A record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Officials say hundreds of climbers scaled Mount Everest in a single day, setting a new record with 274 successful ascents. Climbers took advantage of clear weather on Wednesday, according to Rishi Ram Bhandari of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal. This marks the highest number of climbers to reach the summit from the popular southern route in Nepal. Earlier in the week, veteran mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa scaled the peak for the 32nd time, breaking his own record. The Everest climbing season began late this year due to risks from a huge serac over the key route.
Walmart wins over broader swath of consumers, but global uncertainty clouds outlook for retailers
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart delivered another strong quarter of sales as the discounter’s speedy deliveries and low prices served as a magnet for shoppers across the income spectrum. But the Bentonville, Arkansas-based discounter offered outlook amid so much economic uncertainty. Walmart has resonated with many Americans who are carefully considering where they spend money because of inflation and how the company performs is considered a barometer of consumer spending given its vast customer base. More than 150 million customers are on its website or in its stores every week, according to Walmart.
Joey Chestnut to defend hot dog eating title while on probation after pleading guilty to battery
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Competitive eater Joey Chestnut is on probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge. The reigning champion and 17-time winner of Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest will still compete in the July 4 spectacle. The competitive eating sensation was accused of slapping a man during a night out at an Indiana bar, his attorney said. Chestnut entered a guilty plea April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation in Hamilton County, Indiana. A judge has granted him permission to travel outside the state, allowing him to continue competing.
Holy deception: Rome's 'sexy priest' calendar star never set foot in a seminary
ROME (AP) — A calendar featuring close-ups of young, handsome priests has been a popular Rome souvenir for two decades. However, many of those photographed aren't actually priests. A now 39-year-old flight attendant has been the cover model for most of the last 23 editions. He was just 17 when he posed for the photo. The photographer says at least one-third of the 2027 calendar's subjects are real priests. A recent story in the Rome daily La Repubblica called it a “fake priest calendar,” drawing nationwide attention. The Vatican, which has no involvement with the calendar, has declined to comment.
Ex-prosecutor charged with sending to herself copy of Smith report on Trump classified files probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former federal prosecutor is facing federal charges over allegations that she sent a report detailing Jack Smith’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s hoarding of classified documents to her personal email account, despite a judge’s order to keep it secret. That's according to court papers unsealed Wednesday. Carmen Lineberger, who worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and managed its Fort Pierce branch, pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in West Palm Beach to charges of theft of government property. Her attorney did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Single Gen Z women outpace Gen Z men to homeownership despite overall decline in first-time buyers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Single Gen Z women are outpacing the men of their generation when it comes to buying a home. They accounted for 35% of all homebuyers in their generation, while single Gen Z men represented 18%, according to survey data from the National Association of Realtors. The survey covered homebuyers from July 2024 to June 2025. Single women across all generations made up a quarter of homebuyers, while single men accounted for 11%. The trend is the latest sign that single women are choosing to become homeowners — and overcoming affordability challenges many aspiring homeowners face — at greater rates than single men. Even so, older generations and married couples represent the largest share overall of homebuyers.
Jell-O is jiggling its way toward more natural ingredients
Jell-O is getting a line of products made without synthetic colors or artificial sweeteners to meet increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients. Kraft Heinz on Tuesday unveiled Jell-O Simply, a line of pre-made gelatin it says is made with fruit and vegetable juice and has 25% less sugar than its regular Jell-O. The range comes in three flavors -- orange, raspberry lemonade and blueberry. Kraft Heinz plans to expand Jell-O Simply in August to include vanilla and chocolate instant pudding and banana and strawberry gelatin mixes. The company pledged last year to remove artificial dyes from its U.S. products by 2027.
Chiefs' Rashee Rice ordered to jail after testing positive for marijuana in violation of probation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to serve 30 days in jail after testing positive for marijuana in violation of the terms of his probation for his role in a crash that left multiple people injured on a Dallas highway two years ago. The Texas State Attorney’s Office said Rice was ordered to go to jail now as part of his original sentence for the third-degree felony of racing and causing bodily injury. Rice is set to be released on June 16. The team said it is aware of the situation and has been in touch with the league office.
Woman dies after falling into an uncovered maintenance hole in New York City
NEW YORK (AP) — A 56-year-old woman has died after falling into an open maintenance hole on a busy New York City street. Police say she was exiting her SUV near Fifth Avenue and East 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan when she fell into the hole late Monday night. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The utility company Con Edison says a truck may have dislodged the hole cover only minutes before the women fell. The company and Con Edison are investigating. The woman's relatives tell WABC-TV that they are shocked and saddened, and they are seeking more information.
UK police find cocaine worth $9.3 million stashed in a shipment of Kim Kardashian brand underwear
LONDON (AP) — British authorities have sentenced a truck driver to prison for smuggling cocaine in a shipment of Skims clothing. The National Crime Agency says Jakub Jan Konkel was caught with 90 kilograms of cocaine in a truck carrying underwear and clothes from Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand from the Netherlands. Officials stopped him at a port in Essex in September. The shipment of clothing was legitimate, and neither the exporter nor the importer was involved in the smuggling. Konkel agreed to transport the drugs for a payment of 4,500 euros. He received a 13½-year sentence on Monday.
