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A missing U.S. military student in Japan is found dead. Roommate charged with two counts of murder

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A missing U.S. military student in Japan is found dead. Roommate charged with two counts of murder

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Corrections and Clarifications: A previous version of this report misspelled the suspect’s name. The suspect is “Hisham Abu Gharbiyeh”.

Murder charges allege a man killed two University of South Florida doctoral students, including his roommate, who was missing for more than a week before his body was found. Authorities are still searching for the second missing student.

Zamir Limon and Nahida S. Bristi, both 27, had been missing since April 16, when they were last seen in the Tampa area. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Limon’s body was discovered on April 24, and his roommate, Hisham Abugarbi, was arrested on multiple charges.

Abugarbi, 26, is now charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in the deaths of Limon and the missing Bristi, the sheriff’s office announced on the morning of April 25. The suspect had previously been charged with unlawfully retaining or moving a corpse, failing to report a death with intent to conceal it, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and assault.

The sheriff’s office said the evidence was turned over to the state attorney’s office, but authorities would not provide further information about the results of the investigation.

It was not immediately clear whether Abu Gharbi had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.

“This is a very disturbing incident that shook our community and affected many people who were hoping for a safe resolution,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “While the discovery of Zamir Limón’s body is heartbreaking, we want the public to know that our detectives are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth. We will continue to follow up on every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to us to hold those responsible fully accountable.”

Body of missing US military student in Japan found

Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said at an April 24 press conference.

Earlier in the day, law enforcement responded to an unrelated domestic incident involving Mr. Abugarbi, and upon arrival, Mr. Abugarbi “barricaded himself in the residence” and refused to comply with orders to leave, the sheriff’s office said. A SWAT team and other specialized units arrived and he was later taken into custody.

The sheriff’s office said Mr. Abugarbi had already been designated as a person of interest because of his relationship with Mr. Limon and Mr. Bristi.

“At this time, the search for Ms. Bristi continues,” the sheriff’s office said, asking anyone with information about her disappearance to contact authorities.

The two were reported missing on April 17th by a family friend who had not heard from them.

According to the USA TODAY Network’s Sarasota Herald Tribune, Limon was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy. Bristi is studying chemical engineering. Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between the two students.

Contributors: Natalie Neysa Alund and Christopher Cann

(This story has been updated to change or add photos and video, and because a previous version contained inaccuracies.)

Gen Z is afraid of appearing uncomfortable. What does that mean?

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Gen Z is afraid of appearing uncomfortable. What does that mean?

“To be fed up is to be free.”

This is a slogan that Gen Z likes in meme form, but in reality, they would rather play it safe.

Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) are obsessed with being disgusted, or perhaps more appropriately, obsessed with avoiding it.

From the carefully selected Gen Z pout to the sophisticated “influencer accents” that populate TikTok’s For You pages, the goal is to look effortless. Through TikTok, Instagram, and group chats, young people are constantly editing themselves, cutting out anything that might be seen as trying, awkward, or embarrassing.

That pressure shapes our behavior both online and offline.

“Social anxiety is definitely on the rise in Gen Z, and part of the reason is because people are spending more time online, and they can really worry and fear that decision,” says Lauren Cook, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide to Surviving an Uncertain World. “It becomes a vicious self-fulfilling prophecy of being afraid to do anything because I’ll be made fun of.”

disgusting looking horror

A poll conducted by Yahoo/YouGov in April 2026 found that more than half of Gen Z adults avoid expressing themselves online for fear of being offended. The impact extends beyond the internet, with 55% saying similar fears have prevented them from opening up emotionally to someone.

Online, this aversion to discomfort manifests itself in a variety of ways.

There’s a term that Gen Z uses to poke fun at outdated trends: cheeggy, which often targets millennial trends like skinny jeans and chevron prints. There is something called “disgusting” that is caused by a virus. This is the feeling of suddenly (and usually irrevocably) feeling disgusted with someone you once found attractive.

There are viral skits that poke fun at people for “thinking they’re the main character,” and they sometimes film unassuming concert goers and restaurant patrons for content. Influencer comedians like Madison Humphrey and Mitzi Sanderson have built massive platforms for parodying awkward moments.

Many of them are intended for playfulness. But Chloe Forero, a 23-year-old influencer from Chicago, says the effect is that Gen Z is afraid of existing online without being analyzed for their content.

“We live in a culture that is obsessed with the casual and at the same time obsessed with performance as a whole,” Forero says. “But you will be punished if you are seen actually participating in the performance that we are all putting on.”

This trend reflects Gen Z’s tendency to be more risk-averse than other generations.

Young people drink less, have less sex, and go to fewer parties. While these things can be positive, they can also be indicators of increased social isolation. Many Gen Zers have been unable to spend significant time in classrooms or offices during the pandemic, which has affected their social skills.

Forero and Cook say this anxiety spills over into people’s everyday behavior in real life, such as being hesitant to ask someone out on a date or being afraid to share an opinion with a friend.

“When you understand, ‘I am who I am and I own it, and if you have a problem with it, that’s your problem,’ that’s a very empowering place,” Cook says. “But I think for Gen Z, it really feels like a free fall and they’re very afraid of what’s actually going to happen.”

more: Gen Z’s blank stare is the internet’s latest obsession

What do Gen Z’s pouts, influencer accents, and quiet screams say about young people?

Tired discourse is becoming increasingly prominent in Gen Z’s physical slang.

Perhaps the most obvious example is the selfie face that Gen Z loves. A style in which the upper lip is stretched too far and tucked under the lower lip, popularized by stars such as Lily-Rose Depp, Rachel Sennott and Ariana Greenblatt, and has been dubbed the “Gen Z pout.” You could call her the modest younger sister of the Millennial duck face.

“It reflects a level of nonchalance, a sense of mystery, an interest in appearing not to care, but also going out of your way to create a face that people find pleasing,” Forero says of the face.

The same instinct is evident in lifestyle creator influencers’ accents, which are characterized by high pitched voices, word length, and extra emphasis. Also notable are skits about “Silent Screams” and “Gen Z Girls with No Quirks.”

Even when performing, it is important to appear subtle or unintentional.

These gestures are shaped by a combination of influencer aesthetics and pop culture. It often occurs online, but quickly spreads into general behavior.

“Right now, I would argue that the core of most children’s social experiences is online,” Forero said. “It’s like, ‘This is absolutely essential to my experience as a young adult, but I don’t want people to think I care too much.'”

It’s a stark contrast to the heavily filtered, contoured photos of the 2010s. Now, even if the content is carefully staged, the photo is bound to look unplanned and haphazard.

“People no longer want to act as if nothing is planned,” Forero says. “A well-curated Instagram post, in my opinion, is much more intentional than a filtered selfie from 2017.”

more: ‘You don’t owe anyone anything,’ says Gen Z on how they’re abusing therapy

How will Gen Z climb the “cramped mountain”?

Some Gen Zers are combating their pent-up fears by “climbing a poop mountain.”

The phrase, coined by 33-year-old content creator and consultant Erica Mallett, refers to coming to terms with those painful feelings. To reach the land of cool (i.e., success, fame, money), one must climb the cringe mountain (i.e., embrace embarrassment, failure, and discomfort).

“What you forget is that everyone who is cool or good at something now, at some point, had to climb an uphill mountain,” Mallett explained in a March 2023 TikTok.

According to Mallett, haters never hate from the land of cool, they always hate from the land of base camp. Mallett later founded Theory of One to teach content creators how to overcome their fear of discomfort.

“If you’ve been climbing, you don’t hate people who are still climbing, because they know what it’s like to climb Kuringe Mountain,” she said in another TikTok. “These assholes…don’t have the courage to start climbing.”

Forero had to climb that mountain herself when she became an influencer, and although she quickly grew from less than 100,000 followers to more than 1 million in 2023, she says it was the “hardest” year of her life due to the criticism she received.

She wants young people to know that while criticism is inevitable, they can change the way it affects them.

“Instead of living for yourself, you’re living for others, and other people don’t care as much about your well-being and well-being as you would like them to,” says Forero. “To be fed up is to be free. I’m not the first person to say that, but I truly believe it.”

Rachel Hale’s role covering youth mental health for USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Contact her at rhale@usatoday.com. @rachleighhale With X.

Pablo Escobar’s ‘cocaine hippo’ descendant murdered in Colombia

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Pablo Escobar’s ‘cocaine hippo’ descendant murdered in Colombia

Pablo Escobar’s reign of terror did not end with his death and continues today in the form of swarms of hippos invading the Colombian countryside.

In early April, the Colombian government approved the euthanasia of up to 80 wild hippos, descendants of four that Escobar brought into the country for his farm’s private zoo in the 1980s. After his death in 1993, the hippos escaped and began breeding in the wild.

There are currently an estimated 170 hippos in Colombia, living 100 miles along the Magdalena River, as far south as Escobar’s former home, Hacienda Napoles, and as far north as near Puerto Berrio.

The story has been in the making for decades, as the Colombian government tried multiple non-lethal methods of culling the hippo population, including castration and relocation. Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez declared the attempt too expensive and a failure.

Why are Colombian hippos problematic?

Hippos are found only in sub-Saharan Africa and breed in environments with abundant water. Therefore, Colombia’s exotic hippos live near the Magdalena River.

Hippos have an average lifespan of up to 50 years, and with no natural predators in Colombia, their population has mushroomed from just four to nearly 200 today. Experts estimate that number could rise to 500 by the end of the decade.

How has the Colombian government dealt with hippos?

Controlling hippopotamus populations is a topic of debate among governments, environmentalists, and residents.

A hippo named Pepe, thought to be one of the original four, was killed in 2009, and his death sparked public outrage and a court order banning the killing of hippos as a population control measure.

Colombia has offered to transport the hippo to a zoo, but no other country has agreed to take it back. They also cannot be brought back to Africa because they are genetically different from wild African hippos as a result of inbreeding. They can also carry diseases that can damage Africa’s ecosystems.

What is Colombia doing to control the hippo spread?

On April 13, Velez announced a nearly $2 million plan to physically and chemically euthanize hippos, which would be chosen based on their size and proximity to humans. The government hopes to kill at least 80 hippos by the end of this year.

Justice Department recommends reinstating firing squads for federal executions

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Justice Department recommends reinstating firing squads for federal executions

On his first day in office last year, President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to resume seeking executions.

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The Justice Department has directed federal prisons to expand the range of methods of execution, including shooting, gas asphyxiation, and electrocution.

In a memo released April 24, the department said the measure would “strengthen” the death penalty and “deter the most barbaric crimes, provide justice for victims, and bring long-overdue closure to surviving loved ones.”

On his first day in office last year, President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to resume seeking executions.

“Among the steps taken are re-adopting the lethal injection protocol used during the first Trump administration,” “expanding the protocol to include additional execution methods such as firing squads, and streamlining internal processes to expedite death penalty cases,” the Justice Department said in a statement Friday.

The Biden administration had suspended executions in most federal cases and reversed much of the work done under Trump’s first administration to expand the death penalty in federal cases. Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden pardoned 37 of the 40 people on federal death row.

“The previous administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and enforce ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and police killers,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.

Dylann Roof, who is currently on death row, committed the racist killings of nine black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015. 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. And Robert Bowers shot and killed 11 worshipers at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018, the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.

