2025-07-02 18:00:37.84

Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty on two out of five counts in his sex-trafficking trial, but acquitted of the most serious charge of racketeering. The jury found him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, a charge carrying a maximum 10-year sentence. He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. The jury had previously indicated difficulty reaching a unanimous verdict on the racketeering charge. Combs' arrest in September 2024 stemmed from allegations of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims for sexual purposes between 2004 and 2024. He denied all accusations. His lawyers are arguing for his release pending sentencing, citing his cooperation and the rejection of the core charges. The judge is considering this request. Diddy's family was present in court, and his children were congratulated by the crowd. Cassie Ventura's lawyer expressed mixed emotions, stating that while they hoped for convictions on the more serious charges, the verdict still holds Combs accountable for two felonies. The Mann Act, which prohibits the interstate transportation of individuals for prostitution, was central to the charges. The verdict has sparked strong reactions, including criticism from Megyn Kelly.

2025-07-02 12:00:21.894

The author recounts her unsuccessful attempt to read Anna Karenina on a beach vacation, highlighting the importance of choosing enjoyable books for leisure reading. She emphasizes the positive impact of reading on well-being, citing studies that show reading improves cognitive function and longevity. The author contrasts her frustrating experience with Tolstoy with the joy she found in lighthearted fiction, advocating for prioritizing pleasure reading, particularly during vacations. She shares tips for selecting holiday reading material, including rereading favorite books, starting a book before the vacation, and sharing books with travel companions. The article also highlights the benefits of reading for stress reduction, improved sleep, and increased presence in daily life. The author concludes by recommending several lighthearted and enjoyable books suitable for beach reading, emphasizing the value of easy reads and the lasting positive effects of reading for pleasure.

2025-07-02 12:00:21.892

Since Donald Trump's return to power, federal district court judges have issued over 190 orders blocking his actions deemed illegal. However, the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Trump v. Casa significantly curtails the power of district judges to issue nationwide injunctions against presidential actions. Now, injunctions will generally only apply to the plaintiffs in a lawsuit, unless it's the only way to ensure complete relief. This ruling is seen as a major victory for Trump, allowing him to continue potentially illegal policies in most states even if a court rules against him in one. Justice Sotomayor's dissent accuses the court of "complicity" with Trump's actions and warns of an existential threat to the rule of law. Critics argue this decision hampers checks on Trump's power and enables further illegal actions. Other recent Supreme Court decisions, such as those regarding immigrant deportations and the reinstatement of a fired National Labor Relations Board member, further illustrate a pattern of rulings favoring Trump and potentially weakening checks and balances. The concern is that the court prioritizes the perceived overreach of district court judges over the president's potentially authoritarian actions and disregard for the law.

2025-07-02 12:00:21.884

The punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, previously known for their UK top 20 album and Kerrang! award, found themselves at the center of an international controversy following a Glastonbury performance where frontman Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants of "death, death to the IDF." This sparked widespread condemnation in the UK, with Glastonbury characterizing the chant as antisemitic and Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling it "appalling." While Vylan clarified on Instagram that the chant was against the Israeli Defense Forces, not Jewish people, Avon and Somerset police launched a criminal investigation. The incident led to the US revoking the band's visas, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stating that those who "glorify violence and hatred" are unwelcome. The event highlighted the complex issue of criticizing Israeli actions versus antisemitism. Bob Vylan, known for their politically charged music combining punk, grime, reggae, and indie, has consistently addressed issues such as food poverty and institutional racism, with Palestinian rights being a central theme. Their Glastonbury performance, intended as a career highlight, was overshadowed by the controversy. The incident follows similar visa issues faced by other bands with pro-Palestinian views. The US State Department's public announcement of the visa ban is unprecedented. While Bob Vylan and their actions have been condemned by many, including the UK's chief rabbi, others argue the outrage is disproportionate given the broader pro-Palestinian sentiment at Glastonbury and the context of the ongoing conflict and alleged genocide in Gaza. Vylan maintains they are being targeted for speaking out and that the controversy distracts from the larger issues at hand.

