The Yehuda, Israel-based company said it had net income of 2 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs and stock option expense, came to 15 cents per share.

The communication components company posted revenue of $63 million in the period.

AudioCodes shares have risen 12% since the beginning of the year. The stock has risen 1% in the last 12 months.

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Heavy downpours over the last two days have wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, flooding homes, fields and roads. The mountainous areas in the country鈥檚 central region are the worst affected by the severe weather, according to the government鈥檚 Disaster Management Center.

So far, five people have died after being buried in mudslides that overran two houses in the central region, while three others were wounded and two people have gone missing, said Pradeep Kodippili, the center’s spokesperson.

Kodippili said rains and floods damaged 129 houses and that nearly 2,000 people were evacuated.

Navy and army troops have been deployed to rescue people trapped in the floods and help them move to safe places.

Local television channel Hiru TV showed troops and civilians rescuing people trapped in their homes because of the floods and facing the risk of being buried by mudflows.

Local channels also showed huge rocks, mudslides and fallen electric posts on several main roads in the central region, blocking traffic in some parts of the area.

The latest disaster comes as the country is still trying to recover from the devastation in November caused by that killed nearly 640 people, affected two million people and caused an estimated $4.1 billion in damage.

The Central province was the hardest hit by that cyclone and the government is struggling to rebuild roads, railways and houses in the region.

Mudslides and floods are among the most destructive natural disasters, causing severe damage to lives and property in Sri Lanka every year. Heavy monsoon rains mostly trigger mudslides in the central hill region while flooding low-lying areas, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

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Singapore police said in a recent statement that the two men were investigated over their actions during the July 29 concert, including the unfurling of a foreign flag and one member shouting 鈥淔ree Palestine鈥� on stage.

They were issued stern warnings and blacklisted from returning to the city-state, it said.

鈥淭he police take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law,鈥� it said.

The police did not identify the men involved, but footage shared on local media showed it to be Robert 鈥�3D鈥� Del Naja and Grant 鈥淒addy G鈥� Marshall.

Massive Attack responded in a statement on Instagram, saying the band was 鈥渟urprised and disappointed鈥� by the decision.

The group said large sections of the auditorium had chanted 鈥淔ree Palestine鈥� before the start of their show and at the end of it. The group said they didn’t expect that merely holding up the flag would violate any law, but that they were proud to have made the 鈥渋mpromptu expression鈥� with their fans in Singapore to show solidarity for the Palestinian cause.

They urged the Singapore government to allow their citizens 鈥渢he expressions of conscience without fear of state persecution.鈥�

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On a per-share basis, the London-based company said it had net income of $1.47. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $2.22 per share.

The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.98 per share.

The oil and gas company posted revenue of $70.11 billion in the period.

BP shares have climbed 27% since the beginning of the year. The stock has risen 39% in the last 12 months.

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Washington; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Wings -2.5; over/under is 165.5

BOTTOM LINE: Dallas Wings will try to earn its 20th win this season when the Wings take on the Washington Mystics.

The Mystics are 8-6 in home games. Washington leads the Eastern Conference in rebounding, averaging 37.3 boards. Shakira Austin leads the Mystics with 9.4 rebounds.

The Wings are 10-6 on the road. Dallas ranks eighth in the WNBA averaging 8.3 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 34.2% from deep. Azzi Fudd leads the team averaging 2.1 makes while shooting 40.1% from 3-point range.

Washington scores 81.2 points per game, 3.9 fewer points than the 85.1 Dallas gives up. Dallas has shot at a 46.4% rate from the field this season, 3.9 percentage points above the 42.5% shooting opponents of Washington have averaged.

The teams play for the third time this season. The Mystics won the last matchup 81-75 on July 31, with Austin scoring 28 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Austin is averaging 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds for the Mystics. Kiki Iriafen is averaging 14.8 points over the last 10 games.

Arike Ogunbowale is averaging 15.1 points and 3.1 assists for the Wings. Paige Bueckers is averaging 18.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mystics: 7-3, averaging 78.1 points, 39.2 rebounds, 19.0 assists, 3.8 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 42.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.8 points per game.