Has anyone seen a Michael Jackson movie changed their mind about him? not much

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Has anyone seen a Michael Jackson movie changed their mind about him? not much

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Michael Jackson, portrayed in the new biopic Michael, is a saintly musical genius.

He is a precocious superstar, both encouraged and frightened by the harsh criticism of his megalomaniac father, Joseph.

He was a visionary and had a talent that at times he didn’t know what to do with, but he managed to turn it into eternal art in the form of the albums “Off the Wall”, “Bad” and the best-selling record of all time “Thriller”.

Michael represents the eternal Peter Pan with his sparkling voice and head-spinning dance moves, the animal lover who claims his only friends are his pets, and the philanthropist who comforts young burn victims at his bedside.

By ending the film circa 1987, during Jackson’s then-record-breaking “Bad” tour, producers allowed viewers to experience a more luminous version of Jackson. Even the epilogue card does not acknowledge the child molestation charges brought against him in subsequent years, nor does it acknowledge his death from an overdose of painkillers and sedatives in 2009.

The film was reportedly slated to deal with sexual abuse allegations until lawyers for Jackson’s estate discovered a legal settlement with then-13-year-old Jordan Chandler, the central figure in the 1993 lawsuit. This clause prohibited any mention or depiction of him in any film.

According to Variety, a source close to the film said, “Most of the third act was devoted to the scandal, but that final episode was scrapped along with references to child molestation accusations.” It was also reported that the original script included a scene in which investigators search Jackson’s Neverland Ranch for evidence.

The changes required reshoots from last year, and the original release date of “Michael” was pushed back from April 2025 to October 2025 and then to this spring.

Why we need to “return to the magic” of Michael Jackson

Does this matter to his followers?

Probably not, considering that Jackson has remained the highest-paid dead celebrity on Forbes magazine’s annual list for 13 of the 16 years since his death at age 50. Jackson topped Forbes’ 2025 list with $105 million in earnings, boosted by the success of the Cirque du Soleil show “Michael Jackson ONE,” which ran for 13 years in Las Vegas. Broadway’s “MJ: The Musical” has generated nearly $300 million in ticket sales since its 2022 premiere and expanded touring versions around the world.

J. Randy Taraborrelli, a Jackson historian and author of “Michael Jackson – Magic, Madness, and the Complete Story,” is among those who agree that “Michael” is ending without delving into the allegations that have dogged him since the first allegations in 1993.

“I think it’s a good idea to return to the magic of Michael Jackson, which has been unfairly obscured by all the allegations,” Taraborrelli says. “I covered[the 2005 sexual molestation trial]and sat behind Michael every day for a year and a half. I felt like the whole thing was so far-fetched and that he was so unfairly targeted. To portray that in a movie is to expect the public to interpret it the way you want. And that’s never going to happen, so why go there?”

A 1993 investigation resulted in a $23 million civil settlement, and a 2005 criminal trial ended with Jackson acquitted of all 14 child molestation charges.

Author and scholar Joe Vogel, who wrote Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson, spent years researching the book, which was published in 2011, and updated it in 2019.

To him, Jackson’s accusations are just that.

“These allegations are fundamentally different from other high-profile cases. If you think about Diddy or[Bill]Cosby or[Jeffrey]Epstein, there was an avalanche of evidence. Michael’s case was much more complicated,” Vogel said.

He added that he spoke to a variety of people around Jackson for his book, including producers, security guards, nannies, family members, etc. “Everyone, without a doubt, defended Michael, and that means something.”

Michael Jackson’s complicated history doesn’t taint box office numbers

Even before the abuse allegations against Jackson arose, the singer had been accused of being alien in the tabloids and the court of public opinion because of his appearance, his unusual lifestyle, which included sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber, and his kindness toward animals and children.

One aspect of Jackson’s personality is teeth Implicit in “Michael” is that his stunted emotional growth (presumed to be the result of his father’s abuse) is the basis for his kinship with his children.

Taraborrelli has known Jackson since he was a teenager and says it’s frustrating when Jackson’s critics dismiss his logical defense of the superstar. That’s another reason he agrees to keep “Michael” focused on the legend.

“It would be difficult to control the public’s interpretation. It would completely overshadow the genius that was Michael Jackson,” Taraborrelli says.

Neither Vogel nor Taraborrelli believe that Boffo’s expected box office success will be diminished if Jackson’s legacy is overshadowed. The film’s expected global opening weekend is in the $150 million range.

“There were question marks right after[2019HBOdocumentary]’Leaving Neverland,’ but it was also the peak of cancel culture,” Vogel said. “As people started to look into this allegation more closely, they[became more skeptical]and said, ‘Okay, this guy is long dead. I mean, there’s still controversy around Alfred Hitchcock, and people are still watching his movies.’

Jackson’s critics will no doubt continue to deny his accomplishments. But Taraborrelli believes the reason for unity should be revisiting the moment when Jackson and his music became a cultural phenomenon, and enlightening a new generation to his otherworldly nature as an entertainer.

“We need these kinds of films now more than ever,” he says. “This country is so damaged, we’re in such despair, and the anger on both sides is so strong, that any time we can get something that brings people together, that’s a huge plus. And who better to give us that than Michael Jackson?”

Contributor: Patrick Ryan

Main pests that occur in spring and how to get rid of them

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Main pests that occur in spring and how to get rid of them

As the temperature rises, the number of insects increases. We asked experts how to get rid of common spring pests.

April showers bring May flowers, but unfortunately they also attract pesky insects. With the arrival of warmer weather comes ants, termites, mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders.

No one likes pests. This is especially true of pests that sneak into your kitchen uninvited. To find out which bugs are most common in the spring (and how to get rid of them), I interviewed a panel of pest control experts, including entomologists and exterminators.

Reasons why pests appear in early spring

Tom Mascari, an entomologist with the S.C. Johnson Insect Science Center, told USA TODAY there are many reasons why pests appear early in the spring. Rising temperatures, longer daylight hours and increased humidity are key conditions for insect reproduction. (SC Johnson manufactures OFF! insect repellent.)

“Spring conditions provide important resources such as food and breeding habitat such as standing water,” Mascari says. “What we observe as the sudden emergence of insects is actually an asynchronous resumption of development in many species in response to the same environmental signals.”

The first pest to appear each spring

Insects follow predictable patterns, Mascari said. Mosquitoes are often most active at dusk and dawn, he said, while bees and butterflies emerge during the day because they need sunlight. Moths are nocturnal and take advantage of cool temperatures.

“Everything from bees and butterflies to dragonflies, fireflies and ladybugs are common in spring and summer,” Mascari says. “Many of these play important roles in the ecosystem, including pollination, decomposition, and natural pest control.”

Public health officials primarily focus on two groups: mosquitoes and ticks. Both species raise concerns because they transmit harmful diseases such as malaria and Lyme disease.

“Mosquitoes are strongly associated with warm temperatures, humid environments, and standing water, which provide important breeding habitat,” Mascari said. “As such, ticks are commonly found in backyards, parks, and near bodies of water. Ticks are typically found in grassy, ​​wooded, or grassy areas, waiting to attach to a passing host. It is a common misconception that ticks are only found in the woods.”

mosquito

region: Mosquitoes are worst in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

“This mosquito season is expected to be especially bad because of the warm winter, long snowfall, and early spring across the country,” said Teresa Smith, senior vice president of Natural Lawn of America.

Mosquitoes are common anywhere in humid and warm environments. She recommends using OFF!’s Mosquito Forecast to receive a seven-day forecast of mosquito levels in your area.

To prevent these frequent visitors from invading your property, you need to mow the grass and trim back overgrown plants. Smith warns that it’s especially important to remove standing water.

Although it is impossible to completely eliminate mosquitoes, homeowners can reduce their impact by planting mosquito repellent plants such as basil, Actinidia, and lavender.

“Don’t forget to check your window and door screens to ensure they have adequate ventilation while keeping mosquitoes and other insects out,” Smith adds.

tick

region: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Upper Midwest

Ticks can be found almost everywhere in the United States. But tick numbers are especially high this year in New York, California, Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania. Smith said the increase in ticks is due to a snowy winter that protects the ticks from cold air.

“These conditions also have the potential to expand the tick range, meaning more disease-carrying pests will be present in areas where ticks have not previously been a problem,” Smith says.

The best way to remove ticks from your property is through general yard maintenance, especially around bushes that are frequently brushed by pets. Remove old leaves, furniture, and equipment that may harbor mites.

“Add tick-repellent plants to your garden,” says Smith. “Lavender, rosemary and marigolds can be planted near areas where family and pets spend time, or at the edges of your property. You can also add natural barriers such as gravel or wood chips to keep them away.”

Ali

region:Anywhere

There’s no doubt that ants will invade your home this spring. These creatures are the most active pests in the spring. When the temperature rises, they quickly come out and look for food. Their colonies can number in the millions, said Terminix technical services manager and board-certified entomologist Macy Ruiz.

Lewis said ants are most commonly found in kitchens, pantries and other areas where food is stored. He recommends reducing access to food, shelter, and water resources. To that end, Lewis suggests:

  • Avoid leaving bread crumbs in your pantry or kitchen
  • Refrigerate fruits and vegetables if possible
  • Quickly wipe spills on floors and surfaces
  • Store all foods in closed, airtight containers
  • Address plumbing issues quickly and eliminate other sources of moisture.

“While many over-the-counter medications and DIY solutions are widely available, they often provide only temporary symptom relief,” Ruiz says. “Persistent infestations are best dealt with with the help of a pest control professional, as ant behavior varies by species and it is difficult to completely eliminate colonies.”

termites

region: Swarm occurrences vary, but can occur year-round in places like Florida.

The termite infestation season runs from February to June. According to Lewis, swarming is “an important step in the termite life cycle that distinguishes termites from normal covert activity.”

During termite swarm season, winged termites appear, indicating an existing or impending invasion.

Although termites tend to live in secluded areas, they can cause significant damage to wooden structures. According to Terminix’s latest report, termite damage to homes is over $5 billion.

Lewis said some of the initial home damage included:

  • Feathers discarded near windows and doors
  • mud pipe on the exterior wall
  • A tree that makes a hollow sound when tapped
  • Visible damage to wooden structures
  • Presence of frass (termite droppings)

Here are some ways to prevent termites:

  • Minimize contact between wood and ground
  • Remove mulch, plants, and leaves from around your home.
  • manage moisture issues
  • Schedule an annual termite inspection by a professional

spider

region: anywhere, even indoors

Spiders appear year-round, but they often appear indoors in search of food, shelter, warmth, and moisture. To reduce spider activity, Lewis recommends vacuuming and dusting frequently. Homeowners should pay attention to corners, furniture, and other undisturbed areas. Other maintenance tips include cleaning up crumbs, spills, and other food debris.

DIY solutions to reduce spiders, such as essential oils and soapy water, provide short-term results. Plants such as mint, lavender, and lemongrass reduce overall indoor insect activity.

“The only way to deter spiders is to minimize insect activity around your home, so keeping your home pest-free is your biggest deterrent for spider control,” Lewis says. “If spider activity continues, homeowners should consult a pest control professional for a more targeted and customized approach.”

Consult an expert

  • Dr. Tom Mascari, entomologist at the SC Johnson Insect Science Center
  • Teresa Smith, Senior Vice President, NaturaLawn of America
  • Macy Ruiz, Terminix Technical Services Manager and Board Certified Entomologist

Most questionable in rounds 2 and 3, including Carson Beck.

