WASHINGTON (AP) — On Monday, former President Donald Trump expressed that any future agreement with Iran should mandate the inclusion of several additional nations in the Abraham Accords, a series of U.S.-facilitated agreements designed to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, which were first established during his presidency.

In a message shared on social media, Trump mentioned that negotiations are “proceeding nicely” but emphasized that any potential accord should require broader participation in the Abraham Accords, initially signed in 2020.

Trump highlighted countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar as immediate candidates for joining the accords, and further suggested that Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan should follow suit. Notably, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were the pioneering nations to join the agreements in 2020.

He asserted that “given all the efforts by the United States to assemble this intricate diplomatic initiative, it should be essential for these countries, at the very least, to simultaneously endorse the Abraham Accords.”

The former president stated that he discussed the plan related to the Abraham Accords with regional leaders during negotiations held on Saturday.

Trump suggested he may accept “one or two” countries declining to sign, but said most should be willing. Egypt and Jordan already formally recognize Israel and have long-standing peace treaties.

It remains unclear when or how any deal with Iran might be completed, or how Abraham Accords membership might affect an agreement. He suggested even Iran could eventually sign on, if an agreement is reached.

The accords are a series of diplomatic, economic and security agreements created with U.S. influence during Trump’s first term, originally between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, followed by Sudan, Morocco, and more recently, Kazakhstan.

They were framed as an effort to promote cooperation among countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and the administration saw them as partly paving a path toward full ties with Israel.

In an unexpected turn of events in Nebraska, a dog managed to fire a shotgun, hitting a driver who was patiently waiting at a red light nearby. This unusual incident occurred during a chaotic pitstop on a Saturday afternoon.

Just before noon, the dog, along with its owner and a passenger, arrived at Short Stop—a baseball-themed gas station and convenience store in Scottsbluff. The owner left the vehicle to enter the store, leaving the dog and passenger behind.

The inquisitive dog began exploring the back seat and stumbled upon a shotgun. In a surprising twist of fate, the dog accidentally fired several rounds through the passenger side door, as detailed in police reports acquired by KNOP.

The passenger, who had remained near the vehicle, was reportedly stunned as the dog unexpectedly discharged the weapon.

One of the shots traveled across the gas station and allegedly struck a woman who was stopped at a nearby traffic light, according to reports.

Scottsbluff police were originally told that someone had fired a BB gun, but realized the severity of situation when they found the shellshocked dog and a smoking shotgun.

The lone victim was shot in the arm and hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury, the outlet reported.

It is against the law in Nebraska to travel with a loaded shotgun in a vehicle while driving on any highway. It is punishable as a low-level misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $50.

Police are still probing the shooting.

The son of a well-known Texas Republican politician has become embroiled in a shocking federal investigation, accused of channeling sensitive information to China.

Thomas Pauken II, an American author and political commentator who spent a significant amount of time residing in China, is alleged to have served as an intermediary for contacts associated with Beijing. These contacts reportedly offered financial incentives to sway U.S. policy from within the federal government.

Pauken, whose father, Thomas Pauken I, once campaigned for the governorship of Texas, is now confronting a felony charge. The charge accuses him of operating as an agent for the Chinese government in the United States without the necessary registration with the attorney general.

According to federal investigators, Pauken is accused of producing confidential reports for a handler linked to Chinese intelligence. This handler purportedly indicated that the information would eventually be relayed to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

An FBI affidavit submitted in federal court further details that Pauken provided electronic devices to another individual who was pursuing employment within the Trump administration. Subsequently, he allegedly offered the same person a profitable deal in exchange for weekly policy-related reports.

The allegations have thrust Pauken, who wrote under the pen name Tom McGregor while working in China, into the center of an increasingly tense standoff between Washington and Beijing over espionage, foreign influence and national security.

Court documents obtained by Politico say Pauken was first confronted by US authorities after returning from China in January 2025. 

