American daily newspaper and media company, founded 1982
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
The White House has released a July Fourth report criticizing the Smithsonian’s portrayal of American history as biased toward activism. President Trump has issued an executive order directing sidewalk signs outside the Smithsonian and a temporary exhibit to present what he calls accurate information, while Smithsonian leadership defends ongoing scholarship and a fuller account of the nation’s story.
Smoke from more than 800 active wildfires in Canada has blanketed parts of the US Midwest and Northeast and made air quality hazardous in cities including Chicago, Detroit and New York. Officials have issued health alerts, advised people to stay indoors, and warned that smoke will linger into the weekend before forecast rain helps disperse it.
A Senate hearing has spotlighted newly released diary pages from Fauci, fueling accusations that the scientist privately contradicted public statements as lawmakers push for questioning under the Fifth Amendment; experts note the diary entries document uncertainty in early pandemic days and ongoing debates about origins and gain-of-function research.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that Kumba will permanently close on Aug. 2, marking 33 years of operation. Debuted in 1993 as Florida’s tallest and fastest coaster, it features seven inversions and a 135-foot drop. The park will replace it with Kumba’s Revenge as part of a $100 million thrill-ride expansion. Final rides are on Aug. 2.
A wave of government-backed cooking shows and dietary guidance has proponents arguing nutritious, affordable meals can beat fast food. Kennedy-led initiatives are highlighting home cooking as a public-health strategy amid rising costs and chronic disease concerns.
Salah Sarsour, a U.S. legal permanent resident, remains in Chicago immigration proceedings after ICE arrested him in Milwaukee. A judge has released him, citing insufficient justification for deportation, while DHS maintains he is a foreign policy threat due to Israeli convictions. Testimony has raised questions about coercion in Israeli custody and the relevance of his past actions to his current status.
California’s AGs have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The coalition argues the deal would harm consumers and reduce competition. The case has paused the merger, with potential remedies on the table as regulators scrutinize the deal’s impact on production and distribution.
Families and lawmakers have raised alarms about living conditions and mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been continuously at sea since November and has not made a port call for more than 240 days. Reports have cited food shortages, plumbing failures, water contamination and multiple attempted overboard incidents; senators have asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers.
The US Interior Department has proposed a flexible framework to spare some Lower Basin states from mandatory cuts for now, with deeper reductions possible in drier times. California, Nevada and Arizona would share halves of the cuts, tied to priority water rights, and the plan would be revisited every two years as conditions change. The move aims to keep the river reliable for millions while addressing drought and climate change.
Investors in Wondermind Global have filed a federal suit alleging Selena Gomez and co-founders failed to deliver on promotion, branding and an app, prompting claims of misrepresentation and financial loss. The case, filed in Delaware, says promises to actively build the platform were not fulfilled, with around $1.2 million invested and legal fees sought.
Multiple WNBA games have been interrupted by thrown sex toys, with players and officials calling out perpetrators. Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream incidents are linked to ongoing protests; authorities warn of bans and legal action for offenders.
Jed York, principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers, has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges after an Ohio arrest related to prostitution and criminal tools. The NFL will review under the personal conduct policy. The case centers on a so-called online prostitution ad in East Palestine, Ohio.
The Transportation Security Administration has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck, allowing eligible PreCheck and other trusted-traveler members to apply one to three days in advance to pass through security and enter gate areas at 13 U.S. airports without a flight ticket. The pass is free, valid for one calendar day with re-entry, and the agency plans to expand the program.
Trump's online memes portray him as all-powerful, yet voters cite economic concerns as the driving factor behind midterm choices. The White House defends meme strategy as energizing base, while critics warn of detached messaging.
McDonald’s has introduced an AI-driven pricing platform to help franchisees estimate customer willingness to pay. Reuters reports it has widened price gaps for the same items across nearby stores, though McDonald’s says the tool offers suggestions, not real-time price setting. Some franchisees say they feel pressured to adopt the system as inflation hits costs.
PepsiCo has initiated a class II recall after undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or No. 6 dyes were found in several Gatorade flavors. The recall covers 28-ounce bottles distributed across 37 states. Consumers are advised not to drink affected products and to seek refunds; the FDA classifies the risk as mid-level.
Trump has proposed converting a Florida golf course into a US Presidential Golf Course with a dedicated lodge and free access for current and former presidents and visiting leaders. The plan emphasizes security and proximity to an airport, drawing comparisons to Camp David. Local officials are reviewing the proposal, which would require county approval and alignment with Secret Service needs.
Kelly Clarkson has criticized Art of Play in Brooklyn after a staffer allegedly treated her as if she couldn’t afford items. The store says the sought-after one-of-a-kind bird automaton isn’t for sale, though a similar version is offered for $15,000. The clash has drawn widespread online attention and reaction from PR experts.
A teen attacker has died after a mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Three children aged five, eight and 11, and a teacher have died. A seven-year-old and another teacher are in critical condition. A community member who engaged the suspect is hailed as a hero. Investigations are ongoing.
Three students and a teacher have died after a 16-year-old opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. A bystander intervened, shooting the attacker inside the school; a 7-year-old survivor and a teacher are hospitalized. Investigations and security reviews are under way as the community mourns.