Wings: 7-3, averaging 90.9 points, 35.0 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 5.7 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.3 points.

INJURIES: Mystics: None listed.

Wings: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .

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Chicago; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles Sparks visits the Chicago Sky after Dearica Hamby scored 23 points in the Sparks’ 106-101 win over the Portland Fire.

The Sky have gone 7-7 in home games. Chicago ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 25.0 defensive rebounds per game led by Kamilla Cardoso averaging 5.9.

The Sparks are 6-8 on the road. Los Angeles ranks ninth in the WNBA averaging 8.9 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 33.6% from downtown. Nneka Ogwumike leads the team averaging 1.6 makes while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.

Chicago scores 87.6 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 94.3 Los Angeles gives up. Los Angeles averages 89.6 points per game, 0.2 more than the 89.4 Chicago allows to opponents.

The teams square off for the third time this season. In the last matchup on July 17 the Sky won 96-82 led by 19 points from Sydney Taylor, while Ogwumike scored 18 points for the Sparks.

TOP PERFORMERS: Cardoso is scoring 14.3 points per game with 8.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Sky. Taylor is averaging 18.5 points over the past 10 games.

Rae Burrell is averaging 13.4 points for the Sparks. Ogwumike is averaging 19.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sky: 5-5, averaging 89.9 points, 31.9 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 89.3 points per game.

Sparks: 3-7, averaging 91.2 points, 31.4 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 94.4 points.

INJURIES: Sky: Azura Stevens: out (personal), Skylar Diggins: out (knee), Rickea Jackson: out for season (knee).

Sparks: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .

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New York; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Seattle Storm will try to break its five-game road losing streak when the Storm visit New York Liberty.

The Liberty are 8-5 on their home court. New York ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 26.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jonquel Jones averaging 6.9.

The Storm are 2-14 in road games. Seattle is sixth in the Western Conference scoring 37.7 points per game in the paint led by Dominique Malonga averaging 11.5.

New York makes 46.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 3.1 percentage points higher than Seattle has allowed to its opponents (43.2%). Seattle averages 82.5 points per game, 5.2 fewer points than the 87.7 New York allows.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Storm won 99-88 in the last matchup on June 26.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jones is averaging 14.4 points and nine rebounds for the Liberty. Breanna Stewart is averaging 25.2 points over the last 10 games.

Natisha Hiedeman is averaging 16.4 points and 4.6 assists for the Storm. Awa Fam is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Liberty: 5-5, averaging 94.0 points, 34.6 rebounds, 20.4 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 96.2 points per game.

Storm: 1-9, averaging 87.0 points, 37.2 rebounds, 19.3 assists, 9.1 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 91.3 points.

INJURIES: Liberty: Leonie Fiebich: out (foot), Satou Sabally: out (concussion protocol).

Storm: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .

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College Park, Georgia; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta Dream hosts Phoenix Mercury trying to continue its three-game home winning streak.

The Dream are 10-4 in home games. Atlanta is sixth in the WNBA averaging 89.4 points and is shooting 43.7% from the field.

The Mercury have gone 6-9 away from home. Phoenix ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 24.2 defensive rebounds per game led by Alyssa Thomas averaging 5.5.

Atlanta averages 89.4 points per game, 2.5 more points than the 86.9 Phoenix allows. Phoenix’s 44.3% shooting percentage from the field this season is 4.0 percentage points lower than Atlanta has allowed to its opponents (48.3%).

The teams play for the second time this season. The Dream won the last meeting 82-80 on May 24. Rhyne Howard scored 21 points to help lead the Dream to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Angel Reese is scoring 15.8 points per game and averaging 11.6 rebounds for the Dream. Allisha Gray is averaging 20.4 points and 3.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Thomas is scoring 14.9 points per game and averaging 7.1 rebounds for the Mercury. Kahleah Copper is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Dream: 6-4, averaging 91.5 points, 33.7 rebounds, 22.2 assists, 10.0 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 89.9 points per game.

