Desmond Milligan

Signs of thaw as the Indian and Chinese foreign ministers meet in New Delhi View the full article

Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000 View the full article

Signs of thaw as the Indian and Chinese foreign ministers meet in New Delhi View the full article

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with China’s top diplomat on Tuesday in a sign of easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors after a yearslong standoff between the Asian powers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in India on Monday, is scheduled to hold talks with Modi and other leaders, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, about the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Reducing the number of troops on the border, and resuming some trade there, is expected to be on the agenda. The rebuilding of ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a longtime ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the U.S. along with Australia and Japan. ‘Compromise at the highest political level’ India and China's decades-old border dispute worsened in 2020 after a deadly clash between their troops in the Ladakh region. The chill in relations affected trade, diplomacy and air travel as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. Last year, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, the spokesman for India’s foreign ministry, Randhir Jaiswal, said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 3,488-kilometer (2,167-mile) border. Manoj Joshi, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, said relations are still at an uneasy level of normalization. “Settling the boundary issue between the two countries requires political compromise at the highest political level,” said Joshi, who also served as a member of the advisory board for India’s National Security Council. He asserted that the countries are "still talking past each other when it comes to the border dispute and issues surrounding it." On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing is willing to take Wang’s India visit as an opportunity to work with the Indian side to “properly handle differences and promote the sustained, sound and stable development of China-India relations.” Mao said Wang’s meeting with Modi's national security adviser will “continue in-depth communication to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.” Modi plans to visit China soon The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Modi is set to met Xi when he travels to China late this month — his first visit in seven years — to attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter U.S. influence in Asia. Earlier this year, Xi called for India and China’s relations to take the form of a “dragon-elephant tango” — a dance between the emblematic animals of the countries. Last month, India's external affairs minister visited Beijing in his first trip to China since 2020. The U.S. and Pakistan play roles in the thaw The renewed engagement comes as New Delhi’s ties with Donald Trump are fraying. Washington has imposed a 50% tariffs on Indian goods, which includes a penalty of 25% for purchasing Russian crude oil. The tariffs take effect Aug. 27. India has shown no sign of backing down, instead signing more agreements with Russia to deepen economic cooperation. Trump’s renewed engagement with India’s arch rival, Pakistan, has also encouraged New Delhi’s overtures to China, said Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, who led Indian military’s Northern Command from 2014 to 2016. In June, Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief for a White House lunch and later announced an energy deal with Islamabad to jointly develop the country’s oil reserves. Both followed Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the two sides traded military strikes in May. That clash saw Pakistan use Chinese-made military jets and missiles against India. “China is heavily invested in Pakistan and, practically speaking, you can’t have any expectation that Beijing will hold back support to Islamabad," Hooda said. “But you can’t have two hostile neighbors on your borders and simultaneously deal with them also.” ___ Associated Press writer Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, and video producer Liu Zheng in Beijing contributed to this report. View the full article

In our Reality Check stories, Idaho Statesman journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? [email protected]. A newly disclosed Idaho State Police report about the Moscow college student homicides includes reference to an initial interview with a surviving roommate, during which she is said to have heard Bryan Kohberger use one of the victims’ names during the crime. Since the investigative reports became available over the weekend, the information has been widely disseminated nationally. But the detail conflicts with a follow-up interview just days later with the same roommate. It also diverges with previously released reports from the Moscow Police Department that reference the roommate’s initial interview shortly after police arrived to the off-campus house on King Road. Idaho State Police Lt. Darren Gilbertson, who helped lead the investigation, told the Idaho Statesman on Monday that investigators don’t believe Kohberger said a victim’s name. The roommate had time to “collect her thoughts and provided an in-depth response” a few days later, he said. The state police report stated a roommate who went unharmed in the attack told the first responding officer that she was awoken in the early morning hours to crying and also heard a male voice say: “It’s OK, Kaylee, I’m here for you.” Though the roommate’s name is redacted in the report, the narrative corresponds with information that police have cited to Dylan Mortensen. The four victims were University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The three women lived in the King Road house with Mortensen and another female roommate, and Chapin was Kernodle’s boyfriend and slept over for the night. Idaho State Police Detective Jeff Talbott wrote in his report that the information from Mortensen’s initial interview was relayed to him by Moscow Police Sgt. Dustin Blaker, who was another officer to respond to the crime scene on Nov. 13, 2022. That detail was either miscommunicated or misheard, Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger told the Statesman on Monday. Through the course of the investigation, detectives found no corroboration that Kohberger said a victim’s name, he said. “The investigators do not believe the suspect uttered any names,” Dahlinger said in an email. “What was confirmed was that Dylan reported hearing a male’s voice stating something to the effect of, ‘It’s OK, I’m going to (or I’m here to) help you.’ ” Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger read prepared remarks and answered questions after the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger for the University of Idaho student murders last month at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise. Kohberger received four consecutive life prison terms with no chance of parole.Moscow Police Officer Mitch Nunes wrote Mortensen said in her initial interview with him on Nov. 13 that she heard a commotion around 4 a.m., followed by a male voice saying: “You’re gonna be fine. I’m gonna help you.” Mortensen’s second interview with police on Nov. 17 includes similar language, and again lacked reference to a specific victim. Goncalves was found fatally stabbed in one of the third-floor bedrooms with Mogen, while Kernodle’s body was located in her second-floor bedroom with that of Chapin, according to the probable cause affidavit. In addition, the affidavit noted that Mortensen heard crying from Kernodle’s second-floor bedroom and a male voice saying, ”It’s OK, I’m going to help you,” without reference to a victim’s name. Kohberger, 30, pleaded guilty to the students’ murders and was sentenced last month to four consecutive life sentences in prison. In exchange for dropping the death penalty, he agreed to waive all appeal rights and also receive no chance of parole. View the full article

ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic on the heels of Hurricane Erin that could strengthen into a depression later this week, and it's a system that could impact Florida. What we know Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are monitoring a tropical wave trailing Hurricane Erin in the eastern Atlantic. The system is producing disorganized thunderstorms but could strengthen as it moves west to west-northwest at roughly 20 mph. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP Meteorologists say the disturbance has a 10% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within two days and a 60% chance over the next week. The wave is expected to approach the Leeward Islands by Friday. What we don't know Forecasters say the storm’s longer-term path is uncertain. Its track will be steered by an upper-level ridge, leaving open several scenarios that could bring the system closer to the Caribbean and possibly the Southeast U.S., including Florida, next week. Wind sheer and the Saharan Dust layer could also play a factor in how quickly this system intensifies. The backstory The disturbance trails Hurricane Erin and is one of several waves emerging off the coast of Africa. With unusually warm Atlantic waters, meteorologists warn that any disturbance has ample fuel to intensify. The next named storm on the 2025 list will be Fernand. What they're saying "A tropical depression or storm may form later this week into the weekend in the vicinity of Puerto Rico," said FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Noah Bergren. "Longer term, there are a lot of scenarios for this system, and we will be watching for next week in the Southeast U.S. and in Florida." Big picture view The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season arrives in early September. With warm waters and an active wave train off Africa, forecasters are urging residents across the Caribbean and along the U.S. coastline to review preparedness plans now. SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS The Source This story was written based on information shared by the National Hurricane Center and the FOX 35 Storm Team on August 18, 2025. View the full article

