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Trump Administration Offers $1,000 Incentive for Undocumented Immigrants to Voluntarily Self-Deport

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WASHINGTON  — The Department of Homeland Security is launching a new incentive program aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily, offering travel assistance and a $1,000 stipend for those who use a government-issued app to report their departure.

In an announcement Monday, DHS said individuals who submit their intent to self-deport through the CBP Home mobile app will receive logistical assistance to return to their country of origin and a monetary stipend “paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.” The initiative represents a strategic pivot by the Trump administration to reduce the cost of formal deportations and bolster immigration enforcement without large-scale detentions or removals.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem framed the program as “the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” noting that each formal deportation currently costs taxpayers an estimated $17,121. By comparison, officials believe self-deportations under the new program could reduce those expenses by up to 70%, even after accounting for the financial incentive.

The announcement comes amid stagnating deportation figures during President Donald Trump’s second term, despite his repeated pledges to enact mass removals of unauthorized immigrants. With immigration policy once again a central political issue, the administration is betting that voluntary departures via digital platforms will accelerate removals while softening public scrutiny over large-scale enforcement raids.

Self-deportation through CBP Home app

The CBP Home app, launched earlier this year, is a revamped version of the Biden-era CBP One app, which had been designed to streamline legal asylum processing. Under Trump, the technology has been retooled to function as a self-reporting platform for undocumented individuals seeking to leave the U.S.

DHS officials explained that users can verify their departure through biometric and geolocation data submitted via the app. “The alien must be at least three miles outside of the United States to successfully utilize this feature,” said agency spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, adding that users must also submit a facial image to complete the verification process.

The department has not disclosed exactly how payments will be delivered or what formal documentation will be required to confirm a completed departure. However, DHS said that immigrants who initiate the process through the app will be deprioritized for detention and removal efforts, provided they can show “meaningful strides” toward leaving the country.

More than 5,000 individuals have reportedly initiated self-deportation procedures using the app since January, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute, though DHS has declined to confirm official figures. Analytics firm Appfigures said the CBP Home app has been downloaded approximately 300,000 times in 2025 alone, averaging 1,500 new users per day.

Immigrant rights groups and policy analysts have raised serious concerns about the program’s long-term implications, warning that the prospect of legal reentry for those who self-deport remains tenuous at best.

“The operative word in that quote from the secretary is ‘may,’” said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, referring to DHS statements that self-deportation “may help preserve the option for an illegal alien to re-enter the United States legally in the future.”

Heidi Altman, vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, called the program potentially coercive. “Forcing or coercing people into leaving their homes and their loved ones carries political, moral, and economic costs,” she said.

$200 million campaign includes nationwide ad push

The Trump administration has invested $200 million into rebranding the app and launching a bilingual ad campaign to promote voluntary departures. Television and radio spots featuring Secretary Noem have aired across both the U.S. and Mexico, urging undocumented immigrants to “take control of their return journey.”

The ads emphasize the potential for future legal reentry and encourage users to begin the departure process promptly. But advocacy organizations remain skeptical, noting that individuals who leave the U.S. after residing unlawfully often face multi-year or permanent bans on reentry, depending on their specific immigration history.

The rollout of the stipend program marks one of the most high-profile and unconventional immigration initiatives under Trump’s current administration — a blend of technology, deterrence, and financial incentives designed to address the ongoing crisis at the southern border while minimizing the political fallout of aggressive enforcement actions.

Ukraine Launches New Kursk Offensive, Breaches Russian Border Ahead of Victory Day Ceasefire

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KYIV, Ukraine  — Ukrainian forces launched a new cross-border offensive into Russia’s Kursk region over the weekend, in a surprise escalation that marks a significant tactical setback for President Vladimir Putin just days ahead of Russia’s annual Victory Day commemorations.

The operation, which Ukrainian military officials confirmed on Sunday, saw coordinated armored incursions and pincer assaults that breached Russian defensive lines near the villages of Zvannoe and Tetkino. The offensive comes amid mounting pressure on the Kremlin to present a narrative of control and strength during the May 9 celebrations, a symbolic holiday marking the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany.