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Most questionable in rounds 2 and 3, including Carson Beck.

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Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, and there are plenty of surprises.

Most notably, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, widely considered a top-10 talent, was not selected due to concerns about a knee injury. Several other players fell in the second and third rounds, but were ultimately picked up by their teams later in the evening.

These high-value picks were created by some head-scratching decisions by NFL teams. That included a strange selection at the top of the second round and a surprising result in which eight tight ends were selected out of 68 picks in the second and third rounds of the draft.

What were the most questionable picks on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft? Below are the six most confusing selections based on both value and strategy.

2026 NFL Draft Day 2: The most puzzling picks

San Francisco 49ers: WR Dezhorn Stribling, Ole Miss (33rd)

The 49ers were selected first overall in the second round. With the 33rd pick, many thought they would target Denzel Boston, who was widely considered to be a first-round talent in mock drafts.

Instead, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan selected Stribling. The Ole Miss product was a late starter heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, but few expected him to be one of the first receivers selected on day two.

Stribling has decent size (6-2, 207 pounds), ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, and was good at holding the ball against Ole Miss. That could give him a chance to emerge as a playmaker in San Francisco’s offense alongside Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall.

That said, Stribling was the No. 147 player on USA TODAY Sports’ Top 150 Big Board. So drafting him 33rd overall was definitely a reach, especially with a player like Boston still on the board.

Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Nate Verkacher, Texas A&M (No. 56)

The Jaguars traded up in 2025 to acquire Travis Hunter, so they did not receive a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They made their first selection at No. 56 overall and surprised many by selecting a tight end in the second round.

It wasn’t just the ranking that surprised me. The Jaguars ended up selecting Berkircher, who was considered more of a third-day pick than a second-day option. He never cracked USA TODAY Sports’ top 150 big boards and never had more than 19 catches or 198 yards in a season during his five-year college career.

Regardless, the Jaguars have already established Brenton Strange as their No. 1 tight end. The 2023 second-round pick had the best season of his career with 46 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns.

Perhaps Jacksonville is trying to keep Strange from leaving in free agency, but Verkircher is still positioned as a complementary tight end at the NFL level. He could be a solid No. 2 tight end, but spending a second-round pick on a player like that, especially a 25-year-old rookie, is certainly questionable.

Houston Texans: TE Marlin Klein, Michigan State (59th)

Klein wasn’t as surprised by the second-round tight end selection as Berkircher, but most rated the Michigan product as a Day 3 prospect.

Klein has an impressive frame at 6-6, 248 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. While he definitely has upside, he started just 12 games in college and totaled 38 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown over four seasons at Michigan.

That means Klein is a promising player. He’s going to need time to develop to the next level, and it’s worth wondering if he can surpass Cade Stover for the backup job behind Dalton Schultz heading into his rookie season.

Arizona Cardinals: QB Carson Beck (65th)

There was some speculation that the Cardinals would select Carson Beck with the 34th overall pick. While they deserve credit for not doing that and landing quality guard Chase Visontis to shore up the blocking in front of Jeremiah Love, it’s fair to wonder how important Beck’s upgrade is to Arizona’s quarterback room.

The good: Beck is an experienced sixth-year quarterback who started 43 games at the University of Georgia and the University of Miami. He has typical size (6-4, 220 pounds) and throws with good touch and anticipation. The bad: There are concerns about his arm strength (it was only average in 2025, his first season after undergoing UCL surgery in his throwing elbow) and he tends to struggle under pressure.

Beck’s overall rating boils down to one thing. Does he have the ceiling necessary to be a starting quarterback, or does he have the profile of a career backup? The Cardinals’ selection of him seems to indicate they believe he can be the former.

If Beck can’t accomplish that goal, Arizona could end up with an early pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which is considered strong at the quarterback position. If that happens, the Cardinals may end up regretting their decision to take a backup quarterback with a third-round pick, especially since they were within range of acquiring more trench help like Beck’s teammate, offensive tackle Markelle Bell, and a productive edge rusher like Romello Hight.

Las Vegas Raiders: CB Treydan Stokes (Arizona State) (38th), Edge Keylon Crawford (Auburn) (67th overall)

Just to be clear, Stokes and Crawford fit perfectly into their respective draft ranges. The Raiders’ overall strategy in the 2026 NFL Draft makes them a head-scratching selection.

The Raiders spent the first overall pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Many expected Las Vegas to focus on upgrading its supporting cast on Day 2, as the team still had holes on the offensive line and needed to shore up on the receiver side to give Mendoza a fighting chance as a rookie if he started in place of veteran Kirk Cousins.

Instead, Vegas used their first two selections on defense. They did it despite having receiver Denzel Boston at No. 38 and a trio of quality receivers in Chris Brazzell II, Ted Hurst and Antonio Williams at No. 67.

The Raiders compensated for their defensive emphasis by taking Interior offensive lineman Trey Zuune III with the 91st overall pick, but if they don’t get a quality receiver on Day 3, Mendoza or Cousins ​​could have a frustrating season.

Financial advisor says don’t use Roth IRA for emergencies

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Financial advisor says don’t use Roth IRA for emergencies

It’s an action you may regret terribly.

morley backman
|The Motley Fool

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A Roth IRA is one of the most powerful retirement tools available. It offers tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals in retirement, and the flexibility to avoid required minimum distributions.

But that’s not the only flexibility you can enjoy with a Roth IRA. These accounts also give you easy access to your funds if you need them in an emergency before you retire. However, I doubt whether that is a good thing.

Why you shouldn’t use your Roth IRA as an emergency fund

Unlike a traditional IRA, where contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars. This allows you to access your principal at any time without penalty.

Traditional IRAs are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty on distributions taken before age 59 1/2 (with some exceptions). With a Roth IRA, the penalty is waived as long as you limit withdrawals to the principal. So if you need money in a pinch, you can tap into a Roth IRA without having to borrow or scrape together cash in other ways.

In case you missed it: As Generation X ages, Roth IRA conversions are gaining momentum. Need to convert?

That may seem like a good thing at first. However, using a Roth IRA as an emergency fund can seriously backfire.

The main problem is that once you take money out of a Roth IRA, you usually can’t get it back. Contributions are capped each year, so if you withdraw $15,000 for an emergency when you’re 35, that money won’t just be returned to your account.

This is where it really becomes a problem. Roth IRAs are not meant to be held in cash. Ideally, you will invest in a variety of assets. However, if you withdraw your Roth IRA early, you lose the opportunity to grow those funds into larger amounts.

Let’s say your Roth IRA has an 8% annual return. This is slightly below the average stock market return. If you withdraw $15,000 at age 35, you’ll have lost almost $151,000 by age 65, including lost profits. That’s enough money to have in retirement.

Build a true emergency fund instead

It may be a good thing that a Roth IRA provides flexibility when it comes to the funds you put into it. But if you’re funding a Roth IRA for a strong retirement nest egg, your best bet is to leave it alone during your working years.

In case of emergencies, it’s a good idea to have cash on hand for unexpected bills. But instead of relying on your Roth IRA to double as an emergency fund, you should proactively build your own cash safety net.

For many people, three to six months’ worth of emergency funds is enough to cover periods of unemployment and other large, non-routine expenses. That way, you can reserve your Roth IRA for its intended purpose.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner providing financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Pete Hegseth’s ouster of Army’s top chaplain leaves ‘huge void’

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Pete Hegseth’s ouster of Army’s top chaplain leaves ‘huge void’

Lawmakers criticized the firing of Maj. Gen. William Greene Jr., a retired colonel who oversees the chaplain’s operations, saying the chaplain’s operations could not continue for long without his chief.

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  • In early April, Mr. Hegseth fired Army chaplain Maj. Gen. William Green Jr. and two other senior military officials.
  • “It’s extremely strange to remove the head pastor,” an expert told USA TODAY. Lawmakers and Greene’s faction are demanding more transparency from the Pentagon about why she was fired.
  • A retired military chaplain said the chief chaplain plays an important role in ensuring the religious support of service members. Not having someone in that position will leave a “huge” gap, he said.

Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth supports religion and its role in the military.

He trashed the Army’s Spiritual Fitness Guide in December, lamenting its lack of clear references to God in favor of a broader spirituality. He held a Christian prayer service at the Pentagon with controversial pastors and framed elements of the Iran war in Biblical terms.

He announced in March that the Pentagon would reduce the number of official religious codes used to connect service members with needed faith resources, and that military chaplains would no longer display rank insignia but would still retain them.

The turmoil continued into April.

On the same day, Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to resign and immediately retire, and two other senior officials were replaced, including Army Chaplain Chief Maj. Gen. William Green Jr.

One expert called the firing of the Army’s top chaplain “very strange,” and a former senior chaplain said Greene’s firing would leave a “giant hole” in the Army.

Ronit Stahl, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of “Calling Faith: How Military Chaplains Shaped Modern American Religion and Nation,” said where there has been a gap between chaplaincy chiefs in the past, it was usually the result of pre-planned retirements.

This position has a four-year term, often spanning presidential administrations. Greene started in December 2023 during the administration of former President Joe Biden.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has received “dozens” of complaints from service members “outraged” by Greene’s firing, said the group’s founder and president, retired Air Force officer Mikey Weinstein.

The Pentagon referred USA TODAY to the Army, which said the chaplain’s ministry continues.

“Religious support operations continue under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Chaplain,” Army spokeswoman Heather Hagan said. Colonel Rich West, an ordained Anglican priest, currently holds the position.

Head of pastorate won’t leave ‘huge’ gap, says retired pastor

The ultimate goal of the pastorate is to “ensure religious freedom and the pastoral care of those who are willing to give their lives” for the nation, said the Rev. Jonathan Shaw, director of church relations for the Lutheran Church of Missouri. Reverend Jonathan Shaw retired as a colonel in 2020 after nearly 40 years of military service. Chaplain Shaw was an Army chaplain and, at the time of his retirement, served as the Director of Operations for the Army Chaplain Corps.

He told USA TODAY that faith is a vital part of life for many military personnel, and chaplains must contend with the tension that comes with the job. There are opportunities and challenges to accommodate diverse religious traditions, he said, but there are also tensions in their positions as religious and moral figures, public servants and faith leaders.

“Your job is to be willing to help people who have to take their lives,” Shaw said.

The lack of a head pastor to guide that work leaves a “huge” gap, he said. For now, people in the chaplaincy can continue to work in much the same way as before, but Mr Shaw said he has a “very dynamic profession” and “can’t work very long”.

Given the changes Hegseth has made to the pastorate in recent months, there is no doubt that Hegseth’s tenure has become even more active.

In announcing that chaplains will no longer display rank insignia in March, Hegseth said they “seem to be the highest in rank by divine calling,” adding that the Pentagon was “not yet complete” in taking steps to “restore the esteemed status of chaplains.” Shaw said he appreciates Hegseth’s efforts to prioritize the religious responsibilities of chaplains.

But Mr. Weinstein is among those who have denounced what they perceive to be a creeping influence of Christian nationalism on the military under Mr. Hegseth’s leadership.

He previously told USA TODAY that his organization had received 200 complaints from military personnel related to religious freedom as of early March amid the Iran war, “by far.” These included allegations that the commander told non-commissioned officers during a briefing that President Donald Trump was “anointed by Jesus to cause Armageddon and send a signal to Iran to commemorate his return to Earth.”

