Regional officials told the Associated Press yesterday that The United States is close to reaching a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, though U.S. President Donald Trump said he told representatives “not to rush into a deal.” Trump said negotiations were “proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner,” and the relationship with Iran was becoming “much more professional and productive.” He also pushed back against criticism by some fellow Republicans seeking a tougher approach. There is no timeline for the deal to be signed, though it has been reported that the first steps would be to reopen the Straight of Hormuz and end the US blockade of Iranian ports, while a 60 day period would be set for further negotiations about Iran’s uranium cache. Overnight markets responded positively for consumers, with oil futures falling to a two-week low.
Toronto police have released an updated photo and a new website as part of their search efforts for a teen girl who has been missing for eight days. Police say 14-year-old Esther was last seen in the area of Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road just after midnight on May 16, and they are concerned for her safety. Police say Esther has been diagnosed as being on the spectrum, and have previously said she was last seen in the Earl Bales Park area on May 15. Esther is described as white, five feet two inches tall with medium build and brown hair, and she was last seen wearing grey sweatpants, a turquoise sweater and no shoes. Investigators have set up a dedicated website to collect information on her case and share their tip line, which can be reached at tps.to/findesther.
More than 4,500 community and social service workers across Ontario, may go on strike today over what they say is provincial government underfunding. As part of a co-ordinated province-wide labour action, workers are protesting the rippling effects of the years of Bill 124, which froze salary increases for broader public sector workers. Stagnant wages have left hundreds of workers to seek multiple jobs, unable to make ends meet and facing mounting financial pressure. Workers first gave strike notice earlier this month and “have been bargaining with their individual employers — non-profit agencies and organizations that are primarily funded by the provincial government,” according to a Friday media release by OPSEU.
It was a busy Sunday in the County and the rain and cold didn’t stop our Brenda Little from getting out there (60s)
That’s your County FM news, Sports is next.
Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays modest 4-game win streak came to an end yesterday in a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but more importantly, the team suffered yet more injuries – both in the 5th inning. Pitcher Dylan Cease was taken out of the game after a leg issue, and later in the inning Vladimir Guerrerro Jr left the game after taking a pitch to the right elbow. A medical report later yesterday said the arm isn’t fractured.
Turning to the NHL playoffs, the Vegas Golden Knights welcomed the Colorado Avalanche to T-Mobile Arena for game 3 of their best of 7 Western Conference final, up two games to none. The Avs went up three goals before Vegas scored five unanswered to win 5-3 and move to within one win of their third Stanley Cup final appearance in 5 years.
Memorial Day Sunday is traditionally the biggest day in motorsports. This year we started with the Indy 500, followed up in Montreal with the Canadian Grand Prix, and ended with Nascar’s Coca Cola 600. Here’s how those events shook out. Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist made a last second pass on David Malukas on the last lap, giving us the closest finish in the history of the 110 year-old event. For the record, the margin of victory was .02 seconds. Turning to Formula One, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were giving fans a battle for the ages, before Russell’s engine expired, giving Antonelli a straight forward run to victory. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton scored a popular second, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. And Daniel Suarez won a rain-shortened Coca Cola 600, paying tribute to the late Kyle Busch who died earlier in the week from pneumonia.
And, in the English Premier League, it was the final week of the season, and title winners Arsenal were awarded their trophy after a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. One more game ahead for the Gunners, as they face PSG this coming Saturday in the Champions League final.
