us President donald trump On Friday the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route and a key choke point in the Iran war, was dubbed the “Strait of Hormuz.”Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami, Trump said, “Iran has to open up the Strait of Hormuz, I mean, Hormuz,” Trump said, prompting laughter from the audience.He then said, “Sorry. I’m so sorry. Such a terrible mistake,” before adding, “The fake news will say, ‘She said by mistake’, ‘No, I haven’t had an accident, not too bad. If there was, we’d have a big story.'”The comments come at a time when the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, has become the epicenter of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The waterway typically handles the movement of about 20 million barrels of oil per day, making it one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.Iran’s ability to disrupt or block access through the strait has contributed to significant volatility in global energy supplies and prices. The conflict is nearing its second month, while the United States claims to have “destroyed” Iran’s military capabilities.Earlier in the week, Trump had suggested that control of the strait could be jointly managed by “me and the Ayatollahs” as part of a possible solution. He has also said that Iran is in talks with the US and is “begging” for a compromise, although officials in Tehran have denied any direct talks.Separately, a New York Post report cited by Axios said Trump is considering the possibility of taking control of the strait and naming it after himself or as “America’s Strait.” This idea echoes their earlier effort to relabel the Gulf of Mexico.The comments are in line with Trump’s long-standing approach to branding, where he has often used his name in business and public ventures. This also echoes a previous post on Truth Social in October, where he jokingly mentioned the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, using its name.The Kennedy Center’s board later voted to rename the institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center”, according to a White House announcement in December.

Tech mogul Bill Gates said he never visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island, where some of the late financier’s sex crimes were committed. But the emails show that over a four-year period, Epstein made a concerted effort to lure her and her family members to the Caribbean destination.This correspondence reflects an enduring friendship between Epstein and Gates’s chief science advisor, Boris Nikolic, that extended far beyond business and philanthropy to include exchanges of nude photography, notes on the attractiveness of women, and discussions with him on Gates’ priorities and prospects. The emails, part of a trove of Justice Department records, show that Nikolic, who worked at Gates’ venture firm, acted as Gates’s proxy, often coordinating meetings between the Microsoft Corp. co-founder and Epstein, and sometimes discussing Epstein’s ability to connect Gates with associates.Gates has worked to downplay his ties to the convicted sex offender since their affair came to light in 2019. Nikolic did not respond to requests for comment. In 2019, Nikolic was listed as the backup executor of Epstein’s will – which he said at the time he was “shocked” to be a part of. Several email threads between 2011 and 2014 demonstrate Epstein’s efforts to lure Gates to his private island through Nikolic. In December 2014, Epstein wrote directly to Gates.“Many interesting people come to the island during the holidays. Of course you and your family are welcome. Eva, Kathy Rumler. Women with whom Melinda can relax.” Ruemmler recently said she would resign as Goldman Sachs Group’s top lawyer over her ties to Epstein.Bill Gates said he never spoke to any of Epstein’s victims. A spokesperson said, “Gates was not aware of the correspondence between Nikolic and Epstein.” Publicly, Gates and Nikolic no longer have a relationship.The documents provide fresh information about the type of conversations that took place in Gates’ circle a decade ago. The emails detail explicit daily conversations between Nikolic and Epstein, ranging from Nikolic requesting “nude or semi-nude” photos of “hot girls” on the island to discussing massages with “happy endings.”In an October 2011 email where Epstein tells Nikolic, “Happy birthday Bill,” Nikolic replies, “I forwarded him your email and told him we’re sending him a big cake with strippers on it,” possibly misspelling the word “strippers.” It is unknown to what extent Gates was aware of the negotiations. A foundation employee told Epstein in an email that Gates avoided communicating directly with Melinda Gates because of her discomfort.

Michelle Lynn Hundley Smith is seen crying, embracing her daughter Amanda, who went missing 24 years ago in North Carolina./ Image: NY Post

More than two decades after disappearing without a trace, Michelle Lynn Hundley Smith has now been found alive, and reunited with her family for the first time. The discovery in 2026 of a North Carolina mother who disappeared in 2001 ended years of uncertainty. Weeks later, a brief but emotional reunion in a courtroom has begun to reshape a story that until recently was defined by absences, unanswered questions and grief.

A disappearance that lasted for decades

In December 2001, Michelle Smith, who was 38 at the time, left her home in Eden, North Carolina, telling her family that she was going to a Kmart in Martinsville, Virginia to do some Christmas shopping. She never returned. Her husband reported her missing on December 31, 2001, after which a massive search was launched involving multiple agencies in North Carolina and Virginia, including the FBI. Investigators described the case at the time as disturbing and unusual, noting that she would not have willingly abandoned her children.

(Facebook/Bring Michelle Hundley Smith Home), An image of Michelle Smith is in the court file of her DWI case.

Despite years of tips and follow-up, the case went cold, leaving her family with no answers for more than two decades.

Found “alive and well” in February 2026

The case suddenly changed in February 2026, when the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Smith was found “alive and well” after a new lead. Authorities said she was living in North Carolina, but did not disclose her exact location, citing privacy concerns. His family was informed soon after. Authorities have not publicly disclosed where she was for more than 24 years or the full circumstances of her disappearance. Asked later after appearing in court, Smith said: “It was personal.” She added, “I had my own demons at that time and I was in my own mind, and I had my own reasons.” Charlotte Observer. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page said People The magazine said Smith blamed “domestic issues” for her departure, adding: “I just want to say that there was no allegation of any foul play in connection with her departure… but according to Ms. Smith, she said she left…because of domestic issues going on at the time.”