According to scholar Paul D. Miller, Christian nationalism refers to “the belief that the American nation is defined by Christianity and that the government should take active steps to preserve it.” Andrew Whitehead, a sociology professor at Indiana University Indianapolis, previously told USA TODAY that many Christian nationalists believe in eliminating the line between church and state.

Shaw acknowledged some people’s concerns about Christian nationalism in the military, but said he believed it could be a more helpful framework for people of faith to embrace patriotism and national service while centering their religious identity.

“We want Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, etc., but we want them if they respect and love this country and want to serve in the military,” Shaw said.

Groups express concern over Greene’s ouster

Lawmakers and leaders of Greene’s religious sect were among those who questioned his firing and the lack of information provided by the Pentagon on the issue.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) condemned Greene’s firing in a statement on April 7, saying she had performed her duties “with honor and honor.”

DeLauro said this was a particularly striking gap in the context of the ongoing war in Iran and Trump’s April 7 assertion that “the entire civilization will perish tonight,” a comment that was also criticized by his base.

“At a time when we are in the midst of our greatest moral crisis, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are attempting to silence the voices of our conscience,” she said. “This should surprise all Americans.”

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) similarly praised Greene’s work and accused the Trump administration of “bobbing out executives for seemingly no good reason.”

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a former Air Force brigadier general, also said that while Mr. Hegseth has the authority to fire military leaders, it is “not morally right or wise.”

Mr. Green became an Army chaplain in 1994 after receiving recognition from the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., the nation’s oldest and largest black Baptist denomination. Stahl said the denomination emphasizes the dignity and liberation of African Americans.

The church’s president, the Rev. Boise Kimber, said Green’s firing “raises serious and troubling issues that require transparency and accountability.”

“His decades of faithful service, moral leadership, and historic representation within the Army Chaplain Corps should not be overshadowed by acts that give the appearance of bigotry, ideological targeting, or radical political interference,” Kimber said in an April 8 statement. “Our nation must be careful not to let partisan policies undermine a system built on merit, sacrifice, and service.”

Weinstein also noted that less than a month after Hegseth became defense secretary in early 2025, he fired three Judge Advocates General, often referred to as JAGs.

“The message is very clear: You toe the line,” Weinstein said.

Green declined to comment to USA TODAY.

Breanna Frank is USA TODAY’s First Amendment reporter. please contact her bjfrank@usatoday.com.

USA TODAY’s coverage of First Amendment issues is funded by the Freedom Forum in collaboration with our journalism funding partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

What are these young Democrats doing to woo straight white men?

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What are these young Democrats doing to woo straight white men?

These influencers are attracting casual fans and Democratic voters while stirring up online backlash and drawing criticism from the right.

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Jared Schulte flailed his arms like an inflatable doll sitting outside a used car lot in a small American town during the first weekend of Coachella.

“Imagine hating me in a mood like this,” she captioned an Instagram video post of herself in action at the California Music and Arts Festival on April 13. “Trump has more rhythm than you guys,” one user commented. “Damn, that’s a terrible blow,” Schulte, 22, responded with two crying emojis.

At a time when Schulte was gaining more than 500,000 followers on Instagram, TikTok, and X and gaining popularity, fellow influencers were harshly criticizing the Trump administration.

The day before, 23-year-old Harry Sisson, who has 3.9 million followers on Instagram, TikTok, and X, posted, “JD Vance continues to lose for generations. Good luck JD!”

Meet women who want the Democratic Party It’s getting hot, I don’t care

Mr. Schulte and Mr. Sison, two of the most prominent young straight white men on the left, are using a similar strategy to that of California Governor Gavin Newsom, hitting back at members of the MAGA movement in President Trump’s scathing style.

These influencers, hailing from different parts of the country, have attracted casual fans and Democratic supporters while sparking backlash online and drawing criticism from the right.

Sison: “Trump promised young people but hasn’t delivered”

Schulte and Sisson, who are based in New York and Texas, are helping Democrats build support among Gen Z voters with each cheeky post.

Jess Rauschberg, a Seton Hall professor who studies digital culture, said there has been a “huge attitude” shift toward young white men like Schulte and Sison since the second year of Trump’s second term. Right now, Democrats are relying on figures like Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to get their message across and resonate with white men.

President Trump punches ‘No Kings’ protester AI video of yourself wearing a crown

During the 2024 campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris struggled to attract support from young white men. Meanwhile, during his candidacy, Trump used male-dominated podcasts to reinforce messages about affordability and the economy aimed at young people.

”Trump promised them these things and said, ‘We’re going to do this, we’re going to make your dreams come true,'” Sison told USA TODAY. “None of it has come true.”

Mr. Sison uses his identity to confront the perception that Mr. Trump has failed to fulfill his campaign promises. He antagonizes Trump followers in his content, commenting harshly on headlines rather than reading the news.

Abby Phillippe stays calm amid political turmoil CNN’s “NewsNight” causes chaos

Schulte infuriates Republicans on a daily basis. She mocked conservative podcaster Katie Miller, who is married to Trump’s immigration czar, with an “X” after she wrote online that “liberal men are not attractive.” He praised lesbians in an April 20 X-post, saying, “People who oppose gay adoption have clearly never met a lesbian woman.” “They are some of the coolest and most loving people I have ever met.”

Mr. Schulte and Mr. Sison follow each other, post gym photos of themselves flexing their physiques, and capitalize on Republican ownership of masculinity. They also regularly slam Trump for his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a topic that is a surefire irritant for the president. And conservative online commenters respond by calling them gay.

A story that aligns the goals of the Democratic Party with the goals of white youth.

Recent surveys show that public support for the president is declining among young voters. A spring youth poll released by Yale University in mid-April found that Mr. Trump’s approval ratings had declined the most among women under 35 and men under 30. Young voters polled, with the exception of men between the ages of 18 and 22, turned to Democrats.

In a social media post in February, Schulte shared a selfie on Instagram wearing camouflage, followed by a photo of him with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, a photo of him holding a “LIBERTY & JUSTICE 4 ALL” sign above his head, and a snapshot of himself with California Sen. Adam Schiff and potential 2028 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.

Trump supported this MAGA lawmaker’s claims. twin. Will he make history?

By demonstrating masculine empathy, Schulte said he hopes to reduce rampant loneliness among young people and address growing disillusionment. “I’m trying to find ways to spread the idea that, ‘You can be a man, you can love lifting, you can go hunting, you can do normal things, you can be a very manly man,’ and you can still talk to your closest friends about what’s going on with you, go to therapy, whatever,” Schulte said.

But part of Schulte’s appeal is that It was done Become a Republican. He hunts deer in camouflage even though he lives in Austin and is left-handed. Schulte is a NASCAR fan. He is attracted to the looks of women like Caitlan Collins. The prime-time host of CNN’s “The Source” is known for his chic style, bombastic statements and, most notably, for angering Trump since his first term in office.

Debra Reiter, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, said it’s unclear whether efforts by TikTok’s liberal allies will move forward. Voter turnout is primarily important for winning elections.

Reiter said disillusioned voters don’t necessarily cut across party lines. They will stop participating in elections.

infuriate Republicans

A graduate of Texas A&M, Schulte is a self-described lover of the gym, the outdoors, and “side quests” (one-off adventures), as per his Instagram profile. His flowing haircut mimics the style of some members of the U.S. men’s hockey team, who looked “bored” when they attended President Trump’s State of the Union address on February 26.

He grew up with happily married parents in a wealthy family in Frisco, Texas, and began posting content during his sophomore year of high school. He then joined a Christian youth group and influenced his online content. Schulte says she was publicly deprogrammed from her Christian faith during her freshman year of college.

Instead, he found faith in progressive politics.

During the 2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Schulte became involved with a group of other Christian creators in the House of Praise. The Internet collective was a religious version of the short-lived Hype House, a secular consortium that accelerated the careers of pop star Addison Rae and “Ordinary” hitmaker Alex Warren.

Schulte started thinking about religion in December 2021, during her first year of college. Although he felt uncomfortable with the traditional view of Christianity because he interpreted parts of the Bible as “non-Christians are bad people,” he recognized that non-religious people were still good people in his life.

President Trump criticizes Pope, paints picture of himself Like Jesus. Then he read the Bible.

“If we continue to denigrate people, make mean comments, and be disrespectful to people, people will not want what we have in us,” Schulte said in a video from March 2021, when he was still a Praise House member. “I think that’s especially true when it comes to politics. We do a terrible job of expressing our opinions in a loving way.”

“Things have changed dramatically.”

Sison, who knows Schulte from online circles, achieved viral lefty fame after breaking into the digital world as a teenager. In March 2020, 17-year-old Sisson gave a virtual TED Talk to Trump. In the video, he claims that Gen Z will consider climate policy when voting. This foreshadowed the series of content he posted in support of former President Joe Biden during the 2020 campaign that would eventually be praised online.

“You can go on social media and see what your friends are doing, but you can also watch videos of dogs and cats,” Sisson said in an interview with USA TODAY last fall. “Things have changed dramatically now, especially since Mr. Musk took over Twitter and then the Trump administration came back.”

President Trump punches ‘No Kings’ protester AI video of yourself wearing a crown

Sisson was a liberal superstar in college. He first enrolled at George Washington University and then transferred to New York University, where he still attends. He visited the White House and appeared on the cover of Town & Country magazine. He met with former President Barack Obama ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Sison also met with Biden’s Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

He is a frequent target of President Trump’s supporters. They launched an unsuccessful online campaign last year asking ICE to deport him. (He was born in Singapore but is an American citizen.) In October, President Trump’s official Truth Social account posted an AI-generated video depicting the president dumping sewage on protesters. Sison, who had participated in the “No Kings” rally, was also seen in the crowd.

Young people are “in a hurry”

On February 24, Mr. Sison moderated Governor Newsom’s tour of New York City. Governor Newsom was promoting his new memoir, “Youth in a Hurry.” The title evokes the book’s journey from Mr. Newsom’s childhood struggles with dyslexia to his political rise on the West Coast. Two months later, Schulte soaked up the April desert sun as the pop star danced to Justin Bieber’s abbreviated Coachella set in front of a laptop on a table.

Schulte later accused Fox News of missing the point after the cable news network framed Bieber’s performance as controversial due to its austere setting. This generation of young men seems to be looking for the same thing in their lives, beneath the surface of discussions about masculinity.

Mr. Schulte and Mr. Sisson and their Republican rivals. Sisson told USAT that he is a man at heart who wants a life “like the one I envisioned when I was younger.” He likes going to the gym. “I would like to have another thorough discussion,” he said. “We want to have a space in politics where we can make change.”

Newsom mocks Trump with all-caps post Promises Democratic victory in 2026

He wants to be successful and have a family of his own and have a home “somewhere.” Probably most young people want that too. Black or white, gay or straight, yes, red or blue.

2026 National Pretzel Day giveaways and deals include Auntie Anne’s

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2026 National Pretzel Day giveaways and deals include Auntie Anne’s

Whether you like it warm or cold, soft or hard, maybe dipped in mustard or beer cheese, when you enjoy a pretzel, you’re taking a bite of history.

This popular snack has its own holiday: National Pretzel Day, which is Sunday, April 26th. Many pretzel purveyors also have giveaways and specials to celebrate.