According to reports from Ukrainian and Russian military channels, Kyiv deployed mine-clearing vehicles along two axes to open corridors for armored units carrying elite paratroopers. Intense combat erupted as Ukrainian forces pressed forward, reportedly damaging bridges, administrative buildings, and industrial sites. At least 50 Ukrainian troops are believed to have crossed into Russian territory in the initial wave.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky said the operation had “achieved most of its goals,” though Kyiv has not released exact casualty figures or confirmed territorial gains. Local Russian authorities acknowledged that three people were killed during the fighting, while Russian war bloggers described “heavy battles” along the border zone.

The renewed incursion comes just days before a Kremlin-backed three-day ceasefire, set to begin May 8 in observance of Victory Day, when Russia holds its annual military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. President Putin had hoped to retake all Russian territory previously occupied by Ukrainian forces ahead of the event, but Kyiv’s renewed campaign undermines those ambitions.

Russia had declared a previous Ukrainian incursion into Kursk — which began in August 2024 — to be repelled successfully last month, with Moscow claiming it had driven out the last Ukrainian troops from its soil. Kyiv dismissed the assertion as “wishful thinking.”

At the height of the 2024 offensive, Ukrainian forces temporarily controlled nearly 500 square miles of Russian territory, prompting the evacuation of an estimated 130,000 residents from border villages. The latest operation appears to revive that strategy with new momentum.

In response to past Ukrainian advances, Russia reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean troops to the region to reinforce its lines — an unusual move that underscored the scale of manpower challenges Moscow faces amid prolonged warfare.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cast doubt on the sincerity of Russia’s announced ceasefire, pointing to the failure of previous truce agreements, including one proposed over Easter that quickly collapsed.

“We understand who we are dealing with. We do not believe them,” Zelensky said in a televised address.

Critics of the Kremlin, including exiled Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, have accused Putin of using the ceasefire to shield foreign dignitaries expected to attend Victory Day events — notably Chinese President Xi Jinping — rather than to protect civilian lives. “Its goal is to shield the May celebrations, entice foreign guests to Moscow, and show the world a picture of a ‘stable Russia,’” Khodorkovsky said.

The renewed Ukrainian offensive has reverberated across Russia’s western borders, where NATO members are moving to bolster their defenses. Lithuania announced plans to allocate nearly £1 billion to reinforce its border with both Russia and Belarus, including the procurement of anti-tank mines and other deterrents.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense said the measures aim to “block and slow down the actions of hostile states,” amid growing fears that conflict could spill into neighboring territories.

As Russia gears up for a highly choreographed Victory Day parade intended to project national unity and military prowess, the latest developments along the Kursk front highlight the persistent vulnerability of its borderlands — and the continued unpredictability of Ukraine’s battlefield strategy.

Shoe Thrown at President William Ruto During Kenya Rally Amid Cost of Living Protests

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NAIROBI, Kenya  — Kenyan President William Ruto was targeted with a shoe while addressing a crowd in western Kenya, as frustrations over rising living costs continue to fuel public unrest across the country.

The incident occurred Sunday in Migori County, where Ruto was delivering a speech centered on economic reforms and government efforts to reduce the cost of essential goods like fertilizer. As the president gestured toward the audience, a shoe was hurled at him — narrowly missing his head and striking his arm, as captured in multiple videos circulating on social media. Ruto appeared unharmed and resumed his speech without interruption.

“We have said we are reducing the price of fertilizer, true or false?” he asked, moments after the shoe bounced off his arm, kicking up a puff of dust and sparking murmurs from the crowd.

The protest gesture highlights mounting public discontent in Kenya, where inflation, unemployment, and steep tax proposals have intensified criticism of Ruto’s leadership. Although the president recently rolled back proposed tax hikes and extended a rare olive branch by inviting opposition figures into cabinet roles, public dissatisfaction remains high.

Ruto’s administration has struggled to regain support in several regions, particularly in economically strained counties like Migori, where citizens have accused the government of failing to address the rising cost of food, fuel, and basic services.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that police had detained three individuals in connection with the disturbance, as reported by Kenya’s The Star newspaper. Authorities have yet to publicly release the identities or motivations of those arrested, though the act has been widely interpreted as a symbolic protest against economic hardship and government policy.

The government is expected to increase security around presidential events following the incident.