First contact and court reunion

In the weeks after she was found, Smith and her daughter Amanda Smith cautiously began reaching out. according to New York PostAmanda said they had been “talking and texting” since February. “Nothing personal because it was over the phone, but she knew I was coming [to the courthouse]”she explained. That meeting took place Thursday at the Rockingham County District Courthouse, where Michelle Smith appeared in connection with a driving under the influence (DWI) charge issued before her disappearance more than 24 years ago. She is due to return to court on April 23. Amanda had traveled there specifically to support her mother. Videos including local outlets WXII And WFMY News 2 It shows the moment when they saw each other and embraced emotionally.

Michelle Smith and daughter Amanda reunite and embrace at the courthouse after 24 years apart/ Image: NY Post

“It was weird. It was wild. It was emotional. I went over to him, hugged him and we cried a little bit,” Amanda told WFMY News 2. According to WXII, he said, “I know everything is not black and white, there’s a whole gray area. I mean, life is too short for me to hold a grudge against her, because she’s my mom.” She added, “We only get one life and I want my mother in it.” After the hearing, Mitchell reportedly walked out of the court and got into the same car with her daughter. Amanda also said: “I won’t hold any grudges… things happen. I still love her as my mother and a friend, and will go from there.” “She’s still my mother,” he said.

Family reactions: relief, anger, and uncertainty

This reunion takes place amid a mix of complex emotions throughout the family. Amanda had previously described the days following the February discovery as overwhelming. In a Facebook post quoted by local media, she wrote: “I’m happy, I’m drunk, I’m heartbroken, I’m all over the world!” She further said, “Will I have a relationship with my mother again? Honestly, I can’t answer that because I don’t even know… My initial reaction would be yes, of course, but then I think about all the suffering… but still… my mom is only human, like we all are.’ “With everything I’ve been through in life, I can completely understand the unloading and letting go… I’m not saying she gets off without any accountability or responsibility because she absolutely needs to do that… What I’m saying is that I’m a runner too, and while it’s not at all something to be proud of, it’s a part of being human.”

In Switzerland, construction doesn’t start with concrete or cranes, but with something more unusual. Empty structures explore the future. Weeks before a building is approved, tall pillars rise from the ground, connected by thin lines that map out walls, roofs and balconies in the air. Known as BauProfiles, these full-scale outlines turn architectural drawings into physical reality. They allow anyone to see, judge, and even challenge a building before it comes into existence, turning urban planning into a visible and participatory process rather than a purely bureaucratic one.

How high are the pillars of houses before construction in Switzerland map

The construction of the BauProfile is both simple and precise. Surveyors begin by translating architectural plans into precise ground coordinates, marking out the structure’s footprint. From there, tall poles, often several meters high, are installed at critical points such as corners, roof edges and façade edges.These pillars are connected using wires, cables or wooden slats to define the external geometry of the building. In some cases, additional markers indicate balconies, terraces or sloped roofs, giving a surprisingly precise sense of volume. Although the structure lacks mass, it conveys proportion with surprising clarity. Standing near it, one can estimate not only the measurements but also the appearance and how the building will feel within the space it occupies.BowProfiles are not an aesthetic choice. They are embedded in Switzerland’s planning framework. Once a construction proposal is submitted, authorities are required to demonstrate its physical outline during an official notification period, which usually lasts two to three weeks depending on the canton.This period is important. This is when neighbors and local stakeholders can examine the proposal in real-world situations and raise objections if necessary. Concerns can range from blocked sunlight and altered sight lines to broader issues of neighborhood character. By making the proposal visible at full scale, the system ensures that objections are informed by lived experience rather than abstract interpretation.

Why aren’t pictures and renders enough?

Architectural plans, no matter how detailed, demand a level of spatial imagination that most people do not possess. Even advanced 3D renders can mislead, often presenting idealized views that fail to capture the real-world effect.BauProfile addresses this gap by placing the building directly into its environment, as a skeleton. Shadows can be seen, sight lines can be examined and scale can be immediately understood. What may seem acceptable on paper may seem burdensome when laid out physically, and vice versa. This immediacy reduces misunderstandings and prevents disputes from escalating once construction begins.

a system that redistributes power

One of the most important aspects of BauProfiles is how they impact change within the planning process. Instead of decisions being limited to architects, developers and regulatory bodies, ordinary residents are given a solid basis for participation.This doesn’t mean that every objection stops a project, but it does ensure that concerns are hard to ignore. Developers, who know that their plans will be subject to physical public scrutiny, are often encouraged to design more sensitively from the beginning. In this way, BauProfile serves as both preview and accountability.

can invisible buildings Work outside Switzerland?

The idea behind BowProfile is universally relevant, making future developments understandable before they are even built. In cities grappling with disputes over space, skyline and environmental impact, such a system could increase transparency and trust.However, its success depends on more than just implementation. This requires a legal framework that allows for meaningful public objection as well as a willingness among developers and officials to accommodate that process. Without these conditions, the poles would become symbolic rather than functional.

see the future before it comes

Switzerland’s “invisible buildings” demonstrate a simple but powerful principle. People make better decisions when they can clearly see the consequences. By turning plans into physical outlines, BeauProfile bridges the gap between imagination and reality.In an age dominated by digital visualization, this analog method seems almost counterintuitive. Yet its effectiveness lies in its simplicity. Before anything is built, the future is briefly made visible, giving communities a rare opportunity to engage in what is to come rather than react to what has already happened.