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt was tossed from their 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Monday night after he started arguing a fan interference call in the outfield. Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts appeared to hit a home run to left field in the second inning of the contest at Petco Park on Monday night, though his ball just barely cleared the outfield wall. Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos nearly robbed it, but the ball very clearly bounced off his glove and into the stands. A fan, however, also attempted to grab the ball right above Ramos’ glove as it was coming down. The fan missed and didn’t actually make contact with the ball, but Ramos still pointed and blamed the fan for the missed catch after the ball went out. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Despite the fan appearing to completely miss the ball and Ramos, a review determined he had actually interfered with the play. That negated the home run and kept the Giants’ four-run lead in place. Shildt came out to argue the outcome of the review, which led to his automatic ejection. The Giants took off in the first inning on Monday night. Ramos and Rafael Devers each hit solo home runs to get the night started, and then Wilmer Flores hit a two-run shot of his own to give them the four-run lead early. The Padres finally got on the board in the seventh after Bogaerts scored on an error and then Ryan O'Hearn hit a two-run shot to center. They were still a single run shy, however, and couldn't quite complete the comeback after Bogaerts' initial run was pulled off the board. The Padres have now lost four straight following a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which sent them back into second place in the NL West standings. They now hold a 69-56 record. The Giants, on the other hand, now sit at 61-64 but are still solidly in third in the divisional race. View the full article

國民黨智庫副執行長凌濤。周志豪攝（資料照） 記者周志豪／台北報導 國民黨昨揭電視劇「零日攻擊」導演羅景壬團隊3年間獲勞動部就業安定基金補助2872萬元，今再開記者會指控，羅與就安基金採購合約在核銷過程涉重大弊案，被審計部認定「難以驗核履約結果」，檢調及北檢要不要查？ 國民黨智庫副執行長凌濤更質疑，總統賴清德競總會計報告中，完全查不出羅景壬幫拍競選影片「在路上」費用，會不會是有對價期約？「在路上」沒花錢？難道就是因就業安定基金跟文化部已給足資源？ 凌濤表示，羅景壬與民進黨中央也應對外說清楚「在路上」到底花了多少錢拍攝，還是真的根本就是投桃報李？ 凌濤指出，羅景任承包就業安定基金的採購案中，原合約要求，羅應提供35支影片與2場公開活動，結果羅僅以1支1千多萬元影片與1場記者會，就要核銷1千多萬元經費，被審計部認定「難以驗核履約結果」。 凌濤認為，審計部「難以驗核履約結果」判定，形同認定綠友友羅景任與勞動部核銷就業安定補助過程涉弊，為何只有1支影片在勞動部核銷的過？過程中每個蓋章的人都涉及整起弊案，檢調與勞動部卻不查，只想輕輕帶過。 羅景壬稱曾幫前總統馬英九與青年發展基金拍片，凌濤反嗆，過去不曾出現政府基金如此濫用狀態，只有羅一路從就安基金領到文化部補助，在民進黨執政下「能爽成這樣」？證明民進黨執政下完全腐敗。 凌濤表示，過去政府機關的開口合約是在創造最大的彈性或搶救災急，但民進黨居然把開口合約拿來搶救綠友友荷包與滋潤生活，如今面對羅景任案如此清楚的證據，到底檢調、北檢查不查？合約問題谁負責？ 更多太報報導 紙紮人諷八炯、高嘉瑜遭趕下車、青鳥同行 國民黨核三延役公投CF細節滿滿 回應監察院霸凌案糾正！勞動部：就安基金全面檢討 弊案配合司法調查 《零日攻擊》傳暑假播出 藍營憂：恐成大罷免「周子瑜事件」 View the full article

【時報記者張佳琪台北報導】美股AI霸主輝達週一帶量反彈成交額達235.95億美元，高居美股第一，帶動與AI基建相關的「NYSE FactSet美國電力基建息收指數」週一同步收漲1.33%，追蹤該指數的ETF新光美國電力基建(009805)今(19)日開盤以來買氣旺，盤中股價一度大漲逾3%，最高觸及11.75元寫掛牌以來新高，且盤中市價一度溢價逾2%。 新光美國電力基建(009805)經理人劉恆誌表示，本週五傑克森霍爾全球央行年會，Fed主席鮑爾可能釋出降息前景，加上俄羅斯、烏克蘭與美國即將展開三方會談，有機會出現和談結果，帶動全球股市投資氣氛轉佳，尤其是美國，國際信評機構標普(S&P)最新確認，美國主權評級為「AA+/A-1+」，評級展望保持穩定，反映美國經濟在關稅後，仍可保持韌性的預期。 劉恆誌表示，隨著輝達8月27日將公布財報，在美股4大CSP業者公布資本支出均為強勁之下，預估美股投資人對AI投資的FOMO(害怕錯過)情緒再度翻揚，有望帶動美股繼續驚驚漲。 此外，Fedwatch最新預估，美國9月降息1碼機率高達84.7%，10月再降1碼機率也有48.9%，2025全年有望下降2碼，劉恆誌說，降息有利資金行情，最直接受惠的應是美股人工智慧及電力能源等AI基建產業。 新光投信指出，川普總統的大而美法案、核能復興、AI行動計劃等新政策紅利，已帶動美國AI基建如電力、核能等商機大開，相關企業營運獲利前景看俏，自7月以來並激勵新光009805申購增強，受益人數也不斷創高。 劉恆誌表示，全球AI如火如荼發展，美國當地企業積極投入AI基建，企業AI資本支出正快速成長，預估將推動美國電力產業進入「超級循環」，電力設備等基建急迫性需求，也將改變美國能源產業長期結構性趨勢。 新光美國電力基建(009805)目前50檔成分股中，截至8月18日止，有關美股核能發電概念股佔比高達25.16%，有利搶佔美國AI電力成長、低碳核能復甦商機。 View the full article

