Search
Menu
Home Blog Page 74

Peeling paint on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: See photo

US-NEA
-
0
Peeling paint on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: See photo

play

Some of the sealant recently applied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as part of a series of renovations at the landmark appears to have started peeling off from the pool’s basin on June 18th.

Images released by Getty Images show that the sealant has been torn and some of the “American flag blue” paint has been lifted to the surface. The images show the latest in a series of problems caused by the repainting of the reflecting pool as part of a renovation commissioned by President Donald Trump.

Aerial photos from June 16 showed pools covered in algae, a condition that USA TODAY previously reported could last for months. On June 17, workers were seen pouring hydrogen peroxide into the pool to reduce algae, but portions of the pool remained green in photos from that day and June 18.

USA TODAY has reached out to the National Park Service for comment on the apparent lacerations.

Look at the sealant tear in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

What is a reflecting pool renovation?

President Trump announced plans to renovate the pool in April, saying the landmark had been the subject of complaints due to its cleanliness and leaking foundations. The National Park Service told USA TODAY the pool was leaking 16 million gallons a year.

He told reporters that contractors will sandblast, caulk and resurface the pool basin. The pool is part of a citywide effort to spruce up landmarks ahead of Independence Day and 250th anniversary celebrations.

The renovations totaled about $16 million, according to government contract records previously reviewed by USA TODAY.

play

An aerial view of President Trump’s changes to Washington, D.C.

Aerial photos captured the dramatic changes to the National Mall following renovations supported by President Donald Trump.

The administration hired Atlantic Industrial Coatings to coat the pool in “American Flag Blue,” a deep navy. The Washington landmark is approximately 2,000 feet long and 160 feet wide. The company was awarded $14.2 million for the project.

The National Park Service previously told USA TODAY that the color will improve the reflective properties of the pool over the previously gray concrete, which had become slimy green due to algae buildup.

Tay Keith passes away – Producer of Drake and Beyoncé dies at age 29

US-NEA
-
0
Tay Keith passes away – Producer of Drake and Beyoncé dies at age 29

play

Famous hip-hop producer Tay Keith has died at the age of 29 in Nashville.

“No foul play is suspected in the death of Grammy-nominated record producer Brightavius ​​Chambers, also known as Tay Keith,” Metro Nashville Police said in a statement on social media. “He was found dead this afternoon at Martin Street (apartments) by police officers conducting a welfare check. His death is unclassified pending autopsy results.”

The cause of death was not immediately released.

USA TODAY has reached out to Keith’s representatives for more information.

The Grammy-nominated producer is Memphis-born Brightavius ​​LaKeith Chambers, known for his collaborations with musicians such as Drake, Travis Scott, Beyoncé, 21 Savage, Swae Lee and Eminem.

Keith started making beats at the age of 14 and his career began in 2015 when he started working with rapper Blac Youngsta. In the summer of 2017, Keith’s song “Shoot” with BlocBoy JB took the internet by storm. The following year, Keith gained worldwide recognition alongside JB on “Look Alive” (featuring Drake).

Tay Keith says music was his escape: ‘It was tough’

In 2018, Keith told the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that music was his escape.

“It was tough,” Keith said, reflecting on his childhood in Memphis.

“Everyone in Memphis has a grind mentality. Music was my escape. School was Plan B in case music didn’t work out. I didn’t think it would work out. I just felt, ‘If I do those two things, something will get me up there. Something will make me successful.’

Despite his musical success, one of Keith’s proudest accomplishments remains earning his degree from MTSU.

“You feel respected, and I just want to repay that respect. I want to prove that you can go to school and still pursue your dreams,” he said.

“There are a lot of entrepreneurs here who are going to school and they have no idea what to do next or what direction to go in. And me graduating will motivate them.”

Song produced by Tay Keith

Keith’s musical career spans a parade of hip-hop luminaries.

He is best known for co-producing Travis Scott’s 2018 No. 1 hit “Sicko Mode.” But Keith also influenced songs by Drake (“Nonstop”), Beyoncé (“Before I Let Go”), Eminem (“Not Alik”) and Blocboy JB (“Look Alive”).

Keith has also branched out into a solo career, putting his name on the top of his 2023 single “Pound Town” with Sexy Red. The song became a viral hit for Sexy Red, and a remix was released by Nicki Minaj a few months after its release in January.

Contributor: Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY

Teenager killed in New York City carriage crash was trying to save his mother

US-NEA
-
0
Teenager killed in New York City carriage crash was trying to save his mother

play

A teenage tourist in New York City was fatally injured when he jumped from an out-of-control horse-drawn carriage in Central Park in an attempt to save his mother, the New York Times reported.

Romanchi Mahajan, 18, died on June 17th when a horse-drawn carriage fell while speeding through Central Park, authorities said. According to the Times, the boy was visiting the city from India with his parents and younger brother to celebrate his graduation when the incident occurred.

The incident happened near Cherry Hill, a popular destination in the park, and the horse-drawn carriage driver stopped to take a family photo and left, the teenager’s father, Deepak Mahajan, told the newspaper. While the driver was out of position, the horse suddenly took off and galloped through the park at great speed.

When the carriage lurched forward, the boy’s mother fell from the vehicle and Romanshu Mahajan jumped to help her, the Times reported. The carriage lost control and both men were thrown onto the road.

“We shouted, ‘Help, help!'” Deepak Mahajan said, according to the newspaper. “The son fell to save his mother.”

The Times reported that Romansh Mahajan hit his head on the ground and his carriage collided with another carriage, knocking both horses over and causing the cab to overturn. The father, wife, and second son escaped with only minor injuries.

“This incident should be taken very seriously,” Deepak Mahajan told the paper. “I took away my son’s dream.”

Horse carriage fatal accident: 18-year-old man dies after being thrown from carriage in Central Park

Labor union: “There has never been a fatal accident like this”

Romanchi Mahajan is believed to be the first person to die in a horse-drawn carriage accident at the park, according to the union representing employees in the industry. TWU Local 100 Executive Vice President Alexander Kemp said the union supports the ongoing investigation into the incident.

Mr Kemp previously said that when the carriage “departed for unknown reasons” the carriage’s driver appeared to be “at least an arm’s length away from the horse to take photographs of the passengers”. The horse had only been at the park for six weeks when the incident occurred.

He also said drivers should not get out of their vehicles to take photos, calling the situation “unacceptable.” Mr Kemp said the union had been told the carriage’s owner had suspended the driver indefinitely and planned to retire the horse involved in the accident.

“We are completely devastated and stunned by this tragedy. We have never experienced a fatality like this before,” trainer Kemp said in a statement on June 18. “Today we have closed the stable and ceased operations while we have extensive internal discussions about our safety protocols and how to improve them.”

Kemp said the union is supporting a bill introduced in the New York City Council last week that would “require hitch posts to be installed throughout the park for drivers to tether and secure their horses, potentially including areas where tourists often like to stop for photos (as in this tragic situation).”

“He was a beautiful horse.” Death of a Wagon Horse Elicits Reactions from Mamdani, PETA, and Others

Calls to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park resurface after fatal accident

Romansh Mahajan’s death has prompted renewed calls from animal rights activists, local officials and park managers to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in the park.

The park’s nearly 150-year-old carriage industry has come under intense scrutiny following several high-profile incidents, including the death of 16-year-old carriage horse Deniz on June 9. The Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that runs the park, said Romansh Mahajan’s death was the eighth horse-related incident at the park in the past 13 months.

“This is the tragedy we feared when we first called for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park last year because of the risks they pose to public safety and public health,” the group said in a June 17 statement. “A young man lost his life while coming to enjoy our park. This is an unacceptable price to pay for an outdated industry operating in the middle of one of America’s most heavily used public spaces.”

In response to the incident, the Central Park Conservancy is renewing its call for New York City officials to pass the Rider Act, a bill named after the dead horse, which would ban horse-drawn carriage rides and provide interim job placement services to drivers in 2025.

In response to the deaths of Mahajan and Deniz, New York City Council President Julie Menin and Councilmember Lynne Schulman announced that the City Council would hold a public hearing on the Rider Act in July.

“The time to act is now,” Menin and Schulman said in a June 17 joint statement. “We look forward to hearing from all stakeholders and considering measures to address equine welfare and public safety concerns towards a thoughtful solution to this urgent issue.”

Kristi Noem, man charged in death of 14-year-old niece, pardoned

US-NEA
-
0
Kristi Noem, man charged in death of 14-year-old niece, pardoned

Mark Milk is currently charged with six crimes stemming from the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendell. In 2023, then-South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem pardoned Milk for the 1993 murder.

play

A 14-year-old girl was found dead in rural South Dakota five days after she went missing, and her uncle is now charged with her death.

Mark Milk, 51, is charged with six counts, including transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual conduct and cocaine distribution, which prosecutors say in court documents contributed to the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendell. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa announced the charges against Milk on Thursday, June 18th.

McKenna’s death garnered national attention after she disappeared in the middle of the night, sparking a frantic search for the teenage girl. Her body was found on Thursday, March 19, along a stream near Brookings, South Dakota, about an hour north of the home she shared with her grandparents in Sioux Falls, the USA TODAY Network’s Argus Leader reported.

Milk has been under intense scrutiny from the beginning. Shortly after McKenna went missing and before her body was found, Milk was arrested on charges of drunk driving and fleeing police, but it remains unclear whether those charges were directly related to McKenna’s death.

