BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s Supreme Court revealed Sunday that it has uncovered 83 boxes of Nazi materials in its basement, rediscovering a cache that was originally seized during World War II amid fears it could threaten the country’s neutrality.
According to a court statement, the boxes were originally shipped from the German embassy in Tokyo to Buenos Aires aboard the Japanese steamship Nan-a-Maru in June 1941. At the time, the unusually large shipment alarmed Argentine customs officials, who suspected it might contain materials capable of swaying the nation’s stance in the global conflict.
Though German diplomats claimed the boxes contained only personal belongings, customs agents searched five boxes and found postcards, photographs, propaganda documents, and thousands of Nazi Party notebooks. A federal judge quickly ordered the materials confiscated and referred the matter to the Supreme Court, where the trail seemingly went cold—until now.
Eighty-four years later, the boxes were rediscovered by court workers preparing for a new museum dedicated to the judiciary’s history. Upon opening one of the containers, staff found clear evidence of Nazi propaganda intended to promote Adolf Hitler’s ideology within Argentina during World War II.
“Upon opening one of the boxes, we identified material intended to consolidate and propagate Adolf Hitler’s ideology in Argentina during the Second World War,” the Supreme Court said in its official statement.
The court has since moved the boxes to a secure facility and invited the Buenos Aires Holocaust Museum to assist in preservation, cataloging, and historical analysis. Experts are expected to examine the contents for insights into the global operations of the Nazi regime, including any clues related to international financial support networks used during the Holocaust.
It remains unclear why the materials were initially sent to Argentina, or what, if any, legal actions the court may have taken after receiving them in the 1940s.
Argentina, which maintained neutrality for much of World War II, only severed ties with the Axis powers in 1944 and declared war on Germany and Japan the following year. During that period, the country received a significant influx of Jewish refugees—about 40,000 people fleeing persecution in Europe between 1933 and 1954, according to the Holocaust Museum.
The rediscovery has sparked renewed interest in Argentina’s complex wartime history, including its role as both a sanctuary for Nazi fugitives after the war and a refuge for Jews escaping genocide.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, following President Donald Trump’s public call for Ukraine to accept the Kremlin leader’s proposal for direct negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Zelenskiy made the invitation via X on Sunday, offering to personally meet the Russian president in Türkiye, just hours after Trump urged him to agree “immediately” to talks in Istanbul. The proposal comes amid a renewed push by European leaders and Washington to secure a 30-day ceasefire beginning Monday.
“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelenskiy wrote. “I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”
His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, added pointedly on Telegram: “What about Putin? Is he afraid? We’ll see.”
Zelenskiy’s direct challenge followed a dramatic weekend of diplomatic maneuvering. On Saturday, several European leaders gathered in Kyiv to demand an unconditional ceasefire from Russia. Hours later, Putin countered with a televised proposal to begin direct talks on May 15 in Istanbul—without committing to a truce.
Though Putin’s offer made headlines, it remained unclear whether the Russian president intended to attend in person. The two leaders have not met since 2019 and have expressed open disdain for one another in the years since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trump, who has vowed to end the war if reelected and holds significant sway over U.S. military aid to Kyiv, broke from the European position and backed Putin’s call for immediate talks.
“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY.”
He argued that even if a deal proves elusive, such a meeting would clarify where the parties stand and enable further action by the West.
Both Kyiv and Moscow have sought to engage with Trump, who is seen by the Kremlin as a potential path to easing sanctions, and by Ukraine as a critical gatekeeper of U.S. weapons and financial support.
Putin’s televised address on Saturday night, timed for maximum impact in the U.S. media cycle, proposed “direct negotiations without any preconditions.” Yet shortly after, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that Moscow would only proceed if talks accounted for the abandoned 2022 draft peace framework and the current battlefield realities—a demand Ukraine rejects as tantamount to surrender.
Under the 2022 draft, Ukraine would have been required to adopt neutrality and accept Russia’s occupation of large swaths of territory—conditions Kyiv now considers unacceptable.
Putin also dismissed Western demands for an unconditional ceasefire as “ultimatums,” and his foreign ministry reiterated that talks must begin with addressing the “root causes” of the war before any ceasefire can be implemented.
Despite Moscow’s resistance, Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s plan for a ceasefire remains in effect. “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” he said in his nightly address. He warned, however, that Ukrainian forces would respond if Russian troops ignored the truce.