香港網球代表黃澤林（Coleman Wong）出戰美國網球公開賽資格賽，首圈順利以6：4、6：2擊敗盧森堡球手洛迪殊（Chris Rodesch），下一圈會迎來更大挑戰，面對資格賽16號種子、意大利球手基簡迪（Matteo Gigante），繼續力爭生涯首戰大滿貫正賽圈。 香港網球代表黃澤林（Coleman Wong）美國網球公開賽資格賽旗開得勝。（Getty Images）黃澤林美網資格賽旗開得勝黃澤林早前打入辛辛那堤大師賽首圈，之後在墨西哥坎昆挑戰賽晉身16強，今周轉戰四大滿貫之一的美國網球公開賽（美網）資格賽，再次挑戰大滿貫正賽圈資格。 21歲的黃澤林首圈對手洛迪殊身高達1.98米，但無礙Coleman發揮，全場發球獲5次Ace，較對手還要多一次，而且未有出現雙錯誤，第一發球成功率高達8成，當中83%最終能順利得分，4次破發機會3次把握得到之下，順利以6：4、6：2連贏兩盤擊敗洛迪殊晉級。 基簡迪。（Getty Images）次圈撼意大利球手明日（20日）香港時間晚上11時鬥基簡迪，這位意大利球手目前世界排名130，較排第172位的黃澤林高42位，亦是今次資格賽的16號種子。23歲的基簡迪今年曾在法網正賽次圈爆冷擊敗希臘球手施斯柏斯（Stefanos Tsitsipas）闖入第3圈，黃澤林能否再次擊敗強敵，向夢想邁進多一步？Now TV 630台明晚11時會有免費現場直播。 美網資格賽共有128位球手參加，一共分成16個組別、每組8人參賽。8人會以淘汰制爭出線，連贏3場的球手，便可取得正場入場劵。在黃澤林身處的組別，基簡迪是排名最高一人，因此Coleman如能擊敗對方，晉身這組的資格賽決賽，便有相當大機會再晉一級打入美網正賽。 Now 630台　美國網球公開賽資格賽第2輪 8月20日　2300　黃澤林 對 基簡迪 港隊U16小將雨戰下不失鬥志　童祈樂無懼曼聯U16火力憑遠射破蛋運動攀登｜啟德體育園新場即將啟用　盼為香港運動員提供訓練場地港足戰泰王盃初選36人　米高鐘樂安仍無班落　奧力斯有新名字全運會門票8.28公開發售　須實名制購票　香港八主辦項目票價公布張家朗本月底故宮打表演賽　與法國名將重演奧運對決為全運造勢劍擊．會長盃｜吳諾弘完季鬆一口氣　擺脫低潮重拾初心季末反彈全運保齡球｜港隊主場強陣出擊　前世界冠軍領軍：全中國瞄準我們世界運動會8.10︱鄭俊軒滑水摘銅香港第4面獎牌　壁球何子樂入4強世界運動會︱沈曉榆奪港隊第3金　武術女子全能三個項目獲最高分劍擊．會長盃｜女子佩劍劉綺程本地賽首封后　以冠軍證努力有回報 View the full article

英國媒體報道，美國總統特朗普（Donald Trump，又譯川普）8月18日（週一）宣布，將在2026年中期選舉前簽署行政命令，廢除使用郵寄投票和投票機，此舉被外界視為可能對他所屬的共和黨造成極大利好。 據英國《衛報》報道，特朗普18日（週一）在白宮宣布，律師們正起草一項行政命令，以取消郵寄投票。俄羅斯總統普京（Vladimir Putin，又譯普丁或蒲亭）曾告訴他，美國大選因郵寄投票而被操縱。 特朗普在白宮與烏克蘭總統澤連斯基（Volodymyr Zelenskyy）會晤時表示：「美國最優秀的律師正起草一份行政命令，而我們將執行，從而終止郵寄投票，因為郵寄投票存在腐敗行為。」 特朗普在社交平台宣布，將簽署行政命令廢除郵寄投票及投票機：2025年8月18日，美國總統特朗普（Donald Trump，又譯川普）宣布，將在2026年中期選舉前簽署行政命令，廢除使用郵寄投票和投票機。（X@TruthTrumpPosts）據路透社報道，美國的聯邦選舉是在州份級進行，目前尚不清楚總統是否擁有憲法賦予的權力來頒布這項措施，個別州份可能會對此提出法律挑戰。 報道指，傳統上，民主黨選民比共和黨選民更有可能使用郵寄投票。特朗普意圖廢除郵寄投票是他嘗試重塑中期選舉戰場，讓選情更利好他所屬的共和黨。 特朗普早前亦敦促德克薩斯州（Texas）和印第安納州（Indiana）等共和黨執政的州份，要他們重新劃分國會選區，以增加共和黨候選人當選的可能性。 彭博：特朗普政府擬收購英特爾10%股份　或成最大股東特朗普質疑是否有必要先停火　稱非常有可能達成長期和平協議歐洲領袖晤特朗普　馬克龍提議下次召開美歐俄烏四方會談特朗普忘記關咪高峰曝光對話：普京「想為我」達成和平協議︱有片 View the full article

挪威檢察官8月18日表示，挪威王儲哈康（Prince Haakon）的28歲繼子荷伊比（Marius Borg Hoiby）目前被控32項罪名，其中包括4項強姦罪。預計荷伊比將於明年初接受審判，若罪名成立，最高可判處10年監禁。 英國《衛報》（The Guardian），周一（18日）公布的指控包括，強姦四名不同女性、對前伴侶實施家庭暴力，以及在對方未經知情或同意的情況下，非法拍攝多名女性私密部位。荷伊比同時還被控騷擾警方和違反交通規則。 2017年12月24日，挪威奧斯陸，圖為挪威王儲妃兒子荷伊比出席慈善午宴。（Getty Images）荷伊比的代表律師表示，「我們的當事人否認所有性侵指控以及大部分暴力指控。他將在法庭上詳細陳述他對事件的描述。」 王儲妃梅特瑪莉（Mette-Marit）曾與男友生下一子，即現年28歲的荷伊比（Marius Borg Hoiby）。2001年，梅特瑪莉王儲妃與哈康王儲（Prince Haakon）成婚，後來生下兩名子女。 圖為2022年6月，荷伊比（Marius Borg Hoiby，左一）與挪威王儲妃梅特瑪莉（Mette-Marit，右二）、哈康王儲（Prince Haakon，右一）在奧斯陸出席活動。（Getty Images）挪威王儲妃28歲兒子被控逾十宗罪　包括三宗強姦罪挪威王儲繼子涉性侵被捕　曾吸毒＋家暴3名女友挪威媒體：特朗普與挪威財長通話　表示想獲諾貝爾和平獎法國澳洲加拿大新西蘭挪威葡萄牙等　15國外長呼籲承認巴勒斯坦國 View the full article

