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July 10, 2025.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg all business as he makes his professional debut at NBA Summer League

Cooper Flagg made his professional debut Thursday night in the NBA Summer League and celebrated an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his groove, there were flashes as to why he was chosen No. 1 overall last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block. Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s attempt with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas the 87-85 lead.

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Justin Bieber releases ‘Swag,’ his long-awaited seventh album

Justin Bieber has released “Swag,” his long-awaited seventh studio album. The 21-track release arrived Friday, hours after Bieber teased it was coming through a series of billboards and social media posts. The album’s tracklist includes songs named “All I Can Take,” “Walking Away,” “Dadz Love” and “Forgiveness.” Def Jam Recordings says the album was inspired by Bieber’s “devotion as a husband and father” and that’s led to a “a deeper perspective and more reflective sound, resulting in some of his most personal music yet.” In August, Bieber and his wife Hailey announced the birth of their first child, Jack Blues Bieber.

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New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe (11) slides into home base during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Yankees rally past Mariners 6-5 in 10 innings after going hitless against Bryan Woo until the 8th

Anthony Volpe scored the winning run with an acrobatic slide on Aaron Judge’s shallow sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees rallied past Seattle 6-5 after Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo took a no-hitter into the eighth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled leading off the eighth for New York’s first hit. Woo quickly allowed another single and was lifted after Austin Wells’ sacrifice fly shaved Seattle’s lead to 5-1. Pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton made it 5-3 with a two-run homer off Matt Brash, and the Yankees were down to their final strike multiple times before tying it on Wells’ two-run single off All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz in the ninth.

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Andrés Muñoz (75) throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh: All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz was tipping pitches against Yankees

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh thinks All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz was tipping pitches when he squandered a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees. Muñoz was handed his sixth blown save in 27 opportunities this season after starter Bryan Woo held the Yankees hitless into the eighth. With the Mariners holding a 5-3 lead, Muñoz entered in the ninth and loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a two-out walk. Standing at second base while Austin Wells batted, Cody Bellinger waved his arms when Muñoz threw his slider. Wells worked the count full and lined a fastball into right field for a two-run single that tied it. New York then scored in the 10th to win 6-5.

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FILE - This frame grab from video, provided by the Mexican government, shows Ovidio Guzman Lopez being detained in Culiacan, Mexico, Oct. 17, 2019. (CEPROPIE via AP File)

Son of ‘El Chapo’ expected to plead guilty in drug trafficking case in rescheduled hearing

A son of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is expected to plead guilty in a U.S. drug trafficking case. Court records show Ovidio Guzman Lopez plans to change his not guilty plea during a Friday hearing. Guzman Lopez was arrested in early 2023 and extradited to the U.S. He faces charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses. Prosecutors say he and his brother led a Sinaloa cartel faction responsible for large-scale fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. If finalized, the plea deal would make him the first of El Chapo’s sons to reach such an agreement with federal prosecutors.

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Nancy Epperson, right, and Brooklyn Pucek, 6, visit a memorial for flood victims along the Guadalupe River on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Trump plans to tour Texas flood damage as the scope of the disaster tests his pledge to shutter FEMA

President Donald Trump is visiting Texas on Friday to assess catastrophic flooding that has killed at least 120 people. Despite his past calls to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Trump has praised the federal response to the disaster. He plans to tour affected areas by air, meet first responders and speak with victims’ families. The administration has shifted focus from reducing federal disaster management to addressing the tragedy’s human impact. But even though Trump hasn’t been as vocal about his push to shutter FEMA, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in recent days has highlighted efforts to streamline its operations.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes part in a media briefing during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on July 10, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP)

State Department tells staffers that layoff notices are coming soon

The State Department has formally advised staffers that it will be sending layoff notices to some of them soon. It comes as part of dramatic changes to the agency that the Trump administration announced earlier this year. The workforce cuts and reorganization of the country’s diplomatic corps are part of a wider effort to reduce the size of the federal government. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court cleared the way for the layoffs to start. Critics say the scale of cuts floated at the State Department would lessen U.S. influence globally and make it hard for many offices to carry out their missions.