These days, pretzels can be found not only in supermarkets and convenience stores, but also at baseball stadiums, breweries, shopping malls, and movie theaters. However, according to History.com, pretzels date back 1,500 years, appearing as a food source in 7th century Europe with soft twisted bread served as a Lenten food for Catholics.

German immigrants brought pretzels to colonial Pennsylvania in the early 1700s, and the region remains a hotbed of pretzel production. “National Pretzel Day” began in 2003 when Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell proclaimed April 26 as a special day to recognize the historical significance of the pretzel, the National Day Calendar site states.

Pretzels are considered a healthier snack than other options such as potato chips, and consumer spending on pretzels is estimated to increase from $1.8 billion in 2025 to $2.4 billion by 2033, according to Research and Markets.

Craving a pretzel? Here are some National Pretzel Day specials to consider.

Snap decision: Bipartisan lawmakers create the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act

Auntie Anne’s National Pretzel Day Free Pretzel Deals

The pretzel chain will offer a free Original Pretzel or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel to new and existing Auntie Anne’s Rewards loyalty program members on Sunday, April 26th. Rewards members can redeem free pretzel deals in-store or online (at participating locations) in the Auntie Anne’s Rewards app.

If you’re a pretzel lover, Auntie Anne’s also has a new limited-edition Golden Pretzel Pass, which costs $50 and gets you one pretzel a week for a year (available at participating locations while supplies last).

Other National Pretzel Day sales

  • Green sea turtle: On National Pretzel Day, Sunday, April 26, get half off the price of your Bavarian Pretzel Stick order when you purchase a meal or carry-out item (dine-in only).

  • National Pretzel Company: Get $10 off every box and claim a free dip in your online shopping cart. The York County, Pennsylvania, company ships to the lower 48 states.

  • Pretzel maker: Members of the Pretzelmaker Rewards loyalty program can order free Small Pretzel Bites (salted or unsalted) at participating locations on April 26th. Also, when you claim your freebie, you’ll receive a $5 bounceback deal on orders of $20 or more. Valid for 14 days in-store or online. Members can also get a free limited-edition sticker on National Pretzel Day by presenting the app or providing their phone number in-store to verify their account.

  • Snack Factory: Buy 2 bags of Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps – Original (7.2 oz.), Gluten-Free Original (5 oz.), or 1 bag of each at participating retailers, including Kroger, Publix, and Giant, and get a 1 bag refund. To get your offer, sign up online on Sunday, April 26th and purchase snacks with one receipt. Text a photo of your receipt by May 2nd to receive a rebate (up to $5.29) via Venmo or PayPal. (Limited to one per person while supplies last.)

  • Super pretzel: This Sunday, April 26th, for National Pretzel Day, participating Subway locations inside Walmart stores will be selling soft pretzels (original, salted or cinnamon sugar) for $1.

  • Tom Sturges Pretzels: This online store, which is offering 10% off cans of pretzels through the end of April, is part of Pennsylvania Pretzel history. Opened by the Sturgis family in 1946, the factory is an expansion of the original Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open for tours.

  • Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels: To celebrate National Pretzel Day, the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania-based maker of handmade pretzels is offering 10% off all online orders on Sunday, April 26th and Monday, April 27th (use code NPD26).
  • Wetzel pretzels: The bakery chain, which has more than 400 stores, will be giving away one free original pretzel to each person from 3pm on Sunday, April 26th until the store closes (no purchase necessary).

Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

2026 National Pretzel Day giveaways and deals include Auntie Anne’s

US-NEA
-
0
2026 National Pretzel Day giveaways and deals include Auntie Anne’s

Whether you like it warm or cold, soft or hard, maybe dipped in mustard or beer cheese, when you enjoy a pretzel, you’re taking a bite of history.

This popular snack has its own holiday: National Pretzel Day, which is Sunday, April 26th. Many pretzel purveyors also have giveaways and specials to celebrate.

These days, pretzels can be found not only in supermarkets and convenience stores, but also at baseball stadiums, breweries, shopping malls, and movie theaters. However, according to History.com, pretzels date back 1,500 years, appearing as a food source in 7th century Europe with soft twisted bread served as a Lenten food for Catholics.

German immigrants brought pretzels to colonial Pennsylvania in the early 1700s, and the region remains a hotbed of pretzel production. “National Pretzel Day” began in 2003 when Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell proclaimed April 26 as a special day to recognize the historical significance of the pretzel, the National Day Calendar site states.

Pretzels are considered a healthier snack than other options such as potato chips, and consumer spending on pretzels is estimated to increase from $1.8 billion in 2025 to $2.4 billion by 2033, according to Research and Markets.

Craving a pretzel? Here are some National Pretzel Day specials to consider.

Snap decision: Bipartisan lawmakers create the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act

Auntie Anne’s National Pretzel Day Free Pretzel Deals

The pretzel chain will offer a free Original Pretzel or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel to new and existing Auntie Anne’s Rewards loyalty program members on Sunday, April 26th. Rewards members can redeem free pretzel deals in-store or online (at participating locations) in the Auntie Anne’s Rewards app.

If you’re a pretzel lover, Auntie Anne’s also has a new limited-edition Golden Pretzel Pass, which costs $50 and gets you one pretzel a week for a year (available at participating locations while supplies last).

Other National Pretzel Day sales

  • Green sea turtle: On National Pretzel Day, Sunday, April 26, get half off the price of your Bavarian Pretzel Stick order when you purchase a meal or carry-out item (dine-in only).

  • National Pretzel Company: Get $10 off every box and claim a free dip in your online shopping cart. The York County, Pennsylvania, company ships to the lower 48 states.

  • Pretzel maker: Members of the Pretzelmaker Rewards loyalty program can order free Small Pretzel Bites (salted or unsalted) at participating locations on April 26th. Also, when you claim your freebie, you’ll receive a $5 bounceback deal on orders of $20 or more. Valid for 14 days in-store or online. Members can also get a free limited-edition sticker on National Pretzel Day by presenting the app or providing their phone number in-store to verify their account.

  • Snack Factory: Buy 2 bags of Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps – Original (7.2 oz.), Gluten-Free Original (5 oz.), or 1 bag of each at participating retailers, including Kroger, Publix, and Giant, and get a 1 bag refund. To get your offer, sign up online on Sunday, April 26th and purchase snacks with one receipt. Text a photo of your receipt by May 2nd to receive a rebate (up to $5.29) via Venmo or PayPal. (Limited to one per person while supplies last.)

  • Super pretzel: This Sunday, April 26th, for National Pretzel Day, participating Subway locations inside Walmart stores will be selling soft pretzels (original, salted or cinnamon sugar) for $1.

  • Tom Sturges Pretzels: This online store, which is offering 10% off cans of pretzels through the end of April, is part of Pennsylvania Pretzel history. Opened by the Sturgis family in 1946, the factory is an expansion of the original Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open for tours.

  • Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels: To celebrate National Pretzel Day, the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania-based maker of handmade pretzels is offering 10% off all online orders on Sunday, April 26th and Monday, April 27th (use code NPD26).
  • Wetzel pretzels: The bakery chain, which has more than 400 stores, will be giving away one free original pretzel to each person from 3pm on Sunday, April 26th until the store closes (no purchase necessary).

Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.

America’s 250th anniversary brings reflection to this divided community

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America’s 250th anniversary brings reflection to this divided community

At North Carolina’s Living History Festival, attendees confront pride, pain, and unanswered questions about what it means to be American.

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HALIFAX, North Carolina – Ronnie Mack jumped onto a small stage in a dimly lit public library.. He looked at the 20 or so people sitting in the audience. Then he took a deep breath and told me that the question was bothering him.

On this recent unseasonably warm afternoon, 15-year-old Ronnie was tasked with completing an hour-long lecture on free people of color in the Revolutionary War. It was part of a local three-day living history festival celebrating the 250th anniversary.th The anniversary of the Halifax Resolution, which officially recommended the colonies’ independence from Britain for the first time.

“Why we need to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, “What if black people were still enslaved when our Founding Fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution?” he asked. “How do we celebrate a country that promised freedom when freedom was not available to all?”

As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, people around the world are grappling with similar questions about what it means to be American and whether we should recognize this event.

more: America was born out of protest. What has changed after 250 years?

The milestone celebration comes amid deep political divisions that permeate nearly every aspect of American life, including how people view the country’s history and identity.

A poll released this month by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst found that 62% of Republicans view upcoming commemorations as “proud national milestones,” while a majority of Democrats say they are either not thinking about them or see them as an opportunity to reflect on “unfinished business.”

The political divide is particularly wide in the Halifax suburbs of North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. The area was considered the only remaining battleground district in the state until Republican lawmakers redrawn electoral maps to make it more conservative earlier this year as part of a nationwide effort to help Republicans maintain control of Congress.

But as throngs of people strolled three blocks downtown on a recent April weekend, past American flag banners, patriotic bunting and red-brick colonial buildings, there was little visible evidence of that polarization.

Although their views on America varied, tourists flocked to historic sites along the Roanoke River for the same reasons. They came to mingle with reenactors seated on grassy knolls, watch musket firing and weaving demonstrations, and learn how 83 people unanimously agreed to claim independence two and a half centuries ago. Five years after the Halifax Resolution was adopted, British troops briefly occupied the town and pillaged the homes, according to the North Carolina Department of Historic Sites and Properties.

look back on the past

Rebecca Lockamy was still thinking about Ronnie’s speech as she walked past rows of cream-colored canvas tents toward a living history presentation called “Tea Time with the Ladies of Halifax.”

The 78-year-old retiree had attended a lecture on freedom for people of color the previous afternoon with her adult daughter.

“it was Really good. he was genuine Good,” Lockamy said.

She listened as Ronnie explained his family tree to the audience, explaining how his sixth great-grandfather fought in the Revolution and how his family was denied equal rights under the Constitution for generations afterward. Ronnie found meaning in the 250th anniversary by celebrating the country’s “unfinished journey to freedom” and the role of family in it.

Lockamy, who is a registered Republican and doesn’t like to talk politics, took the speech as a sort of affirmation. she views 250th As a celebration, it is an opportunity for people to “get along and see the good in things instead of the bad.”

“We know there’s been a bad history in this country, but we’ve tried to improve,” she said. “I can’t say I understand…but I want people who have been treated badly to understand that we are still in the best country in the world.”

A long-simmering national debate about how to tell the nation’s story and which works to highlight has been reignited during this year’s landmark commemorations. National parks across the country are removing plaques about slavery, the genocide of Native Americans and other tragic events to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting exhibits that “disrespect the American people.” And conservative lawmakers have pushed historic sites to present a narrative that promotes “American exceptionalism.”

In Halifax, where the National Subway System to Freedom runs, plaques depicting slave owners’ “Fugitive” newspaper advertisements line the path leading to the Roanoke River.

The visitor center first opened during its bicentennial year and was recently renovated and now features a red, white, and black brick walkway designed by local Native American artist Senora Lynch.

Lori Medlin, president of the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the county and historic sites have strived to convey the complexity of America’s past.

“No one is afraid of history,” she said.

Much of the programming in “Halifax Days of Settlement: Prelude to Revolution” reconstructs life in the late 1700s, exploring the motivations of colonists to declare independence and the life-threatening dangers they faced in doing so.

Tanawha Trading Post reenactors sold beeswax candles, buttons, scissors, and wool felt hats and told passersby about British taxes on imported goods. A group of men sat on the gravel lot of the colonial courthouse, remembering the meeting where the Halifax Resolutions were approved.