2025-07-02 06:00:43.959

Red Panda, the popular unicycle performer, suffered a fall during the halftime show of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night. She fell forward off her unicycle onto the court, appearing to grab at her left wrist. A wheelchair was used to help her leave the court. The extent of her injuries is unknown. Red Panda, whose real name is Rong Niu, comes from a family of acrobats and is known for her impressive unicycle act involving custom-built unicycles and bowls. She has performed at numerous basketball games, including Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

2025-07-02 06:00:43.957

No. 2 seed Coco Gauff was shockingly upset at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on Tuesday as Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska defeated the Roland Garros champion 7-6(3), 6-1. The world No. 42 was in control throughout the first set tiebreak and appeared very comfortable against Gauff, who typically dominates opponents in the early rounds. The two-time grand slam winner appeared tight and unusually conservative with her strong forehand and serving, which let her down on Court No. 1. She double-faulted nine times in the match. The Ukrainian stroked 16 winners compared to just six from the American. On match point, Yastremska’s deep forehand forced Gauff into an unforced error, to which the 25-year-old let out a victorious primal scream. The pair embraced at the net with Gauff quickly gathering her rackets while waving to the crowd as she walked off the court. Yastremska basked in the upset victory – the biggest win of her career. Gauff’s loss, along with Jessica Pegula’s defeat, marked the first time in women’s major history in the Open Era that two of the top three seeds lost in the first round. Gauff has never advanced past the fourth round at Wimbledon and got emotional during the post-match press conference. “I don’t really like losing,” the 21-year-old said with tears in her eyes. “I just feel a little bit disappointed in how I showed up today. I felt like I could have been a little bit better.” After the victory, the Ukrainian star, who reached the 2024 Australian Open semifinal, acknowledged that she brought the heat to the All England Club. “I was really on fire. I even have fire on my nails,” she said while holding up her fingers for the crowd and cameras to see. Yastremska said playing Gauff is always special and was thankful for the support. “These courts are made for the greatest players, so I’m very grateful to be on this court,” she said while the crowd clapped. “I’m actually enjoying really a lot being on the court and I love playing on grass. I feel that this year we are kind of friends,” she said with a smile. “I hope that the road will continue for me here.” Gauff, who has now lost in the first round at Wimbledon two of the last three years, noted this was her first experience managing preparation and schedule after winning the French Open just over three weeks ago. “I felt like mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,” she said after the upset loss. “So, I didn’t feel like I had that enough time to do, I guess, celebrate and then also get back into it. But it’s the first time of this experience of coming off a win and having to play Wimbledon and I definitely learned a lot of what I would and would not do again.” Gauff also gave credit to Yastremska’s performance. “She played great. I mean, I saw the draw and knew it would be a tough match for me,” she said.

2025-07-02 06:00:43.955

The University of Pennsylvania will bar transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and erase swimmer Lia Thomas's records, complying with a federal government agreement. This settlement stems from the Trump administration's broader restrictions on transgender individuals, including a nationwide effort to ban transgender athletes from women's sports. Thomas, a transgender woman and UPenn graduate, won the 2022 NCAA championship in the women's 500-yard freestyle. Penn's President, J. Larry Jameson, stated that the university has always followed Title IX and NCAA guidelines, but will now adhere to new, more restrictive rules. Thomas's records have been removed from UPenn's all-time records, with a note acknowledging her achievements under previous eligibility rules. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights cited a Title IX violation for allowing males to compete in women's sports and use women-only facilities. Penn agreed to adopt biology-based definitions of 'male' and 'female' and apologize to female athletes who competed against Thomas. The agreement follows Trump's executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," aiming to ban transgender women from women's sports. While research on the athletic advantage of transgender women is limited and inconclusive, the Trump administration's position emphasizes preserving women's sports for women. Thomas's case highlights the ongoing debate on transgender participation in sports, balancing inclusion and fair play. She previously stated that she is a woman and belongs on the women's team. Three former UPenn swimmers sued the school for allowing Thomas to compete, and Thomas has been barred from international competitions by World Aquatics rules. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld this ruling, making her ineligible for major events like the 2024 Olympics.

