Madeline Halpert
Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of sexual assault in New York, after a sex crimes conviction in the state was overturned last year. 
A panel of seven female and five male ju… [+4599 chars]

The jury found him not guilty of an additional sexual assault charge, and have yet to return a verdict on a charge of rape.

BBC News

Harvey Weinstein found guilty of sexual assault after New York retrial - BBC

Scientists have identified a never-before-seen species of dinosaur called the dragon prince — a prehistoric predator that set tyrannosaurs on the path to ruling Earth. This newly discovered relative … [+5602 chars]

A new species of dinosaur that was probably a princely ancestor of T. rex, the king of the dinosaurs, has been identified from fossils excavated in Mongolia.

Live Science

The 'dragon prince' that existed before the tyrant king’s rise to domination - Live Science

Brian Wilson, the founder and principal creative force of the Beach Boys, whose catalogue of early hits embodied the fantasy of California as a paradise of beautiful youth, fast cars and endlesssurf … [+18028 chars]

His early hits — “Surfer Girl,” “I Get Around,” “All Summer Long,” “Help Me, Rhonda” and “California Girls” —  evoked a fantasy world of fast cars, beautiful youth, eternal surf and sunshine on an immaculate beach.

The Washington Post

Brian Wilson, singer-songwriter who created the Beach Boys, dies at 82 - The Washington Post

LAS VEGAS, NEV. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said Wednesday that he "did a cartwheel" in his living room when current chief executive Brian Niccol first coined his "back to Starbucks" strategy… [+2639 chars]

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz made a surprise appearance at the company's Leadership Experience in Las Vegas.

CNBC

Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy - CNBC

The Wall Street Journal

Texas Governor to Deploy National Guard as Anti-ICE Protests Spread - WSJ

The exchange between McConnell and Hegseth offered a rare high-profile window into the Republican partys widening foreign policy gap. McConnell voiced a Reagan-era internationalist view of American l… [+833 chars]

The former Senate majority leader and a top Trump ally laid into the Pentagon chief over the administration’s actions toward the embattled country.

Politico

‘America’s reputation is on the line’: Republican senators chide Hegseth over Ukraine - Politico

Harris Yulin, the acclaimed actor who starred in such Broadway productions as Hedda Gabler, The Price, The Visit and Watch on the Rhine and in the films Scarface, Clear and Present Danger, Ghostbuste… [+3232 chars]

Harris Yulin, the acclaimed actor who starred in such Broadway productions as Hedda Gabler and The Price, and in films such as Scarface, has died.

Deadline

Harris Yulin Dies: Star Of Broadway, TV & Film Was 88 - Deadline

WASHINGTON (AP) The United States is drawing down the presence of people who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East due to the potential for regional unrest, the State Department a… [+4055 chars]

The United States is drawing down the presence of people who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East due to the potential for regional unrest, the State Department and military said Wednesday.

U.S. prepares to move nonessential personnel from Baghdad embassy due to potential regional unrest - PBS

The Android 16 update introduces Battery health, though specific functionality depends on what Pixel phone you have.
All devices (Pixel 6+) get a Battery health menu in Settings app &gt; Battery wit… [+1973 chars]

The Android 16 update introduces “Battery health,” though specific functionality depends on what Pixel phone you have.

9to5google.com

Android 16 adds Battery health percentage & ‘assistance’ on newer Pixel phones - 9to5Google

Disney and Universal have filed a lawsuit against Midjourney, alleging that the San Franciscobased AI image generation startup is a bottomless pit of plagiarism that generates endless unauthorized co… [+3209 chars]

In the complaint, the Hollywood giants allege Midjourney generates “endless” ripoffs of everything from minions to Darth Vader.

Wired

Disney and Universal Sue AI Company Midjourney for Copyright Infringement - WIRED

A group of eight women filed an appeal of the House v. NCAA settlement approval on Wednesday, arguing that it violates the Title IX gender equity statute, Front Office Sports has learned. The appeal … [+3217 chars]

In the appeal, athletes argue that the terms violate Title IX, the statute governing gender equity in sports.

Frontofficesports.com

Group of Women Athletes Files Appeal of House v. NCAA Settlement Approval - Front Office Sports

It was supposed to be a routine appearance, a visit from the commander in chief to rally the troops, boost morale and celebrate the Army's 250th-birthday week, which culminates with a Washington, D.C… [+9416 chars]

As President Donald Trump viciously attacked his perceived political foes, he whipped up boos from the gathered troops directed at California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Military.com

Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance - Military.com

In a handful of interviews following Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 25), Apple executives denied that last year’s demonstrations of a personalized, AI-powered Siri were vaporware, desp… [+2529 chars]

Apple senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi stressed that AI was a new technology, and something Apple sees more as a "long-term transformational wave" that will impact the industry and society for decades to come.

TechCrunch

Apple executives say new AI-powered Siri wasn’t ‘demoware’ — it just wasn’t ready to ship - TechCrunch

JOHANNESBURG (AP) At least 49 people were confirmed dead Wednesday as floods devastated one of South Africas poorest provinces, and officials said the toll was expected to rise as more bodies are rec… [+3238 chars]

Officials say at least 49 people have died in flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. An extreme cold front brought heavy rain and snow to parts of the country. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said Wednesday that the death toll is expected to ri…

Associated Press

At least 49 people have died in flooding in South Africa with toll expected to rise, officials say - AP News

Elon Musk walked back some of his criticisms of President Donald Trump early Wednesday, days after the vice president and White House chief of staff urged him in a call to stop the feud, according to… [+4951 chars]

Musk’s rare public expression of regret suggests he is trying to defuse tensions after Trump threatened to retaliate against his companies during their feud.

Elon Musk now says he ‘went too far’ in some of his posts about Trump - The Washington Post

Despite long speculation and reporting to the contrary, the Knicks are not in the mix to trade for Kevin Durant, The Post has learned.
Durant is expected to be dealt this offseason from the Suns, wi… [+276 chars]

Here’s where things stand regarding the Knicks and a potential pursuit of Kevin Durant.