Throwing a shoe at a political leader is widely recognized as an expression of contempt in many cultures. The Migori incident drew comparisons online to the 2008 moment when then-U.S. President George W. Bush famously dodged a shoe thrown by an Iraqi journalist during a press conference in Baghdad — an act that became a global symbol of anti-government protest.

While no injuries were reported in Kenya, the act underscores the symbolic potency of public resistance and growing frustrations among citizens facing economic hardship.

President Ruto, who came to power in 2022 promising a “bottom-up” economic model, has seen his popularity dip amid struggles to meet those promises. His administration faces increasing scrutiny as critics accuse it of prioritizing elite interests over the needs of ordinary citizens.

Although Sunday’s rally was meant to reinforce government messaging around economic recovery, the shoe-throwing incident served as a stark reminder of the disconnect between political rhetoric and public sentiment on the ground.

Sudden Storm Capsizes Tourist Boats in Southwest China, Killing 10 in Guizhou Province

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BEIJING  — A sudden and violent storm capsized four tourist boats on a river in southwest China’s Guizhou province, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more, Chinese state media reported Monday.

The incident occurred late Sunday afternoon when powerful winds, rain, and hail struck the upper reaches of the Wu River — a tributary of the Yangtze — in the Zhenfeng county region, a scenic area popular with tourists. More than 80 people were thrown into the river during the unexpected weather event, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Initially, authorities believed two boats had capsized. However, updated reports confirmed that four vessels were involved in the accident. Two boats were carrying passengers, while the remaining two were reportedly empty, with their seven crew members managing to escape safely.

Eyewitnesses described the chaos as the storm struck without warning. “There was a sudden downpour with hail and thick mist that blanketed the river. It became impossible to see,” one survivor told the Beijing News, a state-owned outlet. Video shared by state media showed a boat floating upside down while a man performed CPR on a victim pulled from the water.

CCTV reported that each vessel had a maximum capacity of 40 passengers and that none were overloaded at the time of the disaster. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the river and transporting at least 70 people to local hospitals, most of whom suffered minor injuries. The search and recovery operation continued through Monday.

The tragedy unfolded during a five-day national holiday in China — a peak travel period when thousands flock to picturesque destinations like Guizhou, known for its lush mountains, deep rivers, and historic villages. The Wu River, in particular, is a popular site for river cruises and sightseeing tours.

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a directive Sunday night calling for all-out rescue efforts and enhanced medical care for the injured, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Xi also emphasized the urgent need to tighten safety protocols at tourist sites, public venues, and transport hubs, especially during major holiday periods when large crowds increase risks.

“In light of a recent series of fatal accidents, we must strengthen the safety net across high-traffic destinations and ensure the protection of public well-being,” Xi said, as quoted by Xinhua.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing, including whether adequate weather warnings were issued before the storm. Although the vessels were reportedly within capacity limits, the sudden onset of severe weather caught both passengers and crews off guard.

The Guizhou provincial government said additional resources have been deployed to assist in the response, and weather monitoring stations across the region are being reviewed for performance and accuracy.

The Wu River disaster follows a growing number of tourism-related accidents in China that have sparked concern over safety oversight and emergency preparedness during peak travel seasons. Officials say enhanced safety inspections and enforcement measures are now being prioritized across similar high-risk areas.

As of Monday night, search operations for any missing individuals were ongoing, with local authorities not ruling out the possibility of additional casualties.

Sex Trafficking Trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Set to Begin in New York Federal Court

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NEW YORK  — Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul and entertainment tycoon long surrounded by allegations of abuse, is set to face a federal jury in New York as proceedings begin Monday in a high-stakes sex trafficking and racketeering trial that could define his legacy and land him behind bars for decades.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the morning and could take several days, with opening arguments and witness testimony expected to start next week. The 55-year-old music entrepreneur is accused in a sweeping federal indictment of orchestrating a decades-long campaign of sexual exploitation, physical abuse, and criminal coercion — crimes prosecutors say were masked by the power and wealth of his multi-industry empire.

The 17-page indictment, unsealed earlier this year, portrays Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise resembling a mafia syndicate, alleging that he directed a network of employees, bodyguards, and business associates to lure, manipulate, and abuse women through fear, drugs, and career-based incentives.