Mercury: 4-6, averaging 82.7 points, 30.2 rebounds, 20.2 assists, 6.8 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 87.0 points.

INJURIES: Dream: Te-Hina Paopao: out (leg).

Mercury: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .

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U.S. President on Monday said the two sides are resuming talks to wind down . But Iran insisted it only was talking with Oman and the discussion focused on the Strait of Hormuz.

Here is a look at the most important developments in the Middle East on Tuesday.

Cargo ship reports strike in Strait of Hormuz

The cargo ship reported being 鈥渉it by an unknown projectile鈥� at 2 a.m. local time while it was 37 kilometers (23 miles) northeast of Al Khasab in Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said.

The UKMTO did not provide further information on the ship, including what flag the vessel was sailing under or whether it was carrying cargo.

The town of Al Khasab sits on the tip of the Arabian peninsula that juts into the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world鈥檚 oil and natural gas passed before the war.

The strait has been effectively shut by Iran鈥檚 attacks on shipping since the start of the war in February, while the U.S. also has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the waterway.

US and Iran offer conflicting claims about talks

Trump said Monday that talks with Iran had resumed, a day after saying he called of massive strikes he had threatened to unleash on the country. Trump said he pulled back at the urging of Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Whether 鈥淚ran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking,鈥� Trump maintained.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Monday that no negotiations were being held with the U.S., adding that Tehran鈥檚 talks were only with Oman and focused on establishing a route for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump voiced frustration with Iran, suggesting Tehran had asked for the talks, which are critical to ending the monthslong conflict and reviving stalled cargo traffic through the strait.

鈥淚ranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!鈥� the U.S. president , his social media platform.

鈥淭hey ask for a meeting, some would say 鈥榖eg,鈥� talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they鈥檙e not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they鈥檙e only dealing with 鈥極man鈥�,鈥� he wrote.

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Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece.

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The Tel Aviv, Israel-based company said it had a loss of $1.78 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $1.39 per share.

The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.13 per share.

The cloud-based web development company posted revenue of $563.1 million in the period, also topping Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $554.4 million.

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Modi has been one of India鈥檚 most dominant prime ministers in decades, winning elections while cultivating an image of decisive leadership. His government has rarely been seen to yield to public pressure.

Dharmendra Pradhan last month, however, was a notable exception, experts say. Pressured by the 鈥淐ockroach鈥� movement, the concession underscored the rising political influence of India鈥檚 population younger than 25, who make up nearly half the country, and a shift toward digital-first organizing.

鈥淭his particular round has ended in a very important defeat for Mr. Modi,鈥� said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a political analyst who wrote a Modi biography.

Mukhopadhyay said the minister鈥檚 resignation has made people less fearful of protesting against a government that critics have long accused of suppressing dissent.

鈥淭he threshold of fear has been broken. People are no longer scared to go and step out and protest,鈥� he said.

The movement wants to be a watchdog, not a party

The protests began as a satirical movement in May with a single demand: the education minister鈥檚 resignation over leaks of exam papers that can determine a young person’s fate.

But as protests spread, driven by young, urban Indians who mobilized online and on the streets, they evolved into a broader call for accountability, tapping into frustration over youth unemployment, government transparency and the handling of public institutions.

Mukhopadhyay said it was the first time student-led protests had sustained enough momentum to force the government to concede their central demand without the backing of established political parties.

鈥淓ach one had their own little grievance about life not taking them anywhere,鈥� he said.

It is uncertain whether that energy can be converted into votes against Modi鈥檚 ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Saurav Das, a spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, said the movement reaffirmed the power of public pressure in a democracy.

鈥淎n arrogant government which did not blink for 12 years was forced to blink when the youth united,鈥� he said, reiterating that the group wants to remain a public watchdog rather than become a political party.

鈥淲e want to remain a pressure group,鈥� he said.

The movement forces Modi to make Gen Z outreach

The movement appears to have prompted adjustments inside Modi鈥檚 party.

