Brent futures for July delivery fell $3.01, or 2.7%, to $109.09 a barrel as of 0001 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery fell $1.38, or 1.3%, to $107.28. The two benchmarks ‌had hit their ⁠highest levels ⁠since May 5 and April 30, respectively, in the previous session.

The June WTI contract expires on Tuesday, while the most active July contract fell $2.06, or 2%, to $102.32 per barrel.

Trump said on Monday there was a “very good chance” the United States could reach an agreement with Iran to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, hours after announcing the pause in military action to allow talks.

“While Trump’s signal has eased some immediate pressure, the fundamental risks persist … The market is now ⁠watching whether ‌Trump’s comments represent a genuine shift toward de-escalation or just a tactical pause,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

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“Also, how Iran responds to the ⁠latest developments, and what’s actually happening on the water with tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz are key determinants of where oil prices head to from here.”
The Middle East conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries about a fifth of global oil supply, raising concerns over supply disruptions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on Monday that Tehran’s position had been conveyed to the U.S. via Pakistan but provided no further details.

A Pakistani official, speaking on condition of anonymity, ‌said Islamabad had relayed a new proposal between the two sides but noted slow progress.

Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Washington had agreed to waive sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports during ⁠negotiations, but a U.S. official denied the claim.

Separately, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent extended a sanctions waiver by 30 days to allow “energy-vulnerable” countries to continue purchasing Russian seaborne oil.

In the U.S., a record 9.9 million barrels were drawn from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve last week, Energy Department data showed, bringing stockpiles down to about 374 million barrels, the lowest since July 2024.

International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol said commercial oil inventories were falling rapidly, with only a few weeks of supply left due to the conflict and disruption to shipping.

A Texas Chick-fil-A franchise operator is facing a federal lawsuit over allegations that it refused to accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs before ultimately firing her.

According to a complaint filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and obtained by FOX Business, Hatch Trick, Inc. — which operates several Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Austin area — allegedly discriminated against employee Laurel Torode, whose faith prohibits her from working on Saturdays.

Torode, a member of the United Church of God, reportedly disclosed during her interview that she observes the Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. 

The EEOC said the company initially accommodated her request while she worked as a manager overseeing delivery drivers at one Austin-area location.

MULTIPLE PEOPLE INJURED AFTER MASS SHOOTING AT NEW JERSEY CHICK-FIL-A: REPORT

A Texas Chick-fil-A franchise operator is being sued by the EEOC for allegedly refusing to accommodate an employee’s Sabbath observance before firing her. The employee, Laurel Torode, said her faith bars her from working from sunset Friday to sunset (Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

That arrangement allegedly changed several months later.

“In early February 2024, Defendant told Torode that going forward it would require her to work on Saturdays, to include the period in which she observes the Sabbath,” as noted in the complaint.

According to the lawsuit, Torode sought accommodations and met with company officials to discuss alternatives that would allow her to remain in her management role while continuing to observe her Sabbath.

Instead, the company allegedly told her she would need to accept a lower-level delivery driver position with reduced pay, fewer hours and diminished benefits if she wanted to avoid Saturday shifts.

CHICK-FIL-A TESTING NEW SANDWICHES IN 2 CITIES

Laurel Torode, a United Church of God member, said she disclosed during her interview that she could not work from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

When Torode declined the position, Hatch Trick terminated her employment, according to the EEOC.

The EEOC alleges the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires employers to reasonably accommodate employees’ religious beliefs unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

“The duty under federal law to provide reasonable accommodation of religion reflects an acknowledgment by our society of the importance of faith in workers’ everyday lives and an abiding respect for those who observe religious practices as an expression of that faith,” acting EEOC Dallas Regional Attorney Ronald L. Phillips said in a statement.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Austin after the EEOC said efforts to resolve the dispute failed.

SUMMERTIME FAVORITE RETURNS TO CHICK-FIL-A FOR 16TH YEAR

The employee says she was told to accept a lower-paying delivery driver role to avoid Saturday shifts, then was terminated when she declined. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

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The case has sparked attention because Chick-fil-A is famously closed on Sundays, a policy the company says was established by founder S. Truett Cathy in 1946, so employees could “rest, enjoy time with their families and loved ones or worship if they choose.”

Chick-fil-A declined to comment on the lawsuit, but told FOX Business that “as a franchise business, all employment decisions are solely the responsibility of each individual restaurant owner.”