日本與台灣近日悄然簽署一份合作備忘錄，針對外國人自台灣入境日本時的資訊共享進行協調，目的在於防止台海發生突發狀況時，不法分子或間諜混入避難人潮，趁亂潛入日本境內從事破壞行為。多名日本政府相關人士證實，這份備忘錄相當罕見，因為過去日台之間極少針對軍事衝突情境簽署正式協議。 根據日媒《讀賣新聞》報道，這份名為「涉及出入境管理事項之資訊共享合作備忘錄」的文件，由日本的對台窗口「日本台灣交流協會」與台灣的「台灣日本關係協會」於去年12月18日簽署。交流協會對外僅表示，備忘錄內容屬於「不公開」，並未透露更多細節。 熟悉內情的官員指出，若未來出現「台灣有事」等突發狀況，日本可藉此協議提前掌握自台灣入境的外國旅客資料，並進行篩檢，有效確認是否存在對日本安全構成威脅的人員。平時也能透過台灣的機場系統，提前過濾赴日乘客名單，以強化邊境管理。 日本外務省統計，截至去年10月，約有2萬1700名日本公民長期居住在台灣。一旦中國採取武力行動，這些在台日僑將面臨大規模撤離，台灣本地居民與其他外國人也可能同時湧入日本避難。日本當局憂慮，在這樣的混亂中，外國間諜或恐怖分子可能趁機滲透。 對此，日本相關人士直言，「不能排除中國間諜混跡在台灣人當中入境日本的可能性」，因此有必要加強把關。 據悉，日本出入國在留管理廳過去曾與澳洲、紐西蘭等國簽署相關協議，但針對「戰爭撤僑」情境的備忘錄仍屬罕見。由於1972年日中建交後，日本與台灣斷交，因此此次協議由窗口機構代表簽署，而非政府單位直接出面。 外界注意到，中國大陸近年頻繁舉行模擬攻台實戰演習，更有分析推測最快在2027年前完成攻台準備。此次日台簽署備忘錄，不僅加強在撤僑議題上的合作，日本也計畫進一步與美國等盟國協力，以全面提升應對台海危機的能力。 解放軍擴台海中線以東治權　學者：台灣恐面臨執法挑戰解放軍高層震盪　紐時：或拖慢北京攻台時程路透揭密兵推：若台海遭遇封鎖　新加坡成東南亞僑民唯一撤離通道 View the full article

Le Parlement européen demande l'interdiction de la pêche électriqueINSOLITE - Souvent les affaires de coldcase ne trouvent jamais de résolution, pourtant, il suffit parfois juste d’un coup de chance pour en résoudre une. C’est le cas de Brody Loch et de son ami qui, partis pêcher sur les bords du Mississippi, ont apporté l’élément clé pour résoudre une affaire vieille de 60 ans. Le week-end du 9 août, les deux hommes tombent en effet alors sur une voiture entièrement submergée, rapporte la presse américaine et notamment CNN. Après avoir prévenu les autorités, des équipes de plongeurs et une dépanneuse sont intervenues dans la commune de Sartell afin de remorquer le véhicule. À l’intérieur, des restes humains sont découverts par les enquêteurs. La fonte des glaces en Antarctique a révélé les restes d’un chercheur disparu il y a près de 70 ans PUBLICITÉGrâce au numéro d’identification du véhicule, le propriétaire de la voiture a pu être identifié. Il s’agirait de Roy Benn, un homme de 59 ans disparu depuis... 1967. Les autorités ont transmis la carcasse de la voiture au bureau d’un médecin légiste pour une identification. Néanmoins, au vu des objets présents dans la voiture, le bureau du shérif suppose qu’il s’agit bien du propriétaire du véhicule, présumé mort depuis 1975. Une affaire résolue 100 % grâce à la chanceRoy Benn possédait un magasin service de réparation d’électroménagers à St Cloud dans le Minnesota, d’après des archives du St. Cloud Daily Times examinées par CNN. Lui qui avait perdu sa femme un an plutôt avait mystérieusement disparu en septembre 1967 avec « une importante somme d’argent », comme l’indique ce bulletin de recherche de personnes disparues publié par le département de la sécurité publique du Minnesota. Brody Loch, à l’origine de la découverte, a confié au Minneapolis WCCO qu’il espérait que la famille de Benn puisse enfin avoir des réponses concrètes sur ce qui lui était arrivé. « C’était une question de chance à 100 %. Si mon copain n’avait pas attrapé ce (poisson) doré, nous aurions continué à flotter (sur la rivière) et ne l’aurions jamais trouvé », conclut-il. Le nageur Suisse Noam Yaron échoue à relier Calvi à Monaco à la nage, à bout de forces La grève chez Air Canada a semé une telle pagaille dans les aéroports que le gouvernement est intervenu View the full article

Rachel Maddow lays out three different avenues Donald Trump is following to manipulate the administration of elections in the United States so that his control of the government is assured through the coming 2026 midterms. Journalist and historian Garrett Graff joins to discuss how Donald Trump can subvert democracy without cancelling elections outright. View the full article

Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, tells MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell that the Department of Justice “can’t be trusted” after the Oversight Committee’s Republican Chairman Rep. James Comer announced that the Justice Department will now begin turning over the Epstein Files on Friday instead of the August 19 deadline. Chairman Comer also told reporters that former Attorney General Bill Barr testified that “he had never seen anything that would implic View the full article