Federal prosecutors say Combs hosted a series of ritualized sex parties known as “Freak Offs,” where women — often under the influence of drugs or coercion — were allegedly forced to engage in group sex acts, sometimes involving paid male sex workers. Women who resisted or refused, according to the indictment, were subjected to threats, violent retaliation, and professional blacklisting.

The indictment further alleges that Combs personally engaged in beatings, kidnappings, arson, and intimidation to maintain control. In one disturbing instance, prosecutors claim he dangled a person from a balcony during a confrontation.

Combs has denied all criminal wrongdoing. Through his legal team, he argues that any sexual activity was consensual and that the accusations are false, exaggerated, or rooted in toxic but non-criminal relationships. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, acknowledged past drug use and turbulent relationships but maintains that the allegations do not amount to criminal conduct.

Combs is no stranger to controversy or courtrooms. His legal history includes multiple high-profile incidents:

  • In 1999, he was charged with assault after attacking music executive Steve Stoute with a champagne bottle and chair. The charge was later reduced, and Combs completed anger management classes.
  • Later that year, he was arrested after fleeing a Manhattan nightclub shooting with then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. He was acquitted of weapons charges in 2001, although rapper Jamal “Shyne” Barrow, part of his entourage, was convicted and served nearly nine years in prison.
  • In 2015, he was accused of assaulting a UCLA football coach with a kettlebell. Combs said he acted in self-defense, and prosecutors dropped the case.

Still, none of those incidents compare to the scope and severity of the current charges.

The upcoming trial is expected to last at least eight weeks. If convicted, Combs faces the possibility of decades in federal prison.

Among the most high-profile episodes likely to feature in the trial is a 2016 hotel hallway assault involving Combs and his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, born Casandra Ventura. Surveillance footage captured Combs physically assaulting her — footage that resurfaced following Cassie’s 2023 lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual and physical abuse.

Cassie, who publicly identified herself, alleged beatings, rape, and psychological torment over the course of their relationship. Combs settled the civil case out of court but admitted to the violence captured on video. His legal team insists that the rest of the relationship was consensual and disputes the claims made in the lawsuit.

The Associated Press typically does not name alleged victims of sexual abuse, but Cassie has spoken publicly and initiated litigation, making her identity a matter of public record.

As Combs returns to federal court, the proceedings mark a pivotal moment in the life of one of the most influential figures in hip-hop and pop culture. Once celebrated for building a multimedia empire spanning music, fashion, and spirits, Combs now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted of the most serious counts.

Israel Approves Military Plan to ‘Capture’ Gaza, Intensify Offensive Against Hamas

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TEL AVIV, Israel  — Israel’s security cabinet has unanimously approved a sweeping military plan to expand operations in Gaza, including the “capture” and prolonged control of territory within the coastal enclave, as part of its broader campaign to dismantle Hamas and secure the return of hostages, an Israeli official said Monday.

The plan, drafted by Israeli military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, also calls for forcibly moving much of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents toward the southern part of the Strip for what officials described as “their defense.” The strategy is expected to unfold over several months and includes the expansion of a buffer zone along the border.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposal a “good plan” that serves dual goals: the destruction of Hamas and the return of hostages still held in Gaza. The approval marks a major escalation following the end of a two-month ceasefire on March 18.

“The plan will include, among other things, the capture of the Strip and holding the territories, moving the Gazan population south for its defense, denying Hamas the ability to distribute humanitarian supplies, and powerful attacks against Hamas,” the unnamed Israeli official told reporters during a briefing.

Israeli media reported the strategy will unfold in phases, beginning with the seizure of additional areas in northern and central Gaza. Officials hope the military escalation will create negotiating leverage in renewed talks over a ceasefire and the release of the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks.

During a visit to a naval base Sunday, Lt. Gen. Zamir addressed Israeli special forces, stating that tens of thousands of reservists were being activated to reinforce and extend operations in Gaza.

“We are increasing the pressure with the aim of bringing our people home and defeating Hamas,” he said. “We will operate in additional areas and destroy all terrorist infrastructure — above and below ground.”

The cabinet also gave preliminary approval for a controversial proposal to reroute humanitarian aid through private companies, bypassing existing UN-led distribution networks. This could bring an end to a two-month aid blockade that the United Nations says has brought Gaza’s population to the brink of starvation.

However, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations have sharply criticized the plan. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), which coordinates relief efforts in Gaza, said Sunday that Israel’s new strategy violates international law and basic humanitarian principles.

“Israeli authorities are trying to dismantle the existing aid distribution system and force delivery through Israeli-controlled hubs under military-defined conditions,” the HCT said in a statement. “This approach would drive civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threaten humanitarian workers, and further entrench forced displacement.”

The UN also warned that the most vulnerable in Gaza — including the elderly, disabled, and internally displaced — will be unable to access aid under the new model, leaving them without food, medicine, or shelter.

Israel fully cut off humanitarian deliveries on March 2, citing Hamas interference and security risks. Since then, the UN reports that aid warehouses have been emptied, bakeries have shut down, and community kitchens are within days of closure. The health system, already strained, is reportedly near collapse due to a lack of medicine, vaccines, and equipment.

Despite international criticism, Israeli officials maintain that they are in compliance with humanitarian obligations. They argue that Hamas has exploited aid channels and must be removed from any role in distribution.

The new plan has drawn domestic criticism as well, particularly from families of hostages still held by Hamas. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused the government of prioritizing territorial control over human life.

“This plan is an admission that the government is choosing territory over the hostages,” the group said. “That is against the will of more than 70% of the people in Israel.”

Security cabinet member Zeev Elkin told Israel’s Kan public broadcaster there remains a narrow window to negotiate a hostage release deal, possibly before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the Middle East from May 13 to 16.

“There’s still a window of opportunity — if Hamas understands that we are serious,” Elkin said.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise cross-border assault, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.

Since then, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says at least 52,567 Palestinians have been killed, including 2,459 since the offensive resumed in March.

While Israel insists it is targeting Hamas infrastructure, critics argue the high civilian toll and widespread destruction reflect a disproportionate use of force. Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, according to the United Nations.

Wisconsin Mother Missing Since 1962 Found Alive After 62 Years, Says She Has ‘No Regrets’

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REEDSBURG, Wis.  — A Wisconsin woman who vanished without a trace in 1962 while raising two young children has been found alive and well in another state after investigators reopened her decades-old cold case.

Audrey Backeberg, who was 20 years old when she disappeared from her Reedsburg home on July 7, 1962, is now confirmed to be alive and living under the radar, according to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. She reportedly expressed no regrets about leaving her past behind and has since built a new life.

Authorities made the revelation Thursday, crediting a renewed investigation with uncovering long-buried clues in one of the state’s oldest missing persons cases. Detectives described her current status as “alive and well,” though her location remains confidential for privacy reasons.

Backeberg was living with her husband, Ronald Backeberg, and their two children when she abruptly disappeared after leaving to collect her paycheck from a local woolen mill. For years, her family and law enforcement believed she had met with foul play, but no leads ever panned out.

In March, Detective Isaac Hanson took over the cold case as part of a department-wide review of unsolved files. His work included combing through archived evidence, revisiting original witness accounts, and following digital genealogy trails — particularly through a key Ancestry.com account held by Backeberg’s sister.

“Ultimately, we came up with an address,” Hanson told WISN. “I called the local sheriff’s department and asked if someone could knock on the door. Ten minutes later, she called me.”

Hanson said the two spoke for 45 minutes. Backeberg explained she left voluntarily to escape what she described as an abusive marriage. She had married Ronald at just 15 years old and, days before her disappearance, filed a police complaint alleging he had beaten her severely and threatened to kill her.

“She sounded happy. Confident in her decision,” Hanson said. “No regrets.”

According to archived reports, Backeberg’s complaint in 1962 included accusations that Ronald had inflicted head injuries and possessed firearms while threatening her life. Despite alerting authorities, he remained in the home with her and their children.

Following her disappearance, Ronald claimed he had no knowledge of her whereabouts and tried to locate her. The family and community insisted she would never willingly abandon her children.

Initial leads suggested she may have hitchhiked to Madison before boarding a bus to Indiana. A teenage babysitter claimed to have witnessed the departure but later refused to cooperate with police. In a later interview as an adult, the woman claimed Backeberg had taken pills and possibly joined a group of construction workers heading south.