The latest developments come amid growing international concern about a renewed Russian offensive. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv warned on Friday of a “potentially significant” air assault by Russian forces in the days ahead, heightening fears of an escalation even as diplomatic channels are tested once again.
The Ukraine conflict, now well into its third year, has killed hundreds of thousands and triggered the most serious standoff between Russia and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Whether Zelenskiy’s bold offer to meet in Turkey results in genuine peace talks—or another round of hardened posturing—remains uncertain.
WARSAW, Poland — Polish authorities have formally accused Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a devastating arson attack that gutted the Marywilska 44 shopping center in Warsaw last year, labeling the incident a deliberate act of sabotage amid growing regional tensions.
Speaking on the eve of the first anniversary of the May 12, 2024, fire, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the massive blaze was not an accident but a coordinated attack commissioned by Russian operatives. The fire consumed the sprawling commercial complex, which housed around 1,400 shops and service points, and heavily impacted Warsaw’s Vietnamese community, which made up a significant portion of the vendors.
“We now know for certain that the massive fire on Marywilska was the result of arson commissioned by Russian services,” Tusk posted on X. “The actions were coordinated by a person residing in Russia. Some of the perpetrators are already in custody, while the rest have been identified and are being sought. We will catch them all!”
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar and Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed the assessment in a joint statement, revealing that the year-long investigation uncovered direct links between the fire and a wider sabotage operation directed by Moscow. Polish intelligence and security forces, including the Internal Security Agency, worked alongside police and prosecutors in the investigation, which spanned over 121 days of forensic site inspections and involved more than 100 officers and 55 prosecutors.
Authorities interviewed over 70 witnesses and more than 500 victims during the inquiry, which also extended beyond Poland’s borders. Polish officials said they are cooperating with Lithuanian authorities, where some suspects were allegedly involved in related acts of sabotage.
“The fire was not a random event,” Bodnar and Siemoniak said. “It was part of a coordinated campaign of sabotage initiated and directed by Russian intelligence. We are determined to hold accountable those responsible for these disgraceful acts.”
The public disclosure comes as Europe faces escalating fears of Russian hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and now, physical acts of sabotage. Officials across NATO and the European Union have grown increasingly alarmed over Russia’s covert operations targeting critical infrastructure and civil society across the continent.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied involvement in such actions, including allegations of arson, sabotage, and political interference throughout Europe. However, the Polish government insists the evidence in the Marywilska case is irrefutable and signals a broader Russian effort to destabilize the region through asymmetric means.
Poland, a frontline NATO member and one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, has been on high alert for Russian interference since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The arson attack, now linked to Russian operatives, marks one of the most direct and damaging acts of sabotage on Polish soil in recent memory.
ISTANBUL — In a historic development that could reshape the political and security landscape of the Middle East, the PKK Kurdish militant group announced Monday it will formally disband and disarm as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey, effectively ending one of the region’s longest and deadliest insurgencies.
The decision by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party — announced through the Firat News Agency, a media outlet affiliated with the group — follows a party congress held in northern Iraq and comes after a formal call by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan for the group to end its armed struggle.
“As a result, activities carried out under the name ‘PKK’ were formally terminated,” the group said in its statement, which declared the end of its “organizational structure.” The announcement signals the conclusion of a four-decade conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s and has deeply influenced politics and security across Turkey, Iraq, and Syria.
Ocalan, who has been serving a life sentence on an island prison near Istanbul since 1999, had in February urged the PKK to convene and formally agree to disband — a significant move seen as a cornerstone for peace. The group responded with a unilateral ceasefire on March 1, though it demanded the establishment of a legal framework for future peace negotiations.
The congress determined that the PKK’s armed resistance had fulfilled its mission by elevating the Kurdish issue to a political platform, stating the struggle had “brought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics.”
While the group’s announcement marks a profound turning point, critical details of the peace initiative remain unclear. It is unknown how the disarmament process will be managed, who will oversee the disposal of weapons, or what will happen to PKK fighters currently operating across the region. The possibility of relocating militants to third countries or granting amnesty remains unresolved.
This peace push comes amid regional upheaval, including the rise of a new government in Syria, setbacks for Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In recent years, Turkish military operations, including drone strikes, have significantly weakened the PKK’s presence inside Turkey, pushing many of its fighters across the border into northern Iraq.
