Sec. Blinken announces release of kidnapped American missionary
Jeffery Woodke, a Christian humanitarian aid worker, had been held in captivity in Niger since he was kidnapped in October 2016.
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ABC NewsLarge fossil footprints point to discovery of new 'megaraptor' dinosaur: Study
Although the velociraptors of "Jurassic Park" fame are well known, they don't much resemble their historical counterparts. The movie velociraptors are portrayed as being 6 feet tall with scaly skin and incredibly fast, but real velociraptors were about as big as a medium-sized dog, measuring approximately 1.6 feet high and between 4.8 and 6.8 feet across, scientists say.
- ABC News
Democratic divisions over Israel aren't guaranteed to sink The Squad
Such critiques have put electoral pressure on Lee and other members of The Squad, an informal group of about nine progressive Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. With Lee's victory, three members have won renomination in solidly Democratic districts in March and April primaries, all but ensuring that they'll win reelection in November. The Squad's criticisms of Israel and its actions in Gaza in the wake of Hamas's October attack on Israel helped spur many of their challengers' campaigns back in the fall, and pro-Israel groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee could boost efforts to take down these progressive incumbents.
- Good Morning America
Golden retriever named Pancakes steals the show as wedding ring bearer
A golden retriever got a "good boy" for the adorable way he participated in his owners' wedding. The dog, named Pancakes, served as the ring bearer at his owners' wedding earlier this month in Liverpool, England. As he got closer to the bride and groom, Pancakes quickly scampered up the church's stairs to get to the altar to greet them.
- ABC News
Here are all the gag order violations Trump is accused of making
As former President Donald Trump awaits a ruling on whether he will be held in contempt for violating his gag order, prosecutors on Thursday accused him of making four more violations. The limited gag order, which was issued by Judge Juan Merchan ahead of Trump's hush money trial, prohibits him from making public comments about jurors, lawyers, potential witnesses, court staff and their families. It allows Trump to continue making remarks about Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg, but forbids him from speaking about their family members.
- Good Morning America
2 sets of twins born to moms with double uterus delivered at same hospital
An Alabama in hospital has helped deliver twins born in a "one in a million" pregnancy, for the second time. Shellie Pascoe, 29, gave birth in March to a healthy boy and girl, twins whom she carried in two uteruses. Pascoe told "Good Morning America" she learned while trying to become pregnant that she was born with uterine didelphys, or double uterus, a rare condition in which a woman is born with two uteruses and two cervixes.
- Good Morning America
Amazon Prime Day 2024 returns in July: Here's what to know
One of the biggest shopping events of the year, Amazon Prime Day, is making a return this July. "I'm thrilled to share that Prime Day will be back this July," Doug Herrington, Amazon CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. "This will be Amazon's 10th Prime Day, and I'm excited for Prime members around the world to discover some of the best deals of the summer."
- ABC News
Final first responder convicted in Elijah McClain's death to be sentenced
Former paramedic Jeremy Cooper is set to be sentenced Friday after being found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the final case connected to Elijah McClain's 2019 death. Prosecutors accused the Aurora, Colorado, paramedic and his co-defendant Peter Cichuniec of administering an excessive amount of ketamine to sedate the 23-year-old McClain after an encounter with police on August 24, 2019. According to department policy, administering ketamine to sedate a suspect is intended "to minimize time struggling."
- Good Morning America
What to know about Patrick Mahomes' wife Brittany and their 2 kids
Patrick Mahomes is a proud husband and father. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was supported by his wife Brittany Mahomes as they stepped out for the Time100 Gala on April 25 in New York City. In February, Mahomes celebrated with his wife and daughter and son Patrick "Bronze" Lavon Mahomes III as his team won their second straight Super Bowl title, defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
- Good Morning America
US holds off on sanctioning Israeli military units accused of human rights violations in West Bank before start of war with Hamas
The Biden administration has determined that three military battalions with the Israel Defense Forces committed "gross human rights violations" against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank but will remain eligible for U.S. military aid regardless because of steps Israel says it's taking to address the problem, ABC News has learned. The administration assessment, which has not yet been made public and could change if Israel doesn't take specific steps, was outlined in an undated letter by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to House Speaker Mike Johnson obtained by ABC News. The U.S. determination "will not delay the delivery of any U.S. assistance and Israel will be able to receive the full amount appropriated by Congress," Blinken wrote.
- Good Morning America
Shark conservation has been so successful that researchers are finding ways to curb human-shark interaction
Sharks are increasingly becoming a nuisance to fishers as they engage in depredation -- or the act of attacking or plundering -- of catch, said Demian Chapman, senior scientist and director for the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota. A device about the size of a roll of quarters that shocks sharks that attempt to bite on fishing lines may be the answer to reducing shark depredation as well as sharks ending up as bycatch, Chapman told ABC News. "It's a sense we don't have," Chapman said.