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President Donald Trump holds his signed signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington, as House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., left, watches and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., takes a photo. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

House Democrats decry health cuts in GOP tax law during town hall that previews midterms messaging

Democrats are using a Louisiana town hall to preview one of their main strategies for attempting to retake the U.S. House next year, ripping into the health care changes in the just-passed Republican tax and spending bill. The chamber’s Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, said the gathering at Xavier University in New Orleans was the first stop on a nationwide tour to highlight the bill’s potential impacts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 11.8 million adults and children are at risk of losing their health insurance under the bill. Republicans insist the measure will boost the U.S. economy, strengthen the borders and ensure that millions of Americans won’t see a tax increase.

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo loses no-hit bid in 8th inning at Yankee Stadium

Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo has lost his no-hit bid against the New York Yankees when Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled to right field leading off the eighth inning. Ben Rice followed with another clean single that put runners at the corners, and Woo was removed after Austin Wells’ sacrifice fly trimmed Seattle’s lead to 5-1. Chisholm singled through the right side on a 1-2 changeup. He and Woo, who will be teammates on the American League All-Star squad next week, patted each other on the rear end near first base. Woo opened the game by walking Jasson Domínguez and Trent Grisham, then retired 20 straight batters. Following the walks, Woo struck out Aaron Judge and retired Chisholm on a double play.

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Athletics' Brent Rooker hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Athletics’ Brent Rooker and Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. join Home Run Derby lineup

Brent Rooker and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have joined the lineup for Monday night’s All-Star Home Run Derby in Atlanta. Rooker, representing the Athletics, says he won’t change his usual approach at the plate. This marks the first time an A’s player has participated since 2021. Rooker has hit 58 home runs since 2024, third among American League players. His former youth coach, Joe Caruso, will pitch to him during the event. Chisholm, a Yankees infielder, is making his Derby debut. Other participants include Ronald Acuña Jr., Byron Buxton, Junior Caminero, Oneil Cruz, Cal Raleigh and James Wood.

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FILE - This combo of images released by the Arkansas Department of Corrections shows the recapture of escaped inmate Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted killer, by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol, June 6, 2025, near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) northwest of Calico Rock prison. in Calico Rock, Ark. (Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Arkansas prison employees fired after ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ escape

Two Arkansas prison employees have been fired after an inmate known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” escaped in May. Corrections officials said Thursday that the employees violated policies, allowing Grant Hardin to leave the Calico Rock prison wearing a fake law enforcement uniform. Hardin is a former police chief serving sentences for murder and rape. He was captured on June 6 not far from the prison. Lawmakers criticized the incident, calling it a sign of deeper systemic issues. Hardin has pleaded not guilty to an escape charge and is scheduled to face trial in November.

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Mark Cuban speaks at a Global Citizen NOW event in Detroit, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Global Citizen takes its fight against poverty to the world’s growing cities

Global Citizen is focusing on cities to combat extreme poverty amid global political gridlock. The international advocacy group sees local governments as key players in tackling the most pressing challenges such as climate change. On Thursday, Detroit hosted Global Citizen’s first U.S. conference outside New York. Global Citizen’s urban focus reflects projections that more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. The organization’s leaders fear that trend will worsen concentrated poverty if local governments don’t start creating inclusive economic opportunities. To that end, it is launching a new partnership that aims to improve artificial intelligence literacy for 10 million people by 2030.

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Geologist James Hagadorn closes boxes of core rock samples at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)

A Denver dino museum makes a find deep under own parking lot. Like ‘a hole in one from the moon.’

A dinosaur fossil has been found in an unlikely place, a hole drilled under the parking lot of a Colorado museum where dinosaur skeletons are on display. The find happened when the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was drilling to study possible geothermal heat for the building. Museum experts say retrieving part of a dinosaur vertebra from the narrow hole was extraordinarily unlikely, but it happened. They believe it came from a smallish, plant-eating dinosaur that lived 67 million years ago. They say only two such finds are previously documented in the world. The hockey-puck-shaped fossil sample is now on display in the museum.

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Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel's effort to destroy the country's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Israel says Iran could reach enriched uranium at a nuclear site hit by US

A senior Israeli official says Israel believes deeply buried stocks of enriched uranium at one Iranian nuclear facility hit by the U.S. military are potentially retrievable. And the agency that built the U.S. “bunker buster” bombs dropped on two other nuclear sites said Thursday that it is still waiting for data to be able to determine if those munitions reached their targets. Both developments widen the views on damage from last month’s strikes, when the United States inserted itself in Israel’s war in a bid to eliminate the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. President Donald Trump is adamant that the U.S. strikes “obliterated” the three Iranian nuclear facilities it targeted.