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats who ended a walkout found themselves shadowed by law enforcement officers to keep them from repeating the protest that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts and fulfill President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps. Republicans in the Texas House forced returning Democrats to sign what the Democrats called “permission slips,” agreeing to around-the-clock surveillance by state Department of Public Safety officers to leave the floor. However, Democratic Rep. Nicole Collier, of Fort Worth, refused and remained on the House floor Monday night. The Democrats' return to Texas puts the Republican-run Legislature in position to satisfy Trump’s demands, possibly later this week, as California Democrats advance new congressional boundaries in retaliation. Lawmakers had officers posted outside their Capitol offices, and suburban Dallas Rep. Mihaela Plesa said one tailed her on her Monday evening drive back to her apartment in Austin after spending much of the day on a couch in her office. She said he went with her for a staff lunch and even down the hallway with her for restroom breaks. “We were kind of laughing about it, to be honest, but this is really serious stuff," Plesa said in a telephone interview. "This is a waste of taxpayer dollars and really performative theater.” Collier, who represents a minority-majority district, said she would not “sign away my dignity" and allow Republicans to “control my movements and monitor me.” “I know these maps will harm my constituents,” she said in a statement. "I won’t just go along quietly with their intimidation or their discrimination.” 2 states at the center of an expanding fight The tit-for-tat puts the nation's two most populous states at the center of an expanding fight over control of Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The battle has rallied Democrats nationally following infighting and frustrations among the party's voters since Republicans took total control of the federal government in January. Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers left for Illinois and elsewhere on Aug. 3, denying their Republican colleagues the attendance necessary to vote on redrawn maps intended to send five more Texas Republicans to Washington. Republicans now hold 25 of Texas’ 38 U.S. House seats. They declared victory Friday, pointing to California's proposal intended to increase Democrats' U.S. House advantage by five seats. Many absent Democrats left Chicago early Monday and landed hours later at a private airfield in Austin, where several boarded a charter bus to the Capitol. Cheering supporters greeted them inside. Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows did not mention redistricting on the floor but promised swift action on the Legislature’s agenda. “We aren’t playing around,” Republican state Rep. Matt Shaheen, whose district includes part of the Dallas area, said in a post on the X social media platform. Democrats promise to keep fighting Even as they declared victory, Democrats acknowledged Republicans can now approve redrawn districts. Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu said Democrats would challenge the new designs in court. Lawmakers did not take up any bills Monday and were not scheduled to return until Wednesday. Trump has pressured other Republican-run states to consider redistricting, as well, while Democratic governors in multiple statehouses have indicated they would follow California's lead in response. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said his state will hold a Nov. 4 special referendum on the redrawn districts. The president wants to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority and avoid a repeat of the midterms during his first presidency. After gaining House control in 2018, Democrats used their majority to stymie his agenda and twice impeach him. Nationally, the partisan makeup of existing district lines puts Democrats within three seats of a majority. Of the 435 total House seats, only several dozen districts are competitive. So even slight changes in a few states could affect which party wins control. Redistricting typically occurs once at the beginning of each decade after the census. Many states, including Texas, give legislators the power to draw maps. California is among those that empower independent commissions, giving Newsom an additional hurdle. California Democrats start redrawing process Democratic legislators introduced new California maps Monday. It was the first official move toward the fall referendum asking voters to override the independent commission's work after the 2020 census. The proposed boundaries would replace current ones through 2030. Democrats said they will return the mapmaking power to the commission after that. State Republicans promised lawsuits. Democrats hold 43 out of California's 52 U.S. House seats. The proposal would try to expand that advantage by targeting battleground districts in Northern California, San Diego and Orange counties, and the Central Valley. Some Democratic incumbents also get more left-leaning voters in their districts. “We don’t want this fight, but with our democracy on the line, we cannot run away from this fight,” said Democrat Marc Berman, a California Assembly member who previously chaired the elections committee. Republicans expressed opposition in terms that echoed Democrats in Austin, accusing the majority of abusing power. Sacramento Republicans said they will introduce legislation advocating independent redistricting commissions in all states. Texas' governor jumped to the president's aid Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott launched the expanding battle when he heeded Trump's wishes and added redistricting to an initial special session agenda that included multiple issues, including a package responding to devastating floods that killed more than 130 people last month. Abbott has blamed Democrats' absence for delaying action on those measures. Democrats have answered that Abbott is responsible because he effectively linked the hyper-partisan matter to nonpartisan flood relief. Abbott, Burrows and other Republicans tried various threats and legal maneuvers to pressure Democrats' return, including the governor arguing that Texas judges should remove absent lawmakers from office. As long as they were out of state, lawmakers were beyond the reach of the civil arrest warrants that Burrows issued. The Democrats who returned Monday did so without being detained by law enforcement. The lawmakers who left face fines of up to $500 for each legislative day they missed. Burrows has insisted Democratic lawmakers also will pay pick up the tab for law enforcement who attempted to corral them during the walkout. ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Nguyen reported from Sacramento, California. Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. View the full article

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Monday the UK had agreed to drop its mandate for iPhone maker Apple to provide a "backdoor" that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens. Gabbard issued the statement on X, saying she had worked for months with Britain, along with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to arrive at a deal. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in Washington on Monday along with other European leaders to meet Trump and discuss Russia's war in Ukraine. The UK government and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Gabbard's statement. U.S. lawmakers said in May that the UK's order to Apple to create a backdoor to its encrypted user data could be exploited by cybercriminals and authoritarian governments. Apple, which has said it would never build such access into its encrypted services or devices, had challenged the order at the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). The iPhone maker withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature for UK users in February following the UK order. Users of Apple's iPhones, Macs and other devices can enable the feature to ensure that only they — and not even Apple — can unlock data stored on its cloud. U.S. officials said earlier this year they were examining whether the UK broke a bilateral agreement by demanding that Apple build a backdoor allowing the British government to access backups of data in the company's encrypted cloud storage systems. In a letter dated February 25 to U.S. lawmakers, Gabbard said the U.S. was examining whether the UK government had violated the CLOUD Act, which bars it from issuing demands for the data of U.S. citizens and vice versa. Cybersecurity experts told Reuters that if Apple chose to build a backdoor for a government, that backdoor would eventually be found and exploited by hackers. Apple has sparred with regulators over encryption as far back as 2016 when the U.S. government tried to compel it to build a tool to unlock the iPhone of a suspected extremist. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Kate Mayberry) View the full article

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Two men held rubber bands apart at chest height while a woman hopped over them from one side to the other, earning applause and boisterous encouragement from others marveling at her leaps. They were among more than 250 people from the Jakarta, Indonesia, area who recently joined weekly activities organized by Komunitas Bermain, meaning Playing Community in English, in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the city's main arena. Thousands of residents regularly participate in the play groups, as well as singing groups organized by Nyanyi Bareng Jakarta, which means Jakarta Singing Together in English. The events that started as casual meetups to preserve Indonesian traditional culture have grown quickly through social media into popular ways to connect through shared nostalgia and interests. Playing Community founder Akihiko Akira, 23, said the group began when he and fellow Taylor Swift fans gathered to play childhood games at Gelora Bung in August 2024. Hundreds of participants now gather on Friday evenings to take part in traditional games including “gundu” involving players flicking a small marble, “suit monopoli” in which players jump on one leg over shoes in a path, plus the classic jumping rope. “From my own experience, it is nostalgic. Clearly, nostalgia is really helpful for us, besides releasing our inner child, nostalgia also releases our stress. So it’s a short escape for us,” Akira said. Biya Angelina, a 25-year-old social media specialist, said she joined the community because she spends her days working online and needed to meet new friends. “The good side is that I automatically get sweating. And then also I feel like my social life is built here. I get to know new people, people with different backgrounds. I understand people better, too,” Angelina said, adding that she feels grateful she does not need to pay a fee to enjoy the evenings. Nyanyi Bareng Jakarta offers opportunities to join with other amateur vocalists in a rented hall to belt out popular selections such as “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins. The singers use the motto "finding friends, finding voice" and promote the events on social media with the hashtag #nojudgementzone. They are guided by five vocal coaches who help blend their efforts into layered harmonies. “I am a bathroom singer. I feel so comfortable here, as it is a no judgement zone. So I am not afraid if I get a false voice," said Titas Winola, a food and beverage company worker. "It will be accepted as they are the same as me. It is awesome." Despite a fee of 150,000 rupiah ($9) for the singing sessions, weekly spots consistently sell out. “When they are in the bathroom they can sing, they just sing bravely. We want to create Nyanyi Bareng Jakarta to be like a bathroom for you, guys,” Nyanyi Bareng Jakarta co-founder Meda Kawu told participants. Muhamad Sulhan, a media sociology lecturer at Gadjah Mada University, said sharing games or singing can help people connect with strangers while also exploring aspects of themselves, as well as taking a break from the daily stress of work and big city life. "We are not actually seeing them as different people, but rather as people who are longing for an avatar of themselves that is manifested in a shared passion,” Sulhan said. View the full article

