U.S.In The Know by YahooCollege graduate sews rainbow flag inside her gown and ‘flashes’ conservative university: ‘I will not hide’
This woman on TikTok showed her LGBTQIA+ pride when graduating from Brigham Young University, by displaying the rainbow flag sewn inside her graduation gown. TikToker Jillian Orr (@jillianoreo) is a recent college graduate and LGBTQIA+ activist. Orr, who is bisexual, recently showed her pride by fabulously revealing a rainbow flag lining the inside of her gown when receiving her diploma from Brigham Young University, a conservative university owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BusinessBusiness InsiderA SpaceX flight attendant said Elon Musk exposed himself and propositioned her for sex, documents show. The company paid $250,000 for her silence.
SpaceX, the aerospace firm founded by Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, paid a flight attendant $250,000 to settle a sexual misconduct claim against Musk in 2018, Insider has learned. The attendant worked as a member of the cabin crew on a contract basis for SpaceX's corporate jet fleet. She accused Musk of exposing his erect penis to her, rubbing her leg without consent, and offering to buy her a horse in exchange for an erotic massage, according to interviews and documents obtained by Insider.
ScienceBGROctopuses torture and eat themselves after mating, and scientists finally know why
For years, scientists have wondered why octopuses torture themselves after mating. Now, after all this time, researchers may finally have the answer. Today's Top Deals #1 best-selling bed pillows are on sale for $13 each — see why they have 126,000 5-star Amazon reviews!
U.S.Associated PressCourt tosses $300,000 hospital bill for promised $1,300 tab
Colorado's Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a woman who expected to pay about $1,300 for spinal fusion surgery but was billed more than $300,000 by a suburban Denver hospital that included charges it never disclosed she might be liable for. This week's ruling in favor of Lisa French, who underwent two surgeries in 2014, follows efforts by many U.S. states and the federal government to help curb health care costs by restricting or eliminating so-called “surprise billing ” and requiring increased price transparency for consumers. In a unanimous opinion, the Colorado justices ruled Monday that agreements French signed before surgery at St. Anthony North Health Campus in Westminster don't compel her to pay the extra charges, which stemmed from a then-secret list of prices for services that hadn't been disclosed to her.
U.S.Fort Worth Star-TelegramAngler reels in ‘freaking scary’ fish in Texas marsh, photos show. It’s a rare beast
An angler recently reeled in a rare and “freaking scary” fish after casting his hook into a murky Texas marsh, photos show. The scaly creature's striking look, jet black from tail to toothy tip, took the fisherman and his guide by surprise, according to a post by Lotus Guide Service. Well … (we) found out melanistic gar do exist,” said the May 16 post, sharing photos of the fish whipping and thrashing against the fishing line.
U.S.The Daily BeastVengeful Madison Cawthorn Vows ‘Dark MAGA’ Takeover
Less than 48 hours after his shocking defeat in North Carolina's primary election, Rep. Madison Cawthorn took to Instagram to post a defiant, vengeful, and typo-riddled message promising a “Dark MAGA” comeback. After decrying the establishment-driven campaign to unseat him following a long series of scandals, Cawthorn credited those he called his true allies, specifically naming figures like former President Donald Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), “the great Charlie Kirk,” and Tucker Carlson. I am on a mission now to expose those who say and promise one thing yet legislate and work towards another, self-profiteering, globalist goal,” Cawthorn said.
WorldReutersUkraine's Zelenskiy says Donbas region has been completely destroyed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday said Russian forces had "completely destroyed" the industrial Donbas region and accused Moscow of carrying out senseless bombardments as it intensified its offensive. Zelenskiy also accused Russian forces of attempting to kill as many Ukrainians and do as much damage as possible, repeating his charge that Russia was carrying out a genocide. Zelenskiy said that while Ukrainian forces were continuing to liberate the Kharkiv region to the east of Kyiv, Russia was trying to exert even more pressure in the Donbas, which lies in the southeastern part of Ukraine.
U.S.The Root“Don’t you have some fish to catch, African-American man?” says Santa Barbara Karen
On a sunny day at The Boathouse, a Santa Barbara restaurant, a Karen decided to cause an unnecessary ruckus. In a five-minute video recording of the incident, the woman confronts the person recording, a Black man, and takes things to another level. On May 11, Ian Soleimani, a local DJ, shared to his Instagram the footage he caught of the incident.
