分类： 未分类

Trump warns China of ‘big problems’ over Iran weapons as Xi summit nears

2026-04-13 12:33pm EDT / Fox News

The warning comes ahead of a planned summit between Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing in May

By Morgan Phillips Fox News

President Donald Trump warned China it would face “big problems” if it supplies air defense systems to Tehran as Iran remains locked in a conflict with the United States and Israel.

“If China does that, China is gonna have big problems, OK?” Trump told reporters Saturday.

The warning comes as U.S. intelligence assessments indicate China may be preparing to supply, or already could have moved to supply, shoulder-fired air defense systems to Iran, according to multiple news outlets reporting on intelligence assessments, though officials caution the information is not definitive and there is no evidence the weapons have been used against U.S. or Israeli forces.

Trump’s warning also comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders expected to hold a summit in Beijing in May after it was postponed due to the ongoing conflict. The talks are likely to cover a range of issues, including trade tensions, Taiwan and the war involving Iran, placing additional pressure on U.S.-China relations as concerns mount over Beijing’s potential role in the conflict.

TRUMP VOICES FRUSTRATION WITH NATO, SAYS IRANIAN NAVY ‘DESTROYED’ AS US PREPS FOR BLOCKADE

The potential transfer of Chinese-supplied air defenses could increase risks to U.S. aircraft operating in the region, particularly low-flying missions already vulnerable to shoulder-fired missiles.

President Donald Trump warned China it would face “big problems” if it supplies air defense systems to Tehran as Iran remains locked in a conflict with the United States and Israel.(Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)

China also has played a role in recent ceasefire efforts, pressing Iran to engage in talks with the United States and Israel through diplomatic outreach and coordination with regional partners, even as it denies providing military support to Tehran.

Officials familiar with the intelligence say the systems in question include man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, which are capable of targeting low-flying aircraft and have already posed a threat to U.S. assets in the region during the conflict.

MANPADS are shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missiles designed to target low-flying aircraft. U.S. officials believe a similar type of weapon was likely used to bring down an American F-15E fighter jet over Iran earlier in April, marking the first loss of a manned U.S. aircraft in Iran in the conflict.

Trump said at the time the jet was hit by a “shoulder-fired missile.”

Trump’s warning also comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders expected to hold a summit in Beijing in May after it was postponed due to the ongoing conflict.(Oliver Bunic/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

It remains unclear whether any such systems have been transferred or are currently inside Iran, but the possibility has raised concerns among U.S. officials that additional air defenses could complicate future operations and increase risks to American pilots.

CHINA SAYS IT WILL RESUME SOME TIES WITH TAIWAN AFTER VISIT BY OPPOSITION LEADER

China has denied the reports, with its embassy in Washington saying it “never provides weapons to any party to the conflict” and calling the allegations untrue.

The reports come amid heightened tensions over China’s growing alignment with Iran, with U.S. officials increasingly warning that Beijing could play a more direct role in supporting Tehran as the conflict continues.

China has long played a role in supporting Iran’s military capabilities, supplying components used in ballistic missiles and drones as well as surveillance and targeting technologies, according to defense analysts. In recent years, Iran also has explored acquiring more advanced Chinese systems, including anti-ship missiles and air defense platforms, as it seeks to rebuild capabilities damaged in previous strikes.

It remains unclear whether any such systems have been transferred or are currently inside Iran, but the possibility has raised concerns among U.S. officials that additional air defenses could complicate future operations and increase risks to American pilots.(Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Separate from the reports on potential air defense transfers, investigations using satellite imagery and maritime tracking data have identified Iranian vessels departing Chinese ports carrying cargo believed to include sodium perchlorate, a key ingredient in ballistic missile fuel, according to a Washington Post report. Other reporting citing Western intelligence and shipping data indicates multiple such shipments have reached Iran during the conflict, raising concerns Beijing may be helping Tehran replenish missile capabilities even as it publicly calls for de-escalation.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations could not immediately be reached for comment.

DoorDasher joins Trump for impromptu White House press event after delivering McDonald’s

April 13, 2026 / 3:31 PM EDT / CBS News

By Kathryn Watson

Washington — In a televised moment Monday, President Trump welcomed DoorDash delivery driver Sharon Simmons to the White House and they both spoke to the media as she dropped off a food order from McDonald’s.

