3 climbers who fell near treacherous pass on Alaska’s Mount McKinley are dead, 1 rescued
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Three climbers on Alaska’s Mount McKinley who fell near a treacherous pass on North America’s tallest peak have died, and one was rescued, the National Park Service said. The climbers were traversing a route known for its exposed sections where many injuries and deaths have occurred when they fell Wednesday, the National Park Service said. Denali National Park and Preserve rangers had to wait for the weather to clear before attempting to reach the climbers, who were in a group of seven on the mountain. The fall happened near Denali Pass, which is about 18,200 feet above sea level. McKinley stands at about 20,310 feet.
Atlanta police investigate whether their officer had sex with federal judge in the judge's chambers
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta police have launched an investigation to determine if a high-ranking officer found to have had sex with a federal judge in the courthouse is from their department. The judge, part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, received a private reprimand for having sex in chambers during business hours and later lying about it. The investigation followed a complaint from a law clerk. The judge initially denied the allegations but later admitted to them. Despite the misconduct, the judge received a private reprimand, prompting criticism about accountability for judges. The judge agreed to write apology letters and refrain from certain roles.
When Sue Tilley met Lucian Freud, it changed her life. Now a painting of her could fetch $47 million
LONDON (AP) — Sue Tilley was working in an unemployment office when she met artist Lucian Freud. His paintings of her in the 1990s are now famous, and very valuable. “Sleeping by the Lion Carpet,” considered one of Freud’s masterpieces, is up for sale at Sotheby’s on June 24. It has a presale estimate of between $33 million and $47 million. Tilley hasn’t received any money from the portraits but doesn’t regret it. She says the experience changed her life. Freud, known for his fleshy nudes, painted Tilley in four monumental portraits. One sold for $33.6 million in 2008 and another for $56 million in 2015.
Conan O’Brien speaks at Harvard commencement as Trump tightens pressure on the school
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard graduates heard from comedian and television host Conan O’Brien at their commencement. The appearance Thursday of O'Brien, a Harvard alum, came during one of the most fraught periods in the Ivy League school's recent history, as it faces mounting legal and financial pressure from President Donald Trump. The administration sued Harvard in March, accusing its leadership of failing to address antisemitism on campus and creating grounds for the government to freeze existing grants and seek repayment for grants already paid. That came months after a judge sided with Harvard in another lawsuit and ordered the administration to reverse billions of dollars in cuts.
Claude Lemieux, the feisty four-time Stanley Cup champion for Avalanche, Devils and Habs, dies at 60
Four-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux has died after taking his own life, according to authorities. He was 60. The Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office said deputies responded just after 3 a.m. to a suicide call at a furniture store showroom in Lake Park, Florida. The sheriff’s office said the victim was believed to be Lemieux. The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux’s death in a post on social media. Lemieux was the Montreal Canadiens' torch bearer prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final on Monday night. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with New Jersey in 1995.
Naomi Osaka's latest French Open fashion ensemble includes an ivory train and gold jacket
PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka keeps bringing the fashion in Paris. For her walk-on before a second-round win at the French Open the tennis star had on a metallic gold bomber jacket over her sequined gold playing dress offset by an ivory train in a look that mixes sportswear with couture. Osaka then took off the train and jacket and handed the garments to a ball kid to remove them. Osaka beat Donna Vekic 7-6 (1), 6-4 to reach the third round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2019. For her match Tuesday Osaka walked on in a ceremonial black skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice before revealing her gold dress which she said reminded her of the Eiffel Tower at night.
Caesars Entertainment, a Las Vegas Strip icon, is sold for nearly $6 billion
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Caesars Entertainment is being acquired for almost $6 billion by Fertitta, the company that owns Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget and chains like Rainforest Cafe and Morton’s. Caesars became an iconic name after the opening of Caesar’s Palace on the Las Vegas Strip in 1966. However, its roots date back to the 1930s in Reno, Nevada. Fertitta Entertainment will pay $5.7 billion and take on close to $12 billion in debt from Caesars, putting the total value of the deal at about $17.6 billion. Shares of Caesars Entertainment, which are up 15% since merger rumors emerged, rose almost 2% before the opening bell Thursday. Tilman Fertitta is a billionaire hospitality mogul who owns Fertitta Entertainment. He is also the largest shareholder in Wynn Resorts as well as DraftKings.
Happy, who taught researchers that elephants can recognize themselves, is euthanized at Bronx Zoo
NEW YORK (AP) — A Bronx Zoo elephant who gave researchers new insights and became the crux of a closely watched animal rights case has died. The zoo says 55-year-old Happy was euthanized Tuesday after a weekslong decline. The zoo says she showed signs of potential declining kidney or liver function, and a necropsy revealed several large inoperable uterine tumors and arthritis. The Asian elephant lived at the zoo since 1977. In 2005, she showed researchers that elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror. A group called the Nonhuman Rights Project sued the Bronx Zoo in 2018, seeking to have Happy declared a “person” for legal purposes and moved to a large animal sanctuary. New York’s top court ultimately rejected the activists’ claim.
Jill Biden says she feared Joe Biden was having a stroke during disastrous 2024 debate
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former first lady Jill Biden feared her husband was having a stroke as she watched him stumble through his disastrous June 2024 debate performance. Then-President Joe Biden's shaky debate against Donald Trump fueled fears among voters that he was too old for a second term and led to the end of his 2024 reelection campaign. Jill Biden tells CBS News in an interview airing Sunday that she was "frightened” while watching her husband because she “had never ever seen Joe act like that before or since.” The former first lady is promoting a book due out next week, “View from the East Wing: A Memoir.”
Introducing Argus, a robot with 20 legs and eyes built to move and see in any direction instantly
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Robots that look like dogs or people try to replicate symmetrical shapes found in nature. But engineers at Duke University are taking a different approach. They're focusing on uniformity in action or what they call “dynamic symmetry.” The result is Argus. The roly-poly robot has depth-sensing cameras attached to 20 telescoping legs radiating from a central core. With no front, back, top or bottom, it can see and move in any direction instantly. Argus can navigate sandy beaches and rough terrain. It can even climb between parallel brick walls. Researchers hope the design principles behind Argus can be used to develop other types of robots.
