5 Big News Stories Overnight - Saturday, May 2, 2026

Germany: U.S. to Withdraw 5,000 Troops From Germany, Pentagon Says

New York Times reports:

Pentagon officials said on Friday that they were pulling 5,000 troops from Germany and would redeploy them to the United States and other posts overseas.

The Defense Department is also canceling a plan developed under the Biden administration to place a missile-equipped artillery unit in Europe.

The moves will return U.S. forces in Europe to the level they were in 2022, before Russia began its war in Ukraine, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the planning process. Last year, the Pentagon redeployed a brigade in Romania and did not send replacement forces.

U.S.: Spirit Air Poised to Shut Down

WSJ reports:

Spirit Airlines is preparing to shut down.

The ailing budget airline had been hoping to finalize a $500 million lifeline from the government before running out of cash. The discount carrier hasn’t been able to get sufficient support between certain bondholders and the government to secure the funding to keep it in business, people familiar with the matter said.

Spirit is currently expected to cease operations around 3 a.m. ET Saturday.

Spirit had been in talks with the Trump administration about a deal that would have provided a cash infusion in exchange for warrants that could convert into a stake of up to 90% of the company.

But there had been disagreements inside the Trump administration over whether and how to fund the bailout. And some Spirit bondholders dug in their heels against the deal, convinced it would have hurt them economically, the people said. Meanwhile, the airline is facing relentless cost pressure from higher fuel prices.

PHOTO: Acroterion, CC: 4.0

Hollywood: Oscar Rule Changes: AI Crackdown

Variety reports:

...in the Acting category, only roles credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent will be considered eligible. This has been a major source of tension in the industry following the use of Val Kilmer’s likeness in an upcoming film, “As Deep as the Grave.”

The Academy further addressed generative AI more broadly, reserving the right to request additional information about the nature of its use and the extent of human authorship on any submitted film. In the writing categories, the rules now formally codify that screenplays must be human-authored to qualify. The organization emphasized that while its rules continue to evolve alongside technology, its commitment to human artistry remains unchanged.

PHOTO: Izayah Ramos, Unsplash

Starbucks CEO Talks $9 Coffee

Yahoo reports:

As Americans struggle with the price of gas and groceries, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made the case for a $9 cup of coffee while speaking with The Wall Street Journal’s What’s News AM podcast.

“We’re doing really well with Gen Z and millennials, and then really had strong performance across all income cohorts,” Niccol said. “It can start with as little as $3 for a traditional cup of coffee. And then obviously you can build your way into all sorts of customized drinks that people love that move that ticket up.”

“You know, we’re not seeing that in our business,” Niccol said. “What we’re seeing is people, you know, they want to have a special experience, and regardless of what your income level is. In some cases, you know, a $9 experience does feel like you’re splurging. And then, what that means  is we have to make it worthwhile, right?”

PHOTO: Gema Saputera, Unsplash
 

Middle East: US believes Iran has lost $4.8 billion in oil earnings due to blockade — report

Times of Israel reports: 

US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, 2026, after the Iranian-flagged vessel attempted to violate the US naval blockade (US Navy photo)

The Pentagon estimates Iran has lost $4.8 billion in oil revenue due to the US Navy’s blockade of its ports, the Axios news site reports, citing unnamed Pentagon officials.

Two tanks have been seized amid the blockade. Additionally, 31 tankers carrying 53 million barrels of oil are now “stuck in the Gulf,” according to the officials.

Some ships are sailing “a costlier and longer route to deliver oil to China for fear of US maritime interdiction,” the officials tell Axios.

The US imposed its blockade on Iranian ports amid a temporary truce as part of an effort to force Iran to accept a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire to permanently end the war that has raged between Israel, the US, and Iran.