The initiative was first floated last October by Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and coalition partner to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bahçeli proposed that Ocalan could be considered for parole if the PKK renounced violence and agreed to dissolve — a notion that would have been politically unthinkable just a few years ago.
Although previous peace efforts, most notably the collapsed negotiations in 2015, have failed to produce lasting results, the PKK’s formal declaration to disarm marks an unprecedented shift. Whether this bold step can be converted into a sustainable and verifiable peace remains to be seen.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced he will sign an executive order on May 12 aimed at drastically lowering prescription drug prices by tying the cost of certain medications to the lowest prices paid globally — a move he says will bring immediate relief to American consumers.
The order, set to be signed at 9 a.m. ET from the White House, will implement a “most favored nation” pricing policy for drugs covered by Medicare. The approach requires that the U.S. pay no more than the lowest price charged in other comparable nations for the same medications.
“I will be instituting a MOST FAVORED NATION’S POLICY whereby the United States will pay the same price as the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Our Country will finally be treated fairly, and our citizens’ Healthcare Costs will be reduced by numbers never even thought of before.”
Trump claimed the policy will lead to a drop in pharmaceutical and prescription drug costs “almost immediately,” with reductions ranging from 30% to as much as 80%. The move reflects a long-standing campaign promise to confront high drug prices and reduce the burden on American seniors and taxpayers.
The executive order marks a major step in the Trump administration’s strategy to reform how drug prices are set in the U.S., where pharmaceutical costs far exceed those in other industrialized nations. Previous efforts to push through similar reforms faced strong opposition from the pharmaceutical industry and were entangled in legal and political challenges.
While the specifics of the drugs impacted by the order have not yet been disclosed, the policy is expected to primarily target high-cost medications reimbursed through Medicare Part B.
The announcement is likely to trigger fierce debate on Capitol Hill and among health policy experts, with supporters touting it as a necessary step toward price parity and critics warning of potential unintended consequences, including reduced innovation and access to new therapies.
As the 2025 election season intensifies, Trump’s move is likely to resonate with voters frustrated by the rising cost of living and long-standing concerns about affordability in the healthcare system.
LIVERPOOL, England — Arsenal battled back from a two-goal deficit to earn a gritty 2-2 draw against Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday, delaying their hopes of clinching a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
Despite arriving at Anfield bruised from a midweek Champions League semifinal exit and missing midfield anchor Declan Rice due to injury, Mikel Arteta’s side rallied in dramatic fashion after being thoroughly outplayed in the opening 45 minutes.
Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz struck in rapid succession midway through the first half, capitalizing on Arsenal’s lack of structure and cohesion as the champions surged into a commanding 2-0 lead. Gakpo opened the scoring with a near-post header after a pinpoint cross from Andy Robertson, while Diaz followed up with a close-range finish just moments later.
Liverpool’s dominance faded after the break, and Arsenal seized the momentum. Gabriel Martinelli headed home two minutes into the second half to reignite the contest, exploiting a lapse in Liverpool’s defense. The Gunners continued to press and found an equalizer in the 70th minute when Mikel Merino converted a rebound after Martin Ødegaard’s thunderous strike was pushed onto the crossbar by Alisson.
However, Merino’s afternoon ended on a sour note just nine minutes later when he was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Dominik Szoboszlai, forcing Arsenal to finish the match with 10 men. Still, the visitors nearly stole all three points in stoppage time as Ødegaard fired inches wide of the post.
Liverpool, having already secured a record-tying 20th English league title two weeks ago, remain top with 83 points from 36 matches. Arsenal, on 68 points, are second but still face uncertainty in securing Champions League football next season, with two league games remaining.
Arteta’s team entered the match giving Liverpool a traditional guard of honour for their title win, but they left Anfield having reminded the champions why Arsenal were their closest challengers throughout the campaign.
While the Gunners’ comeback was spirited, their offensive depth took another hit with Leandro Trossard limping off with an apparent injury, and the red card to Merino leaves Arteta with more selection headaches for the run-in.
For Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the second half — who was jeered by the home crowd — may be one decision he regrets, as the fullback was slow to react in the buildup to Arsenal’s equalizer.