Lucid’s Cash Crisis Deepens as Saudi Funding Shows Limits originally appeared on Autoblog. Rising sales can’t hide deep lossesWhen you see a Lucid Air Sapphire drive by, it's hard not to stare. The $250,000, 1,234-horsepower luxury EV gets attention. Lucid is also getting its fair share of negative attention these days due to massive losses amounting to $790 million amid a record $259 million in revenue. Lucid's year-over-year sales volume of 3,309 vehicles is its best yet, but that doesn't cover up the fact that the company is struggling. LucidLucidAlthough Lucid vehicles get rave reviews from the motoring press, the real story behind the company is far less glamorous. Sales are up, but losses are far greater. What's going on with Lucid Motors, after all, and will it manage to dig itself out of a financial tailspin? Why do Lucid's books look so bad?Lucid GravityLucid MotorsLucid Group has a fat cash cushion of $4.86 billion in total liquidity, but only about $3.63 billion of that is in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. Less than $2 billion is actually liquid. That's not enough to help them in their time of need. The company incurs mounting losses of a billion dollars every few months, so its funds are dwindling. At the time of this writing, Lucid stock is at $2.18 per share, in penny stock territory. The share price was $55 in November of 2021. The dire stock price forced the company into a reverse stock split a few weeks ago (ten shares consolidated into one) just to stay compliant with NASDAQ listing requirements. Lucid Air PureLucidInvestors are already doubtful about Lucid's future. Officially, Lucid states that it can continue to operate through mid-2026. Unofficially, the company will likely need a significant cash infusion, comparable to the $4.4 billion it raised in 2021 when it went public. That's a lot to ask when you keep digging a hole for yourself. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) from Saudi Arabia could be its saviour. Lucid’s largest shareholder owns about 60% of the company and has acted as its safety net since day one. With hundreds of billions in assets, the PIF has the means to keep the company afloat, but do they actually want to keep losing money when the math is not on Lucid's side? Lucid Group spent more than $850 million this quarter to generate just $260 million, which may not be the best investment. The leadership crisis doesn't helpOne of the largest obstacles to investor confidence and wise direction is the fact that there's still no permanent CEO to helm the ship. Leadership uncertainty only compounds the risk. The company still hasn’t replaced former CEO Peter Rawlinson, who left in February 2025, leaving interim leadership to steer the company through a high-stakes turnaround. Rawlinson transitioned to the position of Strategic Technical Advisor to the Board Chairman. Marc Winterhoff, the company's Chief Operating Officer, was appointed as the interim CEO. As yet, Rawlinson's successor hasn't been named. Meanwhile, Lucid’s future bets are still works in progress. The Gravity SUV, touted as the brand’s volume driver, has yet to deliver meaningful sales, and production challenges remain. Lucid will start making volume deliveries next year. Orders for the Grand Touring trim are currently open, while orders for the less expensive Touring trim will open in late 2025. The real make-or-break moment could arrive in late 2026 when Lucid plans to launch a more affordable, sub-$50,000 mid-sized electric SUV purportedly dubbed 'Earth'. This could be the brand's ticket to achieving volume sales, but the question remains whether the company will live to see the day. Final thoughtsThe polish and power of Lucid vehicles are deceptive. Underneath the shiny surface, Lucid is running out of time to prove it can be more than a niche luxury automaker burning through mountains of cash at accelerated rates. Its deep-pocketed Saudi investors may decide to keep writing checks to try to save Lucid's bacon, but the appetite for doing so may be dwindling. It would be in the brand's best interest to find a CEO ASAP, as well as bring its more affordable SUV to market as quickly as possible. Lucid’s Cash Crisis Deepens as Saudi Funding Shows Limits first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared. View the full article

Nissan Launches Unmissable 2025 Pathfinder Lease Deal For August originally appeared on Autoblog. The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder is as competent as everThe Nissan Pathfinder has come a long way from its initial launch nearly 40 years ago. Now in its fifth generation, the three-row SUV faces down some of the toughest competition to ever grace roadways. Even so, it comes readily equipped with a powerful V6 engine and seating for up to eight passengers. Nissan is offering some pretty sweet lease deals this August, with a monthly payment as low as $389 per month. This specific lease offer spans a 36-month term and includes an annual 10,000-mile allowance. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock CreekNissan2025 Nissan Pathfinder lease offers for AugustThe 2025 Nissan Pathfinder is available in five trim levels, but the SV model is the subject of most lease offers. In New York City, you can get into an SV 4WD for as little as $389 per month, with $4,339 due at signing. Miami and Los Angeles share an identical lease deal: an SV 2WD for $409 per month, with $4,239 due at signing. Detroit residents can take advantage of a similar offer, with an SV 4WD for $409 per month and a $4,359 down payment. The Denver area can take advantage of a pretty slick lease deal on an SV 2WD, at $429 per month and a $4,239 initial payment. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock CreekNissanWant to pay $0 down?If you prefer to keep upfront costs to a minimum, you may be eligible for a zero down deal that spreads the initial payment across the 36-month term. For example, if you’re in Miami or Los Angeles, spreading your down payment across the lease term would increase your monthly payment from $409 to ~$526.75 (4,239/36 + 409). Eligibility can vary based on a number of factors, including credit score and vehicle configuration. Each lease offer spans a 36-month term, with an annual 10,000-mile allowance, and is valid through September 2nd. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock CreekNissan2025 Nissan Pathfinder highlightsThe 2025 Nissan Pathfinder combines rugged good looks with an interior designed for families who want a comfortable weekend warrior. The 2025 model year doesn’t hold many changes for the SV model, with a standard power liftgate serving as the most notable update. The Pathfinder SV FWD starts at $39,390, and upgrading to 4WD will cost you an additional $2,000. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock CreekNissanThe Nissan Pathfinder rolls in on 18-inch dark alloy wheels complemented by LED lighting and a black grille with chrome surround. A blunt nose and sleek lines create a sense of rugged athleticism that’s ingrained in the Pathfinder’s roots. A power liftgate and heated side mirrors add a touch more convenience to the family SUV. Designed for the modern driver, the Pathfinder SV features heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel while tri-zone automatic climate control helps keep the whole family comfortable. An eight-inch touchscreen display comes standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Pathfinder offers 16.2 cu ft. of cargo space with all three rows in their upright positions. 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock CreekNissanUnder the hood of the Nissan Pathfinder SV lies a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. While the standard SV model can tow up to 3,500 lbs., tacking on the optional $2,000 SV Premium Package increases the SUV’s towing capability to an impressive 6,000 lbs. The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder SV FWD is rated for 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Opting for 4WD increases city fuel economy by one mile per gallon. Final thoughtsNissanThere are plenty of three-row SUVs to choose from, but the Nissan Pathfinder manages to keep up with pack leaders. With a 6,000-lb. maximum towing capacity and a spacious interior, Nissan’s three-row SUV is ready for family adventures. Whether you’re family hauler is feeling its age or you need more room, make sure to inquire about these Pathfinder lease deals before September 2nd! Lease offers can vary by location and vehicle configuration. Advertised monthly payments don’t necessarily include taxes, title, registration, or other fees. To learn more about these 2025 Nissan Pathfinder lease deals, head over to the official Nissan website and enter your zip code. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Nissan Launches Unmissable 2025 Pathfinder Lease Deal For August first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared. View the full article