In the weeks since the protests, Modi has increasingly appeared in short, vertical videos tailored for Instagram and other platforms popular with young voters.

His party has expanded its outreach to Gen Z through online campaigns, with some party lawmakers adopting youth slang in public appearances, including speeches in Parliament. Many of India’s cabinet members are 60 or older.

It marks a shift from the protests’ early days, when Modi and his government largely dismissed the movement as insignificant. But as demonstrations attracted larger crowds, the government was forced to acknowledge them and respond to their growing influence.

Since the education minister’s resignation, Modi has also spoken of forgiving those who had mocked the prime minister, an apparent effort to reconnect with younger audiences.

Mukhopadhyay said the movement鈥檚 biggest impact was challenging the perception of Modi as a leader largely insulated from public pressure.

鈥淭hat image of Mr. Modi is heavily tarnished,鈥� he said.

Some Modi supporters have doubled down, however, with online activists aligned to Modi鈥檚 party seeking to identify protesters and share their personal details online to intimidate them.

Other officials could become the movement’s target

Solidarity protests were held in several other cities, while to demonstrators camped in New Delhi .

Opposition leaders, rights activists and some Bollywood celebrities publicly backed the movement, helping amplify its message beyond the protest sites.

For Neha Bora, a student leader who took part in a hunger strike in New Delhi, the movement showed that ordinary citizens could still hold those in power to account.

鈥淚f they (ministers) do not serve the people of this country, no matter what cabinet minister they are, they will be brought down from their seats,鈥� she said.

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Associated Press journalists Rishi Lekhi and Piyush Nagpal in New Delhi contributed to this report.

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The Spokane County Sheriff鈥檚 Office said Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested and booked on suspicion of first degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three blazes burning around Spokane.

Together, the fires have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced some 67,000 people to evacuate. Authorities haven’t stated a possible cause for the other two fires.

Sheriff says suspect was seen near where fire started

A tip from a community member who saw a nervous-looking man bent by the side of the road near some grass initially led authorities to Farinacci, though they released him after initial questioning, Sheriff John Nowels said Monday night.

Later, when major crimes detectives started investigating using body worn cameras and reports, they again identified Farinacci and determined that the fire had started where the witness had seen him, Nowels said. Farinacci had matches and a butane lighter when he was detained, Nowels said.

鈥淎s it happens in so many critical cases, it was citizens who were paying attention to their surroundings, being aware and willing to step up and say something that led to the relatively quick apprehension of Mr. Farinacci,鈥� he said.

Farinacci鈥檚 first court appearance will be Tuesday, according to Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. He has been convicted of felony manslaughter in Arizona.

Some residents are returning to destroyed homes

The Old Trails Fire sparked Saturday northwest of downtown Spokane, eventually jumping over the Spokane River and ripping through neighborhoods.

Earlier Monday, some residents returned to find their homes leveled by wildfires that erupted across a parched landscape over the weekend, covering yards in charred debris. In some cases, only chimneys were left standing.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing to save,鈥� Miriam Sim, 76, said Monday as she and her husband, Daniel Sim, surveyed the ruins of the home where they had lived since 2005.

鈥淎t our age, do we want to rebuild?鈥� her husband asked.

Together, the three fires burned about 12.5 square miles (about 32 square kilometers) by Monday. The sky filled with smoke and haze. Calmer winds and lower temperatures arrived to help firefighters, but it was expected to be hot and dry again by midweek.

In one Spokane neighborhood, blackened vehicles, a boat twisted by the heat and melted plastic recycling bins remained. Across the street, lawns were still green and houses were spared, as residents continued to run hoses or sprinklers to water their properties.

鈥淗undreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers,鈥� the state’s entire congressional delegation wrote Monday in asking President Donald Trump to approve an expedited emergency declaration.

No deaths or major injuries have been reported so far

Cpl. Mark Gregory, a spokesperson for the Spokane County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, said the county initially received nearly 300 reports of missing people, but by Monday they had cleared all but 14.