The match served as a tale of two halves — the first marked by Liverpool’s ruthless finishing, the second by Arsenal’s grit and resurgence. Though neither side claimed all three points, the draw underscored Arsenal’s determination to stay in the fight for Champions League qualification until the final whistle of the season.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage held in Gaza, as part of an emerging effort to secure a ceasefire and increase humanitarian access to the war-torn territory, President Donald Trump’s envoy confirmed late Sunday.
Two senior Hamas officials told The Associated Press the release is expected within the next 48 hours. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leading backchannel negotiations on behalf of the Trump administration, said Alexander’s release is a goodwill gesture by Hamas toward Trump, as diplomatic momentum builds around renewed ceasefire talks.
The move marks the first hostage release since March, when a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed. The timing coincides with Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, underscoring Washington’s intensified push to defuse the 19-month-long war and address rising desperation among the families of hostages and Gaza’s 2 million besieged residents.
Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier raised in New Jersey, was kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, during a Hamas-led cross-border assault that triggered the current war. His expected release, reportedly without preconditions, could set the stage for broader negotiations toward a durable truce.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the United States informed Jerusalem that Hamas intends to free Alexander “without compensation or conditions.” The statement added that Israel sees this development as a potential opening for renewed ceasefire discussions. Netanyahu had previously criticized U.S. contacts with Hamas, but the Trump administration’s direct engagement may now pave the way for broader talks.
According to Witkoff, the release is intended to jumpstart negotiations on a full ceasefire, facilitate the release of more hostages, and allow a significant expansion of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hamas officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AP that indirect U.S.-Hamas discussions began five days ago with mediation from Egypt and Qatar.
One senior Hamas figure said Alexander’s release was presented as a symbolic “gift to President Trump,” with the expectation of a reciprocal diplomatic gesture from the U.S. The source added that the handover will likely require a brief pause in fighting to allow safe transfer.
Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayyah confirmed ongoing communications with the Trump administration and said the group is ready for “intensive negotiations” aimed at ending the war, exchanging prisoners and hostages, and transferring governance in Gaza to an independent technocratic authority.
An Egyptian official involved in ceasefire efforts said Trump’s team relayed assurances to Hamas that Alexander’s release would place “all files on the negotiating table,” including Israel’s military campaign and the humanitarian blockade. The official spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks.
Alexander’s parents declined to comment immediately, but his mother, Yael Alexander, previously told AP that seeing her son’s name mentioned repeatedly by Trump and Witkoff gave her hope. Hamas had released a distressing video of Alexander last November, in which he appeared visibly shaken and tearful. Despite the pain of seeing him in captivity, the footage confirmed he was still alive.
There are still 59 hostages believed to be held in Gaza, with roughly one-third presumed alive. Most of the others were released during previous ceasefire agreements. The grassroots Hostages Families Forum welcomed the news and urged leaders to ensure Alexander’s release is the “beginning of a comprehensive agreement” to free all remaining captives.
President Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates this week in a regional diplomatic push that is expected to focus heavily on the Gaza conflict, regional stability, and future security arrangements.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued overnight, killing at least 15 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to health officials in Gaza. Two airstrikes struck tents sheltering displaced families in Khan Younis, killing four people in each incident, including children. Another seven people died in separate attacks, including a man and his child in Gaza City.
The Israeli military says it targets only militant operatives and infrastructure and accuses Hamas of endangering civilians by embedding its fighters in densely populated areas. Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza for more than 10 weeks, restricting the flow of food, medicine, and emergency supplies in what it calls a tactic to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting 251. In retaliation, Israel launched a massive offensive that has killed more than 52,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Most of the dead are women and children. The conflict has devastated much of Gaza and displaced nearly 90% of its population.
Separately, Israel announced the recovery of the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Tzvi Feldman, an Israeli soldier missing since the 1982 Lebanon War. Feldman had been classified as missing in action after a battle with Syrian forces in the Lebanese town of Sultan Yaaqoub.
The military said his remains were recently retrieved from deep inside Syria. Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a visit with Feldman’s surviving siblings, attributed the recovery to intelligence opportunities created after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad in late 2024. The Mossad and Israeli military jointly located and brought Feldman’s remains home, according to a video statement released by Netanyahu’s office.
BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona took a massive step toward reclaiming the La Liga title on Sunday with a pulsating 4-3 comeback win over arch-rivals Real Madrid, overcoming a hat trick from Kylian Mbappé to notch a fourth consecutive El Clásico victory this season.