Hatch Trick Inc. and the EEOC could not immediately be reached by FOX Business for comment.

CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points as the Cavaliers routed the Pistons 125-94 in Game 7 on Sunday night in Detroit, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.

The Cavaliers controlled the game from the opening minutes and never allowed Detroit to establish rhythm or confidence. Cleveland’s pace, shot-making and defensive pressure set the tone early, and once the visitors built separation, the outcome quickly shifted from a tense Game 7 to a one-sided finish. The margin reflected not only Cleveland’s offensive execution, but also the discipline and physicality that defined its best stretches throughout the series.

Mitchell provided the headline performance, but the win was a true team effort. Cleveland moved the ball with purpose, created clean looks and repeatedly punished Detroit’s defensive breakdowns. The Cavaliers also won the hustle battle, used their size effectively around the rim and forced the Pistons into rushed possessions. By the second half, Cleveland was in full control, and the game became a showcase for the depth and maturity that have carried the club through this postseason run.

Detroit entered the night with momentum and belief after extending the series to a decisive seventh game, but the Pistons could not match Cleveland’s intensity once the Cavaliers found their footing. The Pistons were competitive early, yet the game gradually slipped away as Cleveland tightened defensively and kept finding answers on offense. Every time Detroit appeared ready to make a push, the Cavaliers responded with a basket, a stop or an extra possession that slowed the comeback attempt.

The victory sends Cleveland into the East finals with real confidence and a growing sense that this group can withstand the pressure of playoff basketball. Mitchell again served as the primary engine, but the Cavaliers’ success came from a broader formula: a steady backcourt, strong interior play, defensive versatility and a bench that supplied useful minutes. Those ingredients have made Cleveland difficult to solve when the stakes are highest, and they were all on display in the decisive closeout win.

For the Pistons, the defeat was painful but not empty. This series gave a young roster a valuable taste of high-level playoff basketball, and the experience should matter moving forward. Detroit showed toughness and resilience in extending the matchup to seven games, but Game 7 exposed the gap between a developing team and one that is ready to take the next step. The Pistons will leave the postseason with lessons about consistency, execution and the demands of closing out a series.

Cleveland’s performance was especially notable because Game 7s often produce tight, possession-by-possession battles. Instead, the Cavaliers made the contest look nearly routine after the first quarter. Their offense flowed with confidence, their defense limited easy looks and their rebounding prevented Detroit from generating second-chance opportunities. That combination turned a pressure-filled elimination game into one of the most lopsided finishes of the NBA postseason.

Mitchell’s 26 points underscored why Cleveland has leaned on him in big moments. He gave the Cavaliers a reliable scoring presence, attacked with control and helped keep the offense organized whenever Detroit tried to make adjustments. His production reflected both individual talent and the benefit of playing within a system that gave him space to operate. When Mitchell was aggressive, Cleveland’s attack opened up; when he drew attention, his teammates benefited from the attention he commanded.

Just as important, Cleveland did not depend on one player alone. The Cavaliers found scoring from multiple spots, which made it difficult for Detroit to focus on any single threat. That balance is one of the reasons Cleveland looked so composed throughout the night. In a postseason setting, where defenses are designed to take away first options and force difficult decisions, having multiple dependable contributors can decide a series. The Cavaliers showed that kind of flexibility in Game 7.

Defensively, Cleveland’s effort was the defining factor. The Cavaliers contested shots, disrupted passing lanes and made Detroit work for nearly every clean look. The Pistons struggled to find the same offensive comfort they had earlier in the series, and the Cavaliers’ pressure created a sense of inevitability as the game moved along. Once Cleveland established control, Detroit’s attempts to speed up the pace or force mistakes no longer changed the shape of the night.

The setting only amplified the significance of the result. A Game 7 carries its own tension, and both teams entered knowing the season would end for one side in the harshest possible way. Cleveland handled that environment far better. Rather than playing tight, the Cavaliers looked organized and composed, which is often the difference in elimination games. Their ability to stay steady after the opening moments suggested a team that has learned from earlier playoff disappointments.

This win also represents a meaningful milestone for the franchise. Returning to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018 marks a clear step forward for a team that has spent recent seasons trying to reestablish itself among the conference’s best. The Cavaliers have built around star power, depth and defensive accountability, and this series showed how those pieces can translate into postseason success. The next round will present a tougher challenge, but Cleveland has earned the right to believe it belongs on that stage.