U.S.WFTVDeputies: Motorcyclist with concealed carry permit stops knife-wielding driver in road rage incident
A Flagler County man is under arrest after he threatened a motorcyclist with a knife in a road rage incident near Palm Coast Tuesday. Deputies said they responded to the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Whirlaway Drive just after 1 p.m. after getting several calls to 911 for a reported road rage incident. According to the sheriff's office, 50-year-old Rafael Vincent Rivera and a motorcyclist got into an argument after Rivera cut the motorcyclist off.
WorldReutersRussia uses new laser weapons in Ukraine, Zelenskiy mocks 'wonder weapon'
LONDON (Reuters) -Russia on Wednesday said it was using a new generation of powerful lasers in Ukraine to burn up drones, deploying some of Moscow's secret weapons to counter a flood of Western arms. Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018 unveiled an intercontinental ballistic missile, underwater nuclear drones, a supersonic weapon and a laser weapon. Little is known about the specifics of the new laser.
WorldUkrayinska PravdaGuerrillas blow up a Russian armoured train in captured Melitopol - media
DENYS KARLOVSKYI In captured Melitopol, the Ukrainian resistance movement has managed to blow up a Russian armoured train as it was transporting soldiers and equipment. Source: local media; Mirror of the Week, quoting the Defence Headquarters of the Zaporizhzhia region Details: Eyewitnesses in Melitopol reported hearing explosions and gunfire in the area of the meat-packing plant. Local journalists later confirmed that Ukrainian guerrillas had remotely detonated an armoured train near the meat-packing plant in Melitopol.
U.S.TheGrioMichigan school assignment compares President Obama to monkeys
The Roeper School released a statement to Fox 2 on Tuesday saying it was reviewing the circumstances of the incident. A school for gifted students in Birmingham, Michigan, has come under fire after a teacher handed out an assignment that featured pictures of primates alongside a photo of former President Barack Obama. The educator at the Roeper School — which describes itself on its website as “the oldest preschool through grade 12 school for the gifted in the nation” — handed out the assignment earlier this month in a high school biology class, according to Fox 2 in Detroit.
WorldAssociated PressUS intel shows Russians fear Mariupol abuse will backfire
The U.S. has gathered intelligence that shows some Russian officials have become concerned that Russian forces in the ravaged port city of Mariupol are carrying out grievous abuses, a U.S official familiar with the findings said Wednesday. The Russian officials are concerned that the abuses will backfire and further inspire Mariupol residents to resist the Russian occupation. The U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the Russians, who were not identified, also feared that the abuses will undercut Russia's claim that they've liberated the Russian-speaking city.
PoliticsNBC NewsTrump leaves Pennsylvania GOP fuming over 'cockamamie election.' Next up: Georgia.
Three days before Election Day, Trump veered hard to the right in the governor's race by backing Doug Mastriano, the state senator who built a devoted grassroots following for his efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's win and promote Trump's stolen election lie. Mainstream Republicans fear that Mastriano, who had been on track to win the primary anyway before Trump's nod, is too extreme to win a general election in a state with a half million more registered Democrats than Republicans. A Democratic victory in the Pennsylvania contest for governor would reverberate through the 2024 presidential election cycle.
U.S.Rock Hill HeraldRock Hill SC man again denied parole after conviction in fire that killed baby brother
A South Carolina man, who has been in prison for seven years for a deadly Rock Hill fire that killed his baby brother, was denied parole Wednesday. Morgan, now 24, was denied a chance at release Wednesday by the unanimous vote of a panel of the S.C. Parole Board after a video conference hearing, said Valerie Suber, associate deputy director of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The parole board had gathered in Columbia.
U.S.Associated PressCalifornia tree trimmer guilty in deadly throat-slashings
A tree trimmer in rural Northern California was found guilty in a series of throat-slashing attacks that left three people dead, prosecutors announced Wednesday. A jury in Butte County on Tuesday found Ryan Scott Blinston, 37, guilty of murder, attempted murder and arson, the Tehama County District Attorney's office said. Blinston, of Oroville, faces a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- PoliticsReuters Videos
Erdogan: Sweden and Finland's NATO bid is a 'no'
STORY: Finland and Sweden formally applied on Wednesday (May 18) to join U.S.-led NATO, a decision spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Turkey's objections have come as a surprise to the other members of the alliance. "We will continue our policy in a determined way.