But instead of immediately arresting him, investigators allegedly instructed him to continue behaving normally out of concern that abruptly cutting ties could place him in danger from China’s Ministry of State Security.

FBI Special Agent Timothy Healy wrote in the affidavit that Pauken was specifically warned not to alert Chinese officials about his contact with American law enforcement.

Thomas Pauken II, an American political commentator who lived in China for more than a decade, is accused of secretly acting on behalf of the Chinese government inside the US

Federal investigators allege Pauken prepared confidential political reports for a Chinese handler who claimed the material would ultimately be read by Chinese President Xi Jinping

More than a year later, according to prosecutors, the FBI monitored a meeting at a Washington hotel where Pauken allegedly met with another man connected to the scheme. 

During that encounter, investigators say Pauken handed over a SIM card and discussed a plan under which the individual would provide ‘one report per week’ that could ‘influence policy and be read by Xi Jinping.’

Authorities also allege Pauken promised the man a $10,000 bonus if he agreed to cooperate with Pauken’s Chinese handler.

The identity of the second individual has not been publicly disclosed. 

Court papers state that the person did not land the exact Trump administration role he initially pursued, but now works for a US government agency.

The FBI affidavit says Pauken admitted believing there was an ’80 percent chance’ the individual would ultimately provide classified information to China, despite Pauken claiming he warned him against doing so.

Pauken, however, allegedly told investigators that he personally pushed back against repeated requests from his Chinese contact for classified material.

His attorney, Charles Burnham, forcefully disputed suggestions that Pauken was engaged in espionage.

Pauken II’s father, Thomas Pauken I, ran for governor of Texas in 2014

Court documents say Pauken, right, offered another man a $10,000 bonus to provide weekly policy-related reports that could ‘influence policy’ in Washington

FBI agents claim Pauken delivered a cellphone and laptop to the unidentified government employee on behalf of his Chinese contact network

‘It’s critical to understand that Mr Pauken is not charged with spying or mishandling classified information,’ Burnham said in a statement. 

‘The government’s complaint charges that Mr Pauken did professional work for a foreign government without first completing certain required paperwork. We look forward to responding to the government’s allegations in court.’

Federal prosecutors have so far remained tight-lipped about the case.

The US Attorney’s Office in Alexandria have not clarified whether the unnamed government employee identified in the affidavit faces scrutiny or possible charges.

The secrecy surrounding the case has only deepened intrigue.

Unlike many foreign influence or espionage-related prosecutions, the Justice Department did not issue a public press release announcing Pauken’s arrest.

A woman in the Bronx was injured when a tree toppled over, partially crushing several cars on Memorial Day, according to police reports.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. near East 176th Street and Clay Avenue in the Mount Hope neighborhood. The tree fell after several days of heavy rain, striking a 49-year-old woman who was walking in the area, authorities said.

The woman sustained numerous injuries, including a head wound and fractures to her right arm and leg.

Emergency responders quickly arrived after a 911 call and transported her to St. Barnabas Hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition by Monday evening.

Officials noted that the tree was heavily saturated with water, contributing to its fall, which also caused damage to several nearby vehicles.

Memorial Day saw roughly 2 inches of rain soak the city, concluding a three-day stretch of on-and-off precipitation.

The Hamptons have long been recognized as the quintessential escape for America’s affluent, offering immaculate beaches, quaint local boutiques, and a tranquil privacy that many luxury locales can no longer claim.

However, the atmosphere has shifted dramatically, with the region losing the serene sophistication that once set it apart.

Meanwhile, the North Fork, a nearby peninsula, presents a refreshing alternative. With its active farmlands, casual vineyards, rugged beaches, and unassuming town centers, it seems to belong to a bygone era. Remarkably, it has largely remained undiscovered, and its real estate often boasts more accessible price points.

This leads to an inevitable question: how long can this hidden gem remain untouched?