Those outstanding reports more likely represented people who had not been in contact since evacuating than people who were truly missing or in danger, authorities said.

The Spokane-area wildfires were completely uncontained, fire officials said. More than 1,000 firefighters, many from out of state, had arrived by Monday, and that number was expected to double in the next few days.

The fires were among dozens across the Western U.S. stretching the ability of federal, state and local agencies to fight them. At least 390 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) has burned across Washington, which has contended with severe drought and a paltry snowpack.

Authorities warned people not to fly drones near the burned areas, saying it could force them to delay aerial firefighting operations.

Homes, cars and possessions have been lost in flames

Angela and Wayde Deatherage, both 49, evacuated shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday with a son, grabbing a few bins of family photos and heirloom rings but not much else. Roughly 30 minutes later, their security camera was sending fire notifications to Angela鈥檚 phone.

Wayde Deatherage took some back roads and returned by early evening. He stopped at the end of the street and called his wife: 鈥淥ur house is done.鈥�

Deatherage, however, wasn’t done with his neighborhood. He propped a hose at another house so it sprayed the property. That home survived.

The couple returned to their property Sunday.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just ash,鈥� Angela Deatherage said of the home where they had lived for nearly 22 years. 鈥滻t鈥檚 like our house sunk down in the basement. … There鈥檚 just so much loss for so many people.鈥�

Karen Faggioli, 61, figured she would be returning to her home. She recalled how other recent fires had been brought under control. But a relative texted her the bad news: Her house and three vehicles were destroyed. A daughter lost her nearby house, too.

鈥淲hy cry? What鈥檚 crying going to do? I鈥檝e been through so many tragedies myself,鈥� said Faggioli, who is recovering from breast cancer. 鈥淭his is nothing. Like I told my granddaughter, 鈥榃e鈥檙e strong 鈥� and now we get all new things.鈥� I鈥檓 emotionally numb.鈥�

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Johnson reported from Seattle, and White from Detroit. Associated Press writers Manuel Valdes in Spokane; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Kathy McCormack in Concord, N.H.; and Martha Bellisle and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.

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The sudden arrival of 50,000 to 60,000 migrants on Thursday and Friday sparked and reignited the immigration debate in the 27-nation bloc, though most of the migrants soon went back. More than 80 died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to , according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.

Open letters from 22 EU leaders, and a quick retort from Sanchez, have exposed a roiling debate inside the EU pitting migration hawks against the progressive Spanish leader who has challenged consensus within the bloc on migration as well as , .

Sanchez’s government has fended off the attacks as politically motivated, saying most of the migrants were pushed back from Ceuta within hours in 鈥渃lose coordination with the Moroccan authorities and with very little support from other European states.鈥�

Regardless of Tuesday meeting’s outcome, Europe is displaying a deeply damaging disunity as it faces security threats from Moscow, instability with Washington and economic tension with Beijing, said Alicia Garc铆a-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific and Middle East for the financial firm Natixis.

鈥淓urope has shown weakness again,鈥� she said. 鈥淢assive weakness.鈥�

Sanchez rattled by withering criticism from fellow EU leaders over Ceuta

EU leaders quickly pounced on Sanchez once videos from Ceuta went viral. Many blamed the incident on his government’s progressive policies and publicly rallied for new border checks at sea, air and land ports of entry.

They blamed a recent Spanish court ruling for triggering 鈥渢his attack on our migration and asylum system,鈥� according to an open letter signed from the leaders of 22 EU countries, from Finland to Malta.

Spain’s Supreme Court had ruled that migrants arriving by sea could not be summarily deported without due process, unlike those who cross by land or climb Ceuta’s border fence because they had not crossed a physical barrier.

Sanchez said that the ruling had been intentionally misconstrued by migrant smugglers to convince thousands of people to cross by swimming around the border fence.

The Socialist leader replied in his own letter by recalling that Spain had, in solidarity with the EU, taken in migrants who arrived to eastern European nations from and to the southern Italian island of in 2023.

