It’s hard to not compare MSC Cruises’ World Class ships and its largest-ever offering, the MSC World America, to similarly massive ships sailed by Royal Caribbean. But while World America may look like its competitor’s ships, it has touches that set it apart. The Jaw Drop dry, twisting slide takes riders on an 11-deck trip […]
Singer Dawn Richard says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs threatened her with death after she saw him beat Cassie
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER NEW YORK (AP) — The Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial resumed Monday when singer Dawn Richard testified that the hip-hop mogul threatened to kill her if she told anyone that she saw him beat his longtime girlfriend. Richard told a jury in Manhattan federal court that Combs […]
Trump’s big bill advances in rare weekend vote, but conservatives demand more changes
By KEVIN FREKING, LISA MASCARO and LEAH ASKARINAM, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans narrowly advanced President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts package out of a key committee during a rare Sunday night vote, but just barely, as conservative holdouts are demanding quicker cuts to Medicaid and green energy programs before giving their full […]
Kids author Mo Willems and The Pigeon stare down the future in a new book
By BROOKE LEFFERTS NEW YORK (AP) — Author Mo Willems has sold millions of books and won many awards, but the accolade that means most to him is when a parent says their child read aloud for the first time from one of his books. The author, illustrator and animator, 57, is best known for […]
Clinging to a Greek cliff, this monastery welcomes people from around the world. No women allowed
By COSTAS KANTOURIS MOUNT ATHOS, Greece (AP) — The medieval monastery clings almost impossibly to sheer cliffs high above the shimmering turquoise of the Aegean Sea. Rising from the rugged granite rock, its walls enclose a diverse Christian Orthodox community. The Monastery of Simonos Petra, also known as Simonopetra — or Simon’s Rock — transcends […]
Federal judge strikes down workplace protections for transgender workers
By CLAIRE SAVAGE A federal judge in Texas struck down guidance from a government agency specifying protections against workplace harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on Thursday determined that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exceeded its statutory authority […]
Police investigate disappearance of Melania Trump’s statue in her native Slovenia
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Police in Slovenia are investigating the disappearance of a bronze statue of U.S. first lady Melania Trump that was sawed off and carried away from her hometown. The life-size sculpture was unveiled in 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term in office near Sevnica in central Slovenia, where Melanija Knavs was […]
European leaders agree with Trump that Russia’s position on ceasefire talks is unacceptable
By LLAZAR SEMINI and LORNE COOK, Associated Press TIRANA, Albania (AP) — European leaders have agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia’s position in ceasefire talks is unacceptable and they intend to coordinate a response, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday. “We just had a meeting with President Zelensky and then a […]
Today in History: May 16, China’s Cultural Revolution begins
Today is Friday, May 16, the 136th day of 2025. There are 229 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 16, 1966, the Chinese Communist Party issued the May 16 Notification, a document that criticized “counterrevolutionary revisionists” within the party and marked the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. Also on this date: […]
DeSantis signs a bill making Florida the 2nd state to ban fluoride from its water system
By STEPHANY MATAT and KATE PAYNE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure Thursday prohibiting local governments from adding fluoride to their water systems, making it the second state in the country after Utah to implement a statewide ban on the mineral. DeSantis signed the bill at a […]