- Good Morning America
Controversial methods to cool earth by reflecting sunlight gain traction as global temperatures rise
The planet has been experiencing a relentless stretch of record-breaking global temperatures with the rate and impact of climate change accelerating, according to the World Meteorological Organization. As the impacts of human-amplified climate change intensify and become more severe, relatively untouched ideas are gaining momentum as potential short-term solutions to lower Earth's temperature. In 2023, the White House published a report laying out a plan to conduct more research on two approaches to solar radiation modification, saying that it's important to better understand the risks and benefits of both technologies.
- ABC News
Arbor Day 2024: How to plant the best tree to combat climate change
The conversation surrounding climate change action can often feel too lofty for individuals to have a measurable impact, but on this Arbor Day, change can begin at the root. Planting trees in honor of Arbor Day is a longstanding American tradition that dates back to 1872, and while climate and landscape factors have changed since the holiday's inception, the motivation remains crucial. "There has never been a more important time to be planting trees than right now," Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, told ABC News ahead of the annual holiday.
- Good Morning America
Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with President Xi of China
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with President Xi of China on Friday following a meeting with Director of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to the U.S. State Department. Blinken, in his remarks, described the first meeting with Wang Yi as "extensive and constructive."
- ABC News
Superintendent speaks out after time capsule from 1920 found in old high school
A construction crew was in the process of demolishing an old high school in Minnesota recently when they discovered a time capsule tucked inside of a cornerstone from when the building was erected in 1920. A press conference was held Monday following the discovery, during which the contents from the capsule were revealed to community members after being kept in a metal box for over a century. Speaking to "Good Morning America," Owatonna Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Elstad said there were a lot of documents found in the capsule.
- ABC News
US military starts building pier off of Gaza to deliver aid
The U.S. military has begun to build the long-awaited port and causeway off the coast of Gaza that will establish a maritime corridor to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza, the Pentagon said Thursday. "I can confirm that U.S. military vessels, to include the USNS Benavidez, have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea," Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, told reporters, referring to the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system floating pier delivery system. "We are aware of the significant interest in this important effort and will provide much more information in the very near future as we work alongside the international community to rush aid to the people of Gaza," he added.
- ABC News
Former official told investigators Trump had 'no standing declassification order' regarding documents, filing says
Prosecutors in former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case said in court filings that a former Trump administration official told investigators that Trump, as president, had "no standing declassification order" regarding documents in his possession. The filings, which are part of special counsel Jack Smith's response to a Trump legal team motion to compel discovery in the case, include notes from prosecutors' interview with a former administration official who the special counsel says "refused recording of the interview."
- ABC News
At emotional DC memorial, Chef José Andrés mourns 7 World Central Kitchen aid workers killed by Israeli airstrikes
World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés delivered emotional and, at times, stirring remarks to an interfaith celebration of life held at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday in honor of the seven aid workers with the chef's aid organization who were killed in a Gaza airstrike by Israel Defense Forces earlier this month. The service honored Palestinian Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha; three British nationals, John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby; Jacob Flickinger, a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen; Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom of Australia; and Damian Sobol of Poland.
- ABC News
Baltimore high school athletic director used AI to create fake racist audio of principal: Police
Police arrested a Baltimore high school athletic director Thursday after they said they discovered he allegedly used artificial intelligence to create a phony audio recording of the school's principal that went viral and cost the school leader his job temporarily and his safety. Principal Eric Eisworth was removed from his position at Pikesville High School after the school district began investigating the audio clip that was circulated among staff and social media in January where it appeared Eisworth made racist comments against Black and Jewish persons, investigators allege. The three-month probe, which involved local police and the FBI, concluded that the audio was forged using AI tools by Dazhon Darien, the athletic director at the school, according to Baltimore Chief of Police Robert McCollough.
- Good Morning America
EPA limits 4 types of power plant pollution with sweeping rulemaking
The Biden administration on Thursday announced a series of new rules designed to cut pollution emitted from coal and natural gas-fired power plants having an impact on air, water, land and climate. "At the same time, the power sector is also a major contributor to the pollution that drives climate change and threatens public health." "At EPA it is our responsibility to act within the bounds of our legal authority and assess impacts in a way that is smart, effective, follows the latest science and enables our economy to grow and thrive," he added.
- ABC News
Giuliani, Meadows indicted in Arizona fake elector scheme; Trump unindicted co-conspirator
Several former and current key aides to former President Donald Trump appear to be among those charged by the Arizona State Attorney General over their alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes also announced charges against 11 named alleged fake electors and seven people whose names are redacted in the filing for their alleged role in efforts to subvert Joe Biden's 2020 victory in the state.