Maks Levin Dies: Ukraine War Photographer And Documentarian Shot Dead At 40

Reuters
Incoming Taiwan president Lai to pledge steady approach to relationship with China
Taiwan's next president, Lai Ching-te, will pledge to secure stability by maintaining the status quo in the island's relationship with China in his inauguration speech on Monday, an incoming senior security official said. Lai, who succeeds President Tsai Ing-wen after having been her vice president for the past four years, will have to deal with a China that has ramped up pressure - including almost daily military incursions near its airspace - on democratic Taiwan to accept its sovereignty, a claim strongly rejected by Taipei. Lai, 64, has repeatedly offered to hold talks with China but has been rebuffed by Beijing, which has not renounced using force to bring Taiwan under its control.
NBC News
'No more games': Biden rejects additional debates against Trump
President Joe Biden's campaign rejected two additional debates on Friday that former President Donald Trump's campaign says it agreed to do.
TODAY
Suffer from upper-back pain? 12 stretches that can help
If you have back pain, these upper back stretches like downward dog, cat cow and cobra help relieve tension, soothe aching muscles and prevent back pain.
TODAY
115 twisted jokes for dark humor fans
These twisted, funny, and often morbid dark humor jokes will make everyone laugh—unless they're easily offended.
Associated Press
Protesters rally in Peru against decree classifying seven gender identities as “mental illness”
Sexual diversity activists protested in Peru’s capital in front of the health ministry Friday to demand that the government repeal a decree that characterizes seven gender identities, including transgenderism, as “mental illnesses.” Protesters also gathered outside the Peruvian Embassy in Ecuador's capital, Quito. The demonstrations coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, celebrated since 2005 to mark May 17, 1990, when homosexuality — then considered a mental illness — was removed from the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases.
CNN
Nearly 900,000 popular ‘immune support’ tea bags recalled due to possible pesticide contamination
Nearly 900,000 tea bags by the organic tea brand Yogi are being recalled due to a detectable amount of pesticide on the product, according to an enforcement report posted on the US Food and Drug Administration’s website.
NBC News
Conservative scion Brent Bozell IV sentenced to nearly 4 years in Jan. 6 case
A man whose family members were key architects of the American conservative movement was sentenced sentenced Friday for his role in the Jan. 6 riot.
AFP
OpenAI disbands team devoted to artificial intelligence risks
OpenAI on Friday confirmed that it has disbanded a team devoted to mitigating the long-term dangers of super-smart artificial intelligence.The dismantling of an OpenAI team focused on keeping sophisticated artificial intelligence under control comes as such technology faces increased scrutiny from regulators and fears mount regarding its dangers.
NBC News
Video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating ex Cassie in 2016 hotel footage
Surveillance video shows Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie in a 2016 hotel attack. Cassie detailed the abuse in a since-settled lawsuit
CNN
At least 7 dead after hurricane-force winds pound Houston as power outages persist amid rising temperatures
A deadly and destructive complex of storms with hurricane-force wind gusts tore through Texas and downtown Houston Thursday. Here’s the latest.
Associated Press
As Japan's yakuza weakens, police focus shifts to unorganized crime hired via social media
A senior member of yakuza was arrested for allegedly stealing Pokemon cards near Tokyo in April, a case seen as an example of Japanese organized crime groups struggling with declining membership. Police agents who were busy dealing with thousands of yakuza members just a few years ago have noticed something new: unorganized and loosely connected groups they believe are behind a series of crimes once dominated by yakuza. The Tokyo metropolitan police are currently investigating six suspects in their 20s and 30s, most of them without connections to one another, who are believed to have been hired on social media to kill, transport and burn the bodies of an older couple at a riverbank of Nasu, 200 kilometers (124 miles) northeast of Tokyo.
CNN
Exclusive: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN
A 2016 surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation that matches allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November.
Associated Press
Ex-Honolulu prosecutor and five others found not guilty in bribery case
A jury found Honolulu's former top prosecutor not guilty Friday in a bribery case that alleged employees of an engineering and architectural firm bribed him with campaign donations in exchange for his prosecution of a former company employee. A U.S. grand jury indicted former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro and five others in 2022.
TODAY
This dad's money-saving restaurant hacks sparked outrage. He doesn't get the fuss.
A frugal father of four is dividing the internet with his restaurant "hacks." Texas dad Josh Mileham explains his controversial money-saving tips.
NBC News
RFK Jr. revs up ballot access campaign in response to sped-up debate criteria
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is accelerating plans to get on state ballots after Joe Biden, Donald Trump and CNN agreed on a June debate.
Associated Press
Argentine president begins unusual visit to Spain, snubbing officials and courting the far-right
Even before kicking off a three-day visit to Madrid on Friday, Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei stirred controversy, accusing the socialist government of bringing “poverty and death” to Spain and weighing in on corruption allegations against the prime minister's wife. The brash economist has no plans to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during his three days in the Spanish capital — nor the Spanish king, nor any other government official. Instead, he'll attend a far-right summit Sunday hosted by Sánchez's fiercest political opponent, the Vox party.
Politico
USDA official explains early worries about meat monopoly in Menendez case
The company IS EG Halal is accused of bribing the New Jersey senator.
AFP
Zelensky warns Russia could step up offensive: AFP interview
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with AFP on Friday warned Russia could intensify its offensive and said Kyiv would only accept a "fair peace" despite the West's calls for a quick solution.And for them, this is a fair peace," he said.
USA TODAY
Canadian teen says he was fined $580 at McDonald's drive-thru for using app; police dispute
Mason Prima said he was fined $580 for opening the McDonald's app at a drive-thru in Saskatoon, Canada but police have rejected his story.
CBS News
How compassion, not just money, helped one student achieve his college dreams
Family tragedy nearly derailed Chris Rowland's college goals. But through all the missteps and blown opportunities, Pete Kadens stood by his side.

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