2025-07-02 06:00:43.953

Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students murdered in 2022, expressed shock and anger over a plea deal reached between prosecutors and Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of the crime. Just days before the deal was announced, Goncalves and other victims' families had explicitly stated their opposition to a plea deal and their desire for the death penalty. The deal would see Kohberger plead guilty to all four counts of murder in exchange for the death penalty being dropped. While some families, like those of Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin, support the deal, Goncalves and Jeff Kernodle, father of Xana Kernodle, have voiced strong criticism, calling it "hurried" and "secretive." They argue the deal should have included provisions requiring Kohberger to confess details of the crime. Legal experts explain that plea deals are often shrouded in privacy and that the costs and time commitment of a death penalty case may have influenced the decision. The judge must still approve the deal and will question Kohberger to ensure he understands the implications of waiving his right to a trial. The possibility of an Alford plea, where Kohberger maintains innocence while accepting the deal, is also discussed, although considered unlikely. The article highlights the conflicting emotions and opinions of the victims' families and explores the legal intricacies of the plea agreement.

2025-07-02 06:00:43.95

Two guests, reportedly a father and his young daughter, were rescued by the crew of the Disney Dream cruise ship after falling overboard. Disney confirmed the rescue, stating both individuals were safely returned to the ship within minutes. Social media posts suggest the father jumped in to save his daughter after she fell, though the circumstances of her fall remain unclear. Disney praised the crew's swift action and commitment to guest safety. The incident occurred as the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from a four-night Bahamian cruise. Passengers shared videos of the rescue on social media, expressing relief at the safe outcome. While rare, passenger overboard incidents occasionally occur, with some resulting in remarkable survival stories, such as James Michael Grimes' 15-hour ordeal in 2022 and Rob Konrad's nine-mile swim in 2015.

2025-07-02 00:00:47.886

Ask a Canadian about their national cuisine, and you might get a blank stare followed by mentions of poutine and maple syrup. But Canada's culinary landscape is far more diverse than that. Spanning 3.8 million square miles, the country boasts a wide range of ingredients and culinary traditions shaped by its multicultural population. Indigenous communities are increasingly showcasing their traditional flavors in innovative ways, while immigrant communities have enriched Canadian food with influences from around the world, including British, French, Jewish, Ukrainian, Chinese, Portuguese, South Asian, and more. While there's no single dish that perfectly encapsulates "Canada on a plate," poutine, with its Montreal variations incorporating diverse gastronomic cultures, stands as a strong icon. This article explores a variety of iconic Canadian foods, including: Poutine: French fries, cheese curds, and gravy, with countless regional variations. BeaverTails: Deep-fried pastries topped with sweet ingredients. Nanaimo bars: No-bake dessert with three layers: a graham cracker crust, custard filling, and chocolate ganache. Tourtière: A savory meat pie, a Quebec staple. Saskatoon berry pie: A sweet pie made with Saskatoon berries, a fruit with a nutty blueberry flavor, significant in Indigenous culture. Bannock: A traditional quick bread, often associated with Canada's First Nations communities. Lobster rolls: Juicy lobster meat served on a bun, a delicacy from Atlantic Canada. Split pea soup: A hearty soup, a long-standing favorite in Quebec. Butter tarts: Small, sweet tarts with a buttery, syrupy filling. BC salmon: Wild Pacific salmon from British Columbia, including the popular B.C. roll. Ketchup chips: Uniquely Canadian, tangy, bright red potato chips. Fish and brewis: A traditional Newfoundland dish of salted cod and hard bread. Pouding Chômeur (Poor Man's Pudding): A decadent Quebecois dessert. Halifax donairs: Spiced ground beef on pita with a unique donair sauce. PEI oysters: Renowned oysters from Prince Edward Island. Pierogies: Popular in Western Canada, particularly among Ukrainian and Polish descendants. Bison burger: A leaner, richer alternative to beef burgers. Montreal smoked meat: Beef brisket cured, smoked, and spiced, a staple of Montreal's Jewish delis. Montreal bagels: Boiled in honey water and baked in a wood-fired oven, distinct from New York bagels. Maple syrup: Canada's iconic sweetener, used in countless dishes and treats.