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President Donald Trump, left, meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, as CIA Director John Ratcliffe, from second left, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and from second right, Netanyahu's wife Sara Netanyahu, Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Israel's National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi, obstructed, and Israel's Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs listen in the Blue Room of the White House, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The newest way to influence Trump: Nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize

Leaders, lawmakers and others are using a new strategy to stay on President Donald Trump’s good side: Nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize and let him know it. The Republican president has coveted the prestigious honor for years and nominations for him to get it are piling up. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week gave Trump a copy of the nomination letter he sent to the Nobel committee. African leaders meeting with Trump praised his work brokering peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and told him he deserved the prize because of it. Pakistan also nominated Trump for helping ease tensions with India.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump administration opens investigation into Minnesota agency’s affirmative action policy

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Human Services over its newly updated affirmative action hiring policy. The policy requires supervisors to justify hiring candidates who are not from underrepresented groups, such as women or racial minorities, in certain job categories. The investigation comes amid the administration’s broader push against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Attorney General Pam Bondi says that state government employees should be hired based on merit, not based on what she called “illegal DEI.” The state Department of Human Services says it follows all state and federal hiring laws.

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Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell listens during an open meeting of the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

White House escalates pressure campaign on Fed chair by targeting its headquarters renovation

President Donald Trump is escalating his pressure campaign to get the Federal Reserve chairman to either lower interest rates or quit his post by targeting the expensive renovation at the central bank’s headquarters. On Thursday, President Donald Trump’s budget adviser Russ Vought accused Fed Chair Jerome Powell of violating building rules with an “ostentatious overhaul.” Trump has also appointed allies to scrutinize the project further. If successful, Trump will have expanded his influence to yet another corner of American government that was once seen as beyond the reach of political pressure. But he also risks jeopardizing the independence that has made the central bank a foundational player in the U.S. economy.

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FILE - Former CIA Director John Brennan arrives for a meeting at the Capitol in Washington, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Years later, key figures in Russia investigation face new scrutiny from Trump administration

The Justice Department appeared to acknowledge in an unusual statement this week the existence of investigations into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan. Both officials played key roles in the U.S. government’s response to Russian interference in the 2016 election won by President Donald Trump and have drawn his ire. That the Russia investigation would resurface is hardly surprising given President Donald Trump’s lingering ire over the inquiry and because longtime allies, including Patel and current CIA Director John Ratcliffe, now lead the same agencies whose actions they once lambasted.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

George Mason University faces investigation in Trump administration’s anti-DEI crackdown

The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia’s largest public university. The Education Department said it is responding to a complaint from multiple professors at George Mason who accuse the university of favoring those from underrepresented groups. The complaint takes aim at the university’s president, Gregory Washington, saying he issued guidance that favors faculty candidates based on their diversity rather than their credentials. It marks a further expansion of the Trump administrations campaign to reshape higher education, which until recently focused on private institutions like Harvard and Columbia.

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People show their support for a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's policy of targeting students for deportation who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Casey)

A recap of the trial over the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protesters

University associations are challenging in a lawsuit the Trump administration’s campaign of arresting and deporting college faculty and students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. During the first four days of the trial, plaintiffs put several noncitizen scholars on the stand to talk about how the crackdown prompted led them to limit their travel and stay away from protests. And an official with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement testified that a special group was formed to investigate protesters. He said it looked at as many as 5,000 people and estimated that it compiled reports on about 200.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

As Netanyahu wraps Washington visit, progress on a Gaza ceasefire remains murky

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attended a memorial service for two slain Israeli Embassy staffers at the end of his trip to Washington. He met this week with President Donald Trump about a ceasefire deal in Gaza and other issues. But as Netanyahu gets set to head back to Israel, it is unclear if there was any breakthrough on sealing a Trump-backed 60-day truce between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu said in a video released Thursday that he is trying to wrap up the U.S.-backed deal but stressed it will be “temporary” and would be aimed at releasing half of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza, many of them believed dead.

