New aircraft carrier heads toward Mideast after reports of issues on long-deployed USS Lincoln
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pacific-based aircraft carrier USS George Washington has begun heading toward the Middle East as reports have emerged of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln has been supporting the U.S. war against Iran, and its deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 240 days. Several Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon for accountability over conditions aboard the carrier. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said those were “completely misrepresented.” The Navy acknowledges that the war has created an environment “where traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions.”
Kennedy Center votes to restore Trump's name and close for 2 years, challenging a judge's order
WASHINGTON (AP) — The battle over the Kennedy Center’s future is escalating. President Donald Trump’s allies on the board voted on Thursday to add his name to the building’s facade so it would read “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump.” The plaza in front of the building would be named after Trump and most of the space at the venue would be closed for two years to allow for substantial renovations. But a federal judge had ruled in May that Trump’s name was added illegally to the building and the letter had to be removed. The judge also blocked a two-year closure set to take effect July 5.
Rescuers call for silence around earthquake rubble as window for survival narrows in Colombia
CALI, Colombia (AP) — Rescuers in Colombia are calling for silence as they listen for signs of life in the rubble left by a deadly earthquake. The disaster has killed more than 280 people and left hundreds more missing. The call for quiet Thursday was part of last-ditch efforts to find survivors in the aftermath of the 7.4 magnitude quake that struck the South American country Monday. Aid agencies consider the first two to three days after a quake to be the prime window for retrieving survivors. But some people trapped in debris can live longer if they have access to food and water.
FACT FOCUS: Conspiracy theories falsely blame Colombia earthquake on Alaska research program
An enduring conspiracy theory has resurfaced on social media after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia on Monday, with users blaming a research program in Alaska for the disaster. Posts falsely claim that the earthquake, which has killed at least 270 people and left widespread damage in its wake, was caused by the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP, which studies the properties and behavior of the upper atmosphere. But the earthquake was actually caused by natural movements in the Earth’s crust. Experts say it had nothing to do with human activities.
Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case in UnitedHealthcare killing, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty as early as Friday in the federal case accusing him of stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a stunning development in a case that rattled business leaders while galvanizing their critics, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to talk publicly about the case and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The person cautioned that Mangione could change his mind. Mangione is accused of stalking Thompson, 50, then shooting him outside a New York City hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, as the executive walked to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference. Mangione is due in court on Friday for a hastily scheduled hearing in the federal case. Mangione’s lawyers declined to comment.
Alabama man put to death for the murder of a 5-year-old girl in last of three US executions in a day
Tennessee and Oklahoma have put inmates to death within 30 minutes of each other and Alabama followed suit hours later as U.S. states executed three men in one day. It was the first time in nearly 16 years that three executions were carried out in the U.S. on the same day. Tennessee executed Anthony Darrell Hines on Thursday for the 1985 stabbing death of a hotel maid. In Oklahoma, Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez was executed for killing his girlfriend. And Alabama executed Jeremy Williams, who dropped appeals after pleading guilty to the 2021 rape and murder of a 5-year-old girl. The last time three executions took place on the same day was in 2010.
Judge drops Nevada case against electors accused of forging certificate in 2020 election
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge has dismissed Nevada’s fake electors case. Thursday’s decision marks the latest setback in swing states’ efforts to prosecute six Republicans who tried to keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost to Joe Biden in 2020’s presidential election. The Nevada Attorney General’s Office plans to appeal. The six Republicans pleaded not guilty. They include Michael McDonald, the chair of the Nevada Republican Party, and Jesse Law, the former chair of the Clark County Republican Party. Courts have dismissed similar cases in Arizona, Michigan and Georgia. A case is ongoing in Wisconsin.
Man used a screwdriver to kill his wife and daughter at a Minnesota daycare, police say
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police say a Minnesota man used a screwdriver to fatally stab his wife and their 7-year-old daughter at a daycare before killing himself. Officials released a search warrant Thursday in connection with Wednesday morning's attack in the Minneapolis suburb of Hopkins. The warrant identifies the man as 41-year-old Nathan Brown. Police say he attacked his wife, Kristen Brown, and their daughter, Evie, at the daycare Kristen Brown operated from the family’s basement. Nathan Brown then fatally shot himself upstairs. No other children at the daycare were physically harmed. Authorities say Brown also killed a 78-year-old relative at her Burnsville home before the daycare attack. A motive hasn't been released.
Broken engine parts shattered the Ryanair plane window that a man's head got sucked into: NTSB
Investigators say broken engine parts shattered a window on a Ryanair plane shortly after takeoff in Greece last month, causing a man’s head to be sucked into the hole in the fuselage before his fellow passengers pulled him to safety. The National Transportation Safety Board says in its report released Thursday that a fan blade in the right engine broke loose. That sent fragments flying out of the engine that broke the window and damaged the fuselage in several other places. Investigators found bird remains inside the engine, suggesting the plane may have struck birds as it took off. The 61-year-old man who was nearly sucked out of the plane suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.
Jury selected for trial of former gang leader accused of ordering Tupac Shakur’s killing
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A jury has been selected in the trial against the man charged in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur. Duane “Keffe D” Davis is the first person to be charged in connection to the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas nearly 30 years ago. Jurors were selected Thursday. Attorneys spent four days selecting the 16 jurors, asking to what extent they knew the rapper or heard about the case. Prosecutors allege Davis was the “shot caller” who orchestrating the shooting. Davis has pleaded not guilty and could be sentenced to life in prison if he’s convicted. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday.