Despite conflicting narratives, authorities now say they are confident that Backeberg left by choice and was never in danger during the decades she was presumed missing.

“She was never unsafe,” Hanson confirmed. “She chose to remove herself from that situation.”

The sheriff’s office has declined to name the state where Backeberg is currently residing.

Trump Says Military Force to Annex Canada ‘Highly Unlikely,’ Still Eyes Future Integration

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WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump reaffirmed his interest in annexing Canada during an interview broadcast Sunday but said it is “highly unlikely” that the United States would use military force to do so.

Speaking with NBC’s Meet the Press on May 4, Trump reiterated his controversial proposal for turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state. While dismissing the idea of military intervention, he indicated that geopolitical and economic factors still make the annexation appealing — albeit on a voluntary basis.

“I don’t see it with Canada,” Trump said with a laugh after being pressed by moderator Kristen Welker. “It’s highly unlikely. I think we’re not going to ever get to that point.”

Trump, however, drew a distinction between Canada and Greenland — the latter being a territory he has repeatedly floated as a strategic acquisition for national security reasons.

“It could happen, something could happen with Greenland,” he said. “We need that for national and international security. But Canada — I just don’t see it.”

Trump’s remarks come as tensions with Ottawa continue to simmer. At a private dinner in Florida last November, Trump reportedly told then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada should relinquish its sovereignty and become part of the United States. He later mocked Trudeau online, referring to him as “Governor of the Great State of Canada.”

Following mounting political pressure and sagging poll numbers, Trudeau announced in January he would step down. Trump nonetheless imposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, citing concerns over fentanyl trafficking. The 25% tariff triggered consumer boycotts in Canada and fueled nationalist rhetoric ahead of the April 28 federal election.

Liberal Party leader Mark Carney, Trudeau’s successor, won the election and responded defiantly to Trump’s annexation rhetoric.

“President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us,” Carney said in a post-election address. “That will never ever happen. Canada must stand for itself.”

Carney is scheduled to visit the White House on May 6, his first official trip as prime minister. Trump said Carney had “called to introduce himself” and described him as a “nice man,” despite warning that Carney’s lack of a parliamentary majority could weaken his leadership.

The president also confirmed he plans to bring up the annexation issue during their meeting.

“I’m a real estate guy at heart,” Trump said. “When I look at a map — and you erase that artificial line drawn with a ruler — what a beautiful country it would be.”

Although he claimed the United States does not rely on Canadian imports, data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative contradicts his assertion. In 2024, Canada ranked as one of America’s top two trading partners, with $349.4 billion in U.S. exports and $412.7 billion in imports.

Trump argued the imbalance in defense spending justifies greater integration, noting Canada spends less than the NATO target of 2% of GDP on military expenditures.

“They need us. We don’t need them,” Trump declared. “We do very little business with Canada.”

Trump’s annexation rhetoric is expected to further polarize U.S.-Canada relations and may complicate diplomatic coordination on issues ranging from trade to border security. Though no formal policy exists to pursue Canadian statehood, Trump’s continued focus on the idea has elevated it from a rhetorical flourish to a flashpoint in foreign relations.

While Carney has dismissed the proposal as “absurd,” he has also acknowledged the need to defend Canada’s interests aggressively in upcoming bilateral talks.

Naomi Osaka Wins First Title in Four Years, Clinches First-Ever Trophy on Clay at Saint-Malo

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SAINT-MALO, France  — Naomi Osaka is a champion again — and for the first time, on clay.

The former world No. 1 captured her first WTA title in over four years on Sunday, defeating Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 in the final of L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 event. The victory marked Osaka’s first tournament win since the 2021 Australian Open, and also her first-ever title on clay, a surface long considered her weakest.

The four-time Grand Slam winner, who returned to professional tennis in early 2024 after giving birth to her first child in July 2023, expressed gratitude and surprise following the milestone win.

“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst,” Osaka wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “That’s one of my favorite things about life though — there’s always room to grow and evolve.”

Sunday’s triumph is a significant step in Osaka’s comeback journey, as the 26-year-old Japanese star looks to rebuild her career after stepping away from the tour to focus on her mental health and motherhood. Her previous title came in Melbourne in 2021, capping a dominant stretch that included four major titles — two at the Australian Open and two at the U.S. Open, all on hard courts.