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FILE - Former President Barack Obama speaks at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum, Dec. 5, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)

Larry David teams with the Obamas for HBO US history sketch show for the nation’s 250th

Larry David will bring his grumbly sensibility to U.S. history in a team-up with Barack and Michelle Obama for an HBO sketch show. The network announced the new, not-yet-named limited series on Thursday. David, the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator and “Seinfeld” co-creator, will act as executive producer, writer and star of the limited series. It will consist of six half-hour episodes and be produced by the Obamas’ company, Higher Ground. David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” showrunner Jeff Schaffer will co-write and direct episodes. HBO did not give a premiere date, but the show is meant to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary next year.

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FILE - The Microsoft company logo is displayed at their offices in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

Microsoft Outlook users experience hourslong outage impacting email access

After Outlook users ran into issues accessing their email accounts on Wednesday and Thursday, Microsoft says that affected systems are back online. Microsoft 365 first said that it was investigating an issue with Outlook Wednesday night, and later shared it was deploying a fix. Still, there were some delays. Disruptions appeared to peak just before noon ET on Thursday — when more than 2,700 users worldwide reported issues to outage tracker Downdetector. But by later in the afternoon, reports had fallen significantly. And in an an update, Microsoft said that everything was back up and running.

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FILE - A Ford logo is on the tailgate of a pick-up truck and on a Ford dealership sign in Salem, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Ford recalls over 850,000 cars in the US due to potential fuel pump failure

Ford is recalling more than 850,000 of its cars across the U.S. because the low-pressure fuel pump inside the vehicles may fail — and potentially cause an engine stall while driving, increasing crash risks. The recall covers a wide range of Ford and Lincoln-branded vehicles made in recent model years. That includes certain Ford Broncos, Explorers and F-150s, as well as Lincoln Aviators and Navigators, documents published this week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration note. Ford plans to send out notification letters to affected owners starting July 14, to warn of safety risks related to this potential fuel pump failure. But recall documents note that a remedy is still under development. Ford isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries related to these recalled cars.

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Gun makers lose appeal of New York law that could make them liable for shootings

A federal appeals court has upheld a New York law holding gun manufacturers potentially liable when their weapons are used in deadly shootings. The ruling Thursday by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan affirmed a 2022 decision by an Albany judge. The three-judge appeals panel said the 2021 New York state law was not unconstitutional or too vague to implement. A trade association of firearms manufacturers that ship or transport firearms and ammunition into New York had sued to try to stop the law.

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President Donald Trump signs his signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington, surrounded by members of Congress. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Senate Republicans block attempt to roll back massive tax hike on professional gamblers

Senate Republicans are rejecting an attempt to reverse a provision from their new tax law that changes the taxation of gambling winnings. Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada on Thursday sought unanimous passage of a bill that would roll back the gambling provision. But Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana objected, stalling the proposal for now.  Under the new tax law, starting in 2026 individuals can only deduct 90% of their gambling losses up to the amount of their winnings. That’s a change from the previous rule, which allowed gamblers to deduct 100% of their losses, up to the amount they won.

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FILE - In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump wants to represent himself in Florida case

A man charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump says he wants to fire his lawyers and represent himself. Ryan Routh asked a federal judge in court Thursday to let him serve as his own attorney. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon questioned Routh for about 30 minutes but did not rule during the hearing. Cannon said she will issue a written order later. Prosecutors have said Routh plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as Trump played golf in September at his West Palm Beach country club. Routh has pleaded not guilty.

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FILE - A vehicle stops at Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Feb. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Woman convicted of stowing away on flight to Paris faces extradition to Connecticut

A woman convicted of stowing away on a flight from New York to Paris without a boarding pass or a passport won’t be released from custody. Authorities say she faces new charges of breaching security at a Connecticut airport. Svetlana Dali was sentenced Thursday to time already served behind bars for her illegal ride to Paris last year. But a federal judge in Brooklyn said she would not be released as Connecticut authorities are seeking to extradite her. The 57-year-old has been in federal custody for nearly seven months. Prosecutors say Dali was able to get through security checkpoints at Bradley International Airport near Hartford last November.

