Israel and Lebanon enter 10-day ceasefire
The U.S. Department of State announced on Thursday that the Israeli and Lebanese governments have agreed to a “cessation of hostilities” for an initial period of 10 days, extendable upon mutual agreement. The ceasefire comes after weeks of intense conflict — primarily between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon. Reports say more than 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced.
While Israel has agreed to not carry out any offensive operations against Lebanon during the ceasefire, it retains the right to self-defense, according to the announcement. The Lebanese government is expected to work to prevent attacks against Israeli targets by Hezbollah and other nonstate armed groups in its territory. The U.S. is set to facilitate talks for broader peace negotiations between the two nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had an “opportunity to forge a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” but will maintain troops in a “reinforced security buffer zone,” according to The Washington Post.
The Guardian reported that Netanyahu insisted on Hezbollah’s complete disarmament in any long-term deal, while Lebanon demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Hezbollah was not a formal party to the negotiations, raising concerns about the actual implementation of this agreement, alongside unresolved disputes regarding troop presence.
IPO Fusion BBQ plans to open at UCSD
On Friday, UC San Diego’s University Centers announced plans to open IPO Fusion BBQ, a new Hawaiian- and Korean-style barbecue restaurant, in the space previously occupied by Shores Diner. The new restaurant’s opening date is unknown, but the announcement stated that it will “be opening soon.”
Shores Diner permanently closed on Wednesday after two years of business due to scheduling conflicts between the restaurant’s co-owners.
IPO BBQ has one existing location in Poway. The restaurant’s menu includes katsu chicken, BBQ short ribs, and Kālua pork. Restaurant management posted job openings for the La Jolla location, stating that the restaurant “[blends] island-style flavors with Asian culinary influences.”
UCSD’s Operations Management and Capital Programs did not respond to The UCSD Guardian’s request for comment.
Mexico, Spain, Brazil release joint statement on crisis in Cuba
On Saturday, the governments of Mexico, Spain, and Brazil released a joint statement expressing concern about the humanitarian crisis in Cuba. Amid President Donald Trump’s oil blockade of Cuba, the coalition of countries called for increased aid and respect for Cuba’s sovereignty.
The statement also called for “sincere and respectful dialogue” in line with international law.
“Its aim must be to find a lasting solution to the current situation and to ensure that it is the Cuban people themselves who decide their future in complete freedom,” the statement read.
On Jan. 11, President Donald Trump pledged in a post on Truth Social to halt any oil going into Cuba after claiming that the Cuban government threatens the U.S.’s security, as it has allegedly provided support to hostile countries or terrorist groups. In the months following this post, Cuban tankers rarely left the island, and the U.S. military seized ships linked to Cuba in search of fuel. Trump then signed an executive order on Jan. 29, threatening to impose tariffs on countries that helped provide oil to Cuba. This order directly affected Mexico, as it often provided Cuba with oil and aid before Trump’s threats.
Cuban residents currently face inflation, power outages, and gasoline shortages. The Cuban government also reported the arrival of 77,600 tourists in February of this year, a decline from the 178,000 in February 2025.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said he was open to negotiation and finding a way around the blockade, according to The New York Times.
AFSCME 3299 announces open-ended strike next month
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299 union announced an open-ended strike that is set to begin on May 14 and has an undefined end date. The strike will not end until AFSCME 3299 and the University of California agree to a fair contract, according to the union’s website.
AFSCME 3299 is a union that represents over 40,000 service and patient-care workers across the University of California.
AFSCME 3299’s initial strike announcement also detailed the filing of two unfair labor practice charges against the UC. The allegations accused the university of conducting “unlawful imposition of healthcare increases and other unlawful terms” and refusing “to bargain over [the union’s] housing benefits”
Kathryn Lybarger, executive vice president of AFSCME 3299, spoke at a press conference announcing the strike.
“We are here today because we’ve had enough,” Lybarger said. “Because UC is not above the law. Because the men and women of AFSCME Local 3299 will hold them accountable.”
The union posted strike locations on its website.
San Diego MTS and NCTD recommend fare increase
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District are jointly advancing a proposal that would significantly increase transit fares for the first time since 2009. If approved, transit users can expect a fare increase as early as this fall.
The two agencies’ board of directors voted on Thursday to recommend the implementation of this proposal to the San Diego Association of Governments’ Transportation Committee. Final proposals will be sent to SANDAG for review, and the final vote is expected to take place in May or June.
If adopted, MTS and NCTD plan to enact the fare increases in two phases, with the second increase planned for fall of 2027. In Phase 1, MTS and NCTD monthly passes would increase from $72 to $85 for adults and from $23 to $28 for senior, disabled, and Medicare riders. In Phase 2, these rates would climb to $95 for adults and $30 for SDM riders.
NCTD COASTER passes would transition from zone pricing to a flat-fare system starting this fall. COASTER one-way fares for adults and SDM riders would remain at the current price of $6.50 and $3.25, respectively. However, monthly COASTER passes would increase to $185 for adults and to $60 for SDM riders. Further details can be found in the MTS board of directors meeting agenda and the NCTD board of directors meeting agenda.
“Rising workforce costs, higher operating expenses, flat sale tax revenues and limited local funding” were contributors to the financial challenges behind the decision, according to an MTS press release on Thursday.