The three-day event schedule also included lectures about African American soldiers during the Revolutionary War, living history performances depicting “freedom seekers,” and Native American ceremonies led by the local Haliwa Saponi Indian tribe.

“We have sanitized history to the point where we remove all sound.I“Here you can touch things and see something tangible,” said Jeff Dickens, who played one of the state House delegates. That makes more sense to people. They can relate to it. ”

politics in your head

Outside the current county courthouse, people lined up for a food truck serving wood-fired pizza. Then they sat along the curb and bent over the slices.

Joe and Betsy Hester searched for nearby shade. They drove from a farm in Nash County, south of Halifax, to watch the festivities.

Betsy Hester wore a bright red shirt that read “Due Process.” As she walked through historic Halifax, she said she couldn’t help but think about modern-day politics.

Thinking about this milestone anniversary of the nation’s founding brings up a variety of emotions, including fear, sadness, and love for the country. Mr. Hester, 72, a self-identified moderate Democrat, questioned whether the country’s “great experiment” would survive beyond President Trump’s tenure.

“People are being taken off the streets without due process,” interjected her husband, Joe Hester, 78. “That’s not America.”

Still, they were proud to be Americans.

“We love history, we love our state, we love our country. We would have been here regardless,” Betsy Hester said. “We’re celebrating ‘We the people.'”

Some explore festivals that reflect today’s political climate.

Joshua Horn: “It’s just so moving to remember what people across the county have sacrificed to protect our freedom.”, He spoke before visiting the Living History Demonstration on the 30th. He and his wife took their young children to see the reenactment.

“You could in principle use more standing these days,” he says. “Both.”

A University of Massachusetts poll of 1,000 Americans found that 74% believe there is more that unites people than divides them. It turns out that most people believe that the values ​​expressed in the Declaration of Independence still guide the country today and have led it to progress.

Looking around the excavation site where 83 delegates unanimously adopted the Halifax resolution, Gary McCullough, 76, reflected on the lessons he learned from the documents as a teenager growing up in the area.

“They were determined. It’s in the words. They were determined to do something,” McCullough said. “Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, it’s time to get something done.”

Carissa Wadick covers America’s 250th anniversary on USA TODAY. Contact him at kwaddick@usatoday.com.

Increase taxes or cut benefits? 8 Ways Congress Can Fix Social Security.

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Increase taxes or cut benefits? 8 Ways Congress Can Fix Social Security.

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Social Security is headed toward a fiscal cliff.

Retirement trust funds could face a shortage as early as 2032. Studies suggest that if Congress does nothing, retirees will see their monthly benefits cut by 28%.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of ideas for fixing Social Security.

“You and I can do it in an hour,” said Alicia Munnell, senior advisor at Boston University’s Center for Retirement Research. “It’s not difficult. It’s just a matter of will, and that’s completely lacking.”

Congress will tread a treacherous path in reforming Social Security, a program so valuable to many that it is often referred to as the third rail of American politics.

Andrew Biggs, a senior fellow at the libertarian group American Enterprise Institute, said all proposed amendments “ultimately come down to either more money coming into the system or less money leaving the system.” Simply put, increase profits or cut benefits.

Here are eight of the most popular proposals for closing Social Security’s funding gap, along with the pros and cons of each.

How to increase your revenue

Start with these four suggestions to increase your bottom line.

Raise the limit on income taxed for Social Security purposes

Social Security income comes from taxes on income. However, there is an upper limit. In 2026, only income up to $184,500 will be taxed to fund benefits.

Raising the income limit would result in more taxes being used to fund Social Security.

One proposal is to raise the income limit to a level that covers 90% of all wages.

The cuts “were kind of the goal” when Congress reformed Social Security in the 1980s, Munnell said. But for years, this cap has not kept pace with wage increases for high-income earners. The current limit covers just over 80% of total income.

Resetting the cap to 90% would bring the cap to about $330,500, according to the bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

CRFB estimates that this amendment alone will close 26% of the Social Security funding gap.

Eliminate income caps

A more drastic option would be to eliminate the income cap so that all workers’ income is subject to Social Security taxes.

“The simple thing for me is to get rid of the cap,” said Monique Morrissey, senior economist at the Progressive Economic Policy Institute.

The CRFB estimates that removing income limits would eliminate 68% of the social security deficit.

The counterargument: Eliminating the cap would place the burden on high-income earners. Already, high-income Americans receive a much smaller share of their Social Security benefits from their past earnings than lower-income Americans.

increase payroll tax rate

The money Americans pay for Social Security comes from payroll taxes. Your total taxes are 12.4% of your income, half paid by you and half paid by your employer.

According to the CRFB’s calculations, a one-point increase in the tax rate to 13.4% would eliminate about a quarter of the social security funding shortfall. A 2 point increase will fill half of the gap.

One proposal would “raise it from 6.2% to 7.2% on both the employee and employer side,” Morrissey said, and would “do it in stages over 20 years.”

The big drawback is the tax increase. And that will come at a time when “we need more tax revenue for all the activities that government does,” Biggs said.

Filling the Social Security funding gap completely through payroll taxes would be “the largest peacetime tax increase in history,” he said, but much of it would be imposed “on a small portion of the population.”

Extend payroll taxes to include medical benefits

Under current law, payroll taxes apply only to income and not to other forms of compensation, such as health insurance.

CRFB estimates that extending payroll taxes to cover employer health insurance premiums would eliminate 23% of the Social Security shortfall.

“If we have to raise taxes, I think (this) is the least damaging way to do it,” said Romina Boccia, director of budget and rights policy at the libertarian Cato Institute.

Well, here are four proposals to cut benefits.

Raise the Social Security retirement age

Until the 1980s, age 65 was referred to as the “full” retirement age for receiving Social Security benefits. In 1983, with Social Security facing bankruptcy, Congress passed legislation to gradually raise the full retirement age to 67.

That is the age at which you can receive full Social Security benefits. You can claim early, but your check will be for a smaller amount. You can also claim later and receive a larger payment.

With new shortages looming, a solution could see the retirement age raised again. The CRFB estimates that the one-year increase will close 12% of the Social Security funding gap.

Convert retirement age to life expectancy

One of the downsides to raising the retirement age is that whatever age you choose, be it 65, 67, or 68, can seem arbitrary.

A more fact-based alternative, Boccia suggests, is to index Social Security retirement age to hard data about human life expectancy.

“Benefits are already linked to various government measures,” she said. “We do the same thing with retirement age. That changes as life expectancy changes.”

The proposal would raise or lower the “full” retirement age in response to changes in life expectancy, which generally increases over time.

CRFB estimates that the policy change would close the social security funding gap by 18%.

One drawback: Critics argue that raising the retirement age would unfairly disadvantage low-income Americans. Research shows that there is a link between income and longevity. Older Americans living in poverty tend to die years earlier than those with higher incomes.

Raising the retirement age “will hit low-income people hard,” Munnell said.

Slow growth in benefits for high-income earners

Social Security benefits are progressive. The lower your income, the more money you’ll get back in your Social Security check.

Under current law, Social Security “replaces” 90% of your income up to $1,286 per month. The replacement rate drops to 32% for incomes between $1,286 and $7,749, and to 15% for incomes above $7,749.

Changing the percentage can potentially save you money. One proposal would add a fourth bracket in which the replacement rate would fall from 90% to 30%, 10%, and 5% as income increases.

Although the calculations are complex, the CRFB estimates that this change would eliminate 41% of the Social Security funding gap.

Maximum social security benefits

The final proposal calls for capping the total amount of Social Security benefits retirees can receive in a year. The CRFB recently proposed capping benefits at $100,000 for married couples and $50,000 for single retirees.

The CRFB estimates that a “six-digit limit” on benefits tied to future inflation would eliminate at least one-fifth of Social Security’s funding shortfall.

“The idea that everyone needs $100,000 in Social Security benefits is crazy,” said Biggs, an early supporter of the cap.

But critics warn that caps on benefits could eat into benefits for the middle class.

“In Santa Cruz, which is a wealthy enclave of California, $50,000 a year is low income,” Morrissey said. “Just making ends meet is not enough.”

King Charles hopes for royal visit to mend rift with President Trump

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King Charles hopes for royal visit to mend rift with President Trump

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WASHINGTON – Charles III’s mother, Elizabeth II, knew how to navigate sticky situations.

On the night of July 7, 1976, the Queen toasted the former British colony’s 200th birthday, standing alongside President Gerald Ford under a large tent above the White House Rose Garden and politely raising a glass to America and what America had become since declaring independence from Britain.

“At the end of the day, no one can say that what happened on July 4, 1776 was not a bilateral event between us,” she said.

(please stop laughing. )

Fifty years later, another British monarch, King Charles, will return to these shores with his wife Queen Camilla to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. But unlike his mother’s visit, which took place during a period of relative peace following transatlantic tensions over the Vietnam War, Charles’ state visit comes amid the deepest rift between the White House and the British government in decades.

President Donald Trump has quarreled, insulted and even mocked Prime Minister Keir Starmer over tariffs, the backbone of Trump’s economic policy. The future of the NATO alliance (President Trump questions its value). Iran war (Britain wants no part in it). freedom of speech (the White House claims Britain censors conservative views); Greenland (President Trump wants it). and Canada (President Trump has said Canada should become the 51st state).

“We’re not dealing with Winston Churchill,” President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on March 3, referring to Starmer.

Against this backdrop, Prince Charles will arrive in Washington on April 27th in royal pomp and pomp for a four-day state visit that will include a state dinner at the White House, an unusual address to a joint session of the House and Senate, and a ceremonial stop at the 9/11 terrorist attack memorial in New York.

Royal test: ) Will King Charles be able to show Trump his mother’s magic?

For Britain, Charles’ visit offers an opportunity to reset the “special relationship” that has bound Britain to the United States through two world wars and decades of other perils. For Charles, the trip will be an opportunity to prove to the world that he has the same diplomatic skills as his mother.

Asked if the king’s visit could repair relations with the United States, Trump told the BBC: “Absolutely. He’s great. He’s a great guy.”

King Charles: ‘I’ll find a way to charm President Trump’

But how do you charm a leader like Trump, who often speaks to foreign dignitaries like the outspoken New Yorker he is, rather than in the formal language of diplomatic communication?

“That’s actually the big question: How is (Prime Minister Charles) going to approach this?” said Max Bergman, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a nonprofit policy research group in Washington.

Royal watchers say Prince Charles is up to the task. In some ways, he’s better at this kind of environment than his mother, who could come across as formal and formal, said Andrew Rowney, a British historian who has written extensively about the royal family.

“He’s just as good, if not better, than his mother,” Rowney said. “He’s much more outgoing in many ways. He’s more charming. He learned all the tricks by watching his mother’s back. He’ll find a way to charm Trump.”

Charles spent far more time preparing to become monarch than his mother, who was only 27 years old when she ascended the throne upon her father’s death. After his mother’s death, Charles finally became king at the age of 73, meaning he spent 70 years as a royal apprentice before finally taking up the highest office.

Matt Beech, director of the Center for British Politics at Hull University, said Prince Charles was likely to stress in Washington the shared linguistic ties and shared history that have been the basis of the long friendship between the United States and Britain.

The United States was “born out of British culture, traditions and customs,” he said. “The language in which our Founders wrote the Declaration of Independence is the language of the United States to this day.”