Right-wing coalition had led migration policy overhaul in Brussels

Many right-wing politicians have won elections across the EU by promising to crackdown on migration 鈥� and they claim to have done so with the .

Newer, stricter regulations for asylum seekers and migrants largely replaced the previous migration system, which was . EU capitals now boast greater abilities to surveil, detain and deport migrants to so-called 鈥渟afe countries鈥� like Morocco or 鈥渞eturn hubs鈥� outside the bloc.

These new provisions have been met with , including fears that deportation centers hosted abroad could morph into long-term holding facilities overflowing with asylum seekers stuck in legal limbo.

鈥淥n Ceuta, political games are being played over the lives of people on both sides of the border,” said Michele LeVoy, director of the Brussels-based Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants. She criticized 鈥淓urope’s inaction” in tackling the root causes of migration that she said led to the Ceuta crisis.

鈥淲e need regular pathways for people to move in safety and dignity,” LeVoy said.

Italy slams Sanchez and calls for fast-tracking controversial migrant detention center

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni issued the most blunt criticism of Sanchez, as well as announcing that Italy would enforce air and sea border controls with Spain.

Yet Cueta’s remote geographical position meant 鈥渢here was almost zero risk that people (would) really arrive in Spain and then move on to Italy,鈥� said analyst Matteo Villa at the Italian Institute for Political Studies in Milan. He said that just 2% of migrants arriving in Europe make it to Italy.

Italy has also pointed to Ceuta to push forward a controversial plan, forged in Italy’s partnership with , to move migrant screenings outside of the EU.

Sanchez fired back by calling the Italian leader’s position on Ceuta “contrary to European law, humanitarian law, and the principles of solidarity that bind us together.鈥�

In a post on X, S谩nchez also claimed that Italy has allowed in twice the number of migrants as Spain since 2021, with Spain receiving 234,000 to Italy鈥檚 478,000.

Migration dynamics and policies have changed in Europe

Data from the EU鈥檚 border agency Frontex shows migration to the EU peaked in 2015 with 1.8 million people, the majority of whom crossed via the Balkans or the eastern Mediterranean. Since then numbers have dramatically fallen: In the first half of 2026, crossings fell by 37% to around 49,000 people.

鈥淔ewer boats are setting out towards Europe, and that is the result of sustained cooperation with our partners in the region,鈥� said Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had at first expressed shock over Ceuta while calling for a doubling down on the bloc’s hard line on migration. But she sent a letter Monday to Sanchez praising his handling of the crisis.

鈥淲e need a lessons-learned process to improve our European resilience, preparedness and response,鈥� said Arianna Podesta, a spokesperson for the commission, reflecting the contents of the letter.

鈥淲hat happened in Ceuta has made it clear that we must do more to further strengthen external borders, for example with vigilant monitoring and where needed the use of physical barriers.鈥�

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Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain, and Barry from Rome. Associated Press writer Renata Brio in Barcelona contributed to this report.

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That kind of ambience is what you’ll find on comic Jenny Yang’s unique nationwide summer comedy tour, where she has been turning cultural grocery stores into comedy clubs for a night. And she’s been leaning into her unconventional venue choice.

鈥淚 got to buy a bunch of small snacks and shrimp chips and throw it into the audience every time I felt like a joke didn鈥檛 land,鈥� Yang said. 鈥淚 mean this is my dream.鈥�

A stand-up and sketch comedy veteran whose acting credits include the Yang is living a dream of 鈥渢he most politically and creatively fulfilling project鈥� she’s ever done. The is partly her reaction to the impacting Asian, Latino and Black communities. She wanted to entertain in cities with immigrant enclaves where she could give back. So, Yang and her team chose grocery store stops and nonprofits to donate to based on recommendations from local organizations.

The unorthodox tour has grown from five performances to nearly 20, far beyond her expectations. It started June 5 in Los Angeles, where Yang lives, and has taken her to Minneapolis, Phoenix and other cities. After stops in New York and San Francisco, the tour will wrap Sept. 26 back in L.A. with Yang filming a performance for a proposed comedy special.