Milk was serving a life sentence for a 1993 murder, but was pardoned in 2023 by then-South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.

Milk’s attorney, John O’Malley, did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment Thursday.

“This is a horrific case,” Gene Cowell of the FBI’s Omaha field office said at a news conference announcing Milk’s indictment, noting that his team works with Operation Unforgettable, which prioritizes cases involving violence against indigenous women and children.

“Of all the cases we investigate, there is no more heartbreaking incident than the death of a child,” Cowell said. “Too many children are victims of kidnapping, sexual abuse and murder.”

Here’s what you need to know about the case, including details on the charges against Milk and another man in connection with the case.

What happened to McKenna Wendell?

McKenna Wendell was last seen around 1:30 a.m. March 14 in Sioux Falls, where she lived with her grandparents. She was reported missing on March 15, and police said she was last seen with family, but did not say who.

Authorities discovered McKenna’s body on Thursday, March 19, in a rural area near Brookings. Sioux Falls Lt. Terrence Mattia told reporters in March that two people escorted the body to the scene, but did not provide further details. He said someone “drove her to the scene.”

Authorities have said little in recent months about what allegedly happened to McKenna, and Thursday’s announcement of charges did not change that.

Leif Olson, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, declined to provide details on the schedule or cause of McKenna’s death, saying the official cause of death would be determined with the results of an autopsy. He also declined to provide details about what happened to McKenna after she went missing. Authorities previously said she and others may have traveled to multiple locations in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota after her disappearance.

Authorities did not provide details about how McKenna died at a news conference, but charging documents indicate cocaine was a key factor. McKenna’s death “resulted from the use of a controlled substance (milk) that was distributed and possessed with intent to distribute,” the document states.

Who is Mark Milk?

Mark Milk, a 51-year-old Sioux Falls resident, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 1993 stabbing death of Sean Pennault during a bar fight in downtown Winner, South Dakota. Both were 19 years old at the time.

Milk claimed self-defense in the case, but the trial court at the time called it “one of the most vicious and brutal murders I have ever seen,” according to South Dakota Supreme Court documents.

According to court records, Milk kicked the victim “until he was soft in the head,” stabbed him in the chest and face, and cut off his right ear. At the time, the court ruled that photographic evidence in the case “clearly” showed that “Milk was doing more than simply defending himself.”

After nearly 20 years in prison, Milk asked for his sentence to be commuted. In 2022, he told the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Parole that he used his salary from work to open a bank account for his nieces and nephews’ college educations, saying, “I love spending time with them.”

Milk’s parents reportedly said at the time that they were “supporting his journey to come to terms with his dark past and become better within the walls,” including mentoring young people in and out of prison.

“We tend to think we’ve let our families down,” Milk says. “It’s nice to make them proud.”

According to a previous Argus Leader report, Nomu commuted Milk’s life sentence based on a positive recommendation from a parole board that was “swayed by his work ethic and promotion to the post of trainer” while working for Metal Craft Industries at the prison where Milk was housed as a maximum-security inmate.

Milk is currently charged with the following charges in connection with McKenna’s death:

  • possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death;
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Substances.
  • Transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual conduct
  • two counts of conspiracy to conceal items with intent to impede access to a public proceeding (tampering with a witness, victim, or informant);
  • Concealing items for the purpose of preventing access to official proceedings

His initial court date has not been announced.

Who else has been charged in connection with the McKenna Wendell case?

Authorities on Thursday announced charges against another man, 38-year-old John Rognes, in the case.

Rognes is charged with one count of accessory after the fact and one count of tampering with a witness, victim or informant. It is unclear whether he has a lawyer.

In 2007, Rognes, 19, was charged with first-degree manslaughter for allegedly helping his friend Brandon Brody, 19, shoot and kill his father, Brian Brody Sr. Rognes, who later pleaded guilty, suffered from mental illness. According to court records, the boys shot Brody Sr. to death in his home and disposed of his body by incinerating it at a nearby state park.

Rogness was released in 2024 and was on parole at the time of McKenna’s death.

Authorities did not elaborate on how Milk and Rognes knew each other or whether they were together the night of McKenna’s death, saying that would be revealed at trial.

Authorities address billing delays

Asked why it took three months to file charges in connection with McKenna’s death, Sioux Falls Police Chief Tam urged the public to “believe in collective law enforcement efforts, to do things the right way, to make sure things get where they need to go.”

“This case will be the most memorable in my career because it brought together the full force of law enforcement to move this case forward and pursue it,” he said. “There needs to be some trust and understanding that we are doing everything in our power to address this issue.”

McKenna’s mother, Marisa Wendell, told the Argus Leader that her family is “grateful and grateful for all of the department’s work and care during this surreal ordeal…The Wendell family is heartbroken.”

UFC viewership numbers for White House mega-event announced

US-NEA
-
0
UFC viewership numbers for White House mega-event announced

play

Secretary of State Marco Rubio predicted that 1 billion people will watch the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on June 14th.

Mr. Rubio missed the mark by about 980 million people.

Paramount+ reached 17 million viewers in the U.S. and Latin America during UFC Freedom 250, Paramount+ said in a press release issued Thursday, June 18, citing Nielsen and Adobe Analytics.

This breaks Paramount+’s record for highest viewership for an exclusive live event, according to the subscription-based streaming service, which has streamed thousands of exclusive live events since its launch in 2021.

The previous record was 5 million viewers for UFC 324 in January, when Paramount+ debuted as the UFC’s streaming home. Paramount+ paid $7.7 billion over seven years for the exclusive rights.

UFC Freedom: Trump’s UFC White House event was unforgettable: What you missed

UFC seeks Super Bowl numbers

Anticipation was high for an unprecedented seven-game card on the South Lawn of the White House.

“We’re expecting Super Bowl-like numbers for this fight,” UFC CEO Dana White told UFC on TNT Sports.

The 2026 Super Bowl was watched by an estimated 125 million viewers, according to Nielsen. This total includes viewership for NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, NBC Sports Digital and NFL+.

Two days before the event, Rubio made the remarks during an appearance with White.

“One billion people around the world will watch America celebrate its 250th anniversary with the White House in the background and the world’s best athletes celebrating in the Octagon,” he said.

This prediction was not optimistic. Paramount+ has approximately 80 million subscribers.

UFC Freedom 250 was available exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States and Latin America. The UFC will release viewership numbers outside of the U.S. and Latin America next week, but Paramount+ did not provide estimates.

Of the 17 million viewers it reached on June 14, 15.26 million were from the United States and 1.67 million from Latin America.

All bouts on the seven-fight card ended by knockout or technical knockout. The main event saw Justin Gaethje dethrone Ilya Topuria by TKO and was considered the greatest match of all time. The lightweight title fight was stopped in Topria’s corner at the end of the fourth round with one round remaining.

World Cup, Canada vs. Qatar, Ismael Kone injury news: Live updates

US-NEA
-
0
World Cup, Canada vs. Qatar, Ismael Kone injury news: Live updates

Canada’s Ismael Cohn suffered the horrific injury early in the second half of Canada’s 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar in a tackle that earned Asim Madibo a red card.

The midfielder will go straight to the hospital and undergo surgery.

After the tackle, Canadian players and coaches were furious and immediately indicated that Cone may have been seriously injured.

While some players pushed back against their Qatari opponents, Canadian coach Jesse Marsh and his staff could be heard on the broadcast asking the referee in disbelief how the play could be called just a foul. It was later upgraded to a red card.

Madibo put his hands on his head and waved them in the air, apologizing for the harshness of the tackle from behind. Marsh told reporters after the match that Madibo personally apologized to Kone again after the match.

Cone was carried off the field on a stretcher after trainers placed an air cast on his left leg. He waved to Vancouver fans who were shouting his name.

It was Qatar’s second red card of the match, with Homam Ahmad sent off in the 31st minute.

Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba replaced Kone in the 56th minute. He scored Canada’s fourth goal eight minutes later from a free kick, ran to the bench and was handed a KONE 8 jersey. He held it up as fans cheered the goal.

After the game, Marsh said of the injury, “I could hear the bones breaking.”

The coach added that Kone has been admitted to the hospital and is scheduled to undergo surgery.

“Ismael is such a wonderful kid, imperfect, but that’s why we love him,” Marsh said. “He can do things that other players can’t do. He embodies a lot of what this team is about. He was our best player against Bosnia.”

“He is a great loss to us. Our hearts are with him, but that kid has a great future.”

Mr Marsh added that Mr Madibo had apologized to Mr Cohn for the tackle.

Kone is a dynamic midfielder who was born in Ivory Coast and moved to Montreal at the age of seven. He made his debut with the MLS club in 2021 after coming through CF Montreal’s academy system. He quickly attracted the attention of European clubs and moved to Watford in 2022.

In 2024, Kone joined French powerhouse Marseille for a reported transfer fee of 15 million pounds (approximately 2 billion yen).

After a difficult half-season, Kone joined fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. He then joined Italian club Sassuro on loan, before making the move permanent in February.

This is Kone’s second World Cup, having previously made his World Cup debut in 2022, just months after making his senior international debut in March of the same year.

Kone is 24 years old and just celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, June 16th.

Canada cannot add a new player to its roster to replace Kone.

Changes to the World Cup outfield roster had to be made at least 24 hours before the team’s first game.