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FILE - Katie Taylor, left, and Amanda Serrano pose for photos during a news conference promoting their upcoming boxing bout, May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde, File)

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano meet for third time in their historic women’s boxing rivalry

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have fought twice, two of the best and most significant events in women’s boxing history. They return to Madison Square Garden, site of their first bout, on Friday night to headline the first all-women’s card at the arena. It’s the expected conclusion to a rivalry that has elevated their sport, created opportunities that never previously existed for female fighters, and so far has delivered everything except a Serrano victory. Taylor will defend her 140-pound titles against Serrano, who has won titles in seven weight classes. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist from Ireland won close decisions in both previous fights.

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Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Bryan Baker (43) leaves the mound in a pitching substitution after giving up four runs during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Orioles trade reliever Bryan Baker to Rays for 37th pick in draft

The Baltimore Orioles have traded right-handed reliever Bryan Baker to AL East rival Tampa Bay in exchange for the 37th overall pick in the 2025 MLB amateur draft, a sign that one of baseball’s most disappointing clubs could be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. Orioles GM Mike Elias wouldn’t completely commit to that idea speaking to media before Thursday’s doubleheader against the New Yor Mets, citing the 2024 Detroit Tigers, who traded players off their major league roster, then surged into a playoff spot. But he acknowledged the possibility on a day that began with last-place Baltimore (40-50) sitting 12 1/2 games behind division-leading Toronto and seven out of the final AL wild card spot.

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Former ‘Love Island USA’ contestant Cierra Ortega apologizes for using racial slur

Former “Love Island USA” contestant Cierra Ortega has released a video on TikTok apologizing for previously using a racial slur against Asian people. Just a week before the reality show’s finale, Ortega, who was half of one of the season’s strongest couples, left the villa after old posts resurfaced that contained a racial slur against Asian people. Ortega calls her nearly 5 minute video released Wednesday night “an accountability video.” Ortega’s removal from the villa was announced early in Sunday’s episode. Host Iain Stirling said she had left “due to a personal situation.”

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Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton (25) is looked at by manager Rocco Baldelli (5), left, and a trainer after being hit by a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Twins keep sore Buxton out of starting lineup with bruised hand, but expect All-Star to be fine

The Minnesota Twins have kept All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton out of Thursday’s starting lineup due to a bruised left hand. Manager Rocco Baldelli says Buxton could still play as a pinch-hitter, depending on how his hand feels. Buxton was hit by a pitch during Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs but stayed in briefly before being removed. X-rays showed no fractures. Baldelli expects him to return soon. Buxton’s participation in next week’s All-Star Game and Home Run Derby appears unaffected. Buxton has 20 home runs this season and ranks among league leaders in several categories.

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Driven Fire Consultants Expands Presence with New Office in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Driven Fire Consultants has announced the opening of a permanent office in Rapid City, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in western South Dakota. The new two-level facility, located at 650 Flormann Street, includes an unfinished basement with potential for future growth. The opening reflects Driven Fire Consultants’ long-term commitment […]

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Dark series ‘The Institute’ adaptation gets author Stephen King’s thumbs up

Stephen King shares his thoughts on adapting his books for screens, emphasizing the importance of staying true to his stories. In a recent interview, he discusses the upcoming series “The Institute,” based on his 2019 novel. The show, debuting Sunday on MGM+, follows children with psychic powers imprisoned in a secret facility for dark purposes. King approves of the adaptation, noting some changes, like setting it entirely in Maine and aging up the protagonist. He reflects on his inspiration from “Lord of the Flies” and his respect for young characters under pressure. King credits his cinematic storytelling style to early influences from TV and movies.

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New York Yankees second base DJ LeMahieu (26) grounds out Athletics' Max Muncy (10) during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Yankees cut 2-time batting champ DJ LeMahieu with nearly $22 million left on contract

DJ LeMahieu has been cut by the New York Yankees with almost $22 million remaining on his contract, one day after the two-time batting champion got demoted to the bench. LeMahieu, who turns 37 on Sunday, was designated for assignment and fellow infielder Jorbit Vivas was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees then released LeMahieu on Thursday. A three-time All-Star, LeMahieu was batting .266 with two homers, 12 RBIs and a .674 OPS. He made his season debut May 13 after recovering from a left calf strain.