Today, the Hamptons resemble more of a spectacle than a haven. Social media influencers showcase their high-end fashion, while celebrities and the elite attend high-profile gatherings like Michael Rubin’s Fourth of July White Party. What was once subtle sophistication has now become a display.

Even longtime devotees like Calvin Klein and Bethenny Frankel are starting to lose their enthusiasm. Last summer, Frankel quipped that the Hamptons ‘aren’t Hampton-ing’ anymore, lamenting that the getaway has been overtaken by gridlocked traffic and relentless crowds. What used to feel like an escape is now anything but – with hotspots like Sag Harbor and Nantucket so congested they no longer offer a true sense of relaxation.

Now, as more people chase the idea of ‘quiet luxury,’ destinations like the North Fork risk becoming the very thing they once stood apart from. Whether it can maintain its character – or succumb to the same forces that transformed the Hamptons – remains to be seen.

But one thing for certain is that Hamptons fatigue is now driving a full-blown property boom on the quieter peninsula, with low-profile tech moguls, legacy business titans, and discreet heirs now looking north.

Today, the Hamptons feels less like a sanctuary and more like a stage. Influencers parade their designer coastal wardrobes, while the rich and famous flock to headline-grabbing events

The Hamptons once embodied the ideal retreat for America’s elite, but now that is not the case (pictured: TikToker Grace Hagan pictured in a white dress while on the phone waiting in line outside of a popular dive bar called ShagWong in Montauk)

In July 2025, Bethenny Frankel (pictured) quipped that the Hamptons ‘aren’t Hampton-ing’ anymore, lamenting that the once-idyllic getaway has been overtaken by gridlocked traffic and relentless crowds

The low-profile tech moguls, legacy business titans, and discreet heirs who once found refuge there are now looking elsewhere – eager to escape the increasingly crowded, conspicuous scene. Enter the North Fork (pictured)

The growing clique of billionaires, disillusioned with the Hamptons’ overexposed summer circus, are swapping its manufactured exclusivity for the North Fork’s effortless, under-the-radar charm. 

Patrick Connelly, a licensed real estate salesperson who has been closely tracking shifting buyer patterns across Long Island’s East End, says the numbers tell a compelling story.

‘Over the past 12 months through February 2026, median home prices on the North Fork are $845,000 compared to $1.7 million in the Hamptons,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘This price gap may be influencing where buyers are looking. The North Fork isn’t replacing the Hamptons, but its relative value has been appealing and a topic of conversation among buyers we’ve spoken to recently.’

In other words, while the Hamptons still reigns as the ultimate status symbol, the North Fork is quietly emerging as a savvy alternative – offering more space, less spectacle, and a price point that, by comparison, feels almost like a steal to deep-pocketed buyers looking for something a little more discreet. 

That growing buzz – and the widening price gap – is now translating into real momentum on the ground.

Donald Brennan, License Partner and Owner of Engel & Völkers North Fork, who operates in the heart of the region, says the shift is no longer theoretical – it’s playing out in real time across listings, offers, and buyer profiles.

As for famous faces, the North Fork has long attracted a quieter kind of celebrity. High-profile figures – including Martha Stewart – have owned homes or spent time in the area, drawn by its privacy and slower pace

A growing clique of billionaires, disillusioned with the Hamptons’ overexposed summer circus, are swapping its manufactured exclusivity for the North Fork’s effortless, under-the-radar charm (pictured: a beach in North Fork)

Hamptons fatigue is now driving a full-blown property boom on the North Fork (pictured)

Mother and daughter, Denise Leffert and Amy Leffert, enjoy al fresco wine tasting on the patio of Pellegrini Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island

‘There’s definitely a level of Hamptons fatigue setting in, and we’re seeing that translate directly into demand on the North Fork,’ he told the Daily Mail. 

‘Buyers still want the access and the lifestyle, but they don’t want the crowds, the scene, or the constant escalation in pricing. The North Fork gives them a more relaxed, authentic version of that experience.’