The president invited Simmons to talk to the press about tax breaks on tips, but also put her on the spot with questions about whom she voted for and whether she thinks “men should play in women’s sports.”

Simmons, who told reporters she’d never delivered to the White House before, said the “no tax on tips” policy has helped her financially at a time when her husband is fighting cancer. Simmons said the “no tax on tips” policy, which allows workers to keep more of their tips, netted her $11,000 more than she would have earned otherwise. Simmons agreed with the president that the tax benefit is “very special.”

“Well you’re really nice. Would you like to do a little news conference with me with these people?” he asked Simmons.

President Trump receives a DoorDash delivery of McDonald’s from Sharon Simmons before speaking to the press outside the Oval Office of the White House on April 13, 2026. Win McNamee / Getty Images

“It’s such an honor to meet you,” Mr. Trump told her. “And I think you voted for me, do you think?”

“Um, maybe,” Simmons said, laughing.

“I heard you’re a great supporter, we appreciate it,” the president said.

After reporters lobbed a number of questions to the president about Iran, the pope, and an AI-generated image he’d posted which appeared to depict him as Jesus, a reporter asked Simmons if the White House tips well.

“Um,” she smiled, “potentially.”

“Great,” Mr. Trump responded, handing her cash.

“Yes, very,” Simmons added.

President Trump pays Sharon Simmons after receiving a McDonald’s order via DoorDash in front of the Oval Office at the White House, April 13, 2026. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

At one point the president asked Simmons if she believes that “men should play in women’s sports,” after criticizing Democratic policies.

“I really don’t have an opinion on that,” Simmons responded.

“You don’t? I’ll bet you do,” the president said.

“No, no. I’m here about no tax on tips,” she replied diplomatically.

Simmons, a full-time dasher from Arkansas, has completed more than 14,000 deliveries, according to DoorDash. She is a grandmother of 10.

“It was an incredible honor to represent Dashers from all over the country at the White House today,” Simmons said in a statement released by DoorDash. “Thanks to DoorDash, I have been able to provide for my family while keeping the schedule that works best for me, something I never thought would be possible. Now No Tax on Tips has taken things to the next level, letting me keep more of the tips I earn and deserve. Today is a celebration of the advocacy of thousands of Dashers from around the country who fought to ensure we were included in this policy.”

A White House official said the food delivery was given by the president to West Wing staff, “who greatly enjoyed the cheeseburgers and fries.”

Kristin Brown contributed to this report.

Trump is feuding with a pope — again. Why it’s different this time

2026-04-13T19:14:12.513Z / CNN

Analysis by

Aaron Blake

16 min ago

PUBLISHED Apr 13, 2026, 3:14 PM ET

Donald Trump Religion The Pope

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Presidential Palace in Algiers, Algeria, on Monday, during a trip in which he will visit four African countries.

Luca Zennaro/Pool/Reuters

Few demographics were more important to President Donald Trump’s 2024 win than Catholics. While Catholics usually split close to 50-50, the data shows Trump won 55% or more of them — apparently the most of any presidential candidate in decades.

Just 17 months later, Trump is clashing with a pope … again.

This time, it might have a more lasting impact.

Trump went on to win the 2016 election after a brief spat with Pope Francis. But his new dispute with Pope Leo XIV is different.

What happened

Late Sunday, Trump lashed out at Pope Leo’s criticisms of the Iran war in a lengthy social media post, which:

• Called the pope “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.”
• Claimed Leo was only elected pope “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
• Said Leo should “get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.”
• Said Leo was hurting the Catholic Church.

A member of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, Bishop Robert Barron, called the post “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” and said “the President owes the Pope an apology.”

Trump then took things to a whole new level by posting an apparently AI-generated fake image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick person.

It’s an image that many critics, including some who supported Trump, like the Knights Templar International, labeled blasphemous. Trump later deleted the post and on Monday claimed he thought it depicted him as a doctor, which it did not.

Another clash with a pope in 2016

Pope Francis prays beside crosses representing those who died trying to cross the border at El Paso, Texas, in February 2016.

Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images/File

The situation harks back to one that played out just more than a decade ago.

In early 2016, as Trump was pulling ahead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, he briefly tangled with Pope Francis over the pontiff’s comments on immigration.

When Francis was set to visit the Mexican border, Trump called him “a very political person” and suggested Mexico was using him. Days later, Francis seemed to criticize Trump’s plans to build a border wall, saying it was “not Christian” to focus on building walls rather than bridges.