August Lease Offers make the Honda Civic Even More Appealing originally appeared on Autoblog. A fresh lease on a Honda favoriteIf the Civic has been on your radar, this might be the time to make a move. Honda is rolling out attractive lease offers on both the 2025 and 2026 Civic Sport trims, offering buyers a smart way to get into one of the best-driving compact cars on the market without breaking the bank. The Civic Sport strikes the perfect balance of comfort, practicality, and everyday fun. These August lease deals make it easier than ever to put one in your driveway. August lease offers for the Civic Sport sedan and hatchbackHere’s what Honda’s offering this month: 2026 Civic FWD Sport Hatchback: $319/mo for 36 months with $3,899 due at signing 2025 Civic FWD Sport Hatchback: $289/mo for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing 2026 Civic Sport 2WD Sedan: $309/mo for 36 months with $3,899 due at signing 2025 Civic 2WD Sport Sedan: $289/mo for 36 months with $3,899 due at signing All leases are based on 10,000 miles annually and expire September 2, 2025. Honda’s also offering low financing rates for qualified buyers, but the lease pricing might be the best value play right now. The Sport trim packs in the value with featuresThe Civic Sport might not be top-of-the-line, but it’s far from basic. You get a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Honda Sensing safety tech, and 18-inch black wheels. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, sporty exterior accents, and overall solid build quality make this a daily driver that doesn’t feel stripped down. There’s a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder under the hood, making 158 horsepower. It’s not fast—but that’s not the point. Steering feel, chassis balance, and refinement are what set the Civic apart. It’s still one of the few compact cars that doesn’t drive like an appliance. No surprise here—fuel economy is another big win. All Civic Sport models achieve EPA estimates of over 30 mpg combined, helping to keep your monthly fuel costs low. This, plus Honda’s track record for long-term reliability, keeps the Civic at the top of the list for smart small car buys. From the updated grille to the clean LED lighting, the Civic appears more grown-up than the average compact. Inside, the design borrows heavily from the Honda Civic’s larger siblings, and it works. The cabin materials feel a cut above, and it’s surprisingly spacious for its class. Final thoughtsThis lease deal isn’t about flashy extras—it’s about smart spending. If you're looking for something practical, fun to drive, and built to last, the Civic Sport delivers. And with these August offers, the math just got a little easier. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. August Lease Offers make the Honda Civic Even More Appealing first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared. View the full article

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration’s tariffs and immigration policies for the decline. The city known for lavish shows, endless buffets and around-the-clock gambling welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists in June, an 11% drop compared to the same time in 2024. There were 13% fewer international travelers, and hotel occupancy fell by about 15%, according to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Mayor Shelley Berkley said tourism from Canada — Nevada's largest international market — has dried up from a torrent “to a drip.” Same with Mexico. “We have a number of very high rollers that come in from Mexico that aren’t so keen on coming in right now. And that seems to be the prevailing attitude internationally,” Berkley told reporters earlier this month. Ted Pappageorge, head of the powerful Culinary Workers Union, called it the “Trump slump.” He said visits from Southern California, home to a large Latino population, were also drying up because people are afraid of the administration's immigration crackdown. “If you if you tell the rest of the world they’re not welcome, then they won’t come,” Pappageorge said. Canadian airline data shows fewer passengers from north of the border are arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Air Canada saw its passenger numbers fall by 33% in June compared to the same time a year ago, while WestJet had a 31% drop. The low-cost carrier Flair reported a whopping 62% decline. Travel agents in Canada said there's been a significant downturn in clients wanting to visit the U.S. overall, and Las Vegas in particular. Wendy Hart, who books trips from Windsor, Ontario, said the reason was “politics, for sure.” She speculated that it was a point of “national pride” that people were staying away from the U.S. after President Donald Trump said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. “The tariffs are a big thing too. They seem to be contributing to the rising cost of everything,” Hart said. At downtown's Circa Resort and Casino, international visits have dipped, especially from Canada and Japan, according to owner and CEO Derek Stevens. But the downturn comes after a post-COVID spike, Stevens said. And while hotel room bookings are slack, gaming numbers, especially for sports betting, are still strong, he said. “It's not as if the sky is falling,” he said. Wealthier visitors are still coming, he said, and Circa has introduced cheaper package deals to lure those with less money to spend. “There have been many stories written about how the ‘end is near’ in Vegas,” he said. “But Vegas continues to reinvent itself as a destination worth visiting.” On AAA's annual top ten list of top Labor Day destinations, Las Vegas slipped this year to the last spot, from number six in 2024. Seattle and Orlando, Florida — home to Disneyworld — hold steady in the top two spots, with New York City moving up to third for 2025. Reports of declining tourism were news to Alison Ferry, who arrived from Donegal, Ireland, to find big crowds at casinos and the Vegas Strip. “It’s very busy. It has been busy everywhere that we’ve gone. And really, really hot,” Ferry said. She added that she doesn't pay much attention to U.S. politics. Just off the strip, there's been no slowdown at the Pinball Museum, which showcases games from the 1930s through today. Manager Jim Arnold said the two-decade-old attraction is recession-proof because it’s one of the few places to offer free parking and free admission. “We’ve decided that our plan is just to ignore inflation and pretend it doesn’t exist," Arnold said. “So you still take a quarter out of your pocket and put it in a game, and you don’t pay a resort fee or a cancelation fee or any of that jazz.” But Arnold said he's not surprised that overall tourism might be slowing because of skyrocketing prices at high-end restaurants and resorts, which “squeezes out the low end tourist.” The mayor said the rising cost of food, hotel rooms and attractions also keeps visitors away. “People are feeling that they’re getting nickeled and dimed, and they’re not getting value for their dollar,” Berkley said. She called on business owners to “see if we can’t make it more affordable” for tourists. “And that’s all we want. We want them to come and have good time, spend their money, go home,” the mayor said. “Then come back in six months.” ___ Weber reported from Los Angeles. View the full article