If these commonalities are not enough to mend recent rifts between the two countries, Charles has another trump card. The US president seems obsessed with the British royal family.

“They gave us an amazing, five-star dinner. It was truly amazing,” President Trump enthused Susan Page, Washington bureau chief for USA TODAY and author of the recently published book “Queens and Presidents,” about his state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 2019.

Trump, who said one of his earliest memories was watching Queen Elizabeth’s coronation live on TV with his Scottish-born mother, told Page that he and Elizabeth had “great chemistry.”

“I sat with her for hours. Camila was on my right, she was on my left, and we talked for a long time,” he said.

President and Queen:: When Queen Elizabeth called President Trump and announced more scoops from her new book

President Trump and Prince Charles have met numerous times, most recently last September when the king hosted the president for his second state dinner at Windsor Castle. Mr. Trump speaks highly of Mr. Charles, but it is less clear what Mr. Charles thinks of Mr. Trump. Charles reportedly disagrees with some of President Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on climate change, but has not publicly voiced his opposition.

“In public, they seem to get along reasonably well,” Beach said. “We don’t know about private things, but in public they do, and that’s important.”

“Anguishing relationship”

Charles is the newest head of the royal family, but he’s a different leader than his mother. His reign comes at a different time and with different challenges.

Bergman said relations between Washington and London have cooled in recent years, with the end of the Cold War and the United States placing less emphasis on Russia and Europe. Britain’s strategic importance to the United States was further undermined by Brexit, which began with the approval of a referendum to leave the European Union in 2016 and formal withdrawal four years later.

U.S. leaders have long looked to Britain as an important pro-American voice in Europe. But with Britain no longer a member of the EU, “the geopolitical reality is that the UK is much less important to the United States,” Bergman said.

With Mr. Trump returning to power last year and tensions with Mr. Starmer escalating, “we now have this fractious relationship where the UK is trying to hold things together and the US is also trying to hold things together. Sometimes that works out, and sometimes it doesn’t,” Bergman said. “But the relationship is no longer as close as it once was. We don’t go to them for advice, and they don’t come to us.”

King’s visit: Royal Garden Party to welcome King Charles to US breaks important tradition

Starmer’s domestic problems

Mr Starmer may be hoping that Mr Trump’s good will towards the king will help bring him back into the presidential favor. But that won’t help the Prime Minister domestically. There are growing calls for the prime minister to resign over allegations that he deliberately misled MPs over the appointment of Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the US.

At the time Starmer gave him Britain’s most high-profile overseas diplomatic job, Mandelson was aware of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in a New York prison cell in 2019. Mr. Epstein had interactions with several powerful and prominent figures in business and politics, including Mr. Trump and the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew). Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of her royal title last year over her relationship with Epstein.

Additionally, Starmer’s government is in deep trouble with voters ahead of May’s local elections, as it faces slowing economic growth, persistently high inflation, unstable public services and a national debate over immigration led by Trump ally Nigel Farage’s Reform Britain party.

“Will[Starmer]stay as leader?” Bergman said. “I think there are some questions about how Charles approaches this.”

Epstein’s victims: Virginia Giuffre’s brother asks King Charles to “look me in the face”

Diplomacy and deep ties

Although Prince Charles is the British head of state as King, he is not the head of government. This characteristic makes the royal family a key asset in diplomacy and dealing with foreign leaders like Trump.

Richard Whitman, a British professor of politics and international relations at the University of Kent, said Charles’ visit was about more than just resolving a difficult situation with one government.

This “reminds us that the bond is a little deeper than politicians who come and go,” Whitman said.

So Charles, like his mother half a century ago, will join the US president next week to raise a glass to the former British colony celebrating its 250th anniversary of independence.th Their birthday and the day they became world leaders.

Wouldn’t that be a little uncomfortable for the British King?

Not at all, Whitman said. The British have made peace with their history.

“Obviously, we still think you made the wrong choice,” he joked. “But that’s your responsibility, not ours.”

Michael Collins writes about the intersection of politics and culture. He is a veteran reporter who has covered the White House and Congress. Follow him on X: @mcollinsNEWS

Contributing from London: Kim Hjelmgaard

Will the Monsanto Roundup herbicide lawsuit be blocked by the Supreme Court?

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Will the Monsanto Roundup herbicide lawsuit be blocked by the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court case will decide whether Monsanto can be sued for failing to warn about the potential cancer caused by the herbicide Roundup.

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WASHINGTON – John Darnell was a “spray guy.”

For more than 20 years, he’s been using the popular herbicide Roundup to beautify parks, playgrounds and sidewalks near his home in the historic St. Louis-Sollard neighborhood.

But after developing blood cancer, Darnell became one of tens of thousands of Americans to sue the makers of Roundup.

In 2023, a jury agreed that the herbicide was the cause of Darnell’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and said Monsanto owed Darnell $1.25 million.

Darnell is currently at the center of a Supreme Court case scheduled for April 27th over whether Monsanto can be sued for failing to warn about the cancer risks of glyphosate.. This chemical was the active ingredient in Roundup, but Monsanto has since discontinued the use of glyphosate in Roundup products sold for home use.

The company faces billions of dollars in potential liability and has said it may have to stop selling glyphosate to U.S. farmers if the lawsuit continues, a scenario that major agricultural groups argue poses a “catastrophic risk to the U.S. food supply.”

Public health groups say the lawsuit is necessary because the Environmental Protection Agency is failing to protect Americans from the risks associated with glyphosate. As a lawyer, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. attorney, co-founded one of the groups that sued Monsanto over Roundup and filed briefs in support of Darnell.

But in a move that alarms the “Make America Healthy Again” crowd — people who want a more organic lifestyle and distrust drug companies — the Trump administration is backing the company. That’s not all.

more: Will MAHA turn on Trump? How his executive order feels like a “betrayal”

President Donald Trump has also called for increased domestic production of glyphosate and shielding manufacturers from liability, saying there is no comparable alternative.

The battle is unfolding as a proposed $7.25 billion class-action settlement with the company that could resolve much of the lawsuit.

Uncertainty about what the Supreme Court will rule could provide further incentive for those suing Monsanto to accept a pending deal that is not dependent on the outcome of the lawsuit.

“I can’t trust the Supreme Court in this situation,” said Howard Kornbluh, another former Roundup user who has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “It’s not very likely that (compensation) will be zero.”

German pharmaceutical and biotech giant Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, hopes both the Supreme Court and the pending settlement will limit the scope of future litigation. The company is also pushing for legislation to shield it from liability.

Glyphosate is a ‘revolutionary agriculture’

Introduced in the 1970s, Roundup quickly became the best-selling herbicide in the United States and an essential part of agriculture.

Glyphosate “has revolutionized agriculture by providing a highly effective, broad-spectrum, and low-cost weed control solution,” the American Federation of Farm Bureau and other major agricultural organizations said in a Supreme Court filing.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides, has never required glyphosate to carry a cancer warning label.

But in 2015, the World Health Organization agency said glyphosate was “probably carcinogenic to humans,” prompting a lawsuit. In December, a 2000 scientific review widely cited as showing the chemical’s safety was retracted, citing conflicts of interest between the authors and Monsanto.

more: A popular herbicide is part of the latest Supreme Court case. Here’s why:

Monsanto claims glyphosate is safe

Monsanto maintains that glyphosate is safe for people to use. The company blames the flood of lawsuits on Roundup’s popularity, the fact that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a “very common, naturally occurring cancer,” and heavy advertising by trial lawyers trying to drum up business.

The company’s lawyers told the Supreme Court that the EPA has “considered and rejected” the idea of ​​requiring warnings like the one recommended by the Darnell jury.

“EPA has concluded time and time again that glyphosate does not cause cancer,” they said in their submission. “Federal law does not require or permit warnings to the contrary.”

more: President Trump issues order declaring glyphosate a national defense priority

Roundup users say cancer warnings are needed

Although Darnell’s cancer is in remission, his lawyers say it has left lasting marks, including ongoing problems with his legs from multiple rounds of chemotherapy.

He told the jury that heard his case that he could no longer help improve his neighborhood because “I don’t have that much strength anymore.”

His lawyers argue that nothing in federal law or EPA regulations prohibits Monsanto from adding cancer warnings to its labels.

Roe Fraser, one of Mr. Darnell’s lawyers, told the jury: “Walmart has given people who spilled milk in its stores a better warning than Monsanto ever gave to buyers of Roundup lawn and garden products.”

Instead, “Monsanto has promoted Roundup as safe to spray on T-shirts and pants,” the lawyers said in written arguments before the Supreme Court.

A group of former EPA employees filed a brief in support of Darnell, arguing with the Supreme Court that EPA-approved labels do not always contain all the appropriate warnings. Officials say manufacturers have a responsibility to keep the required safety information up to date with both the EPA and their labels.

EPA safety review expired

The government is required to conduct an independent safety review every 15 years. But the latest update has been delayed for years because a federal court in 2022 said the EPA did not adequately consider whether glyphosate is carcinogenic when it reached a preliminary decision during the first Trump administration.

During the Biden and Trump administrations, the Justice Department has taken opposing positions on whether people like Darnell can sue over labels. The government is now on Monsanto’s side.

Government lawyers said in a Supreme Court filing that the EPA conducts a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether a product poses an “unreasonable risk,” which is a more balanced approach than what a jury would consider.

“Even though millions of people benefit from products that are safe and effective 99.99% of the time, those benefits are often deemed not worth the price for a single plaintiff who suffers a rare injury or illness and claims the product is to blame,” Justice Department attorneys wrote.

Should Roundup users sue or settle?

Christopher Seeger, an attorney who helped negotiate the ongoing $7.25 billion collective settlement, says plaintiffs lose in about half of the Roundup cases that go to court.

Most of the clients represented by Seeger Weiss support the deal, which will likely have to be decided before knowing what the Supreme Court will rule.

“It’s a little bit more risky not to go out,” Seger said.

Kornbluh, a Seeger Weiss client who supported the settlement, said the 2019 diagnosis was “devastating news because there is no history of blood cancer in my family.”

The 84-year-old retiree said he had been using Roundup for decades to combat weeds around his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, believing he could trust the products on Costco shelves.

Currently, Kornbluh has a weakened immune system, so he has given up going to symphony orchestras and avoids crowds. Regular blood tests can feel like playing Russian roulette.

“My situation will never get better,” he said. “I just hope the situation doesn’t get worse.”

Kornbluh hopes that the compensation he receives from Bayer will cover some of his medical costs if his health deteriorates. He also believes the settlement is more likely to force the Supreme Court to hold the company responsible for causing his cancer.

“I don’t think the Supreme Court is on the side of consumers in this day and age,” he said.

A decision is expected to be made by the end of June or early July.

Coercive control laws are a potential tool against domestic abusers

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Coercive control laws are a potential tool against domestic abusers

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Some states are banking on the idea that domestic violence can be stopped even before it leads to beatings. A controversial, fledgling approach to domestic violence prosecutions seeks to criminalize psychological intimidation of family members.

These laws have gained national attention after a Louisiana man shot and killed his seven children and their cousin on April 19th. He is just one of millions of family and domestic violence abusers across the country, with an estimated 10 million victims at risk each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Nearly a dozen states in the United States have now enacted or are currently pursuing legislation that more fully defines domestic violence and takes into account long-held notions of power and control in the domestic violence world. So-called “coercive control laws” target criminals who intentionally seek to control partners and family members through fear, intimidation, surveillance, gaslighting, and other non-physically abusive behavior.