However, if the goalkeeper is injured, he can be replaced at any time during the tournament.

Check out USA TODAY Sports’ live group standings, stats and latest standings here.

2026 World Cup Format

The 48 participating countries will be divided into 12 groups of four. Each group plays in a round-robin format, with 3 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a tie. The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32 along with the top eight teams in third place. Tie-breaks for group standings will be resolved using the following criteria:

  • Most points earned in group matches between the teams
  • Advantage in goal difference between the teams in group matches
  • Most points scored in all group matches between the teams
  • The difference in goals and losses is large in all group stage matches.
  • Most points scored in all group league matches
  • Highest team behavior score (players and team officials) related to number of yellow and red cards obtained
  • Two or more teams tied on points will be ranked according to the latest edition of the FIFA Men’s World Rankings.

world cup group

  • Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
  • Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
  • Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
  • Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
  • Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
  • Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
  • Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
  • Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
  • Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
  • Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
  • Group K: Portugal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
  • Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

2026 World Cup Team Complete Roster

Main dates of the World Cup

  • Group stage: June 11th to June 27th
  • round 32: June 28th to July 3rd
  • round 16: July 4th to July 7th
  • quarterfinals: July 9th to 11th
  • Semi-final: July 14th-15th
  • 3rd place match: July 18th (Miami Gardens, Florida)
  • final:July 19th (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

McDonald’s hit with lawsuit over ‘contaminated’ Sausage Egg McMuffins

US-NEA
-
0
McDonald’s hit with lawsuit over ‘contaminated’ Sausage Egg McMuffins

play

A woman is suing McDonald’s over the Sausage and Egg McMuffin, which she says made her “severely ill” and permanently “unable to work as usual,” according to a lawsuit filed in New York in May.

This is one of the latest legal troubles to hit McDonald’s. A class action lawsuit was filed against the burger giant in late December over claims about McDonald’s McRib sandwich.

Here’s what you need to know about the Sausage and Egg McMuffin lawsuit.

Lawsuit claims food is ‘unfit for human consumption’

Yvette Hines, a Texas resident, claims she ate a Sausage and Egg McMuffin “unfit for human consumption” at a McDonald’s in New York City’s Times Square in 2023, according to a complaint filed May 26 in New York State Supreme Court.

The case was moved to the high court because, as the complaint states, the damages suffered by Ms. Hands are so high that they are “beyond the jurisdiction of any lower court” that could have otherwise tried them.

“Systemic poisoning”: Parents claim in new lawsuit that popular baby food caused ‘brain damage’ to children

Hines claims in her complaint that immediately after eating the meal, she “felt extremely sick, felt nauseous, and suffered severe pain and suffering throughout her body,” which she claims were directly related to the food.

The complaint lists a number of potential causes, including “hazardous substances, pollutants, poisons, toxins, parasites, germs, germs and/or organisms.” It also alleges that the staff knew or should have known that the food was contaminated.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, McDonald’s owner and operator Paul Goodman said he “takes great pride in providing safe, high-quality food to every customer who walks into our restaurants,” and that his team is “committed to upholding strict food safety and handling practices throughout our restaurants every day.”

“We always take matters like this seriously and investigate them thoroughly,” Goodman added. “While we strongly dispute the facts alleged in this lawsuit, this matter was resolved several months ago in order to maintain our focus on our customers.”

opinion: I don’t care if the McRib is real pork ribs. This is America!

A lawsuit alleging permanent damages

Hines’ lawsuit alleges that the Sausage and Egg McMuffin “made her dangerously sick and sick,” and that the toxins in the breakfast food “infected and poisoned her entire body.”

Three years after eating the food, Hines continues to suffer from “extreme pain all over her body,” despite undergoing “several surgeries, procedures, and treatments” in search of a cure, according to the lawsuit.

Permanent damage to Hines’ “physical, neurological, and mental systems” left her unable to perform normal tasks around the home and “work to which she was accustomed,” the lawsuit states. On the other hand, they suffered significant economic damage due to medical expenses and other costs.

All of this is a direct result of “negligence and carelessness” on the part of McDonald’s and its employees, the lawsuit alleges.

Hines’ attorney did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for further information, including the exact nature of her illness or injury.

McRib class action lawsuit

As USA TODAY previously reported, McDonald’s has been busy dealing with a class-action lawsuit this year that claims its iconic McRib sandwich contains no ribs and is made entirely with other pork cuts.

“Despite its name and unique shape, the McRib contains no actual pork rib meat at all, although its meat patty is intentionally made to resemble a rack of pork ribs,” the lawyers said in a lawsuit filed in late December.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY in January, McDonald’s said the lawsuit “misrepresents the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate.”

McDonald’s USA said: “We are committed to using authentic, high-quality ingredients across our menus.” “Our fan-favorite McRib sandwiches are made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the United States. We’re always transparent about our ingredients to help our guests make the right choices.”

False advertising? Costco files lawsuit over $4.99 rotisserie chicken

Lawyers are seeking damages, attorney fees and interest from the participants in the class action lawsuit. They also asked the court to order McDonald’s “to refrain from any further deceptive naming, marketing, or advertising practices regarding the McRib.”

Contributed by Saleen Martin, Mike Snider/USA TODAY

Drew Pittock covers trending news from around the country for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.

The Trump administration cut 57 national park items. Here’s what I deleted.

US-NEA
-
0
The Trump administration cut 57 national park items. Here’s what I deleted.

play

The Trump administration has removed more than 40 facilities and other materials at national parks across the country, following an effort to remove from parks anything that “disrespects past or living Americans,” according to a recent court filing.

The government filed the application last week in response to a judge’s ruling that exhibits and signage on topics such as slavery and climate change that had been removed from parks and monuments across the country must be restored because they “do not align with the government’s preferred narrative.”

Here’s what you need to know about the list of affected items:

From portrait descriptions to junior ranger books

A June 17 court filing revealed that the Trump administration removed 57 exhibits, signs, and other materials from parks and monuments across the country for two main reasons: They were either deemed “irrelevant to the beauty, richness, and grandeur of the natural landscape,” or they were “disrespectful of past or living Americans.”

On June 12, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelly in Boston issued a preliminary injunction blocking the government’s efforts to rebuild the park, after several groups representing conservationists, historians, and scientists filed a lawsuit accusing the Interior Department of a “sustained campaign to erase history and undermine science.”

What you need to know: Why national parks aren’t free on Juneteenth

As part of the injunction, the government was required to provide a list of items targeted so far.

Items removed for “disrespecting Americans” include:

  • Portrait Description at Independence National Historical Park
  • Tribal land acknowledgment sign on George Washington Memorial Parkway
  • Junior Ranger Books for Buck Island Reef National Monument, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Medgar and Murray Evers Home National Historic Site
  • Roadside African American Civil War Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Park

Government’s call for public support backfired

The removal of the material was in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in the first months of his second term, calling on federal officials to scrutinize monuments, memorials and statues and remove language that the administration says supports a “revisionist movement” that characterizes U.S. history as “inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.”

To strengthen this effort, the Interior Department has installed what critics call “snitch signs” with QR codes inside national parks, encouraging visitors to report signs that portray Americans negatively or center stories about slavery, land theft, and discrimination. As USA TODAY previously reported, the campaign largely backfired.

Contributed by: Nate Raymond, David Thomas, Reuters

Drew Pittock covers trending news from around the country for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.

How to get rid of fleas quickly (and how to prevent them from coming back)

US-NEA
-
0
How to get rid of fleas quickly (and how to prevent them from coming back)

Learn how to get rid of fleas quickly with proven methods, natural remedies, and expert tips to prevent fleas from coming back.

If you find one flea, there may be more hiding there. Not just a second flea, but hundreds if not thousands.

Fleas are persistent and reproduce quickly, laying hundreds of eggs. “For every adult flea someone sees on their pet, there are about 90 to 100 other fleas in other life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae) in the home environment,” says Thomas Dock, director of communications and communications at Noah Animal Hospital in Indiana.

Getting rid of fleas is a process and requires multiple steps to get rid of them completely. Here’s what experts say is the fastest way to get rid of fleas in your home.

Are there fleas? Here’s what you should do now:

If you find even one fleas flying around, you should start exterminating them immediately. This includes cleaning your home, treating your pets, and contacting pest control professionals.

  1. Disinfect. If you find fleas in your home, the first step is to clean the areas where fleas are most likely to breed. This includes washing bedding, rugs, and pet bedding, vacuuming carpets and the bottom of walls.
  2. Treat your pet. Even if your pet is completely indoors, All pets in your home should be treated for fleas. Wash each pet with soap and water, use a flea comb, and consult your veterinarian about the best medication to kill fleas and prevent them from coming back.
  3. Call a pest control professional to treat your home. Getting rid of fleas can be difficult, so it’s best to hire a professional exterminator. It may take two or three treatments to completely eliminate fleas in your home.
  4. Clean and vacuum. Sweep and vacuum your floors daily to remove any remaining eggs or young fleas.
  5. Follow-up and usage prevention. Fleas can become resistant to insecticides at some stage in their life cycle, so re-treatment may be necessary. A good pest control company will return within 10 to 15 days to assess for further infestations.

Read the Orkin review

How to get rid of fleas

To get rid of fleas, you need to clean your home and treat your pets. If fleas are still present, call your local exterminator.