Trump responded by calling Francis’ comments “disgraceful.” He even asserted that, if ISIS attacked the Vatican, the pope would have wished Trump were president.

It stood out, even in a campaign full of shocking moments. Here was the new frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination — a process that heavily involves religious voters — openly feuding with the most well-known faith leader in the world.

Plenty of think pieces were written about whether Trump was shooting himself in the foot, though Trump obviously emerged just fine from that dispute and won the presidency later that year.

What’s different about today

President Donald Trump speaks to the press outside the Oval Office on Monday.

Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The 2016 clash didn’t become a big deal because it was over about as quickly as it began. Just a day after his harshest criticisms of Francis, Trump suddenly sought to smooth things over.

He praised Francis as a “wonderful guy” and insisted they hadn’t actually been fighting. He even suggested the pope’s comment about walls and bridges had been overanalyzed and weren’t so critical of Trump.

It was a pretty shocking climbdown from Trump, a man who rarely backs down from a fight.

But the latest friction could drag out.

Trump has deleted his controversial social media image. But, otherwise, neither leader is signaling they have any intention of backing down.

Pope Leo is leaning into the dispute more than Francis did. While Francis obliquely criticized Trump’s immigration policies, Leo has been more direct about his criticisms about Trump, raising them repeatedly on both immigration and the war.

He even told reporters Monday aboard the papal airplane that he had “no fear of the Trump administration” and would continue preaching the Gospel.

And Trump doubled down Monday on his other criticisms of Leo and said he wouldn’t apologize.

“No, because Pope Leo said things that are wrong. He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran,” Trump said, adding: “I think he’s very weak on crime and other things. He went public. I’m just responding to Pope Leo.”

Another key element is Trump’s apparently blasphemous post.

While he deleted it (and denied that it was clearly a reference to Jesus Christ), the comparison crosses a line for many faithful Catholics and other Christians. The post also came a week after Trump’s spiritual adviser, Paula White-Cain, openly compared him to Jesus Christ at a White House event. (Trump ally Tucker Carlson even cited the scene while attacking Trump for how he deals with faith.)

“What [the media] really should be paying attention to are the Christian Trump supporters who have stood with him through Iran, who are waking up to his blasphemy,” conservative commentator Erick Erickson said on X.

Then there’s the fact that this is the first American pope.

While every pope has an international following, it’s logical to assume that Leo might matter more not just to American Catholics, but to Americans in general. The criticisms might sound different coming from the Chicago White Sox fan who speaks in unaccented English.

And indeed, polling has suggested the pope is overwhelmingly popular with Americans.

He was the most popular national figure of 14 people tested by Gallup last summer. And Americans viewed him positively by a 5-to-1 margin in an NBC News poll last month. Trump, meanwhile, is at a low point politically, with approval ratings that are down in the 30s in some recent polls.

It’s certainly possible that most Trump supporters wouldn’t be alienated by a prolonged feud with the pope. In fact, we should probably expect that, given how devoted Trump’s base has proved over the last decade.

But Trump can’t really afford to alienate many more supporters right now.

Catholics weren’t just hugely important to Trump in the 2024 election; they’ve actually stuck by Trump more than most groups, according to January data from the Pew Research Center.

Pew showed support for Trump’s agenda among White and Hispanic Catholics dropped less than it did with other groups, including evangelicals, other Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated.

All that to say: We could be seeing a clash between Trump and a pope that actually matters.

House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Eric Swalwell over sexual misconduct allegations

April 13, 2026 / 2:04 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — The bipartisan House Ethics Committee announced Monday it is investigating Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, who faces several allegations of sexual misconduct.

The committee said it is looking into whether Swalwell “violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.”

A spokesperson for Swalwell did not respond to a request for comment from CBS News.

Swalwell ended his campaign for California governor and is facing possible expulsion from the House after a former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was too intoxicated to consent on two occasions in 2019 and 2024. Her story was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday. Three other women also detailed Swalwell’s alleged sexual misconduct to CNN.

Swalwell has denied the allegations of sexual assault, calling them “flat false,” and has vowed to fight them.

“I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I am a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife,” he said in a video on Friday, two days before he ended his gubernatorial bid.