WorldBusiness InsiderTimeline shows Putin's alleged health problems as Ukraine claims he is concealing a serious illness
Rumors of health problems and secret surgery have followed the Russian president for decades. Speculation about President Vladimir Putin's health reached fever pitch on Sunday after former MI6 Russia spy Christopher Steele indicated the Russian president could be seriously ill. Speaking to Sky News, Steele said Putin's health could be a factor in the unfolding invasion of Ukraine.
WorldReutersIn Mexico, a decade of images shows Mennonites' traditions frozen in time
The Mennonite community in Chihuahua, Mexico, can trace its roots as far back as a century ago, when the first such settlers came seeking ideal farming land, isolation from the outside world and the preservation of their religion. The community supports itself through its centuries-old tradition of farming: corn, chili peppers, cotton, onions. From low water reserves due to drought worsened by climate change to the rising cost of diesel to run farming pumps, the community has its own set of challenges as it seeks to thrive and grow.
BusinessMotley FoolRetirees Are Poised to See the Biggest Social Security Change in 41 Years
In 2023, retirees on Social Security are likely going to experience something that no senior has in 41 years. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) they are on track to receive would result in the largest benefit increase in more than four decades. This change sounds positive for older Americans, but in fact that's not the case at all.
U.S.Military.comGuard Officer Allowed to Retire with Benefits After 'Motorboating' Subordinate
A Louisiana Army National Guard officer retired in March with benefits after being convicted of assault and conduct unbecoming an officer for "motorboating" an enlisted soldier during a promotion ceremony in Jordan in May 2021. Court documents show that Capt. Billy Crosby, a logistics officer with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who was deployed to Joint Training Center Jordan, initially was charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and abusive sexual contact. According to court documents, Crosby told the junior soldier that he planned to "motorboat" her at her promotion ceremony to sergeant and did just that: placing his face between her breasts and "moving it from side to side ... without the sergeant's consent" during an impromptu ceremony initiated by Crosby on May 15, 2021.
WorldReutersUPDATE 2-Top U.S., Russian generals speak for first time since Ukraine invasion
The top U.S. military officer, General Mark Milley, spoke by telephone with Russia's Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the Pentagon said on Thursday, the first conversation between the two since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. "The military leaders discussed several security-related issues of concern and agreed to keep the lines of communication open," said a spokesman for Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. "In accordance with past practice, the specific details of their conversation will be kept private," the spokesman added.
- PoliticsWSJ
How Finland and Sweden Would Transform NATO’s Military Capabilities
Finland and Sweden have formally applied for membership of NATO, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. If approved, analysts say the move would significantly enhance the bloc's military capabilities on land, sea and in the air. Illustration: Laura Kammermann
PoliticsINSIDER4 charts show how many candidates Trump has endorsed who have won and lost
Former President Donald Trump's endorsement record is being tested in midterm primaries. Several high-profile Trump picks have either lost or underperformed. Former President Donald Trump's endorsement record has held up relatively strong so far in the 2022 midterms.
WorldReutersPhilippines' Marcos wants China ties to 'shift to higher gear' under his presidency
Philippines president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday said his country's ties with China will expand and "shift to a higher gear" when he takes power, signalling intent to advance outgoing leader Rodrigo Duterte's pro-Beijing agenda. Marcos, who won last week's election by a landslide, said he held "very substantial" talks by phone on Wednesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who assured him of support for his "independent foreign policy", and agreed to hold more comprehensive discussions. The 64-year-old son and namesake of the notorious former dictator said Xi also acknowledged his late father's role in opening diplomatic relations between China and former U.S. colony the Philippines.
“It could give millions a chance to finally buy a house or start their business or help their kids get an education, too.”
“You signed a contract…If you don’t want to deal with the financial pressure of debt, don’t take out the loan.”
“Without action from Biden, Black student debt will hinder his agenda with respect to eliminating racial inequities.”
“Blanket relief could end up routing too much relief to those who do not need it and too little to those who do.”
“Unlike a number of other policy issues, student debt relief doesn’t need to be pushed through a narrowly controlled Congress.”