“When it comes to treatment, the quickest way to get rid of fleas is to call a pest control professional,” says Jeff Schumacher, owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite in Texas. Fleas are resistant to some insecticides during some stages of their life cycle, so two or more additional treatments may be required to kill young fleas and any remaining eggs.

Treat all pets in your home with topical or oral treatments. You can apply topical flea treatments like Advantage II or Frontline to your pet’s skin, or use oral chew medications like Bravecto or NexGard. Always consult your veterinarian before starting treatment.

Why fleas come into the house

Fleas enter homes by attaching themselves to pets, humans, and other wildlife. Ultimately, they are looking for a food source and a place to live and reproduce. Once there, they can jump off their original host and find new breeding grounds on couches, carpets, bedding, and more.

Fleas can also be found on used furniture. “If the person who bought it had fleas in the house, the dormant eggs could hatch if brought into the right environment, and you could quickly have a flea problem,” Schumacher says.

If you are moving into a new house or apartment, it is important to clean the house before moving in, as previous homeowners or tenants could be the culprit.

Which is better? Terminix or Orkin? How to choose the right pest control service

How to safely get rid of fleas from your home

A good insecticide sprayer can make a big difference in treatment. “Treatments should include insect growth regulators (IGRs),” Dock says. “These products not only prevent the eggs from hatching, but also prevent the larvae from molting and maturing.”

IGR does not kill fleas on contact, but rather disrupts the flea life cycle. These treatments prevent new fleas from hatching, prevent larvae from molting, and prevent young fleas from developing into blood-sucking adults. The most common IGRs used to treat flea infestations include methoprene, pyriproxyfen, and lufenuro.

“We then recommend that clients consider vacuuming daily for two weeks, which will stimulate the pupa to hatch as adults,” says Dock. When they become adults, if they get on top of your pet and touch the adult, it will die. ”

Note: Steam cleaning is also a great way to get rid of fleas. Hot steam can kill fleas and eggs at all stages of life.

Natural ways to get rid of fleas

“Flea prevention can be DIY, but getting rid of fleas is much more difficult,” Schumacher says. The flea life cycle is complex and it is very easy for an infestation to get out of control. There are several measures that can help get rid of fleas, but be aware that they may not be enough.

To get rid of fleas, you need to do the following:

  • Give your pet a flea preventative right away
  • Keep the lawn cut short
  • Move bird feeders away from your home (so that squirrels, rodents, and other flea-carrying animals are not near your home’s entrance).
  • Vacuum frequently (at least once every two days)
  • Wash sheets, bedding, rugs, and pet beds about weekly.

“Prophylactic treatment of your pet and regular vacuuming of the areas where your pet spends the most time (such as couches, rugs, carpets, bedding, etc.) are the best preventative measures,” Schumacher says.

Fleas aren’t the only pet pests. Tick ​​Prevention Guide for Homeowners

Professional flea treatment

Professional flea treatment includes testing, initial treatment, follow-up care, and flea prevention.

“It starts with a thorough inspection to determine exactly where the fleas are located,” Schumacher says. Our experts will take care of every part of your home, both indoors and outdoors.

“We then apply targeted treatments to the most affected areas,” he says. “Residual adulticides kill adult fleas, while insect growth regulators prevent egg maturation.”

When combined with flea control for all pets, you get a multi-pronged approach that almost guarantees the elimination of fleas that have taken up residence in your home.

How to prevent fleas from recurring

Smart flea prevention includes pest treatment and regular cleaning. Vacuum regularly, wash upholstery, and stay up-to-date on pet treatment information.

“All pets should be on parasite prevention year-round,” says Dock. This will prevent fleas from entering your home on your pet.

Common mistakes when trying to get rid of fleas

“Honestly, the first mistake you make is waiting to call a pest control professional,” Schumacher says. Pest control companies have decades of experience treating fleas and have a plan to not only get rid of fleas, but to prevent fleas from coming back in the future.

Forgetting to apply flea preventative to your pet is also a big mistake. An untreated pet is more than just an invitation, it’s an open door for fleas to invade your home.

“One of the most common flea treatment mistakes we see is customers discontinuing flea preventatives (pet products) before the infestation is completely gone,” Dock says. The best flea prevention method is continuous application of medication. “All pets should be flea-treated year-round, but for at least three consecutive months to deter infestations (adult fleas have a lifespan of about 90 days),” he added.

The second mistake was not giving flea prevention to all pets in the household. “Many cat owners say their cats never go outside, but they don’t realize that their dogs are bringing fleas into the house, and that their cats can act as a reservoir for adult fleas, continuing the infestation,” Dock says.

When to contact a pest control professional

If you’ve cleaned your home and exterminated your pet’s fleas and there’s still an active flea infestation, call an exterminator. These professionals will develop a targeted plan to get rid of fleas in your home and on your lawn so that the fleas are eradicated and left alone.

FAQ

Can fleas survive in carpet?

Fleas don’t just live in carpets; they can also breed there. There may be more fleas on your carpets and upholstery than on your pet.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

Small intrusions can be resolved in as little as two to four weeks. However, large infestations may take several months to be fully controlled. That’s why it’s important to hire a pest control professional. They can speed up the process and keep fleas from coming back.

Do fleas die in winter?

Adult fleas can die when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing, but flea pupae can live inside a cocoon and remain dormant until the weather warms.

Can I get fleas even if I don’t have a pet?

Yes, you don’t have to worry about fleas even if you don’t have a dog or cat. Fleas can come from previous owners if you rent, hitchhike on second-hand furniture, rodents, or enter your space through shared walls. Fleas can also bite humans if their preferred host is not nearby.

Obama Presidential Center Celebrities and Politicians. watch them interact

US-NEA
-
0
Obama Presidential Center Celebrities and Politicians. watch them interact

play

  • Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks and Stevie Wonder were among the celebrities who attended the Obama Center’s opening ceremony.
  • Politicians in the crowd included former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
  • Watch their interaction in this view from the ground.

The Grand Opening Ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center on June 18th drew 3,000 people to the plaza and was attended by countless celebrities.

Some of the biggest stars in attendance included performers like Marc Anthony and Stevie Wonder, who brought the audience to their feet during the program. Oprah Winfrey, who has a space in the museum named after her, shook hands with politicians including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau danced in a front row seat below former Vice President Kamala Harris (though his partner Katy Perry was not in attendance).

When John Legend and Jennifer Hudson weren’t on stage, they spent time in the crowd, sitting a short distance from California Governor Gavin Newsom. But former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama took to the stage along with every other living president except President Donald Trump.

Watch as celebrities and politicians alike take part in the grand opening ceremony.

more: President Obama says ‘democracy can be frustrating’ at Presidential Center opening

Video: Celebrities and politicians party together at the Obama Presidential Center

play

Watch Oprah talk to Pritzker and Trudeau dance at Obama’s opening ceremony

President Obama’s inauguration ceremony in Chicago on June 18 brought together celebrities and politicians. Watch Oprah, Pritzker, Kamala Harris and more interact.

Who attended President Obama’s opening ceremony?

Celebrities spotted in the crowd include:

The politicians in attendance were:

  • former vice president kamala harris
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
  • Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation
  • Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
  • Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago
  • former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
  • Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
  • Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
  • Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

Contributors: Taijuan Moorman, Phillip M. Bailey, america today

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.

US-NEA
-
0

play

The longtime late night host was just one of many celebrities in attendance at the star-studded grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on June 18th.

For the historic occasion, Colbert wore a light tan suit with a blue and gray striped tie. The suit appears to be a nod to former President Barack Obama’s infamous and controversial tan suit worn during a 2014 press conference discussing the US military’s response to the Islamic State group in Syria. At the time, the case caused a media uproar, with people thinking the tanned look was “too casual” or “inappropriate” for presidential duties.

President Obama’s tan suit moment remains an example of unfair criticism for his supporters, but nearly a decade later, the suit itself has become an iconic fashion item.

Unfortunately for visitors who expected to see the famous suit at the Presidential Center, museum organizers announced earlier this month that the tan suit was given away by President Obama and is no longer on display at the museum.

Colbert, whose CBS show was recently canceled, appeared to be in good spirits as he greeted celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Mark Hamill, LL Cool J and David Letterman, who also caught attention in a cool tan blazer.しかしコルベールとレターマンだけではなかった。 Later in the ceremony, Obama Foundation Board Chairman Marty Nesbitt sported a tan suit while addressing the crowd.

“This was inspired by a very good friend of mine who made the tan suit famous,” Nesbitt said. “And I don’t know about anyone else, but I thought the clothes he was wearing looked really good on him, so I decided to try them on myself.”

In addition to Hollywood guests, politicians also came out to support the opening of the new center, including former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.

As the museum’s opening ceremony begins, President Obama will take to the stage with former first lady Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia, while enjoying celebratory performances by music sensations including Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, U2’s Bono, The Edge and more.

US-NEA
-
0

play

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.

What will be open and closed on June 1, 2026? Stores, restaurants, etc.

US-NEA
-
0
What will be open and closed on June 1, 2026? Stores, restaurants, etc.

play

Juneteenth is here and consumers have plenty of shopping and dining options on Friday, whether they want to get some last-minute errands done before the weekend or want to go out to dinner.

Most retail stores, grocery stores and restaurant chains nationwide will be open on the holiday, but banks and post offices will be closed. The stock market will be closed on June 1st as it is a federal holiday.

Juneteenth, also known as America’s Second Independence Day, is a fixed-date holiday, always falling on June 19th. This year’s public holiday falls on Friday.