Swalwell is also facing pressure to resign from the House. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, has threatened to force a vote as soon as this week to expel Swalwell. Several Democrats have said they would back the effort.

The Ethics Committee, which conducts its investigative work in secret, is not known to move quickly, and lawmakers could use the investigation as cover to avoid expelling Swalwell immediately.

Luna told CBS News she intends to move forward with an expulsion resolution regardless of the the Ethics Committee’s announcement.

“I’m still doing the resolution,” Luna said. “I think we have the votes. It’s nice that congressional Ethics is doing that. However, my issue with Ethics in the past is that people will use it as an off-ramp to get out of voting for expulsion.”

Luna added that she will officially give notice of her intent to file a privileged motion on Tuesday, starting the clock for leadership to schedule a vote within two legislative days. Luna said she hopes a vote could be held Wednesday.

“I’ve been talking to leadership for a while on some of my concerns with some of the members that we currently have serving and they have not asked me to back off,” she said.

More than a dozen House Democrats in battleground districts wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, urging them to “expedite” Ethics Committee investigations as several members face allegations of misconduct and possible expulsion votes.

“As the House returns to session this week, we urge you to take immediate action,” said the letter, which was led by Democratic Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada. “We respectfully request that you work together in a bipartisan manner to ensure these investigations proceed swiftly, that findings are made public, and that action is brought to the floor for a vote.”

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/eric-swalwell-reacts-as-more-details-emerge-on-sexual-assault-allegations/

Appeals court lets Trump resume White House ballroom construction, seeks lower court clarity

April 13, 2026 3:26pm EDT / Fox News

Trump announced plans for the 90,000-square-foot project in July

By Breanne Deppisch Fox News

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., on Saturday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to temporarily resume construction of his planned White House ballroom, granting a near-term win to the administration as it pushes forward with the nearly $400 million project.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed late last year by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sought to block the construction. The group argued that the project violates multiple federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, and charged that the plans amounted to executive overreach without required approval from Congress and federal planning bodies.

A lower court judge last month put the project on hold, triggering the administration’s appeal.

TRUMP ADMIN FIGHTS IN COURT TO KEEP WHITE HOUSE EAST WING DEMOLITION, $300M BALLROOM BUILD ON TRACK

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shows a rendering of the ballroom to reporters.(Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, in March issued a preliminary injunction blocking construction of the ballroom, finding the Trump administration likely lacked the legal authority to proceed without congressional approval. He said the government had not shown it had clear authorization to replace parts of the East Wing with a privately funded structure.

Leon’s order paused most construction work on the ballroom, though he allowed activity tied to White House security concerns, and briefly delayed enforcement of his ruling until mid-April, to give the administration time to appeal the case to a higher court.

The Trump administration quickly asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to intervene, arguing that the project is critical to the safety and security of the “president, his family, and White House staff.”

The 2-1 ruling from the circuit court did not immediately side with the Trump administration, but gave it temporary relief.

A majority of judges on the panel said the court needed more explanation from Leon before deciding whether construction should remain blocked.

Specifically, the judges asked Leon to clarify whether stopping the project would harm national security, as the Trump administration claims.

US APPEALS COURT HALTS TRUMP CONTEMPT PROBE ORDERED BY BOASBERG, FOR NOW

President Donald Trump gesturing as he speaks

President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House.(Alex Brandon/AP)

The appeals court also paused Leon’s order through April 17, giving the Trump administration time to ask the Supreme Court for emergency intervention if it chooses.

For now, the case will return to the district court for further explanation.

Trump first announced plans for the 90,000-square-foot ballroom in July, initially estimating the cost at around $200 million. He has said the project would be funded “100% by me and some friends of mine.”

Lawyers for the administration have pushed back on the lawsuit, arguing the president has authority over White House construction decisions and that Congress does not need to approve the project.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASKS SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW EL SALVADOR DEPORTATION FLIGHT CASE

The White House demolition process of the East Wing.(The Associated Press)

“No taxpayer dollars are being used for the funding of this beautiful, desperately needed, and completely secure… ballroom,” Justice Department lawyers said in court filings.

They added that past White House expansions, including the East and West Wings, did not require congressional involvement in their design or construction.

The National Trust, meanwhile, maintains the project cannot move forward without complying with federal law and proper review processes.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Justice Department declined to comment on the ongoing litigation or whether it plans to seek Supreme Court intervention.

