American daily newspaper and media company, founded 1982
Sony has announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold on the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes. The decision follows several years of rising digital sales — roughly 78–85% of full-game purchases — and has provoked fan backlash over ownership, preservation and resale.
The Ruby Princess has reported a norovirus outbreak on its 20-day San Francisco–Alaska–Canada cruise, affecting more than 100 passengers and 23 crew members. Princess Cruises has implemented enhanced sanitation protocols and will disinfect the ship before its next voyage. CDC/OHSA are monitoring, with several other outbreaks reported on US‑based cruise ships this year.
Australia’s social media age-restriction law has faced enforcement challenges as a study finds that initial age-inference checks are failing to identify under-16 users, despite platforms claiming to follow regulator guidance. A Kick platform shows stricter onboarding, while Meta, YouTube and others dispute the trial’s implications.
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.
AIPAC-backed outside groups are spending heavily to influence Missouri's 1st Congressional District primary, pressuring Cori Bush as she seeks to regain the seat. The race highlights tensions over money, influence and a shift in Democratic voters toward anti-establishment sentiment. Bush is challenging incumbent Wesley Bell amid ads funded by Unites Democracy Project and other PACs.
The U.S. outbreak of cyclosporiasis has expanded across multiple states, with Michigan reporting the highest counts. Officials say the source remains unidentified, but lettuce and leafy greens are under investigation amid recalls and ongoing traceback work as case counts rise through summer.
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.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian and U.S. fires has created unhealthy air across the Midwest, Northeast and beyond. Official alerts urge residents to stay indoors as air-quality deteriorates. Climate-linked fires are intensifying, with conditions likely to persist and spread smoke further south and east.
Cyclospora cases linked to iceberg lettuce have driven retailers to push greenhouse-grown greens. Health authorities warn on contaminated produce as more states report cases; restaurants adapt menus and chains reassure customers about ingredients.
The FDA has reaffirmed the outbreak advisory linking shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico to cyclosporiasis, while Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce as a precaution. A subsequent reevaluation has determined the initial positive test was a false positive, but health officials say the outbreak data remains valid and investigations continue.
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.
Six Flags reveals Bakunawa, a 382-foot spinning launch coaster inspired by Philippine folklore. The ride will debut in 2027 at The Boardwalk, replacing Kingda Ka, with speeds up to 100 mph, three launches, and floorless, free‑spinning trains. The project aims to set multiple world records while expanding the park’s thrill lineup.
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 long-time U.S. resident, remains in immigration proceedings after being arrested by ICE. A judge has released him, citing insufficient justification for deportation, while DHS maintains he poses a foreign policy threat due to Israeli convictions. Hearings continue, with new testimony addressing torture claims and potential coercion in past Israeli proceedings.
California Attorneys General have filed a high-stakes antitrust challenge to the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would harm consumers and reduce competition. The coalition seeks to block the deal, which would combine HBO Max, Paramount+, HBO, CBS, CNN and thousands of titles under one umbrella. The case has paused the merger, with a ticking fee looming if not closed by Oct. 1. Regulators in the EU have granted conditional approval, while Paramount says the deal will boost production and distribution efficiency.
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 Colorado River system is under mounting stress as Lake Mead and Lake Powell reach record low levels. Federal plans call for flexible, biannual adjustments and deeper cuts in the Lower Basin, balancing conservation with electricity needs amid a multi-decade drought and climate change.
Investors in Wondermind Global allege Selena Gomez and co-founders misrepresented infrastructure, partnerships and app development, prompting a Delaware federal lawsuit seeking recovery of about $1.2 million in investments. Gomez’s representatives deny the claims as meritless.
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.
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.