The holiday commemorates the day in 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, when Major General Gordon Granger led 2,000 Union troops to Galveston Bay, Texas, and declared the state’s more than 250,000 enslaved black people free.

Here’s everything you need to know about events that are open and closed on Juneteenth. Opening hours and closures may vary by location, so we recommend checking local stores and restaurants online before leaving home.

When is Juneteenth in 2026?

Juneteenth is always celebrated on June 19th. This year, that day will be Friday.

Will banks, post offices, UPS, and FedEx be open on June 1st? Will my mail be delivered?

  • Juneteenth is USPS According to the department’s website, no mail will be delivered on June 19 and the post office will be closed for retail transactions.
  • UPS and FedEx Pick-up and delivery service will be available from June 1st. According to the company’s website, UPS Store locations will remain open, as will FedEx Office locations.
  • June 19th is a federal holiday, so most bank branches will be closed. Consumers should check with their local bank branch for specific holiday hours.

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday? See 2026 holiday calendar

Is the stock market open on Juneteenth?

The U.S. stock market will be closed on Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.

The Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchanges will be closed on Friday and will reopen on Monday, June 22, according to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The US bond market will also be closed on June 19th.

Are grocery stores open on Juneteenth?

Most grocery chains will be open with regular business hours on June 19th. Kroger says on its website that stores will operate as usual. However, pharmacy and clinic hours may vary.

Other grocery stores such as Walmart, Food Lion, Trader Joe’s, Meijer, Publix, and Whole Foods are traditionally open on Juneteenth. We recommend checking with your local store for specific holiday hours.

As for wholesale clubs, Sam’s Club, Costco and BJ’s Warehouse will all be open for business on Juneteenth, according to their website.

Are restaurants open on Juneteenth?

Most restaurant chains will remain open on Juneteenth, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ and Wendy’s.

We recommend checking the company app or local store for specific holiday hours.

Are retail stores open on Juneteenth?

Yes, most national retailers will remain open on June 19th, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, IKEA, Target, TJ Maxx, and Bass Pro Shop.

We recommend checking the company app or local store for specific holiday hours.

Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@usatodayco.com.

Missing Congressman Tom Kean Jr. will soon return to Washington, D.C., staff say

US-NEA
-
0
Missing Congressman Tom Kean Jr. will soon return to Washington, D.C., staff say

play

It looks like Congressman Tom Keene Jr. may soon return to public life for the first time in more than 100 days.

The two-term Republican, New Jersey’s 7th Congressman, has not visited Washington, D.C., since early March.

Harrison Neely, the lawmaker’s consultant, said in a statement that Keene “hopes to return to in-person work and resume his full schedule on June 30th.”

Where did Congressman Tom Keene Jr. go?

Keene’s team released a statement saying he was dealing with personal medical issues but was “expected to be completely fine.”

In a statement in early June, he said the company would “move from virtual to in-person work in the coming weeks.”

This wasn’t the first time his return was promised. Neely said in an April 23 statement that Keene was “dealing with a personal health issue” and was “perfectly well and will return to his full schedule soon.”

Keene has not voted in the House of Representatives since March 5. The latest information about Keene’s return was first reported by the New Jersey Globe.

Keene returns to competitive NJ-7 racing

This year’s 7th Congressional District election is considered the most competitive in New Jersey. The region is made up of 93 towns in six counties, including Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

Keene’s team is adamant he still intends to run, and despite his mysterious absence, he has the support of President Donald Trump. He will face Rebecca Bennett, who won the June 2nd Democratic primary.

During a debate in May, Mr. Keene’s chief of staff, Dan Scharfenberger, told the New York Times that Mr. Keene intended to return soon and reiterated that Mr. Keene had not been seen in New Jersey or Washington because “there are no cameras where Tom is.”

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey State Legislature. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

Ranking of all 48 World Cup teams after one match: favorites, dark horses

US-NEA
-
0
Ranking of all 48 World Cup teams after one match: favorites, dark horses

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is one-third complete, with 48 teams in the expanded field having played one match.

There are still two games left for each team in each group, but after some shocks, expected blowouts, and some good performances that didn’t translate into positive results, we have adjusted the pre-tournament rankings for all teams in the field.

Although the team that is the favorite for the championship remains largely the same, a new No. 1 team was born due to a rift in the previous top team. Other teams who seemed simply happy to be participating in the tournament also took serious steps toward advancing to the finals.

Watch every match of the 2026 World Cup on Fubo

Anything can happen in the finals. Especially when most of the third-place teams qualify for the Round of 32. But first, each team is working to get to that point.

The group phase still has many surprises for us. Take a look at the complete rankings, with ranks ranging from “glad to be here” to true title contenders.

The World Cup team is happy just to be here.

(Team movements are in parentheses)

48. Tunisia (-9)

New rule: If you play too badly in the first game and fire your coach, you’ll drop to the bottom of the power rankings. Only the handsome Hervé Renard can save Tunisia.

47. Curacao (+1)

Curaçao suffered a predictably tough loss against Germany, but the Blue Wave were guaranteed a goal from Libano Conencia, making it 1-1 after 17 minutes.

46. ​​Jordan (+1)

The good news for Jordan is that they performed reasonably well in their first World Cup match against Austria, getting more out of their attack than expected. The bad news is that things only get tougher from here.

45. South Africa (-10)

A very disappointing opening game, South Africa could do little and lost two midfielders to red card suspensions.

44. Iraq (-1)

Aymen Hussein scored a goal, but otherwise Iraq struggled against Norway, losing 1-4.

43. Panama (-2)

Panama surrendered a point for the first time in World Cup history without conceding a goal, and then conceded a point to Ghana on June 17. A healthy Coco Carrasquilla would be most welcome.

42. Paraguay (-10)

Gustavo Alfaro’s team was supposed to be built on a muscular defense. Instead, he scored four goals in the first match of the tournament.

41. Qatar (+5)

While most of the 1-1 draw with Switzerland wasn’t all that impressive for Qatar, it was a special ending with the 2022 hosts picking up a point thanks to an own goal in stoppage time.

World Cup teams that could make it out of group play

40. Czech Republic (=)

After getting South Korea back into the game, a test against South Africa will be crucial to determine who still has a chance to advance.

39. Haiti (-2)

Sébastien Migne’s side looked as active as usual but failed to find the back of the net against Scotland. Forward Dakens Nazon, who is currently suffering from a hamstring problem, was ruled out.

38. New Zealand (+6)

Chris Wood has caused all sorts of problems for Iran, but if the tall forward can perform like that again in the group, he will have a chance to move on.

37. Cape Verde (+8)

World Cup fans started following goalkeeper Bosinha on Instagram after enjoying a stunning goalless draw with Spain. What a story!

Newsletter: Sign up now to get all World Cup highlights delivered to your inbox

36. Saudi Arabia (=)

Saudi Arabia once again stumbled the team from the Rio de la Plata region in the first match of the World Cup, drawing with Uruguay four years after defeating Argentina. Will they do enough to get through this?

35. Algeria (-2)

Stopping Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team has always been a difficult task. There were some great moments too. The fennec foxes are There is still room for consideration of expanding into the group.

34. Uzbekistan (+4)

Uzbekistan lost 3-1 to Colombia, but managed to prevail and score their first World Cup goal in the process.

33. Iran (+3)

Iran were unable to take all three points as they drew with New Zealand, but they showed at times why they are part of Asia’s top teams despite all the issues they are dealing with off the field.

32. Bosnia and Herzegovina (+2)

The formula for success hasn’t always been pretty for Bosnia, but it worked in their opening group game draw against Canada.

31. Democratic Republic of the Congo (=)

very good draw with portugal leopardas Yoan Ouisza responded to Portugal’s early goal and the defense was uncharacteristically stingy.

30. Scotland (=)

The current leaders of Group C succeeded in defeating Haiti despite a tough competition in which each team had just two shots on goal. It will take more effort to break into the top two.

29. Egypt (=)

Mo Salah received help from forward Omar Marmouche and goalscorer Imam Ashour in an encouraging draw against Belgium.

World Cup teams likely to make noise in the final tournament

28. Türkiye (-5)

Things cannot be this bad for Turkey in the opening game and they need to create more effective chances instead of taking hopeless and low-probability shots.

27. Ghana (-1)

A dramatic late goal against Panama saved them three points, but Ghana struggled on the ball and gave the Central American team chances to score.

26. Canada (-5)

Canada, one of the three hosts, looked nervous in their opening match, which ended in a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the first goal in World Cup history, but the ambition is much higher.

25. Sweden (+3)

The attack certainly delivered on that promise, defeating Tunisia 5-1. The next step is to play against higher level teams.

24. Australia (+3)

The Socceroos won 2-0 against Turkey, executing Toni Popovic’s game plan brilliantly, moving forward quickly on the counter-attack and defending in a disciplined manner.

23. Uruguay (-3)

Uruguay looked as lethargic as they did in their opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, and better hope it was a travel issue. Otherwise, Marcelo Bielsa’s team will soon be heading home.

22. Switzerland (-4)

Qatar’s goal in the final minute of the match was shocking, and Switzerland fell down the rankings. What seemed like a clear path to group victory has become even more confusing.

21. Austria (+3)

Austria reminded the world how true to their style they are with a 3-1 win over Jordan. It will be difficult to do the same against Argentina.