According to Brennan, what makes North Fork special is that it still feels real. 

‘You have vineyards, waterfront homes, small-town charm, it hasn’t been overdeveloped or over-commercialized,’ he said. ‘People aren’t coming out here to be seen, they’re coming out here to actually enjoy their homes, and that’s a big shift from what the Hamptons has become.’

From a real estate agency perspective, Brennan says they’ve ‘absolutely seen it get busier’.

‘Inventory is tight, prices have moved up, and we’re seeing far more competition than we did just a few years ago,’ he said. ‘It’s not uncommon now to see multiple offers or strong all-cash buyers, which historically wasn’t the case here.’

Brennan said that the biggest change he’s seen is who’s buying in North Fork.

‘It’s no longer just weekend homeowners, it’s people looking for a true lifestyle,’ he said. This includes more full-time residents, more families, and more buyers thinking long-term.

The North Fork gives buyers a more relaxed, authentic version of the Hamptons experience, experts say

Realtors say North Fork offers vineyards, waterfront homes, small-town charm – and it hasn’t been overdeveloped or over-commercialized

Experts say that over the past 12 months through February 2026, median home prices on the North Fork are $845,000 compared to $1.7 million in the Hamptons. Pictured: Homes in Greenport, North Fork

Patrick Connelly, a licensed real estate salesperson who has been closely tracking shifting buyer patterns across Long Island’s East End

‘The North Fork isn’t trying to be the Hamptons and that’s exactly why it’s gaining so much traction right now,’ Brennan said.

Taken together, Brennan’s insight paints a picture of a market in transition – one where rising demand, tightening supply, and a new class of buyer are quietly reshaping the North Fork into one of the most closely watched luxury enclaves in the region. 

Set on the quieter, more pastoral side of Long Island’s East End, the North Fork offers a version of coastal living that feels worlds away from the velvet ropes and paparazzi flashbulbs of its southern neighbor.

Here, the appeal is rooted in understatement. The landscape is defined by rolling hills of farmland, family-run vineyards, and miles of rugged shoreline where the beaches are more windswept than manicured. 

Towns like Greenport and Southold anchor the region, each offering a distinctly low-key charm that feels refreshingly untouched.

Greenport, in particular, has become the North Fork’s unofficial downtown – a historic harbor village where 19th-century buildings house independent boutiques, antique shops, and seafood restaurants serving just-caught fish. 

There’s a carousel on the waterfront, a working marina, and the kind of walkable Main Street where locals and weekenders mingle without pretense. It’s lively in the summer, but rarely overwhelming.

Beyond the village centers, the North Fork is perhaps best known for its wine country. Dozens of vineyards and tasting rooms – many still family-owned – dot the landscape, drawing a steady stream of visitors who trade nightclub reservations for afternoon rosé tastings and sunset views over the vines. 

Greenport has become the North Fork’s unofficial downtown – a historic harbor village where 19th-century buildings house independent boutiques, antique shops, and seafood restaurants serving just-caught fish

The landscape is defined by rolling hills of farmland, family-run vineyards, and miles of rugged shoreline where the beaches are more windswept than manicured

The North Fork offers a version of coastal living that feels worlds away from the velvet ropes and paparazzi flashbulbs of its southern neighbor

Farm stands line the roads, selling everything from fresh corn and heirloom tomatoes to homemade pies, reinforcing the area’s agricultural roots.

As for famous faces, the North Fork has long attracted a quieter kind of celebrity. High-profile figures – including Martha Stewart – have owned homes or spent time in the area, drawn by its privacy and slower pace. 

It’s not uncommon for well-known New Yorkers to slip out east and blend in, swapping designer labels for linen shirts and bikes for black SUVs.

That sense of anonymity is part of the draw. Unlike the Hamptons, where being seen can feel like the main event, the North Fork offers something increasingly rare: the chance to disappear – if only for a weekend – into a version of luxury that doesn’t need to announce itself.