTED TO BE THE ‘NEXT NORTH KOREA’ AS HE SEES ‘FINISH LINE’ IN CONFLICTTrump declined to define what would lead to renewed military operations against Iran, saying Tuesday, “They know what not to do.”Iran’s president has said that surrender to “unilateral demands” is “impossible,” but Esmail Baghaei Hamaneh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Iranian news Wednesday that some unspecified leaders are “considering the U.S. proposal” for peace.”The U.S. proposal is still being considered by Iran, and after summarizing its points of view, Iran will convey its views to the Pakistani side,” Hamaneh added, according to a translation.As Iran’s foreign minister meets his counterpart in Beijing, Rubio warned that countries violating U.S. sanctions will face secondary penalties.

The FBI on Wednesday raided the office of Virginia’s Democrat Senate President Pro Tempore L Louise Lucas in connection to a major corruption probe, Fox News reported.
Federal agents served multiple search warrants, approved by a federal judge, at Lucas’ office and the cannabis dispensary next door, Fox News’ Bill Melugin reported.
Lucas is a close ally of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger.
It is unclear how the cannabis dispensary is connected to the probe.
Fox News reported that Lucas showed up on the scene as the FBI raided her office.

BREAKING: @FoxNews is on scene in Portsmouth, VA where the FBI is raiding the office of Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore L Louise Lucas, a Democrat and close ally of VA Governor Spanberger. Fed law enforcement sources tell FOX this is in connection to a major corruption… pic.twitter.com/khN5fwt1Le
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 6, 2026

More on this story from Fox News:

NOW: An FBI raid is unfolding at the office of Virginia Democratic State Sen. Louise Lucas — and it’s already drawing serious attention.
Multiple people on the scene are reportedly being taken into custody as agents move through the area.
The office sits near several cannabis… pic.twitter.com/WIcn9xrzOy
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 6, 2026

BREAKING… please check back for updates.
The post BREAKING: FBI Raids Office of Virginia’s Democrat Senate President Pro Tem in Connection to Major Corruption Probe appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Michael Marx
The suspect accused of exchanging gunfire with the U.S. Secret Service near the White House on Monday has now been identified as a Texas man who said “F the White House” while en route to the hospital.
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro says the alleged gunman is Michael Marx, 45, as she told ABC News: “One of the things that he said on the way to the hospital was ‘F the White House’ and ‘Kill me, kill me, kill me’ three times. But he was very clear, ‘F the White House.’”
“The complaint is being drawn right now, Pirro added. “He is charged and will be charged with an assault on a federal officer and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.”

The suspect who opened fire on Secret Service agents near the National Mall has been identified as 45-year-old Michael Marx, who holds a Texas driver’s license. Investigators have executed search warrants on his phone and devices. @PierreTABC reports. https://t.co/DJxr4l64yb pic.twitter.com/cMPgKgURtz
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) May 6, 2026

Sources say officials are executing search warrants on Marx’s phone and digital media to assess whether he posed a threat to individuals including President Donald trump and Vice President JD Vance. Trump was inside the White House for a Small Business Summit at the time of the shooting, and Vance’s motorcade had passed through the area shortly before the mayhem erupted.
“He starts running, and as he’s running, he pulls a gun and starts shooting at the Secret Service,” Pirro told ABC. “They return fire, and it turns out that this defendant, Michael Marx, shoots at the Secret Service. He gets shot a few times.”

NEW DETAILS: Two law enforcement officials identified the suspect as 45-year-old Michael Marx, who holds a Texas driver’s license. He remained hospitalized Tuesday with multiple gunshot wounds, including to his back and leg. https://t.co/RA3KP4XQZh pic.twitter.com/R0bJWdmRN4
— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) May 5, 2026

“People think that by coming to the nation’s capital, they can really make put an emphasis on their political statement,” she added. “I don’t like that the nation’s capital is being used as the venue or the context within which people want to practice their political violence.”

New: Suspect in White House-area shooting identified as 45-year-old Michael Marx of Texas—now hospitalized under guard. Investigators say he fired first before agents returned fire. A 15-year-old bystander was hit. Motive unclear. Probe into background intensifies. @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/NEshmqqA68
— John Gonzalez (@John7News) May 6, 2026

Late Tuesday night, former New York City police detective Paul Mauro, now a Fox News contributor, raised concern about the case, saying: “There’s something up with this latest shooting. Michael Marx from Texas? Secret Service shoots a guy near the White House and … nothing to see here? After what’s happened recently? Something’s off.”

Dashcam video obtained by News4 shows the National Mall shooting involving Secret Service officers. The Secret Service said a Texas man fired toward officers, who returned fire and hit him multiple times. https://t.co/j1Z9pak9jk
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) May 5, 2026

Mauro shared comments from former House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, who said the average amount of training Secret Service officers receive is “30 minutes PER YEAR. That’s the average.”

This is true https://t.co/t7mGEF6SPN
— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) May 5, 2026

As WorldNetDaily reported, Matt Quinn, deputy director of the Secret Service, said the gunfire broke out about 3:30 p.m. on Monday.
He explained upon officers making contact with a suspicious individual, “that individual fled briefly on foot, withdrew a firearm and fired in the direction of our agents and officers. They returned fire and engaged. That individual was hit. He has since been transported to the hospital.”

