Gene Shalit, a beloved film critic for NBC’s “TODAY” show, passed away Friday after a remarkable 100-year life. For four decades, Shalit was a fixture on the program, becoming nationally recognized for his distinctive walrus mustache, vibrant bowties, and exuberant wordplay. He began as a contributor in 1970 and became a full-time movie analyst until his retirement in 2010, charming millions with his witty reviews.
Firefighters continue to battle a massive blaze that erupted Thursday afternoon at a 1 million-square-foot Medline Industries medical supply warehouse in Tracy, California. The fire, believed to have started on the roof, spread rapidly due to high winds and high temperatures, with faulty sprinklers and low water pressure hindering suppression efforts. While no injuries were reported, the inferno sent plumes of smoke and debris into nearby communities, prompting air quality advisories due to the presence of respiratory irritants and toxic gases. Crews anticipate fighting the fire for several days, with the blaze also igniting smaller fires at neighboring facilities, including a FedEx warehouse.
Dmitriy Popov has been convicted of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, along with other charges, for fatally stabbing O’Shae Sibley. This verdict followed a confrontation at a Brooklyn gas station where Popov hurled homophobic and racist slurs at Sibley and his friends. While acquitted of murder charges, the manslaughter conviction, fueled by hate, marks a significant legal finding. Popov, who was 17 at the time of the incident, is scheduled for sentencing, with the conviction carrying a substantial prison term.
A New Mexico judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s universal childcare program, allowing the initiative to continue without income caps or co-pays. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing and that subsequent legislative action had rendered the challenge moot. This decision upholds the state’s ambitious program, which aims to provide childcare assistance to all families, and comes as policymakers nationwide observe New Mexico’s model. Attorneys for the plaintiffs indicated they plan to appeal the ruling.
Clinics are administering unapproved umbilical cord stem cell injections to autistic children, with costs reaching $20,000 per treatment, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. These treatments are being promoted by individuals actively encouraged by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has supported alternative health providers. The FDA warns that such treatments outside of approved clinical trials are likely deceptive and illegal, citing potential risks including blindness and tumor formation.
As Meta’s core services experienced a widespread outage, users found themselves unable to access Facebook and Messenger, with many being automatically logged out and presented with error messages. While Instagram and WhatsApp largely remained operational, some of their features, like the Instagram website, were also affected. This significant disruption, observed globally, began around 6:45 am Pacific Time and impacted users worldwide, underscoring the pervasive reach of Meta’s platforms.
The stock market experienced its best day in two months as President Donald Trump announced potential negotiations with Iran, easing fears of escalating conflict and the subsequent impact on global oil flow. This development led to a significant rally in U.S. stocks, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq composite all seeing substantial gains. Concurrently, oil prices declined as hopes grew for reopening key shipping routes, potentially mitigating inflationary pressures that had prompted global central banks to consider interest rate hikes. The market also saw volatility in artificial intelligence stocks, which swung wildly amid investor concerns about their rapid ascent, though some semiconductor companies also registered strong gains.
South Korean former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his ex-defense minister were sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday for allegedly ordering drone flights over Pyongyang in 2024 to heighten tensions and justify martial law. The court found them guilty of aiding an adversary and abusing power, stating their actions harmed South Korea’s military interests and prompted North Korea to strengthen its defenses. This ruling comes after Yoon was previously sentenced to life in prison for rebellion related to a short-lived martial law declaration in late 2024. Yoon’s legal team has appealed the decision, arguing the drone flights were a response to North Korean actions.
Italian prosecutors are investigating Caddell Construction, a builder of U.S. diplomatic missions, over allegations of labor exploitation concerning foreign workers constructing a new American Consulate in Milan. Five former employees, primarily from India and Kenya, claim they were promised fair wages but received less than $2 an hour after deductions for room and board, with some earning as little as 500 euros monthly. Two Caddell managers were arrested, and the company, along with the U.S. State Department, states they are cooperating with the investigation.
Niger has enacted a new penal code that criminalizes same-sex relations, punishable by five to ten years in prison and a fine, as well as a similar penalty for “indecent or unnatural acts” or attempts to change one’s birth sex. This law also imposes stricter sentences of 10 to 20 years for same-sex marriage and for those involved in organizing or financing LGBTQ+ groups. The military government, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, has stated the legislation aligns with the country’s social and cultural values, positioning Niger alongside other West African nations that have recently tightened anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The reform, initiated prior to the coup, has led to concerns about a “large-scale crackdown” following its recent public attention.
John Q. Hosedrinker