With this victory, Osaka will rise to No. 48 in the WTA rankings on Monday, continuing her climb back toward the top of the sport.

Osaka’s relationship with clay has historically been fraught. She has struggled at the French Open, and notably withdrew from the tournament in 2021 prior to the second round, citing mental health concerns in a move that sparked a global conversation around athlete well-being.

Her 2024 clay-court season began inauspiciously with a first-round loss at the Madrid Open last month. But the Saint-Malo title — while not a top-tier WTA event — serves as both a confidence boost and a strong indication that she is adapting her game to a surface that once seemed insurmountable.

The timing of Osaka’s resurgence could be pivotal, with the French Open set to begin on May 25 at Roland Garros in Paris. Though she has never made it past the third round in Paris, her victory in Saint-Malo suggests she may be better equipped to compete on clay this time around.

Osaka did not speak to the media following Sunday’s final but shared a heartfelt message online, thanking supporters for sticking with her through what she described as a “turbulent” but “really fun” journey.

“I’m grateful,” she wrote. “Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey.”

Trump Proposes Reopening and Expanding Alcatraz Prison to House Nation’s ‘Most Ruthless’ Criminals

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WASHINGTON  — President Donald Trump announced Sunday he will direct several federal agencies to reopen and significantly expand Alcatraz Island as a high-security federal prison, invoking the iconic site’s history to justify what he described as a return to tough-on-crime policy.

“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society,” Trump declared in a post on Truth Social. He said he is instructing the Bureau of Prisons, in coordination with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, to reconstruct the long-shuttered penitentiary to detain the “most ruthless and violent Offenders” in the country.

The bold proposal to revive Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary—which has been closed for over 60 years and is now a major tourist attraction and part of the National Park Service—was met with skepticism from California officials and legal experts.

Located in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was converted into a federal penitentiary in 1934 and was operated for 29 years, housing more than 1,500 inmates considered too dangerous for other institutions. The facility was formally closed in 1963 due to excessive maintenance costs, logistical difficulties in transporting supplies, and its isolated location.

Trump’s announcement cited Alcatraz’s past role in isolating dangerous criminals. “When we were a more serious Nation… we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he wrote.

In its operational years, Alcatraz had an average prison population of 260 to 275 and never reached its maximum capacity of 336 inmates. According to the Bureau of Prisons, the site accounted for less than 1% of the total federal inmate population, though it was nearly three times as expensive to operate compared to other facilities.

The prison’s closure was prompted by the estimated $3 million to $5 million needed for renovations at the time, along with ballooning daily operational costs.

Trump further suggested that the proposed reopening of Alcatraz could support his immigration enforcement agenda. In his Truth Social post, he condemned what he characterized as judicial obstacles to deporting undocumented immigrants, specifically criticizing judges he claimed were “afraid to do their job.”

“All of these radicalized judges want to have trials for every single person that’s in our country illegally,” he told reporters at the White House. “That would mean millions of trials. It’s ridiculous what’s happening.”

Trump referenced his controversial March decision to deport over 200 Venezuelan nationals—allegedly gang-affiliated—under the Alien Enemies Act to a high-security facility in El Salvador. A federal judge appointed during his administration later blocked that effort. A similar proposal involving detaining immigrants at Guantánamo Bay also faced legal and financial pushback and was eventually paused.

Legal experts and officials in California questioned the feasibility of Trump’s proposal. Alcatraz Island, now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, draws over 1 million visitors annually and is one of the most visited National Park Service sites.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose district includes the island, dismissed the proposal on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling it “not a serious one.”

“Alcatraz is a major tourist attraction, not a solution to Trump’s political theater,” Pelosi wrote.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office echoed that sentiment. “Looks like it’s distraction day again in Washington, D.C.,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, deputy director of communications for the governor.

The Bureau of Prisons, which operates 120 federal facilities housing more than 156,000 people, did not respond to requests for comment Sunday night. The agency is currently grappling with significant budget constraints and informed union representatives in December of plans to close several federal institutions due to cost concerns.

Despite the obstacles, Trump continues to position the reopening of Alcatraz as a symbolic cornerstone of his broader law-and-order platform.

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