Coercive control refers to patterns of acts and behaviors that abusers use to limit another person’s freedom and control their life. Lawmakers argue that such psychological abuse can be a seedling for physical or sexual violence.

“It leaves people unable to take care of themselves, trapped and unable to protect their children,” said Joan Meyer, founding director of the National Family Violence Law Center and professor of clinical law at George Washington University. “It’s an inseparable web that surrounds them, so they can’t move in any direction without some fallout from their abuser.”

The concept has been criminalized in Hawaii and has been incorporated into family or civil court definitions of domestic violence in states such as California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont. Other lawsuits are pending in New York and Maryland.

This is a new and still-contested legal attack on America’s domestic violence problem.

Police say Shamar Elkins went on a pre-dawn rampage in Shreveport on April 19, shooting and killing seven of his children and a cousin, as well as the children’s mother and another woman, before ultimately dying. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooting, but described it as a “tragic domestic violence incident.”

According to a 2023 NIH study, up to 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men are victims of domestic violence, but many incidents are likely to go unreported.

Research shows that examples of abuse include sexual and physical violence, as well as stalking and psychological attacks. This problem has far-reaching effects, affecting not only the victims but also their families, colleagues and communities, negatively impacting physical and mental health, reducing productivity and reducing quality of life.

The study estimates that domestic and family violence costs the nation more than $12 billion each year.

What is coercive control?

Types of coercive control include emotional abuse, restricting access to or threatening to harm family or friends, using technology to track a person’s movements and actions, controlling a person’s finances or personal choices, and threatening to share private information or intimate images publicly, according to WomensLaw.org.

“These actions are about gaining power, not showing love or concern,” the group said. “Even if the abuser does not use physical or sexual abuse as part of a pattern of coercive control, it is still a serious form of abuse.”

An 11-city study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2003 found that women’s lives are most at risk when trying to leave an abusive relationship with a “highly controlling” male partner.

According to Meyer, these actions systematically chip away at people’s autonomy. Abusers often use fear, humiliation, and isolation to limit their own behavior as well as control the external narrative.

“Coercive managers are very good at making the world believe they’re crazy when they’re not,” she says.

California case shows how one law works

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1141, allowing family courts to consider coercive control as a form of domestic violence. The bill, introduced by Sen. Susan Rubio, describes coercive control as “a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s free will and personal freedom.”

The law was proven effective in a 2023 case involving a Santa Clara County software engineer who created a multi-page list of instructions and demands that his wife had to follow “right down to how to wash the dishes,” according to the California Women’s Law Center, which cited Superior Court Judge Vanessa Zescher as saying.

Additionally, the woman was required to see her husband at the same time every night to ensure he was meeting his demands, the law center said, adding that court documents described how her husband complained about her “violations” such as waking up “several minutes later than promised” and serving him breakfast.

According to the law center, the woman’s wife said she found the treatment “demoralizing, humiliating, and exhausting.” Judge Zecher said domestic violence violated women’s rights to “freedom of thought, action, and decision-making,” and ruled that the act amounted to coercive control.

“When a human being has to worry about and consider an intimate partner’s reaction in every aspect of their life, including whether the intimate partner approves of the behavior, that human being is not actually free in decision-making or action,” Zecher said before issuing a permanent restraining order against her husband for coercive and controlling domestic violence, the center reported.

“Too often it backfires.”

The Hawaii state legislature made the concept a misdemeanor in 2021 under a pilot program, according to the Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. But data on its implementation is almost nonexistent, and legal applications of the concept elsewhere are too new and difficult to measure, given that many family courts do not publish such procedures or compile such data themselves, Meyer said.

The concept is more accepted overseas, she said. Australia and the United Kingdom have criminalized coercive control, and legislation is pending in Canada.

Meyer said it’s ironic that the U.S. is moving so slowly toward criminalization, given that factor has long been an important consideration for those in the domestic violence field. Still, she said, it wasn’t until sociologist Evan Stark’s book “Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Their Private Lives,” published in 2007, that advocates began to seriously consider applying it in a legal setting.

One of the reasons for the slow introduction of coercive regulatory considerations is that the concept can be unfairly applied to victims themselves. Judges have also been reluctant to consider anything that is not codified in law.

“Too often that backfires on women,” Meyer says. “You might see a victim doing things like telling their partner not to go see so-and-so anymore because they’re always drunk with that person. Or they might be trying to manage disturbing aspects of their partner’s behavior by controlling access to their children. These things can look like control, so if we’re not careful, people can put labels on them that don’t really apply.”

Michael Jackson accuses Casio family of child sexual abuse allegations

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Michael Jackson accuses Casio family of child sexual abuse allegations

The Casio brothers sued the pop icon’s estate and company in February following years of allegations of abuse.

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A group of brothers who filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson’s estate for alleged child sex trafficking are sharing new details of abuse allegations against the late pop icon.

In an interview with The New York Times published on April 24, sisters Edward Cascio, Dominic Cascio, and Aldo Cascio, along with sister Marie Nicole Port, opened up about allegations of sexual abuse they suffered as children during their close relationship with Jackson. The Cascio family reportedly became friends with Jackson after his father, Dominick Cascio Sr., a Manhattan hotel manager, met Jackson in the 1980s.

The brothers’ February lawsuit filed in California federal court alleges that Jackson’s employees aided and abetted his alleged abuse and concealed it, using false pretenses to pressure the Cassios to sign an agreement prohibiting them from “discussing the abuse they had endured over the years.”

In addition to child sex trafficking, the complaint alleges negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract and fraud. They are seeking financial compensation and a ruling that the agreement signed can be invalidated.

The Cassios, who were often referred to as Jackson’s “second family,” have denied allegations of sexual misconduct by Jackson in interviews with Oprah Winfrey and others in 2010.

Now they say that was a lie. “We were brainwashed and groomed,” Edward Cascio told the New York Times. He said he and his siblings were “taught” by Mr. Jackson to defend him against abuse allegations.

Marty Singer, an attorney for Jackson’s estate, dismissed the Cassios’ claims in a statement to the paper, saying, “The Cassios are the epitome of unreliable sources. Their stories have shifted and changed over and over again to suit whatever their current agenda is.”

USA TODAY has reached out to the Jackson residence for comment.

Cassios’ remarks came as Michael, a biopic about the pop superstar’s illustrious career, was released in theaters. It’s worth noting that the film makes no mention of Jackson’s legal problems or sexual abuse accusations.

Michael Jackson’s legal troubles: Singer’s estate is sued for child sex trafficking by former friends

Casio brothers recall Michael Jackson’s abuse allegations

In an interview with The New York Times, the Cascio brothers detailed Jackson’s sexual abuse allegations.

Port, now 37, told the outlet that she was 12 years old when Jackson molested her in his home, where she reportedly stayed for several months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Jackson told the Times that he sometimes masturbated while looking at himself naked.

Dominic Cascio, 39, said his sexual relationship with the “King of Pop” began when he was about eight years old during a trip to Euro Disney (now Disneyland Paris), where they lay naked in bed together. Dominique said the ensuing encounter included Jackson masturbating.

Edward Cascio said the alleged sexual encounters with the singer continued into his adult life. “I felt like he took my masculinity away from me,” said Edward, now 43.

When contacted by USA TODAY, their attorney reiterated the statement.

A February lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY describes Jackson as a “serial child predator who drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted the Cascios over a period of more than a decade.”

The lawsuit also says they met with the Jackson Estate in 2019 about the claim and were then offered “five annual payments of approximately $690,000” in exchange for an “acquisition and consulting agreement.” The negotiations are said to have taken place after the release of HBO’s shocking documentary Leaving Neverland.

The brothers’ other brother, Frank Cascio, who wrote a 2011 memoir, “My Friend Michael,” also told the New York Times that he too was sexually abused, but was not allowed to participate in the brothers’ federal lawsuit because he was involved in the arbitration process surrounding the original agreement.

Jackson’s estate attorney Marty Singer, who previously called the case a “hopeless money grab,” said all of the Cascio brothers are involved in the arbitration case. He claimed that their latest complaint was an attempt to avoid resolving the dispute under a previous agreement.

According to the New York Times, Jackson’s estate plans to request that the lawsuit be dismissed or put on hold while arbitration continues.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline We offer free and confidential support in English and Spanish 24/7 via chat and 800-656-4673..

Contributor: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

Children’s toothbrush box recalled due to battery “danger of accidental ingestion”

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Children’s toothbrush box recalled due to battery “danger of accidental ingestion”

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A box containing a children’s electric toothbrush has been recalled due to a loose button battery, which authorities said could be “easily accessible to children and pose a risk of accidental ingestion.”

According to a recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), this recall affects the box in which the electric toothbrush was sold, not the Autobrush Sonic Pro Kids toothbrush itself.

According to the recall notice, the batteries at the center of the recall are not included in the toothbrushes. Instead, it is housed inside the box’s plastic packaging. The CPSC said the toothbrush boxes did not warn consumers that they contained button batteries, which is legally required under lease law.

“This is not a recall for the toothbrush itself,” Autobrush wrote on its recall page. “Your child’s Autobrush Sonic Pro Kids toothbrush is safe to use. This recall applies only to the box it came in.”

CPSC said no injuries related to the recall have been reported.

Which boxes are recalled?

According to the recall notice, the affected boxes were sold in four different varieties, each depicting a toothbrush sold as Unity the Unicorn, Lenny the Lion, Harley the Hippo and Danny the Dinosaur.

The toothbrushes were sold online at TryAutobrush.com from March 2023 to December 2025, according to the CPSC.

Consumers are asked to throw the box in the trash and fill out a form on Autobrush’s website to receive a $5 credit.

What is Reese’s Law?

The Leasing Act of 2022 requires the CPSC to establish standards for products containing button or coin cells, as well as requirements for warnings and child-resistant packaging.

According to the CPSC, the law requires products to have the following requirements:

  • Battery compartments containing replaceable button or coin batteries must be secured using a tool or in a manner that requires at least two independent and simultaneous hand movements.
  • Button or coin battery compartments shall not permit access to or release of such batteries as a result of use and abuse testing.
  • The entire product packaging must contain a warning.
  • If possible, warnings should be placed on the product itself.
  • The accompanying instructions and manuals must contain all applicable warnings.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

Cruise ship recovers five bodies with orange life jackets found underwater

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Cruise ship recovers five bodies with orange life jackets found underwater

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Five bodies were recovered from the water on a Princess Cruises ship en route to Spain.

Crew members of the Sapphire Princess were en route to Cartagena on April 21 when they “spotted orange inflatable life jackets in the water,” the cruise line told USA TODAY. The ship departed Civitavecchia, Italy, on April 19 for a two-week cruise to Copenhagen, according to Cruise Mapper.

The ship changed course to investigate and a fast rescue boat was dispatched.

“The five deceased persons were recovered by the crew of the Sapphire Princess, working in collaboration with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC),” the company said in an emailed statement. The cruise line did not identify the individuals, but confirmed they were not guests or employees of the ship.

The cruise line added: “We offer our sincere condolences for this loss and thank the crew for their quick response and assistance.” MRCC could not be reached for comment.

The news comes after another Princess ship, the Regal Princess, rescued four people from a small ship in distress during a Caribbean cruise in February.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.

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