New York State Police have found the body of Sam Nordquist, a missing man who authorities say was tortured for more than a month before being killed and left in a field.
Nordquist, 24, was reported missing on Feb. 9 after losing contact with loved ones. Police say he arrived in New York from Minnesota in September.
“This is by far the worst case of its kind we’ve seen,” said Major Kevin Sucher, commander of the state police troop overseeing the Finger Lakes region. “No human being should have to endure what Sam endured.”
Authorities said five people have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Nordquist’s death: Precious Arzuaga, 38, and Patrick Goodwin, 30, of Canandaigua; Kyle Sage, 33, of Rochester; Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva; and Emily Motyka, 19, of Lima.
The suspects were taken into custody Thursday after police searched a room at Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua, where Nordquist was last known to have stayed.
Investigators say they are working to determine Nordquist’s relationship with the suspects, as well as the motive behind the crime. When asked if the case is being investigated as a hate crime, Capt. Kelly Swift of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it remains under review.
Swift described the case as one of the most disturbing in her 20-year career, citing a “pattern of abuse” that led to Nordquist’s death.
The suspects remain in custody pending arraignment. It was unclear whether any had obtained legal representation.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact New York State Police.
A woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault has voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit in New York federal court, according to court documents filed Friday.
The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, filed the dismissal “with prejudice,” legally barring her from refiling the case in the future. The lawsuit had alleged sexual assault incidents from more than 20 years ago, when the plaintiff was a teenager.
Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, declared the dismissal a vindication of his client. “The false case against JAY-Z, that never should have been brought, has been dismissed with prejudice,” Spiro said in a statement. He emphasized that Jay-Z “never settled, he never paid 1 red penny” and “triumphed and cleared his name.”
Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing Jane Doe, declined to comment on the dismissal. Representatives for Combs have not responded to requests for comment.
The dismissal comes amid heightened scrutiny of sexual misconduct allegations in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding incidents from past decades.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that her government may file a civil lawsuit against Google if it continues referring to the body of water between northeastern Mexico and the southeastern United States as the “Gulf of America.”
The dispute follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that he would rename the Gulf of Mexico. The region, long recognized internationally as the Gulf of Mexico, has drawn geopolitical attention as a result.
Sheinbaum stated during a news conference that Trump’s decree only applies to the “continental shelf of the United States” and does not affect Mexico’s sovereignty over its portion of the Gulf. “We have sovereignty over our continental shelf,” she said.
Sheinbaum’s administration sent a formal letter to Google objecting to the name change and asserting that “the entire Gulf of Mexico cannot be called the Gulf of America.” Despite this, Google has maintained its updated nomenclature.
Google stated last month on its X account, formerly Twitter, that it follows a “long-standing practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”
As of Thursday, Google Maps displayed different names for the Gulf depending on user location. In the United States, the body of water appears as the Gulf of America, while in Mexico, it remains the Gulf of Mexico. In many countries, it appears as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
Sheinbaum defended the historical name, citing its recognition by the United Nations since 1607. She also referenced Mexico’s 1814 Apatzingán Constitution, which referred to North America as “Mexican America.” She suggested that if the renaming of the Gulf continues, Mexico may request that Google display “Mexican America” on maps when searched.
The dispute is the latest in a history of geographic naming differences between Mexico and the U.S. For instance, the border river between Texas and four Mexican states is called Rio Bravo in Mexico but Rio Grande in the U.S.
Meanwhile, the White House recently restricted Associated Press reporters from certain events, citing AP’s naming policy. The news agency continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” while also acknowledging Trump’s renaming in coverage to ensure global recognition of geographic terms.
A Russian drone strike hit the protective shelter over Chernobyl’s damaged nuclear reactor, causing a fire that was later extinguished, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that radiation levels at the site remained stable, though Oleksandr Titarchuk, the plant’s chief engineer, warned of a potential radioactive leak.
Russia denied targeting Chernobyl, stating its military does not strike Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure. The IAEA confirmed that emergency crews responded quickly, and no casualties were reported.
Zelensky posted footage appearing to show damage to the massive concrete and steel radiation shield, which covers the reactor that exploded in 1986. Hryhoriy Ishchenko, head of the exclusion zone management agency, warned that a strike just 50 feet away could have triggered a radiation accident.