She touches on topics ranging from infertility to awareness of immigrant experiences in the U.S. While comedians are divided on whether stand-up should stand down on politics, Yang has always spoken on it.

鈥淧eople come into this art form as a stand-up comedian for different reasons. I am of the mind that my stand-up comedy is just an extension of my values and I believe in punching up, not down,鈥� Yang said.

Being inspired to be a 鈥榞ood egg鈥�

Last December, Yang, who immigrated from Taiwan, was back there to receive what was a failed round of in vitro fertilization treatment. Heartbroken and sitting in front of an omelet breakfast, she lamented not having 鈥渙ne good egg” to start a family. As she mulled a new endeavor to focus on, her mind drifted toward the 鈥渘on-stop barrage鈥� of headlines about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

That’s when the idea for a tour weaving her past as a labor organizer with her passion for stand-up sparked.

鈥漈he ability to do and bring a show together, and bring people together inside of the immigrant grocery store, to me, reaffirms our ability to take up space and to own the space that matters to us,” Yang said.

After emceeing a gala for the Asian Law Caucus in April, Yang shared her outside-the-box idea with the San Francisco-based group. The Caucus works pro bono in immigrant communities and on high-profile cases like the . They hired Yang not just for her comedic touch but as 鈥渟omebody who culturally could relate to the communities that we serve,鈥� said executive director Aarti Kohli. The Caucus offered its vast network of Asian American community leaders and immigrant-centered nonprofits nationwide.

鈥淎lthough we are a legal civil rights organization, we understand that so much of how we reach community is through, especially for Asian communities, food and culture,鈥� Kohli said. 鈥淚 think comedy is healing and unifying.鈥�

How a grocery store becomes a stage

At Shuang Hur Supermarket in Minneapolis 鈥� half a block from where ICE agents 鈥� Yang put on a show in July, said manager Henry Zhou.

They reconfigured shelves near the checkout lanes to fit 150 chairs, he said.

鈥淓verybody got in line to buy some snacks and some drinks. A few people even did a bit of grocery shopping,鈥� Zhou said.

He then dimmed the lights for Yang.

鈥淛ust renting a spotlight makes a show,鈥� Yang said. 鈥淗ow fun is it that I鈥檓 literally doing stand-up comedy next to an aisle that sells fungus and five pounds of rice?鈥�

Zhou found it a 鈥渦nique experience鈥� that he’d do again.

鈥淲e enjoyed every minute. Even after the show, everyone stayed and chatted,鈥� Zhou said. 鈥淚鈥檓 pretty sure it helped us promote the store.鈥�

The value of cultural grocery stores in the US

“Ethnic food鈥� is no longer just a supermarket aisle. Chains like H Mart and 99 Ranch Market, as well as smaller stores, generate $55.8 billion in revenue, according to a 2025 report from market research firm IBISWorld.

These stores are also 鈥渃ross-cultural meeting grounds,鈥� said Willow Lung, founding director of the Small Business Anti-Displacement Network. They provide jobs for locals and attract other businesses such as restaurants, beauty counters, and even tax preparers. They can be anchors where there is no Chinatown or Japantown.

鈥淭hey act as kind of a 鈥榤ain street,鈥� if you will, for communities,鈥� Lung said. 鈥淭here’s just so many ways in which we underestimate the value of a grocery store as just being like, 鈥極h, it just sells these products and services.鈥欌��

For over a year, international grocers have struggled with and the absence of immigrant customers fearful of venturing out. Some stores had to close temporarily or long-term, Lung added.

Grocery workers like Zhou try to 鈥渏ust help as much as we can.鈥� For a few customers, he took a shopping list via text and delivered it.

Yang hopes bringing a dose of humor will momentarily distract from the angst so many of these communities continue to feel.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just a way to remind people, yes, there鈥檚 a lot of doom and gloom,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut, we got to make room for joy.鈥�

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