Raphinha’s brace, along with goals from Lamine Yamal and Eric Garcia, secured a dramatic triumph at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, pushing Hansi Flick’s team seven points ahead of second-place Real Madrid with just three matches remaining. A slip-up by Los Blancos against Mallorca midweek could now mathematically crown Barcelona as 2024-25 La Liga champions.
Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid last summer amid soaring expectations, delivered yet another standout performance. The French forward netted twice in the opening 14 minutes to stun the Catalan crowd and added a third in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to stop Barcelona’s electric resurgence.
The game opened with controversy, as Mbappé earned a penalty in the 8th minute after being brought down by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Barcelona protested that he was offside in the buildup, but the call stood. Szczęsny guessed correctly but couldn’t prevent Mbappé’s spot-kick from hitting the back of the net.
Moments later, Vinícius Júnior set up Mbappé for his second with a clever through ball, which the Frenchman rifled past Szczęsny to make it 2-0. Barcelona’s coaching staff were livid, arguing Yamal had been fouled earlier in the play, but the goal stood.
Down two goals early, Flick’s youthful side responded with energy and conviction. Gerard Martin forced a save from Thibaut Courtois, and from the resulting corner, Ferran Torres flicked the ball to Eric Garcia, who nodded home to cut the deficit.
Barcelona didn’t take long to draw level. In the 27th minute, Yamal, just 17, curled a beautiful finish past Courtois after receiving a smart layoff from Torres. Two minutes later, Pedri slipped a pass to Raphinha, who fired Barcelona into the lead with a drilled finish from inside the box.
Madrid, reeling from Barcelona’s three-goal blitz in just 12 minutes, attempted to regroup, but the Catalans kept the pressure on. Raphinha nearly added a fourth before halftime, heading just over from a sensational Yamal cross. But he would get his second before the break, dispossessing Lucas Vázquez on the edge of the box, playing a one-two with Torres, and slotting past Courtois for a 4-2 advantage at halftime.
Mbappé thought he had struck again in first-half stoppage time, but the goal was ruled offside. Yamal also had a goal chalked off early in the second half for the same reason.
Flick introduced fresh legs, including Alejandro Balde and Andreas Christensen, as Barcelona sought to manage the final 45 minutes. But Real Madrid wasn’t finished. In the 70th minute, Vinícius picked out Mbappé on the break, and the striker completed his hat trick with a calm finish past Szczęsny to make it 4-3.
Ancelotti’s side pushed for a late equalizer, with Victor Muñoz skying a golden opportunity and Szczęsny denying Mbappé once more. Fermin López appeared to seal it with a dazzling solo goal late on, but it was disallowed for a handball.
Still, Barcelona held firm through the frantic final moments, earning a vital win that could define their season. After a crushing Champions League semifinal exit to Inter Milan, the performance restored belief and placed La Liga glory within reach.
“It was essential to win after the Champions League defeat,” said Yamal postgame. “The fans needed this, and so did we. We’re close now — we just have to finish the job.”
Mbappé, whose 26 league goals now lead the scoring charts, may have delivered a career-defining performance, but it was Barcelona’s collective resilience and attacking flair that defined this edition of El Clásico — and perhaps the 2024-25 title race.
A Florida pastor has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two underage girls who were members of his congregation, with investigators reporting he gave a chilling justification for his alleged abuse.
Yersson Solarte, 33, pastor at Ipul Pentecostal Church in Sanford, Florida, was taken into custody on May 7 during what authorities described as a “family trip” to Virginia. The arrest came following a multi-state operation coordinated between the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia and Florida’s Sanford Police Department.
According to detailed police reports, Solarte faces serious charges including sexual battery of a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation stemming from incidents that allegedly occurred within the church premises.
Investigators became aware of the allegations on April 10 when reports surfaced about an “inappropriate relationship” between the pastor and two underage members of his congregation. The subsequent investigation revealed disturbing accounts from both victims.
The first girl reported that Solarte made her sit on his lap before sexually assaulting her. These incidents allegedly took place in both the pastor’s office and the church’s multimedia room. According to court documents, she came forward just days after the most recent assault.
The second victim provided investigators with even more troubling details. She reported being abused by Solarte on multiple occasions and claimed the pastor “expressed his love for her” while also attempting to make her jealous by hugging her sister.
This victim alleged that Solarte molested her during a “juvenile meeting” and in his office. She further stated that he “forcefully” grabbed her face to kiss her and at one point unzipped his pants while telling her they were a “couple.”