20. South Korea (+5)

The big question was whether someone would emerge to support Son Heung-min in chance creation and other attacking aspects. The answer became even clearer after Hwang In-beom’s MOTM performance in the 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic.

19. Croatia (-2)

Croatia played well in the first half against England, but losing 4-2 will not allay their fans’ biggest fears. The idea is that this team is too old to compete with the best.

dark horse of the world cup

18. Ecuador (-8)

We were unlucky to lose the match against Ivory Coast, and falling to 8th place is quite difficult. Still, if Enner Valencia had scored, or if any other player had scored, La Tri could have avoided the dire situation they are in now.

17. Ivory Coast (+5)

Les Elefants has made the leap from breakout star Yann Diomand, who hangs around, hangs out, hangs out.

16. Colombia (=)

The final game of the first round, Colombia’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, was a lot of fun, but it showed what I expected to see from Los Cafeteros. It was great individual talent and some obvious problem areas.

15. Japan (=)

Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, playing a relatively balanced game and showing that they can come out of their shells and fight for results when necessary.

14. Morocco (+5)

Achraf Hakimi is not only in good health but also contributed frequently in the 1-1 draw with Brazil, while Brahim Dias combined goals with Ismael Saibari. All bodes well for the North African country.

13. Belgium (-2)

In the 1-1 draw with Egypt, Rudi Garcia failed to set up his team properly, and rather than showcasing the talent of Jeremy Doku and other rising stars, the concern turned into whether the veteran players would hold up.

12. Senegal (-3)

It seems harsh to drop Senegal too far after losing to a strong team like France, especially as the Lions of Teranga held out against Les Bleus for over an hour.

11. Mexico (+1)

El Tri could have won more in the opening game, but the 2-0 win against South Africa sets the tone for a competition in which Mexico hope to continue to please their home fans.

10. Portugal (-2)

The solution for Portugal to return to the top contenders is relatively clear. It’s about coming up with a way to reduce the role of Cristiano Ronaldo, who held his team back in the 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Until then, the team may continue to slump.

9. Norway (+5)

When does a dark horse become just a horse? Erling Haaland was relentless in his World Cup debut, with the defense successfully regrouping after conceding a goal in the 4-1 win over Iraq.

8. United States (+5)

Should Americans start dreaming of making it to the quarterfinals? It was within their grasp and a close 4-1 win over Paraguay showed why. Still, a better opponent will come along.

World Cup players

7. Brazil (=)

Brazil could have done better with a draw against Morocco in their opening World Cup match, but a rally to pick up points and clear areas of immediate improvement have kept them in the standings.

6. Netherlands (-1)

Ronald Koeman’s side may lack depth. We knew that about our offense, but the mistakes we made defensively in the 2-2 draw with Japan were a big concern.

5. Germany (+1)

It’s hard to get too excited about the win against Curaçao, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side got the job done in the first leg. This is more than some rivals say.

4. Spain (-3)

Spain remain among the favorites for the championship, as their group calculations did not change even with the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. Lamine Yamal also continues to return to fitness. However, his points against the diminutive debutant do not meet the standards that the former No. 1 player should hold himself to.

3. England (+1)

It was a great start to the tournament for England as Harry Kane scored twice and the team put together a great second half to beat Croatia 4-2.

2. Argentina (+1)

Lionel Messi is fit and great. The defending champions made a statement in their 3-0 win over Algeria, but even if the team maintains a clean sheet, questions remain about their defense. Austria will provide the next best test.

1. France (+1)

It took more than an hour for the goal to be scored, but France gained momentum and overcame Senegal’s strong defense by three points, lifting them to the top of the rankings with a 3-1 victory.

Jersey Mike’s is opening new stores in these cities. See list

US-NEA
-
0
Jersey Mike’s is opening new stores in these cities. See list

play

Jersey Mike’s, the New Jersey-based sub shop that recently topped the list of top-rated quick-service restaurants for the first time, is opening more locations.

Jersey Mike’s, which has more than 3,300 stores in the U.S., announced plans to open more stores in states including California, Arkansas and Illinois, after dethroning Chick-fil-A after 11 years at the top of the U.S. customer satisfaction rankings.

USA TODAY reached out to Jersey Mike’s on Wednesday, June 17, to find out when and where the new store will open, but did not immediately receive a response. However, the chain’s website on Thursday, June 18, indicated multiple restaurants were in development.

Here’s what we know about Jersey Mike’s new store opening.

Where will Jersey Mike’s open a new restaurant?

According to the Jersey Mike’s website, there are a little more than 130 Jersey Mike’s stores in development, most of them in California, New York and Texas.

A Jersey Mike’s store in Manteca, California, is scheduled to open on June 24, Manteca Mayor Gary Shinn told USA TODAY this week.

Another Jersey Mike’s restaurant will open in White Lake, Michigan, about 80 miles northwest of Detroit, Sean P. O’Neal, community development director for White Lake Township, confirmed to USA TODAY this week. O’Neill said June 18 that construction should begin within the next few weeks.

“We expect this location to be open for business in the winter or spring of 2027,” he added.

In Folsom, California, city officials confirmed they have received plans to build a Jersey Mike’s in the Alder Creek Marketplace shopping center on Alder Creek Parkway. Construction on three of the commercial shell buildings could be completed as early as December 2026, city spokeswoman Christine Brainard told USA TODAY on June 18.

Although dates were not shared, USA TODAY confirmed with officials in the following cities that Jersey Mike’s locations are coming to their cities: Bedford, New Hampshire; Brunswick, Maryland. Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Cortlandville and Greenport, New York; Council Bluffs, Iowa. El Dorado County, California. Kannapolis, North Carolina. Minnetonka, Minnesota. Post Falls, Idaho. Princeton, Illinois. and Sheridan, Wyoming.

Jersey Mike’s has added a list of new locations marked as under development to their website. Those locations include:

Alabama

  • Huntsville – 4845 Moores Mill Road

arizona

  • Flagstaff – 4880 US Highway 89
  • Gilbert – NWC Val Vista and German Road
  • Goodyear – NEC Yuma Road and Estrella Parkway
  • Maricopa – Maricopa Casa Grande Highway and North Porter Road
  • Phoenix – 4267 West Thunderbird Road

arkansas

  • Fayetteville – 3071 College Ave.
  • Searcy – 3511 East Race Ave., Suite 100

California

  • Alhambra – 333 E Main St., Suite A
  • Bell – 6399 Atlantic Ave., Suite B
  • Carmichael – SEC Winding Way and Manzanita Ave.
  • Davis – 4551 2nd St.
  • Eldorado Hills – 4456 Golden Foothills Parkway, Suite 120
  • Folsom – Old Ranch Way and East Bidwell Street
  • Lincoln – NEC Ferrari Ranch Road and Lincoln Boulevard
  • Manteca – 1445 S. Airport Way, Suite 105 (Opening June 24, 2026)
  • Palm Desert – Montgomery Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive
  • Palm Springs – 1751 North Sunrise Way, Suite D3
  • Patterson – 1010 Sperry Ave., Suite 6A
  • Riverside – NWC Claribel and Oakdale
  • Yucca Valley – 58060 29 Palms Highway, Unit 1

colorado

  • Brighton – SEQ Highway 7 and 50th, Unit 1
  • Bloomfield – 1170 US Highway 287, Unit D200
  • Denver – 4775 North Airport Way
  • Jefferson County – 7735-04 West Long Drive
  • Thornton – 7200 East 136th Ave., Suite 130

connecticut

  • Lisbon – 143 River Road, Unit 300A

Delaware

  • Sussex County – 37463 Lion Drive, Unit 100

Washington DC

florida

  • Apopka – 10700 Clarcona-Ocoee Road, Suite 140
  • Celebration – 43 Blake Blvd., Unit F3
  • Clermont – 2430 US Highway 27, Suite 320
  • Deltona – 3280 Howland Blvd.
  • Fort Myers Beach – 1661 Estero Blvd., Unit 7
  • Leesburg – 27615 US Highway 27, Unit 106
  • Wesley Chapel – 32801 Island Blvd.

georgia

  • Buford – 4870 Golden Parkway, Suite E
  • Richmond Hill – Address TBA

Hawaii

  • Kailua – 108 Hekili St., Suite 102

idaho

  • Coeur d’Alene – 201 W. Neider Ave.
  • Post Falls – 8230 N Highway 41, Suite 102

illinois

  • Chicago – 2500 North Milwaukee Ave.
  • Downers Grove – 2001-2053 W 63rd St. (Opening Summer 2026)
  • Mundelein – 1156 W Maple Ave.
  • Princeton – 1839 N Main St.

Indiana

  • Westfield – SEQ SR-32 and Spring Mill Road

iowa

  • Bettendorf – Palmer Hills Court
  • Council Bluffs – 2200 W. Broadway, Suite 500

kentucky

  • Danville – 1565 Hustonville Road
  • Russell – 254 Russell Road

louisiana

  • Laplace – 1412 W Airline Highway

maryland

  • Bowie – 16220 Marketplace Blvd., Suite 200 (Opening Summer 2026)
  • Brunswick – 1201 Dutchman’s Creek Drive, Suite C
  • Frederick – 1046 W Patrick St. Unit C
  • Lexington Park – 21841 Three Notch Road, Suite 112
  • Linthicum Heights – 1709 W Nursery Road, Space T-4

Massachusetts

  • Arlington – 1398 Massachusetts Avenue
  • Waltham – 840 Lexington St.