BREAKING: An armed man opened fire in the vicinity of JD Vance’s motorcade near the White House, per USSS
The man opened fire on Secret Service, USSS returned fire, taking the shooter down.
NO law enforcement officers were injured
Pray not only for 47, but ALSO VP Vance pic.twitter.com/hKzTKpjjaG
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 4, 2026

“We believe only one bystander was hit by the suspect. That individual is a juvenile, did not sustain any life-threatening injuries but he’s also receiving treatment at the hospital.”
Quinn added that Vice President JD Vance had traveled through the scene before gunfire erupted.
“Not long before this shooting occurred, the vice president’s motorcade did transit through this area.”
When asked why officers thought the individual was suspicious, he indicated officers observed a “visual print of a firearm.”
“These are trained surveillance-detection personnel out there looking every day to look for just that,” Quinn said. “Not far from the White House complex and they observed the visual point of a firearm.”
WATCH:

WATCH LIVE: Officials speak after armed individual shot near White House https://t.co/mIEi40RBP5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 4, 2026

Regarding the possibility of President Trump himself being targeted, Quinn said: “We’re patrolling this area and every site we do 24/7, hardcore. Whether or not it was directed to the president … I don’t know but we will find out.”
A 15-year-old who was injured during the exchange of gunfire has now been released from the hospital.
This incident comes on the heels of the foiled assassination attempt of Trump and top government officials at the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 25 at the Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C.
The suspect in that shooting, Cole Allen of Torrance, California, has been indicted by a grand jury and now faces an additional charge of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.
Is the news we hear every day actually broadcasting messages from God? The answer is an absolute yes! Find out how!
Follow Joe on X @JoeKovacsNews
WATCH: Secret Service shoots armed ‘suspicious individual’ near White House

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is facing a new challenge from a Minneapolis-area mayor who is refusing to back down from flying the original 1980s state flag. The mayor said the controversial flag redesign has left citizens out of the process and stuck with what consider an “ugly” replacement.In an interview with Fox News Digital, Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas said that “in my nearly 10 years of being on the city council in Champlin and going on four years as mayor of this town, I have never heard from more people on any one issue than I did about the Minnesota state flag.”The new flag has become a cultural and political flashpoint in a state already reeling from one of the largest fraud scandals in U.S. history, heavily involving the Somali immigrant community. The flag was approved by a 13-member commission created by the Democratic-controlled legislature in 2023. Critics of the flag say it is overly simplistic and some have even knocked it as bearing a resemblance to Somalia’s national flag. Sabas said that “without any question” there is at least a two-to-one majority in favor of keeping the earlier 1983 version of the state flag. He said that many believe it erases their history, while others simply think it is “ugly.” He also emphasized the massive wasteful spending to replace the old flag, pointing to the $40,000 it cost the city of Champlin alone. For these reasons, he is now calling on Walz and the state legislature to reopen the flag issue and put it to a vote by citizens across the state.”These are the people’s flagpoles. This is the people’s decision,” he emphasized.MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS PUSH BILL TO CUT STATE AID TO CITIES THAT FLY THE ORIGINAL STATE FLAGThe old flag features a blue field with the state seal, with a farmer and American Indian figure along with the state motto and founding date. The new flag touts a more simplified design with a dark shape representing Minnesota, a light blue field and an eight-point North Star.In its final report to the Minnesota legislature, the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission said that “through extensive public input, a design contest that drew over 2,500 entries, and many hours of deliberations,” the commission had “created designs that reflect the spirit of Minnesota — the people, the land and water, and the history of our state.”Many Minnesotans, however, do not feel the flag represents them or their state.The Champlin City Council voted in February to continue flying the original Minnesota state flag. There has been an effort by some Democrats in the legislature to crack down on around a dozen towns and counties across the state refusing to fly the new flag.Sabas emphasized that Champlin is well within its legal rights to fly whichever state flag it wants or even no flag at all. He said that he does not have a particular personal attachment to the old flag. He does, however, take issue with how he believes the citizens of Minnesota were left out of the process of choosing their own flag.”Two years ago, the governor and the Democrats had full power of the House, Senate, and the governor’s seat. They chose they wanted to change the state flag, which they legally have the ability to do that. But instead of bringing this to the House, through the Senate and all voting on it, they picked select members of a committee and that’s who chose the flag,” he said.Now, Sabas said Walz and the state legislature “have the opportunity to do this legally and do it right.”‘SCHEMES STACKED UPON SCHEMES’: $1B HUMAN-SERVICES FRAUD FUELS SCRUTINY OF MINNESOTA’S SOMALI COMMUNITYIn the state legislature, Minnesota Sen. Mark Koran, a Republican, told Fox News Digital that despite being created as a bipartisan commission, the flag redesign committee only represented “about 13 percent of Minnesota’s population.””Native Americans, Hispanic, LGBT, you name it, every special group was identified,” he said. “So, that was really reflective of how all governance [in Minnesota] has been done by a small group of people that they’ve pandered to under the guise that they’re they’ve been oppressed and they’ve given them the strongest voice.”While he admitted that the flag “may seem unimportant at one level,” he said it has galvanized people across the state because “it’s a direct assault on hard-working, legal U.S. Minnesotans.””It was a process that reflected almost how all of [Minnesota] legislation has been implemented,” he asserted.Back in Champlin, Tim Huttner, a member of the city council, echoed the mayor’s sentiment on putting the new flag to a statewide vote.”We cannot legally put it on a city ballot, but it doesn’t mean we can’t put it on a state ballot,” he told Fox News Digital.Huttner said that before the council voted on which flag to fly, he held a roundtable of his own with constituents. By taking an informal vote of roundtable attendees, Huttner said he found “100 percent” expressed support for flying the original flag.KEVIN MCCARTHY SAYS MINNESOTA’S ‘ENTIRE DEMOCRAT ADMINISTRATION’ WILL HAVE TO RESIGN OVER FRAUD SCANDALWhen a constituent asked him what his opinion was on the flag, Huttner said his response was, “I don’t have an opinion. I work for you.””I respect our city legislators, I respect our state legislators, but sometimes you’ve got to redo a redo,” he continued. “I believe this is one of those times.”As the nonpartisan leader of a purple municipality, Sabas said of Walz, “I’ve always felt that he’s someone who does listen to me when I have something to say.””So, I challenge the governor in his last year of being governor of the state of Minnesota to really find a way to unite,” he said. “Unite Minnesotans, unite us, Republicans, Democrats, people that don’t know which side they are on, unite us.”Fox News Digital reached out to Walz, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion for comment.

A fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is holding despite continued attacks, as President Donald Trump announced a pause in naval escort operations to allow negotiations to continue — while warning that failure to reach a deal would result in a significantly escalated bombing campaign.Trump said the pause in Project Freedom — the U.S. mission to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — is intended to give negotiators time to finalize what he described as a potential “complete and final agreement” with Iran, while maintaining that the U.S. naval blockade would remain in place.Trump suggested in a social media post Wednesday morning the conflict could soon come to an end if Iran agrees to the terms under discussion, but warned that if it does not, U.S. forces would resume bombing at a significantly higher level and intensity.LEAVITT EXPLAINS WHY IRAN’S SEIZURE OF TWO SHIPS DOESN’T VIOLATE TRUMP’S CEASEFIRE”Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote Wednesday morning. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.””We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft, and this mission without hesitation,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday. Even as negotiations advance, Iran has continued attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces, which officials say remain “below the threshold” of restarting major combat operations.Since the start of the ceasefire April 7, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and attacked U.S. forces more than ten times, “all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations,” according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. “No, the ceasefire is not over. Ultimately, this is a separate and distinct project,” Hegseth told reporters Tuesday. “We’re not looking for a fight.”But administration officials have not defined what level of escalation would constitute a violation of the ceasefire, even as attacks continue across the region.Asked what level of firing would violate the ceasefire, Trump told reporters Tuesday: “You’ll find out.” “They know what to do, and they know what not to do,” Trump went on. “They fired from little boats with peashooters … You know why? Because they don’t have any boats anymore. Their Navy is comprised of, they call them little boats, right? Boats and they’re fast. Yeah. They’re so fast that, that they had eight of them and they’re all gone, and they’re fast, but they’re not fast like a missile. A missile is slightly faster.”U.S. forces already have engaged Iranian assets directly. In recent days, American helicopters sank at least six Iranian fast-attack boats targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command.The latest exchanges are a far cry from the early days of the war, when U.S. forces were striking targets across Iran — from bridges and infrastructure near Tehran to a massive bombardment of Kharg Island.The ceasefire initially was expected to include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, but that has not materialized. Iran has continued to restrict access to the waterway, effectively maintaining a blockade even after the agreement took hold.TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘PROJECT FREEDOM,’ IRAN THREATENS ATTACKS, PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES US RELEASE OF SEIZED CARGO SHIPIn response, the U.S.-launched Project Freedom, a short-lived effort to direct stranded vessels through the strait, and has imposed its own restrictions on Iranian shipping, intercepting vessels and warning that ships entering or leaving Iranian ports could be turned back.Iran, however, has accused the U.S. of violating the ceasefire, warning that any American interference in the strait is considered a breach of the agreement.The violence has also extended beyond shipping lanes. The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran on Monday alone, resulting in injuries. Emirati officials say hundreds of missiles and drones have been intercepted since the start of the conflict, with civilian casualties reported.The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, and shipping companies remain hesitant to resume normal transit as attacks continue and insurance risks rise. Even with U.S. escorts, industry analysts say the current security environment is unlikely to restore regular traffic in the near term. So far, two U.S.-escorted commercial ships have successfully transited so far under Project Freedom.The ceasefire began as a two-week deal to allow both sides more time to agree to a permanent end to the war. But negotiations dragged on to almost the one-month mark and Trump said Sunday he finds Iran’s latest proposal unsatisfactory. “They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it,” he said. “They have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years,” he wrote on Truth Social Sunday.