Hadi Matar, 27, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2022 stabbing attack on author Salman Rushdie during a lecture in New York. Rushdie, now 77, suffered serious injuries including partial blindness and nerve damage. Matar, who also injured a moderator, received an additional 7-year sentence to run concurrently. Prosecutors say the attack was motivated by a fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini … Continue reading Man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie sentenced to 25 years in prison

The historic Nottoway Plantation, the largest Antebellum mansion in the South, was destroyed by a fire on May 15 in White Castle, Louisiana. Built in 1859 by enslaved people, the 64-room mansion was a prominent landmark along the Mississippi River.  The fire began in a bedroom, was briefly contained, then reignited and burned through the night. Though once considered for restoration, owners are now unsure … Continue reading The Largest Antebellum Mansion in the South is Destroyed by Fire

Former FBI Director James Comey was interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service on Friday over a social media post that Trump supporters claimed was a veiled threat against the former president. The post showed the number “8647” spelled out in seashells—interpreted by some as slang for “kill Trump,” the 47th president. Comey voluntarily met with agents and later took down the post, stating he opposed … Continue reading Ex-FBI director Comey meets with Secret Service over ‘8647’ post

At least four people were killed and several others injured after severe weather, including two possible tornadoes, struck St. Louis on Friday. The storms damaged about 20 square blocks, with search-and-rescue operations ongoing. One tornado was reported near Forest Park, with another possible touchdown still being investigated. Ten patients, including one in critical condition, were taken to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Damage included collapsed buildings, … Continue reading At least 4 killed, 10 injured in suspected St. Louis tornadoes

Ten inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail early Friday, possibly with help from staff, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. One escapee, Kendell Myles, charged with attempted second-degree murder, was recaptured in the French Quarter. Nine remain at large, including four charged with murder. The inmates broke out through a wall behind a toilet and scaled a fence using blankets. Faulty locks and … Continue reading 9 men at large after escape from New Orleans jail including 4 charged with murder

In Richmond, California, a disturbing mystery is unfolding as residents report multiple birds dying violently, with some appearing to “explode” after landing on power lines. Security footage showed one bird falling to its death following a loud pop. Necropsies on two birds revealed trauma consistent with pellet guns or slingshots, but the exact cause of the deaths remains unclear. At least 13 birds have been … Continue reading Mystery of ‘exploding birds’ deepens in California city

A rock climber, Anton Tselykh, survived a fall of hundreds of feet in Washington’s North Cascades mountains that killed his three companions. After suffering internal bleeding and head trauma, Tselykh managed to extricate himself from tangled equipment and hiked for hours to a pay phone to call for help. The group had been descending the Early Winters Spires when their anchor, a piton, was dislodged, … Continue reading Climber survives 400-foot fall that killed 3 friends in Washington state

Heavy rain caused flooding across several states on Tuesday, with a 12-year-old boy reported missing in Albemarle County, Virginia, after being swept away by floodwaters. A search for the boy was paused overnight due to safety concerns. In Maryland, schools in Allegany County were evacuated, and flash floods triggered warnings for over 17 million people from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. More than 5 inches of … Continue reading Boy missing, elementary schools in Maryland evacuated amid flooding