Michigan

  • Adrian – US-223
  • Allen Park – 3022 Fairlane Drive, Unit 4
  • Battle Creek – Address TBA
  • Detroit – 28 W Adams St.
  • Market – 3195 Wright St., Unit 2
  • Petoskey – 1376 Victories Lane, Unit 2
  • Sterling Heights – 44575 Mound Road
  • White Lake – 9101 Highland Road

minnesota

  • Minnetonka – 1809 Plymouth Road (opening mid-late summer 2026)
  • North Branch – 5466 St. Croix Trail, Suite 111

mississippi

missouri

  • Cape Girardeau – 3328 Campster Drive
  • Lebanon – 1525 S Jefferson Ave.

montana

  • Missoula – 1001 E Broadway, Suite 7

new hampshire

  • Bedford – 1 South River Road, Unit D
  • Guilford – 1429 Lake Shore Road
  • Hookset – 1090 Hookset Load

new jersey

  • Somers Point – 57 Bethel Road
  • Wharton – 320 Route 15 South
  • White Station/White House Station – 531 US-22

new mexico

  • Las Cruces – 2240 E. Lohman Ave., Suite C
  • Rio Rancho – 3575 Highway 528 NW

new york

  • Bronx – 193 W 237th St.
  • Brooklyn – 356 Devoe St.
  • Brooklyn – 102 Commerce St.
  • Geneseo – 1 Gateway Road
  • Greenvale – 5 Glen Cove Road, Suite 9
  • Hudson/Greenport Area – 160 Fairview Ave.
  • Ithaca – 742 S Meadow St., Suite 50
  • Lakewood – 279 E. Fairmount Ave.
  • Long Beach – 171 E. Park Ave.
  • New York City – 500 W 33rd St., Unit 402B
  • New York City – 1111 Lexington Avenue
  • Port Chester – 519-521 Boston Post Road
  • Poughkeepsie – 34 Winslow Gate Road, Unit D3
  • Rochester – 237-245 North Winton Road

north carolina

  • Goldsboro – 2924 US Highway 70 W, Suite D
  • Kannapolis – Dogwood Boulevard
  • Troutman – 157 Crosstie Lane, Suite H

north dakota

  • Bismarck – E. LaSalle Drive
  • Dickinson – 188 W. Museum Drive

ohio

  • Loveland Area/Sims Township – 10572 Loveland Madeira Road
  • St. Clairsville – Ohio Valley Mall, Unit 809
  • Urbana – 686 Scioto St.

Oregon

  • Sandy – 16605 SE 362nd Ave.

pennsylvania

  • South Abington Township – 1101 Northern Blvd.
  • Lancaster Area/East Hempfield Township – 584 Centerville Road, Suite B
  • Levittown – 165 Levittown Parkway

south dakota

  • Tea – 106 Venture Place, Suite 400

tennessee

  • Athens – 2604 Decatur Pike
  • Farragut – 13117 Kingston Pike, Suite 130
  • Knoxville – Spring Bluff Way
  • Louisville – 2132 Topside Road
  • Memphis – 7801 Winchester Road
  • Nashville – 601 Church St.
  • Soddy Daisy – 9451 Dayton Pike

texas

  • Austin – 9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 180
  • Bastrop – 853 W. SH 71, Building A, Suite 104
  • Dallas – 655 W Illinois Ave., Unit 1073
  • Fort Worth – NEQ Highway 114 and Roaring River Road.
  • Fort Worth – NEC Bailey Boswell and Centerboard Lane
  • Fort Worth – SWC White Settlement Road and Academy Boulevard
  • Katie – 24818 Morton Ranch Road, Suite 550
  • Little Elm – SEC FM 720 and US 380
  • The Manor – 11910 E US 290, Suite 134
  • Rockwall – Dalton Street and North Goliad Street
  • San Antonio – N. Loop 1604 E.

Utah

  • Nephi – 1508 South Main St.
  • North Ogden – 355 E 2600 N., Suite A (opening July/August 2026)
  • Payson – 791 South 930 W., Suite B
  • Litchfield – 178 West 1500 S. Main St., Suite #150
  • Smithfield – 1101 South Main St.
  • West Jordan – 7739 South 5600 W.

virginia

  • Christiansburg – 80 Laurel Street
  • Smithfield – NWC Benns Church Blvd. and Josephine’s Crossing

washington

  • Ridgefield – 5708 N. Pioneer Canyon Drive, Suite 110

wyoming

  • Sheridan – 2248 Coffeen Ave.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.

Ryan Fournier implicated in Secret Service impersonation case

US-NEA
-
0
Ryan Fournier implicated in Secret Service impersonation case

Ryan Fournier, the co-founder of Students for Trump, is facing criminal charges in a scheme to impersonate the U.S. Secret Service for claiming to be protecting him, court records obtained by USA TODAY show.

Jordan Daley, 35, was taken into custody after federal law enforcement accused Daley of using a fake Secret Service badge to pose as an agent. Daly reportedly said he planned to attend the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House with a firearm. Fournier, 30, was also taken into custody in a separate incident.

At the time of his arrest, Secret Service agents were investigating Mr. Daley for allegedly impersonating a Secret Service agent on multiple occasions, and police were investigating Mr. Fournier for allegedly violating a court order by texting a woman in his Washington, D.C., apartment about assault.

According to Daly’s arrest warrant filed in the District of Columbia Superior Court, a tipster said Daly told a Secret Service agent on June 9 that “I’m the Secret Service…I’m going to protect Ryan.” A witness told Law Enforcement Daily that Fournier “is under the protection of the Secret Service and they plan to attend the UFC event with a gun.”

Secret Service agents arrest Ryan Fourier and Jordan Daly

According to additional affidavits in the case reviewed by USA TODAY, Secret Service agents stopped both men on June 12 as they emerged from an apartment in northwest Washington, D.C.

When Daly was taken into custody, he told investigators, “My badge is upstairs,” according to Daly’s arrest warrant.

Mr. Fournier then allowed the Secret Service to enter his apartment, where he claims they found his badge, according to the affidavit.

The two men claimed that Daley, who court records show is from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, was an agent assigned to protect Mr. Fournier in order to impress or intimidate people, including Uber drivers, strip club employees and other employees at the apartment complex where Mr. Fournier lived, according to court documents.

Daly was charged with impersonating a police officer and taken to jail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 9 to be arraigned, according to online records.

Fournier was jailed for contempt of court and was scheduled to appear in court again on July 7.

USA TODAY has reached out to Fournier and Daley’s attorneys for comment.

Major anti-terrorism laws: President Trump continues to trash Senate plan, leaving Republicans panicking

What do students mean to Trump?

Students for Trump is a grassroots organization with 300 chapters across the United States, according to its website.

“During the 2020 election cycle, Students for Trump successfully held multiple Super Saturday rallies that had a significant impact on turnout in key constituencies,” according to the group’s page. Each event draws more than 200 students, knocks on more than 20,000 doors, and is said to have more than 50 million people participating online.

Fournier was previously arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

On May 25, the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of a domestic violence incident at an apartment complex.

According to court documents filed in the case, the woman told police at the scene that she was in a relationship with Fournier and was visiting him when she found him “visibly intoxicated” on the floor of his apartment.

The woman told police that when she tried to wake the man up, he “started shaking his fist at her and punched her in the face with a closed fist two or three times.”

When asked if any threats were made during the incident, the woman allegedly said Fournier would “kill everyone in here,” court papers go on to say.

Police arrested Fournier in connection with the incident, and on May 26, Fournier pleaded not guilty to charges of misdemeanor simple assault and attempted threat to injure, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in court again in connection with the case on July 7.

Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.

Trump administration files lawsuit over workplace diversity data

US-NEA
-
0
Trump administration files lawsuit over workplace diversity data

play

A shareholder group is battling the Trump administration over its refusal to release federal data tracking diversity in the U.S. workplace.

USA TODAY exclusively obtained the federal lawsuit filed by As You So in Washington, D.C. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Labor has blocked nonprofit shareholder advocacy groups’ requests for workplace diversity data for more than two years.

The Freedom of Information Act complaint seeks to release data for 2021 and 2022. As You So says it has used the data in the past to publish reports linking workforce diversity to financial performance.

“Workforce diversity is a key business issue that investors increasingly consider in their decision-making,” said Andrew Behar, CEO of As You So.

Without this information, “investors will be acting blindly,” said Daniel Fougere, president and chief counsel.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Department of Labor for comment.

Some diversity data for DEI enforcement

Every year, major companies submit a breakdown of their employees by race and gender in a format commonly known as an EEO-1 report. Since the 1960s, this demographic data has helped identify patterns of discrimination in the workplace and support civil rights investigations.

The Trump administration has signaled plans to halt data collection as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion reforms.

USA TODAY previously reported that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently moved to eliminate reporting requirements not only for businesses but also for unions, state and local governments, apprenticeship programs and schools.

Why President Trump wants to end EEO-1 reporting

Repealing EEO-1 data collection has been on the Republican wish list for decades. The Heritage Foundation has made it a priority in Project 2025, a comprehensive blueprint developed in anticipation of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Jonathan Berry, a veteran of the first Trump administration, told USA TODAY in 2024 that the EEO-1 report is a “reductive document” that requires employers to classify employees into racial categories even when there is no suspicion of discrimination, and encourages employers and the government alike to evaluate employees in racial terms.