Experts expressed concern over the attack but noted that Chernobyl’s thick concrete containment structure protects against radiation release. Simon Evans, former head of the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, called it “an incredibly reckless attack on a vulnerable nuclear facility.”
The strike comes amid rising tensions around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, where military activity has raised fears of a major nuclear incident.
A fire at a hotel resort construction site in the South Korean port city of Busan killed six people, with a helicopter rescuing 14 who had taken refuge on a rooftop, authorities said Friday.
The Busan Fire & Disaster Headquarters reported that around 100 people were evacuated from the site, where construction was underway on three buildings spanning 12 above-ground floors and three basement levels.
A fire agency official said on live television that approximately 25 people sustained minor injuries, including some from smoke inhalation.
Officials said the fire appeared to have started in insulation material near an indoor swimming pool on the first floor of one of the buildings.
South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered all available resources to be deployed to contain the blaze, according to a statement from his office.
The Trump administration, in collaboration with adviser Elon Musk, continued efforts to reduce the federal workforce on Friday, resulting in thousands of layoffs across multiple agencies. The move impacts workers responsible for securing nuclear weapons, managing public lands, and providing care for military veterans.
Sources told *Reuters* that between 1,200 and 2,000 employees at the Department of Energy were laid off, including staff overseeing the nation’s nuclear stockpile. An additional 2,300 workers were dismissed from the Interior Department, which manages 500 million acres of public land, including more than 60 national parks and offshore oil and gas leases. The Department of Agriculture also saw an undisclosed number of job losses, sources said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to lose nearly 1,300 workers, accounting for one-third of its staff, according to *The Associated Press*. These cuts contribute to a broader reduction targeting agencies such as Veterans Affairs, Education, and the Small Business Administration.
Officials from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), responsible for overseeing federal hiring, advised agencies to terminate probationary employees during a Thursday meeting, according to a person familiar with the matter. Government data indicates that of the 2.3 million civilian federal employees, approximately 280,000 were hired in the past two years, with most still on probation and thus more vulnerable to layoffs.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has also seen terminations beyond probationary employees, sources said, with fixed-term contract workers among those let go.
President Donald Trump has defended the cuts, arguing that the federal government is bloated and wasteful. The U.S. government carries $36 trillion in debt and ran a $1.8 trillion deficit last year.
However, congressional Democrats argue that Trump’s actions infringe on legislative authority over federal spending. Despite Republican control of both chambers, some lawmakers have voiced concerns about the widespread job losses.
“I take Secretary Collins at his word when he says there will be no impact to the delivery of care, benefits, and services for veterans with this plan,” said Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, referring to Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins. The department confirmed more than 1,000 layoffs on Thursday.
The full scope of layoffs remains unclear, but estimates suggest that more than 9,500 employees across various federal departments and agencies lost their jobs this week, according to multiple reports.
Musk, the world’s richest person, has played a central role in the restructuring, using his influence in the Trump administration to accelerate cuts. Critics have questioned his approach, describing it as overly aggressive and lacking in coordination.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed concerns, comparing Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative to a financial audit.
“These are serious people conducting audits across agencies and looking for best practices,” Bessent told *Fox Business Network*, dismissing concerns over the speed and severity of the layoffs.
Musk is reportedly relying on a team of young engineers with limited government experience to lead the restructuring, with decisions appearing to be guided more by ideological goals than cost-cutting measures. This has led to growing frustration within the White House, including among Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, sources told *Reuters*.
Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents over 100,000 workers, expects Musk and the administration to focus next on regulatory agencies.
“This is about reducing government oversight on industry and wealthy individuals, which explains why Musk is so involved,” Lenkart said.
Beyond layoffs, Trump and Musk have introduced a voluntary buyout program for federal employees, aiming to reduce the workforce further. Approximately 75,000 workers have accepted the offer, representing about 3% of civilian federal employees.
Some remaining workers have expressed concern about their job security. “I decided to roll the dice and stick around,” said a General Services Administration employee, who requested anonymity. “It’s unsettling, to say the least.”
Federal employee unions have filed lawsuits to block the buyout program and mass terminations. The American Federation of Government Employees announced legal action against the firings of probationary workers on Thursday.
A lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 14 states challenges Musk’s appointment and seeks to bar him from further government actions. Additional legal battles involve data privacy concerns, as Musk’s team has gained access to government computer systems containing sensitive personnel and financial data.
Three federal judges will review lawsuits regarding DOGE’s access to Treasury Department payment systems and other sensitive information from health, labor, and consumer protection agencies. The Treasury Department’s inspector general has launched an audit into system security following a congressional request.
DOGE has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the mass layoffs, but an OPM spokesperson stated that the firings align with newly implemented government policies.
Palestinian militant groups in Gaza announced they will release three hostages— Iair Horn, U.S.-Israeli national Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Russian-Israeli Alexandre Sasha Troufanov—on Saturday as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
The hostages were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants overran communities near the Gaza Strip. Horn’s brother, Eitan, remains in captivity. In return, Hamas stated that Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The announcement came after days of uncertainty over whether the 42-day ceasefire would hold, following mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar to maintain the U.S.-backed truce.
Israel’s response to the list of hostages was unclear. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office initially stated that Israel “accepted” the list before issuing a revised statement saying it had “received” it.
“This was a mere factual description that does not reflect an Israeli comment on the issue,” the statement said.
Hamas had earlier threatened to halt hostage releases, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire by restricting humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. Israel denied the allegations, warning of a potential resumption of military operations.
Public outrage in Israel over the frail condition of previously released hostages and their public display in Gaza before being handed to Red Cross officials had intensified tensions ahead of the upcoming release.
As uncertainty persisted, the Israeli military said it was calling up reserve units and placing forces near the Gaza border on high alert for possible renewed combat.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the crisis, calling for an end to the ceasefire unless all hostages were released on Saturday.
Hamas agreed last month to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a six-week ceasefire. The truce was intended to pave the way for negotiations on the release of remaining hostages, Israeli military withdrawals, and the potential end of the war.
However, Hamas accused Israel of blocking the delivery of essential supplies, including tens of thousands of tents and temporary shelters, leaving displaced civilians exposed to harsh winter conditions.
“No caravans, heavy equipment, or machinery have entered the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing so far,” said Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office. “We hope they will enter in the coming hours according to assurances from the relevant parties.”
The Israeli military agency COGAT reported that 4,200 humanitarian aid trucks had entered Gaza over the past week, carrying food, fuel, medical supplies, tents, and shelter materials.
Despite increased deliveries, international aid groups warn that the current aid flow remains insufficient to meet the needs of Gaza’s displaced population.
The war erupted following Hamas-led attacks on Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign has devastated Gaza, killing more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The offensive has left much of the territory in ruins, with most of its population displaced and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
As negotiations continue, the fate of remaining hostages and the fragile ceasefire remain uncertain.
The U.S. Navy confirmed that the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel late Wednesday near Port Said, Egypt. No injuries or significant damage were reported.
According to a Navy statement released Thursday, both vessels were in motion when the collision occurred. The impact did not result in flooding or injuries aboard the carrier, and its propulsion systems remained unaffected.
The merchant vessel involved was identified as the Besiktas-M. A defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that no crew members aboard the merchant ship were injured. Further details about the incident have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The USS Truman, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, deployed in September to the Mediterranean and Middle East. The collision happened shortly after the carrier completed a port visit in Souda Bay, Greece.
NATO’s future was thrown into uncertainty this week after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a shift in Washington’s security priorities, raising concerns about the alliance’s commitment to European defense.
Addressing nearly 50 Western backers of Ukraine, Hegseth said the United States will no longer consider European security its primary focus. “The United States faces consequential threats to our homeland. We must—and we are—focusing on the security of our own borders,” he said.
Hegseth confirmed that Ukraine will not regain all of its territory from Russia and will not be allowed to join NATO, ruling out the collective security guarantee that could deter future Russian aggression.
He also stated that NATO will not deploy forces for post-war security in Ukraine. While European nations could form a peacekeeping force, they would have to fund and manage it independently. “No American troops would take part in such an operation,” he said.
Beyond Ukraine, Hegseth said NATO would not intervene if a European country participating in a Ukraine peacekeeping mission were attacked. His comments left uncertainty about any U.S. role in such a scenario.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu called the moment a serious test for NATO. “To say that it’s the biggest and most robust alliance in history is true, historically speaking. But the real question is whether that will still be the case in 10 or 15 years,” he said.