Breanne Deppisch is a national politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, with a focus on the Justice Department, FBI and other national news. She previously covered national politics at the Washington Examiner and The Washington Post, with additional bylines in Politico Magazine, the Colorado Gazette and others. You can send tips to Breanne at Breanne.Deppisch@fox.com, or follow her on X at @breanne_dep.

House Ethics Committee announces investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell

2026-04-13T17:48:36.746Z / CNN

By Clare Foran

PUBLISHED Apr 13, 2026, 1:48 PM ET

Rep. Eric Swalwell speaks at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, on February 21.

Jeff Chiu/AP/File

The House Ethics Committee announced on Monday that it has opened an investigation into misconduct allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell.

The news comes as the California Democrat is under increasing scrutiny after CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer accused him sexual assault, describing a night of drinking that ended with Swalwell having sex with her when she could not consent. Swalwell, who suspended his campaign for California governor this weekend, faces calls for expulsion from Congress.

The committee said in a statement that it has opened an investigation into allegations that Swalwell “violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.”

The panel stated that “the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”

In addition to the allegation of sexual assault, three other women who spoke with CNN alleged other sexual misconduct, including that Swalwell sent unsolicited nude photos and graphic messages.

Swalwell has strongly and repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault.

“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he posted Sunday on X in his announcement suspending his campaign. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

DHS orders thousands of furloughed employees back to work despite ongoing shutdown

2026-04-13T15:35:00-0400 / CBS News

By

Updated on: April 13, 2026 / 3:58 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington— The Department of Homeland Security has ordered thousands of furloughed employees back to work, according to internal emails obtained by CBS News, even as most of the agency technically remains shut down and unfunded by Congress.

The directive, which was issued to employees at DHS agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, marks a significant shift in how the administration is managing the funding lapse, effectively blurring long-standing distinctions between furloughed employees and those who remain on the job during a government shutdown.

“All DHS employees … are being returned to a work and paid status,” DHS Chief Human Capital Officer La’ Toya Prieur wrote in an April 10 notice to staff, adding that employees are to report “on your next regularly scheduled duty day.”

A separate internal message to FEMA personnel states more bluntly: “All FEMA employees will be placed in exempt status and are expected to report in person to their normal duty station.”

Historically, during lapses in federal funding, only “excepted” employees — those deemed necessary for the protection of life and property — continue working, usually without pay. Non-excepted workers are typically furloughed and barred from performing their duties.

DHS’ move upends that framework. Under the new guidance, the department said it has determined that employees’ roles “advance the purpose of available appropriations,” which allows them to resume “normal duties” despite the funding gap.

DHS acknowledged in its notice to employees that it is relying on limited funding streams. “DHS is using available funds to ensure employees are paid,” the notice stated, saying that a new status update will be issued if those funds run out.

Paying DHS employees

The directive comes on the heels of a presidential memorandum issued April 3 that directed the department to find a way to provide back pay for DHS workers since the start of the shutdown, which began on Feb. 14. More than 35,000 DHS employees began receiving paychecks last Friday, the first time they had been paid in weeks.

As CBS News first reported last week, newly confirmed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that most department employees would see money covering recent missed pay periods in their accounts by Monday.

“The majority of everybody will be paid by then,” Mullin told CBS News while on his first official visit as DHS secretary in Chimney Rock, North Carolina.

But the secretary warned that future checks for DHS employees — outside of law enforcement officials — would depend entirely on lawmakers.

“Going forward, we’ve got to wait on Congress. This was kind of a rifle shot,” he said, noting the high cost of covering DHS’ payroll every two weeks. The department told employees this week that they would not be paid again until the congressional impasse over funding the agency ends.

The timeline for a resolution on Capitol Hill is unclear. The Senate struck a deal last month to fund DHS with the exception of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. House Republicans initially balked at the plan, but GOP leaders and the president have since coalesced around a strategy that would fund DHS through the normal appropriations process while funding ICE and CBP through budget reconciliation, which would not require Democratic votes.

Some House Republicans have said they won’t support the broader DHS funding bill until progress is made on passing the reconciliation package. President Trump has stated he wants a reconciliation bill on his desk by June 1.

Legal and operational questions

Recalling thousands of furloughed staffers to work despite the ongoing shutdown raises immediate legal and budgetary questions, particularly around the Antideficiency Act, which restricts federal agencies from obligating funds that are not appropriated by Congress.

