Los Angeles (AFP) – US federal auditors probing Phil Mickelson’s role in an insider trading case found he had gambling losses of more than $40 million from 2010 to 2014, according to an excerpt from Alan Shipnuck’s forthcoming biography of the US golfe…
Russian oligarch’s yacht seized in Fiji on US request
Washington (AFP) – Authorities in Fiji have seized the $300 million yacht of Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov after the US Justice Department requested the vessel be held for violating sanctions and for alleged ties to corruption, the department said …
US drug regulator limits use of J&J Covid vaccine
Washington (AFP) – The US said Thursday only adults who “have personal concerns” about mRNA vaccines, access issues or medical reasons for refusing them may now receive the Johnson & Johnson Covid shot, which has been linked to a rare but serious clott…
Karine Jean-Pierre named as first Black W.House press secretary
Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden on Thursday named Karine Jean-Pierre as the next White House press secretary, the first Black person to hold the high-profile post. Jean-Pierre, who will also be the first openly LGBTQ+ person in the role, will…
Moscow says Western aid cannot prevent Russian victory in Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia (Ukraine) (AFP) – Russia on Thursday said Western aid to Kyiv had slowed its offensive in Ukraine but would not thwart its victory, as conflicting reports emerged about efforts to rescue civilians from a besieged steel plant in the devasta…
US rapper Kidd Creole of Grandmaster Flash gets 16 years for killing
New York (AFP) – US rap pioneer Kidd Creole, who helped found the band Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Wednesday for fatally stabbing a homeless man in 2017. The 62-year-old musician, whose real name is Na…
US Fed makes biggest rate increase since 2000 to fight inflation
Washington (AFP) – The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced its biggest rate hike since 2000, with a half percentage point increase as it works to crush soaring US inflation. With inflation at the highest rate in four decades, Federal Reserve Chair J…
Amber Heard says ‘love of my life’ Johnny Depp was abusive when drunk
Washington (AFP) – Actress Amber Heard testified on Wednesday that her ex-husband, “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp, was obsessively jealous and would punch walls and slap and hit her in drunken rages. Heard, taking the witness stand in the …
Against her wishes, Dolly Parton inducted into rock hall of fame
New York (AFP) – Country music icon Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday even though she did not want the honor, calling herself unworthy of it. Parton was among an eclectic group of new inductees that include the …
Comedian Dave Chappelle attacked during LA show
Los Angeles (AFP) – A man armed with a replica gun that works like a knife tackled comedian Dave Chappelle as he performed a stand-up set in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, police said. Video footage circulating on social media shows that as the comedian…