NATO, founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union, operates under Article 5 of its treaty, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Hegseth’s remarks raised concerns about the U.S. commitment to that principle, which has been central to NATO’s credibility for 75 years.
While he stated that the U.S. has no plans to leave NATO, his comments signaled a shift in Washington’s approach. NATO has expanded to 32 countries, with Sweden joining in 2023 over concerns about Russian aggression. However, the alliance requires unanimous consent for decisions, and Hegseth’s statements effectively blocked Ukraine’s membership.
The United States remains NATO’s most powerful member, contributing the largest share of defense spending. Hegseth’s speech reinforced Washington’s control over the alliance’s direction.
NATO’s day-to-day operations are overseen by Secretary-General Mark Rutte, while military leadership is always held by a U.S. general, currently Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli. Despite these leadership roles, shifting U.S. priorities could impact NATO’s future operations.
Although NATO members have provided military aid to Ukraine, the alliance itself does not send weapons. Instead, it offers non-lethal support such as fuel, body armor, and medical supplies. In 2024, European NATO members provided 60% of Ukraine’s military aid.
NATO has also helped modernize Ukraine’s military strategy, shifting it from Soviet-era tactics. However, the alliance’s role remains limited, leading to misunderstandings about its direct involvement in the conflict.
Hegseth’s remarks marked a pivotal moment for NATO, exposing divisions within the alliance. With the U.S. shifting its focus elsewhere, NATO’s ability to maintain its strength and unity in the coming years remains uncertain.
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can move forward with its federal worker buyout program, dealing a blow to unions attempting to block the initiative. The decision paves the way for the administration to accelerate efforts to downsize the U.S. government.
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole in Boston lifted a previous order that had temporarily halted the program at the request of unions representing over 800,000 federal employees. He determined the unions lacked legal standing to challenge the buyout plan.
The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions had argued that the administration’s “deferred resignation” offer, extended to more than two million federal civilian employees, was unlawful.
“The unions do not have the required direct stake in the Fork directive, but are challenging a policy that affects others, specifically executive branch employees,” O’Toole, a Clinton appointee, wrote in his ruling. “This is not sufficient.”
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which announced the program in a Jan. 28 email titled “Fork in the Road,” informed employees this week that it intends to close the program to new entrants as soon as legally permissible.
As of Friday, approximately 65,000 federal workers had signed up for the buyouts, according to a White House official. The initiative is part of the Trump administration’s broader plan to implement widespread job cuts across federal agencies.
The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling, and union attorneys have yet to indicate whether they will appeal.
Trump, who began his second term on Jan. 20, has appointed Elon Musk as a “special government employee” to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency. The department aims to cut federal spending and restructure the 2.2 million-strong workforce, potentially leading to mass layoffs.
Democrats and other critics have accused Musk—who leads Tesla and SpaceX—of improperly overhauling the government. Some federal employees have staged protests against his role in the initiative.
Last month, OPM sent an email to nearly all federal employees, offering them the option to resign immediately while retaining full pay and benefits until Sept. 30. Workers could remain on the payroll without being required to report in person or perform job duties. Employees needed only to reply with the word “resign” to accept the offer.
The structure of the email closely resembled a message Musk sent to Twitter employees after acquiring the platform, now known as X, in 2022.
The U.S. Department of Justice defended the initiative as a “humane off-ramp” for workers dissatisfied with Trump’s plans to reduce the government workforce and limit remote work.
The buyout applies to roughly two million federal civilian employees, excluding those in immigration, national security, and the U.S. Postal Service.
As the deadline approached, the administration reiterated warnings that most federal agencies would be downsized—seen by employees as pressure to accept the offer.
Unions had challenged the directive in court, arguing it was “stunningly arbitrary” and violated the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from exceeding congressional budget allocations.
They also warned that allowing widespread resignations without considering their impact on agency functions could compromise government operations.
O’Toole had previously delayed the initial Feb. 6 deadline for employees to resign, extending it to Monday before placing it on hold pending further review. However, his latest ruling allows the program to proceed, though unions may still seek relief through the appeals process.