An explosion rocked a cargo ship carrying coal in Baltimore, causing a fire and sending a stream of smoke into the sky but injuring nobody, authorities said Monday evening. Coast Guard crews and firefighters from the city of Baltimore were among those who responded, and the fire was extinguished on the still-moving vessel, Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew West said. The cause of the blast and subsequent fire was under investigation, he said. Video showed black smoke still billowing from the vessel, which authorities said is named W-Sapphire. Smoke rises after an explosion on a cargo ship off Baltimore on Monday. (Courtesy PeaceForJ @barcodeman)The cargo ship was carrying coal in a channel outbound from Baltimore Harbor near the site of last year's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, West said. In a statement, the Baltimore City Fire Department described the location as being in the "Patapsco River near the former Key Bridge site." It said that 23 people were on board the 751 "bulk carrier" and that none reported injury. The vessel, however, was "showing signs of damage consistent with a fire and explosion." The Coast Guard and the fire department said the incident was reported about 6:30 p.m. Authorities were maintaining a 500-yard safety zone around the cargo ship. That could preclude vessel traffic through the main shipping channel, which has been described as being 700 feet wide. On March 26, 2024, a cargo ship drifted into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a partial collapse and killing six people, including road workers who had been atop the structure. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com View the full article

Hàng loạt gương mặt trong ngành công nghệ đã trở thành tỷ phú hoặc gia tăng tài sản với tốc độ chưa từng thấy, nhờ cuộc đua AI toàn cầu. Theo thống kê của Economic Times, chỉ trong vài năm, giá trị vốn hóa và tài sản cá nhân của các lãnh đạo công nghệ AI đã tăng vọt. Jensen Huang, đồng sáng lập kiêm CEO của Nvidia, hiện nổi bật nhất với khối tài sản vượt 100 tỷ USD. Nhờ nhu cầu chip AI bùng nổ, cổ phiếu Nvidia trở thành tâm điểm phố Wall, đưa Huang từ một kỹ sư nhập cư thành một trong những người giàu nhất hành tinh với tài sản ròng khoảng 157 tỷ USD, theo Bloomberg. Trí tuệ nhân tạo sản sinh thế hệ tỷ phú mới với tốc độ chưa từng có. Ảnh: Economic Times Sam Altman, CEO OpenAI, cũng bước vào hàng ngũ tỷ phú nhờ những khoản đầu tư và cổ phần trong lĩnh vực AI. Ông không sở hữu cổ phần trực tiếp tại OpenAI nhưng có tài sản cá nhân khoảng 2 tỷ USD nhờ các khoản đầu tư trước đó vào Stack, Reddit, Loopt. Dù mức tài sản chưa thể so sánh với Huang, Altman đang được coi là gương mặt quyền lực, dẫn dắt sự phát triển của ChatGPT - công cụ làm thay đổi thế giới công nghệ chỉ sau một đêm. Ngoài ra, danh sách còn có những cái tên như Larry Page và Sergey Brin (Google), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Satya Nadella (Microsoft). Việc các tập đoàn này đầu tư hàng chục tỷ USD vào AI đã kéo giá cổ phiếu tăng mạnh, đẩy giá trị tài sản của các nhà sáng lập, CEO và cổ đông lớn tăng vọt. Một điểm đáng chú ý là tốc độ “tạo tỷ phú” của AI nhanh hơn nhiều so với kỷ nguyên Internet hay smartphone trước đây. Chỉ trong 18 tháng, thị trường AI đã bổ sung hàng chục tỷ USD vào khối tài sản của giới công nghệ. Nhiều chuyên gia nhận định đây có thể là “cơn sóng tạo ra của cải lớn nhất trong lịch sử gần đây”. Chẳng hạn, Alexandr Wang, nhà sáng lập Scale AI, trở thành tỷ phú tự thân trẻ nhất ở tuổi 26. Công ty của anh chuyên về gán nhãn dữ liệu và phục vụ hơn 300 khách hàng, bao gồm Google, Meta và GM. Với 14% cổ phần tại Scale có giá trị 14 tỷ USD, tài sản của Wang hiện khoảng 2,7 tỷ USD. Liang Wenfeng, CEO DeepSeek, trước đây là quản lý quỹ đầu tư. Năm 2025 gây xôn xao khi ra mắt mô hình ngôn ngữ DeepSeek-R1 đạt hiệu năng ngang ChatGPT, giảm chi phí máy tính tới 80%, khiến cổ phiếu Nvidia giảm 17% trong một ngày. Hiện Liang có tài sản khoảng 1 tỷ USD. Tuy vậy, không ít ý kiến cảnh báo rằng sự bùng nổ này có thể tạo ra khoảng cách giàu nghèo lớn hơn. Khi các công ty AI tập trung quyền lực và lợi nhuận, những người nắm cổ phần sẽ hưởng lợi khổng lồ, trong khi phần đông người lao động có nguy cơ bị thay thế bởi máy móc. Dẫu còn tranh cãi, AI đã chính thức mở ra một “kỷ nguyên tỷ phú mới”. Và như lịch sử cho thấy, mỗi làn sóng công nghệ lớn đều đi kèm những nhân vật trở thành huyền thoại giàu có - từ Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, cho tới nay là Sam Altman và Jensen Huang. (Theo Economic Times) Trí tuệ nhân tạo sinh ra tỷ phú mới với tốc độ chưa từng cóCác startup AI cùng làn sóng đầu tư mạnh mẽ đang sản sinh một thế hệ tỷ phú mới, với tốc độ và quy mô tạo ra của cải vượt xa các cuộc bùng nổ công nghệ trước đây. View the full article