By issuing the return-to-work notice, the Trump administration appears to be invoking emergency authorities or reinterpreting what qualifies as “excepted” work, expanding it to cover a broad category of homeland security operations.

The administration has framed the move as necessary to maintain national security and disaster readiness.

Emails obtained by CBS News reference the president’s order “directing the immediate payment and recall of all furloughed Department of Homeland Security employees.”

For DHS employees, the recall brings a return to normalcy but also uncertainty.

While the department promised to pay workers using “available funds,” it cautioned that those funds may be temporary. “Should the Department exhaust currently available funds… you will receive a new notification of your work status,” the email stated.

Employees were also warned that failure to report could result in discipline: “Failure to report for duty as directed… may result in administrative or disciplinary action.”

Implications for disaster response

For FEMA, the change could have immediate operational benefits — at least in the short term.

With hurricane season approaching and spring flooding already underway in parts of the country, bringing back the full workforce allows the agency to resume some level of planning, training and logistical coordination that would otherwise stall during a shutdown.

However, the constraints remain significant. Recalled employees are barred from overtime, a key tool during disaster response, and must limit their work to “excepted” functions.

Additionally, while disaster response and recovery can continue through a shutdown, the money within the Disaster Relief Fund is running low as the shutdown drags on. The stalled DHS appropriations bill would replenish the fund with more than $26 billion.

Premier League soccer player Dominic Frimpong killed in armed attack on team bus in Ghana

April 13, 2026 / 8:50 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Dominic Frimpong of Ghanaian Premier League club Berekum Chelsea was killed after the team’s bus was attacked by a group of suspected armed robbers, the country’s soccer association said Monday.

The incident happened on Sunday as Berekum Chelsea was returning from its game against Samartex in Samreboi in southern Ghana, the club said in a statement.

“Masked men welding guns and assault rifles started shooting at our bus as the driver tried to reverse. The players and staff fled into nearby bushes to take cover,” the statement read.

The club said one of the players was badly injured and receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

The Ghanaian Football Association later said 20-year-old winger Dominic Frimpong was reportedly killed in the incident.

“This tragic incident is not only a huge loss to Berekum Chelsea but also to Ghana football as a whole. Dominic was a promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game embodied the spirit of our league,” the governing body said in a statement.

In a social media post, the president of the Ghanaian Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon Okrakru, called the incident “heartbreaking.”

“May Dominic’s soul rest in perfect peace,” he wrote.

Frimpong joined Berekum Chelsea FC on loan from Aduana Stars FC at the beginning of the year. He played 13 games and scored two goals for the club, according to local media.

Police said another victim, 52-year-old George Owusu Afriyie, was also robbed of more than$400 during the attack.

The GFA added it would strengthen security measures for clubs traveling for domestic competitions.

Ghanaian sports journalist Muftawu Abdulai told BBC Sport Africa that fans are increasingly questioning whether it is “safe to travel and play league matches.”

“If the lives of the people or the key architect of the game cannot be protected then it is not worth playing the game,” Abdulai told BBC Sport Africa.

In 2023, another Ghanian Premier League team’s bus, Legon Cities, was attacked by suspected armed robbers, though no injuries were reported.

未来的服役体检结果，不再只是一个体能等级，而是一套更细致的评估结果，更清楚地反映入伍青年能参与的训练，以及适合担任的职务。图为即将入伍的青年在中央人力局的健康分级中心，接受功能测试，评估活动能力等。 （张俊杰摄）

国民服役的健康分级制度更新，让将入伍的青年心情复杂。有的认为这是更公平、更有发挥空间的安排；也有的担心，评估更细致后，可能被分配到体能要求更高的岗位，压力反而更大。