Most disturbingly, when questioned by the victim about his behavior, Solarte allegedly offered a chilling rationale for the abuse, telling her: “We only live once.” This statement, documented in the police affidavit, has particularly alarmed investigators who are concerned about the possibility of additional victims.
Officials from the Sanford Police Department confirmed that Solarte has been removed from his position at Ipul Pentecostal Church, also known as Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana Orlando Norte. However, as of May 10, his name reportedly still appeared on the church’s website.
Attempts to reach church leadership for comment have been unsuccessful. The religious institution now faces questions about its oversight and protection of minors in its congregation.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith did not mince words when addressing the case, stating, “People like this are a special class of criminal, who use their position of trust to prey on innocent victims. Solarte is now behind bars where he belongs.”
The seriousness with which authorities are treating the case is evident in their public appeal for additional information. “We pray there aren’t any additional people who have been victimized by this man. If anyone has information about these crimes, or other victims, come forward and help protect our children,” Chief Smith added.
Law enforcement officials have expressed particular concern given Solarte’s position of authority within the church and his access to young congregation members. The investigation has been complicated by the fact that Solarte is reportedly a married father, adding another layer of shock to the community.
Following his arrest in Virginia, Solarte has been transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Florida where he awaits further legal proceedings. Court records do not yet indicate if he has obtained legal representation or entered any plea in response to the charges.
If convicted, the pastor faces significant prison time under Florida law, which imposes severe penalties for sexual crimes against minors, particularly those committed by persons in positions of trust or authority.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Sanford religious community and raised concerns about child safety protocols in religious institutions throughout the region.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information related to these incidents or knowledge of other potential victims to contact the Sanford Police Department immediately.
NEWARK, N.J. — Air travel chaos continued across the U.S. on Sunday as major equipment failures at air traffic control centers in Newark and Atlanta triggered widespread delays and cancellations, grinding operations to a halt at two of the nation’s busiest airports.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, nearly 80 flights were canceled and more than 60 delayed after a morning equipment outage paralyzed operations. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a 45-minute ground stop as technicians scrambled to resolve the issue, which stemmed from a recurring problem at the Philadelphia-based TRACON facility responsible for directing traffic in and out of the New York City-area airspace.
“There was a telecommunications issue at Philadelphia TRACON Area C,” the FAA said in a statement, confirming the cause of the latest disruption. “The FAA briefly slowed aircraft in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport while we ensured redundancies were working as designed.”
While no flights were diverted as of 11 a.m., the outage came just two days after a separate radar and radio malfunction briefly suspended operations at Newark on Friday. That incident lasted only 90 seconds but forced five air traffic controllers to take leave for psychological evaluation under federal trauma protocols. A similar episode on April 28 had already placed the facility under scrutiny and severely reduced staffing levels.
Just hours after the Newark failure on Sunday, another technical fault struck Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the busiest in the U.S. — where “runway equipment issues” halted nearly all inbound and outbound traffic.
“An equipment outage at ATL’s Air Traffic Control Tower is currently causing delays for inbound and outbound aircraft,” the FAA said in a statement to Atlanta’s 11Alive. “Technicians are working to address the problem.”
The FAA advised travelers to check with airlines and monitor ATL.com for updates on individual itineraries. Flight tracking data showed significant delays, though no diversions were immediately reported.
The dual outages arrive at a precarious moment for the national airspace system, already under pressure from ongoing staff shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the severity of the crisis during an interview Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, announcing plans to reduce flight capacity at Newark for “the next several weeks” to avoid further disruptions.
“We want to have a number of flights that, if you book your flight, you know it’s going to fly,” Duffy said. He added that all airlines operating at Newark will be summoned this week to finalize temporary capacity cuts.
Despite public concerns, Duffy maintained that flying out of Newark remains safe, though he conceded the system is outdated. “It is safe to fly,” he said. “But yes, we are operating on an old system. That’s why we’re building a new line from Newark directly to the Philly TRACON facility, which controls New York airspace.”
Duffy committed to completing that communication line by the end of the summer and announced a 20% upfront hiring bonus for new air traffic controllers as the FAA races to fill critical staffing gaps.
According to FAA data, more than 1,000 flights were canceled nationwide in recent weeks due to the staffing crisis, with ripple effects felt across the aviation sector.