“The goal here is to move towards colorblindness and recognize that we need laws and policies that treat people as full human beings who cannot be reduced to categories, especially when it comes to race,” Berry, who is now an attorney with the Department of Labor, said at the time.

Why some investors seek diversity data

Some investors are fighting back.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli told USA TODAY that he plans to “formally contest with the EEOC” the discontinuation of EEO-1 data collection, saying investors need this information “to make sound decisions.”

“EEO-1 reports provide investors with a clear, consistent picture of a company’s workforce and help them assess how the companies we own manage their people, address risk, and deliver long-term performance,” said DiNapoli, director of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, one of the nation’s largest public pension funds. “Transparency strengthens markets, not threatens them.”

What is EEO-1 data?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin illegal and established the EEOC to enforce these laws. But the new federal agency lacked specific data to identify patterns of job discrimination and segregation based on race, ethnicity, and gender.

The EEOC therefore used its authority under the Civil Rights Act to require businesses with 100 or more employees and federal contractors with 50 or more employees to complete standardized reports with specific demographic data broken down by race and gender.

Enforcement agencies such as the EEOC have relied on EEO-1 data to know where to focus their limited resources. Employers used it to identify major gaps and barriers to equal opportunity in the workforce. Some states and local governments require employers to file EEO-1 reports to comply with local reporting requirements.

Will data on workplace diversity disappear?

Until the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, the public had little access to these reports, but companies have begun voluntarily releasing more information in the face of increasing pressure from investors, employees and customers, as well as inquiries from news outlets such as USA TODAY.

The release of EEO-1 data has given Americans deeper insight into hiring and promotion patterns, including a USA TODAY analysis over the past 12 years showing that men, especially white men, hold the majority of corporate leadership roles.

Information tracking the state of diversity in America’s workplaces will not completely disappear.

States such as California and Illinois still require employers to submit workforce demographic reports. If the federal government stops collecting EEO-1 data, more states may enact similar reporting requirements. Colorado recently passed a law that will require employers to submit EEO-1 data to the state starting in July 2027.

President Trump has promised $300 billion in redevelopment funds in the deal with Iran. But who is paying for it?

US-NEA
-
0
President Trump has promised $300 billion in redevelopment funds in the deal with Iran. But who is paying for it?

play

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump touted a newly signed memorandum of understanding with Iran while criticizing former President Barack Obama for giving $1.7 billion in “green cash” to Iran as part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Trump abandoned.

But President Trump’s tentative deal to end the US war with Iran has come under scrutiny for potentially delivering much larger financial benefits to Iran in the form of a $300 billion redevelopment fund.

The memorandum of understanding that President Trump signed with Iran on June 17 has raised questions about the sources of funding for the Iran Redevelopment Fund and whether the United States could end up being drawn into its financing. President Trump has insisted that no US dollars will be put into the fund, but he has not said which countries or private organizations will pay for it.

more: US and Iran begin final peace talks: War updates

Under the agreement, the U.S. and Middle Eastern partners will “develop a final mutually agreed upon plan for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran at a cost of at least $300 billion,” according to the memorandum of understanding.

The United States will also lift all sanctions on Iran and unfreeze its assets, but only if Iran does not develop nuclear weapons and fulfills its commitments in the final deal to dispose of highly enriched uranium, which the Trump administration hopes to accomplish within 60 days. After President Trump signed the memorandum, the United States immediately lifted restrictions on Iranian oil exports.

The fund is intended to encourage Iran to complete a final deal with the United States and jump-start Iran’s economic development and infrastructure improvements after being devastated by the war. The Fund’s implementation mechanism will be finalized in a final agreement with Iran, but accessing funds from the Fund must comply with the terms of the peace agreement.

However, the document does not specify which countries will finance the fund or whether the private sector will provide the funding. President Trump, who attended the G7 meeting in France, denied that the United States would provide funding.

“We’re not investing. We’re not putting in a dime,” President Trump said on June 17. “People can decide whether to do that or not, but it’s up to them.”

“There is no $300 billion payment by the US to Iran, that’s Fake News!” Trump later said in a post on Truth Social. “All America needs is success, lower oil prices, and victory.”

Will the $300 billion fund be funded by private donors?

Vice President J.D. Vance made the same promise he made to reporters at a June 18 White House press conference. “The United States will not give up a dime, and the economic benefits and even sanctions relief associated with this deal will only be realized if Iran takes action.”

But if the United States isn’t paying into the fund, who will?

More than half of the fund’s $300 billion has already been invested, and will consist entirely of private sector money, Reuters reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the deal.

Reuters reports that companies based in the United States, Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America and Africa have pledged funding, and that the administration views the fund as a private investment vehicle rather than a government recovery program.

Mr. Vance did not specify the specific source of funding, but suggested that private investors and Iran’s neighbors would provide the funding.

Asked who would pay for the redevelopment funds, Vance said: “There is a great desire from the Arab world and outside the Arab world to actually engage Iran if it behaves appropriately.”

Vance cited the United Arab Emirates as an example. “Let’s just say they want to invest in building power plants. That’s not really possible at the moment because of the structure of US sanctions,” the vice president said. “So what we are saying is that if you guys act and Emirates itself wants to build a power plant, we will provide the necessary sanctions relief to make that possible.”

Vance added that discussions about the source of the fund’s funding are preliminary, as Iran must first agree to the nuclear provisions in the final deal.

“This is a long way off because it presupposes a change in Iranian behavior,” he said.

Trump vs. Obama over Iran

President Trump has for years attacked President Obama for demanding a $1.7 billion cash payment to Iran. But the deal was the result of the Obama administration’s 2016 settlement with Iran, ending decades of legal disputes after Iran did not receive military equipment for which Iran paid the United States $400 million before the 1979 revolution.

President Trump also regularly accused President Obama of giving $150 billion to Iran as part of the nuclear deal with Iran. But Obama’s deal did not include direct payments to Iran and instead, like Trump’s preliminary deal, lifted a freeze on Iran’s access to its own cash in foreign bank accounts totaling about $50 billion.

more: Obama Presidential Center debut live update: 44th president looks back on legacy

Nevertheless, President Trump accused President Obama of “bribing” Iran to get the nuclear deal signed.

“He tried to bribe his way out, and I didn’t do that,” Trump said of Obama at the Group of Seven Summit in France this week. “So you know what the Iranians did? They laughed at Obama and said, ‘He’s a son of a stupid country.'”

Contributed by: Reuters

X Contact Joey Garrison at @joeygarrison.

Knicks Parade – Rama Dowaj wears NBA Finals dress

US-NEA
-
0
Knicks Parade – Rama Dowaj wears NBA Finals dress

Rama Dowaj is the NBA Finals fashion champion.

New York City’s first lady rocked a custom Knicks-inspired ensemble as she appeared alongside her husband, Mayor Zoran Mamdani, at the Knicks’ NBA championship celebration at City Hall Square on June 18.

In true New York fashion, Dowaj chose to show her support for local designers on this momentous occasion, standing by her husband in a one-shoulder draped dress made from an upcycled Knicks T-shirt created by 2026 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Claire Sullivan.

Dhwaj expertly styled this unique piece over a voluminous black midi skirt and finished her look with black sneakers and matching orange pompom earrings.

At the highly anticipated event, which took place immediately after the city’s largest ticker tape parade for the Knicks, Mamdani showed off his Knicks spirit by wearing a Josh Hart jersey worn under his suit jacket and layered with a blue and orange shirt and tie.

Knicks parade in New York: New York Knicks parade rolls through New York as players and fans celebrate

From Spike Lee’s Pope Leo jersey and Taylor Swift’s “Stevie Nicks” T-shirt to Timothée Chalemet and Kylie Jenner’s coordinating orange and blue ensembles, fashion was a highlight of the NBA Finals. But what was the most talked about fashion moment of the finals? Jordyn Wood’s “Lucky” orange bag.

Released by her own brand Woods by Jordyn, the bag became a true staple of Woods’ game day look and series. Just ask her fiancé, championship player Karl-Anthony Towns. She was unable to wear the currently sold-out bag in Game 3 of the NBA Finals (due to increased security due to President Donald Trump’s attendance), when the Knicks lost to the Spurs for the first time in the series.

After the loss, Woods made sure to carry his favorite purse for Games 4 and 5, which the Knicks clinched the championship.

Since his big win, Woods has brought the famous bag to his own press tour, talk show appearances and Thursday’s historic parade. Mamdani himself got in on the bag action, posing for photos with his coveted handbag while riding on the championship float with Knicks players.

1...737475...1,006Page 74 of 1,006

About us

Stay informed with the latest breaking news, expert insights, and in-depth coverage across USA, Politics, Economy, World News, Technology, Health, Sports, Science, and more. Your trusted source for daily news and trending topics.

Editor's Picks

The latest

When will the Trump administration’s Dulles Airport renovation work begin?

Politics 0
President Trump pressured Senator Schumer to rename Penn Station...

Lindsay Clancy, ex-husband’s testimony and nature of mental illness

USA 0
Massachusetts mother goes on trial for killing her three...

Chili’s announces nationwide restaurant renovations. What you can expect

Economy 0
Server impressed by customer's ketchup portraitWhen Jacqueline Mang realized...

Subscribe

©2025 US-NEA.COM. All Rights Reserved.