家长则普遍认为制度更具弹性，但关键在于评估是否准确。

我国服役制度沿用超过50年的“体能等级分类”（PES）将走入历史。明年10月起入伍的国民服役人员，今年中陆续接受体检时，将按更新后的健康分级制度接受评估。

体检结果不再只是一个体能等级，而是一套更细致的评估结果，更清楚地反映入伍青年能参与的训练，以及适合担任的职务。

受访学生：担心新制度增加心理负担

共和理工学院一年级生王泓凯（17岁）认为，更新制度有利有弊。他说，利方面是或许可让更多人被安排到更适合，也更能发挥作用的岗位，整体上有助增强我国国防实力。

不过，他也提到，不少同龄人都觉得，如果被分配到要求更高的岗位，可能会增加心理负担。

预计明年入伍的许颂阳（19岁，学生）也有类似担忧。他刚完成入伍前体检，被评为PES B1等级，与最高的PES A等级一样，适合担任所有作战岗位。

他说，这个结果让他感到意外，因为他在体检时申报哮喘及儿时耳鼻喉病史，原以为会获得较低等级。

在理工院主修信息科技的他说：“我其实很担心被分配到体能要求高的前线岗位，我更想做网络安全相关的工作，会更符合我的兴趣和专长。”

相比之下，义安理工学院一年级生汪凉子（17岁），更正面看待健康分级制度更新和影响。他平时有运动习惯，身体健康，也没有受过伤，因此对体检结果和体能要求都不太担心，也不排斥被分配到前线岗位。

共和理工学院二年级生苏海尔（Suhail，19岁）则认为制度更灵活，能让更多人有机会争取理想岗位。他一直希望加入民防部队，但担心自己对海鲜过敏会是一种局限。如今，他更有信心去尝试。

“如果只是因为这种无法控制的因素就不能去自己想做的岗位，确实很可惜。”

国防部指出，对海鲜过敏的人员，在现行制度下可能评为PES C级，无法参加个人体能测验和障碍训练；制度更新后，若评估显示不影响体能，便可参与相关训练，并有机会分配到过去不符合条件的岗位。

家长：关键在于评估是否准确

相比年轻人对岗位分配的期待与顾虑，家长更关注评估是否准确、训练是否安全。

刘群芳（53岁，行政人员）的小儿子目前就读初级学院二年级，预计明年毕业后入伍。她认为，更新制度是正面的改变，让服役人员有更多选择和发挥空间，不再受限于单一等级。

不过，她也说，这类调整难免也让家长担忧，毕竟他们对孩子的健康格外关注。“如果有潜在风险，就应该还是给予医疗豁免，不能让他们接受太激烈的训练。”

急诊科医生马儿肯教授（61岁）的幼子本杰明，目前在国防数码防卫与情报军部队（DIS）的联合情报指挥部总部担任系统专才。

本杰明原本因肩伤等旧伤被评为PES B4级，后来经过复评，提升至PES B2，得以进入见习军士学校，并表现出色，获颁数码情报军的“银刺刀”奖。

马儿肯说，身为父亲，他既希望孩子尽责服役，却也难免担心他的安全；但作为医生，他相信更新后的制度更具弹性，可随健康状况变化重新为服役人员评估，让他们到更合适的岗位，贡献所长。

“健康状况是动态的，人会受伤，也会康复。一个更灵活的制度……更能让每个人发挥潜能。”

美媒：美伊谈判大门尚未关闭 双方仍在讨价还价

2026年4月13日 23:17 / 联合早报

美伊官员4月11日在巴基斯坦伊斯兰堡启动谈判，率领美国团队的副总统万斯当天与巴基斯坦总理谢里夫（右）会晤。 （路透社）

美国媒体报道，巴基斯坦、埃及和土耳其调解人，会在未来几天继续与美国和伊朗磋商，以期弥合剩余分歧，达成结束战争的协议。

美国新闻网站Axios星期一（4月13日）引述消息人士和美国官员报道，尽管美伊上周在巴基斯坦伊斯兰堡的谈判未能取得成果，各方仍相信，达成协议是有可能的。调解人希望，通过缩小分歧，能在4月21日停火期满前，促成新一轮谈判。

另据新华社报道，巴基斯坦国防部长阿西夫星期一接受当地媒体采访时说，新一轮美伊谈判预计很快启动。

阿西夫表明，美伊恢复对话的可能性依然存在。他对早前会谈结果感到满意，并称迄今出现的都是积极进展。

一名地区消息人士告诉Axios，如果美国的海上封锁措施无法迫使伊朗改变立场，总统特朗普考虑重启空袭，袭击目标可能包括他在停火前恫言要打击的基础设施。

一名美国官员说，特朗普希望阻止伊朗在谈判中将霍尔木兹海峡作为筹码。

地区消息人士表明：“我们并未陷入完全僵局。大门尚未关闭。双方都在讨价还价。这就像集市一样。”