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(AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)

Making healthy snacks a habit when afternoon energy slumps strike at work

Sticking to healthy snacks during workdays can be tough, especially with busy schedules and tempting treats nearby. Experts suggest focusing on snacks high in protein, like Greek yogurt or hard-boiled eggs, to stay fuller longer. Pairing proteins with complex carbs, such as crackers or fruit, provides both quick and lasting energy. Crunchy options like veggies with hummus, roasted chickpeas, or unsalted nuts can satisfy cravings. Preparing snacks in advance, like pre-sliced veggies or homemade smoothies, makes healthy choices easier. Occasional indulgences are fine, but balance is key. Experts emphasize mindful eating and portion control to maintain energy and wellness.

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Stephen King to narrate ‘Hansel and Gretel’ audiobook with Maurice Sendak’s illustrations

Stephen King narrates a new audiobook version of “Hansel and Gretel,” blending his storytelling with Maurice Sendak’s illustrations. The Maurice Sendak Foundation announced Thursday that King’s reading adds captivating depth to the classic fairy tale. The audiobook releases on Sept. 2, alongside the new picture book. This reimagining is based on Sendak’s sketches for a 1997 opera about two children lost in a forest. Sendak, who died in 2012, was known for such classic books as “Where the Wild Things Are.” King’s many novels include “Carrie” and “The Stand.”

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FILE - UFC fighter Ben Askren waits for the start of a middleweight mixed martial arts bout between David Branch and Jared Cannonier at UFC 230, in New York, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Former Olympic wrestler and MMA star Ben Askren recovering from double lung transplant

Olympic wrestler and former UFC fighter Ben Askren has undergone a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia. In a social media post Wednesday, Askren shared that he is now recovering. He revealed he remembers little from a 45-day ordeal between late May and early July, during which he was on a ventilator and his heart stopped four times. Askren lost 50 pounds during the experience but expressed gratitude for the love and support he received. Known for his amateur wrestling and MMA career, Askren retired in 2019 and briefly returned for a boxing match in 2021.

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FILE - George Harrison performs at a concert in London on April 6, 1992. (AP Photo/Max Nash, File)

George Harrison’s Beatles-era photos to be released in new book

A new book of Beatles-era photographs by George Harrison will be released in Fall 2026. Random House announced Thursday that “The Third Eye” features over 250 images, many unpublished, taken between 1963 and 1969. The book was compiled by Harrison’s widow, Olivia Harrison. It captures moments from Liverpool to India and Shea Stadium. Olivia says the photos reflect George’s unique perspective during the Beatles’ early years. The book includes essays by Olivia, Irish novelist Colm Tóibín, and American author George Saunders, along with George’s own words. Fellow Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have also published photo books.

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Jennifer Hudson performs at the pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 4, 2023, left, and Whitney Houston performs at the pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2011. (AP Photo)

Jennifer Hudson will headline the Whitney Houston estate’s fourth annual Legacy of Love Gala

No one could replace the inimitable talent that was Whitney Houston. But EGOT-winner Jennifer Hudson can master her hits. Hudson will headline the fourth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, presented by The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Primary Wave Music. The event, held at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta on what would have been Houston’s 62nd birthday, doubles as a celebration of 40 years since the launch of her career. Houston’s self-titled debut album was released in 1985.The Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer’s foundation aimed at helping young people.

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A now hiring and help wanted sign is posted in Morrisville, Pa., Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

US applications for jobless benefits fall to 227,000 last week, remain at historically healthy level

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, remaining in the historically healthy range of the past couple years. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell by 5,000 to 227,000, fewer than the 238,000 that analysts forecast. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as representative of layoffs. The four-week average of claims, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, fell by 5,750 to 235,500. The total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits for the week of June 28 rose by 10,000 to 1.97 million. That’s the most since November of 2021.

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The The Rhea County courthouse where the Scopes Monkey Trial occured in 1925 is seen, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Dayton, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

A century after a man was convicted of teaching evolution, the debate on religion in schools rages

The 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial” in Tennessee, where a teacher was prosecuted for teaching evolution, continues to influence debates on religion in public schools. The trial highlighted tensions between science and religion, sparking a broader cultural conflict. Today, similar debates persist as conservative efforts push for more religious presence in schools, such as displaying the Ten Commandments. Legal challenges are ongoing, with advocates for church-state separation opposing these measures. Experts see parallels between the Scopes trial and current disputes, emphasizing the enduring struggle over balancing religious freedom and secular governance in education.

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