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Monday, May 4, 2026

Maersk Vessel Exits Persian Gulf Under US Military Escort

 


Maersk said that its commercial vessel the Alliance Fairfax was among US-flagged ships that transited the Strait of Hormuz with assistance from the US military on Monday.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-04/maersk-vessel-exits-persian-gulf-under-us-military-escort

Iran threatens UAE with sweeping strikes if it makes any 'unwise' move

 

The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency cited a military source as warning that if the UAE becomes “a plaything of Israel” and takes any “unwise” action, Iran would target all Emirati interests and treat the country as “part of the Zionist regime.”

“No official threat has so far been announced by the Emiratis,” the military source told Tasnim. “But if the Emiratis become a plaything of Israel and make a wrong move, they will learn a lesson they will never forget.”

“If the UAE takes any unwise action, all its interests will become targets for Iran, and no part of Emirati facilities will be safe,” the source added.

“The UAE knows it is sitting in a very fragile glass house, and insecurity is absolute poison for it,” the source said. “If it wants to repeat the mistake of the 40-day war, we will completely abandon restraint and treat this Zionist nest as part of the Zionist regime.”

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604294038

Waltz says US to draft UN resolution on Hormuz with allies

 

The United States will co-draft a UN Security Council resolution with Bahrain and its allies in the Persian Gulf aimed at holding Iran to account over the Strait of Hormuz, US envoy to the UN Mike Waltz said on Monday.

The draft would require Iran to stop laying sea mines in the strait, halt tolling efforts and disclose the number and locations of mines it has placed.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202604294038

Welfare Enrollment Drops Sharply Following New Federal Work Requirements

 Via American Greatness,

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has declined significantly since new federal work requirements took effect in mid-2025, with millions fewer Americans receiving benefits, according to newly reported federal data.

The number of people enrolled in SNAP has fallen by roughly 3.5 million since July 2025, dropping from an average of 42.1 million participants in the prior fiscal year to about 38.5 million as of January 2026, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

The decline follows the implementation of expanded eligibility rules included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law by Donald Trump on July 4, 2025.

The legislation broadened existing work requirements for able-bodied adults, mandating that individuals between the ages of 18 and 64 without young dependents participate in at least 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or government-run programs.

Previously, the requirements applied to a narrower age group and included different criteria for dependents, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP. Officials told The Wall Street Journal that the recent changes represent the most sweeping adjustments to the program in decades.

Under the updated policy, eligibility restrictions have also tightened for some categories of legal immigrants. Federal law has long barred undocumented immigrants from receiving SNAP benefits.

Data compiled by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that nearly every state has experienced a decline since the policy took effect.

Alaska, Hawaii, and Kentucky are exceptions, each reporting modest increases.

Meanwhile, SNAP participation in Guam has risen sharply, while Puerto Rico operates under a separate nutrition assistance program.

Several states, including Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, have reported double-digit percentage declines. In response, some state officials have begun efforts to connect affected residents with employment and volunteer opportunities to help them meet the new requirements.

Arizona has seen the steepest drop, with participation falling by more than half.

According to state data, more than 424,000 fewer residents are receiving benefits, including approximately 181,000 children. State officials attributed much of the decline to the rapid implementation of the new federal rules.

“The expanded work requirements were primarily responsible for the drop,” Brett Bezio, a spokesman for Arizona’s Department of Economic Security, told The Wall Street Journal.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/welfare-enrollment-drops-sharply-following-new-federal-work-requirements

Rhythm Pharma new long-term, Phase 3 pediatric IMCIVREE data in acquired hypothalamic obesity

 

Rhythm Pharma reports new long-term and Phase 3 pediatric IMCIVREE data showing sustained BMI and weight-category improvements in acquired hypothalamic obesity

  • Data presented at Pediatric Endocrine Society meeting highlight durable BMI reductions and improved weight categories with setmelanotide.

Zelensky announces ceasefire starting May 6

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday a "ceasefire regime" starting at 00:00 am on May 6, as a response to the Russian ceasefire on May 8-9 on the occasion of Victory Day.

"We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary 'celebration,'" Zelensky wrote on X, adding that "we will act reciprocally starting from that moment." He noted that Kiev has not received an official appeal from Moscow regarding the "modality of a cessation of hostilities."

"It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill," Zelensky concluded.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Zelensky-announces-ceasefire-starting-May-6/66212601

Hospitals face compliance pressure on nutrition

 HHS is urging the public to report hospitals and nursing homes that serve sugary drinks, nutrition shakes or meals that don’t meet new dietary guidelines, and warned healthcare facilities it would withhold federal funding if violations occurred, KFF Health News reported May 4. 

Here’s what to know:

1. A March 30 CMS memo reminded hospitals of their obligations related to nutrition services under Medicare’s Conditions of Participation. CMS said hospital menus, food procurement and nutrition protocols should align with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released Jan. 7 by the Trump administration. The guidelines urged hospitals to eliminate or limit ultraprocessed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, processed meats and deep-fried cooking methods from patient menus. Meals should contain fewer than 10 grams of added sugar unless clinically indicated. The guidelines prioritize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and minimally processed proteins, including plant-based options. For postsurgical patients on clear liquid diets, CMS encourages lower-sugar or no-added-sugar alternatives to traditionally sweetened options such as gelatin and clear juices. 

2. A post on X from Calley Means, a top advisor to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said, “If a hospital is serving patients sugary drinks, they are out of compliance with government standards and are putting their reimbursements in jeopardy. If you see patients being served sugary drinks, please post information below or let CMS know.” A comment on the post linked to the HHS website with a toll-free number to report complaints. This number is typically used for medical bills.

3. Mr. Kennedy is facing backlash from physicians and providers over the policy, saying it failed to account for patients’ unique dietary needs. 

4. It is not clear whether HHS has the regulatory authority to enforce its threat without a formal rulemaking process, lawyers told KFF Health News

5. CMS requires that “individual patient nutritional needs must be met in accordance with recognized dietary practices.” 

“CMS has never before interpreted this requirement as mandating adherence to any set of dietary guidelines,” according to an April 13 brief from law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. 

6. Hospitals are likely to comply with the demands to avoid enforcement actions, but if federal funding was withheld, hospitals could sue to challenge HHS’ authority, the report said. 

7. Miami-based Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is the first institution to sign a pledge expanding farm-to-hospital food sourcing amid a broader push from CMS for hospitals to reform their nutrition services. The pledge formalized partnerships with Florida farmers to supply locally sourced food. The initiative also supports workforce training, medically tailored meals and expanded sourcing pathways for local producers, according to CMS.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-experience/hospitals-face-compliance-pressure-on-nutrition-7-notes/