Detroit, meanwhile, should take encouragement from how far it pushed the series. The Pistons were not overwhelmed by the moment until late in Game 7, and that resilience says something about the team’s trajectory. Even in defeat, there were signs of progress: competitive stretches, young players gaining experience and a fan base getting a glimpse of what the future could become. The loss hurts, but it does not erase the steps forward that Detroit made this spring.

By the final minutes, the game had become a celebration for Cleveland and a lesson for Detroit. The Cavaliers had turned a difficult road environment into a statement win, while the Pistons were left to absorb the sting of a season-ending defeat. In playoff basketball, Game 7s can define a team’s identity, and Cleveland’s identity in this one was clear: prepared, balanced and relentless.

For the Cavaliers, the journey continues, and the expectations will rise with every round. For one night, though, they delivered a complete performance in the most important game of the series, and the final score told the story. Cleveland was sharper, stronger and more composed from start to finish, and that was more than enough to send the Cavaliers on to the East finals.

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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin June 11, Guinness, the beer from Dublin, Ireland, is launching a soccer-themed campaign called “The World’s Cup” for fans watching around the world.

Guinness, which Guinness North America says is brewed in 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 150, is reimagining its “The World’s Cup” ad from the 1990s in a way the brand says is meant to appeal to both die-hard supporters and casual viewers gathering for matches this summer.

As part of the broader campaign, Guinness collaborated with Art of Football on a limited-edition jersey collection designed specifically for match days. 

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Soccer fans watch match and enjoy Guinness while sporting new jersey collaboration with Art of Football. (Guinness / Fox News)

While the signature Guinness logo, as well as the Guinness harp, are visible on the front of the jersey, the shirt features a black-and-green patterned base with white and red stripes.

Art OF has collaborated on numerous pieces with Guinness in the past, but this jersey will only be available in North America starting June 8. 

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Art of Football, founded in 2013, is a fan-led creative studio that’s dedicated to preserving the culture of sport through the lens of art, making it a fitting collaborator for Guinness’ soccer-focused campaign ahead of one of the world’s biggest tournaments in sports.

The company has also collaborated with brands like Nike and Adidas, while securing licenses with the Premier League, Championship and European Leagues. 

Guinness and Art of Football collaborated on a limited-edition jersey sold exclusively in North America before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  (Guinness / Fox News)

For Guinness, though, its “The World’s Cup” campaign isn’t just the limited-edition jersey collaboration. The brand also worked with Art of Football to outfit bartenders and pub staff who Guinness says “make game days lovely, serving pints and creating a sense of connection that keeps fans coming back.”

Bartenders and pub staff in Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco will be featured in Guinness content on social media during the campaign.

Guinness Draught Stout will also unveil its limited-edition soccer packs with a design created by Brooklyn-based illustrator and designer Sophia Yeshi, whose work is known for bold visual storytelling and themes of diversity.

The packs, sold in 4-packs and 8-packs, will be available nationwide for a limited time, according to Guinness.

Limited-edition Guinness pint cans designed specifically ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Guinness / Fox News)

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Finally, Guinness has more in store, but it will be keeping it a surprise as the World Cup gets closer. 

“Soccer is at its best when everyone feels part of it, and Guinness has always stood for that same spirit of togetherness,” Karissa Downer, Director of Guinness, said in a press release. “Whether you’re an avid supporter or simply here for a good time, Guinness makes game day feel more welcoming, more connected and more memorable. With ‘The world’s cup,’ we are celebrating the pubs, pints and bartenders who turn every match into a moment worth sharing. The beautiful game deserves a beautiful pint and a room full of fans to enjoy it with.”

Guinness says consumers should drink responsibly.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and good day. Thank you for joining Sohu’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]. Today’s conference call is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this time. I’d now like to turn the conference over to your host for today’s conference call, Huang Pu, Investor Relations Director of Sohu. Please go ahead.

Pu Huang
Investor Relations Officer – China

Thank you, operator. Thank you for joining us to discuss Sohu’s Fourth Quarter 2026 results. On the call are Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Charles Zhang; CFO, Joanna Lv; and the Vice President of Finance, James Deng. Also with us CEO Dewen Chen; CFO, Yaobin Wang.

Before management begins their prepared remarks, I would like to remind you of the company’s safe harbor statements in connection with today’s conference call.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates, project and projections. Therefore, you should not place any reliance on them.

Forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those containing in any forward-looking statements. For more information about potential risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent report on Form 20-F.

With that, I will now turn the call over