Trending News
Australian couple on plane diverted after flydubai pilot's alleged attack on co-pilot
Two people from Sydney were on board flight to Tel Aviv that was dramatically diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the otherFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo Australian citizens onboard a flight to Tel Aviv that was diverted after one of the pilots allegedly stabbed the other in an attack are "safe," the foreign minister confirmed.The passengers are a Jewish couple from Sydney, the Israeli embassy in Australia confirmed to the Guardian on Thursday. Continue reading...
First Thing: Details remain unclear after 'terror attack' on Dubai-Israel flight
Netanyahu says it is too early to tell who was behind the apparent attempt to crash flight after pilot stabbed• Don't already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning. Benjamin Netanyahu has said it is too early to tell who was behind the apparent attempt to crash a ⁠Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight, even as Israel's ambassador to the UN called the incident a "terror attack". Flydubai said its flights to and from Israel would be suspended while an investigation takes place.What is believed to have taken place in the cockpit? Pilot Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen from Mumbai, has been hailed as a hero after releasing the cockpit door to allow passengers in to wrestle back control of the plane, after his co-pilot – reportedly an Omani national – stabbed him and ⁠sent the jet plunging nearly 14,000ft (4,267 metres) in less than 30 seconds.What happened next? One passenger said: "There were two spare pilots who were supposed to operate the next flight. The relief pilots … entered [the cockpit] and pulled the aircraft up, pulled the yoke, stabilised the plane and landed us in Saudi Arabia."How has Donald Trump responded? The president said: "It seems as though the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist, or perhaps a whack-job, and he stabbed the pilot."Why has the death sentence for Pike been so controversial? As Ed Pilkington reported for the Guardian last month, at the time of the crime she was 18, and her co-accused was 17. That age difference meant he was spared the death penalty. Pike, at that age, had already been subjected to serious abuse, including multiple rapes by three separate men and beatings by numerous relatives. Continue reading...
Mamdani's nuanced plan offers a roadmap to tackle antisemitism – and reignites criticism of the mayor
Critics noted that the plan does not discuss Israel; others praised it for not conflating Jews with the state of IsraelWhen the New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, announced the city's first-ever municipal strategy to address antisemitism – a nuanced, multi-pronged approach ranging from greater security measures for synagogues to an increased focus on Jewish history in public school education – critics were quick to note what the 33-page document does not mention at all: Israel.Israel has played an outsized role in Mamdani's campaign and since his election, with the mayor standing by his years-long support for Palestinians, and frequently describing Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal. Continue reading...
Israeli leaders hail Captain Smit Machchhar after flydubai cockpit attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after being stabbed in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 but still helped foil an alleged crash attempt. Israeli leaders hailed the Indian pilot's bravery as the intervention of passengers and crew saved all 174 people on board.
Inside Ken Paxton's jet-setting lifestyle: California wineries, Europe and ski resorts
When Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched his campaign for Senate last year, he skipped the local pageantry.Instead, records show, the conservative firebrand announced his bid on Fox News, cleared his calendar and booked a hotel in Augusta, Georgia, during the storied Masters golf tournament, a trip that cost Texas taxpayers at least $25,000.The trip reflected a transformation that has unfolded over Paxton's 11 tumultuous years as Texas' top law enforcement official: His focus has increasingly extended beyond state lines. As he steadily built a national political profile and became a star in President Donald Trump's MAGA universe, Paxton took frequent trips and spent less time in Texas, according to an Associated Press review of state records.Since assuming office, Paxton left nearly 730 workdays blank on his official calendars and took over 275 out-of-state trips to places such as the California wine country, Caribbean resorts and European tourism hot spots. The travel cost Texas taxpayers a minimum of $1.9 million to cover expenses charged by his security detail, records show. It is unclear how Paxton has financed much of his portion of the travel.The pattern became more pronounced as Paxton’s profile rose. Early in his tenure, his official calendars were packed with job-related duties. In 2021, more than 90 workdays were blank — a number that reached 112 in 2024, the last full year the AP had records for.Texas does not require the attorney general to report his day-to-day whereabouts, and other state records do not often reveal the length or purpose of the out-of-state travel. Texas, however, keeps records of monthly expenses incurred by his security detail. Those records show reimbursements for travel outside Texas spiked from about $30,000 in 2015 to nearly $400,000 in 2024."There is clearly a pattern of behavior here that may make some voters question how seriously Ken Paxton has taken the job," said Joshua Blank, the director of research for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.Paxton's record as attorney general and his travel have become an issue in the Senate campaign, a race that could prove pivotal in deciding party control of the chamber.His Democratic opponent, James Talarico, criticized Paxton for spending July 4 in Great Britain and accused him of focusing more on his standing in Trump's political movement than on issues facing Texans.Paxton's campaign declined to comment and directed all questions to the Texas Attorney General's office, which did not respond to a detailed list of questions.In an unsigned statement, Paxton's office said that calendar entries do not "capture someone's full workday, including hours of calls, negotiations, case strategy, and briefings with his team that fill every day."Paxton's office said he has been a leader of legal efforts that secured large settlements from drugmakers and tech companies, which required routine travel. He travels with a security detail, like other high-profile state officials, because he faces threats "stemming from his courageous work … fighting on behalf of the people of Texas," his office said."His schedule is built to be immediately responsive to the most pressing issues in order to best serve Texans," the statement reads.Since taking office more than a decade ago, the former state lawmaker and probate lawyer has been under a cloud of scrutiny. Paxton was investigated by the FBI without being charged. Without admitting guilt, he paid restitution to settle felony securities charges brought by state prosecutors. And he was impeached — but later acquitted — by fellow Republicans on accusations of abusing his office and accepting bribes.He has survived politically thanks to a deep well of support from his Christian conservative base and a close affiliation with Trump. He cemented the bond early in his tenure by turning his office into an operating base for the conservative movement and pursuing litigation to further its goals.Paxton "learned that litigation itself generated political capital," said Brandon Rottinghaus, a professor of political science at the University of Houston.Paxton's evolution into a national political figure can be seen in his official calendars. Early in his tenure, his schedule was packed with the typical duties of a state attorney general.Over the last five years, the calendars contained few listings of such activities, appearing to confirm what two former deputies told impeachment investigators in 2023: He often skipped meetings and was indifferent to many of his job's day-to-day duties."He was gone a lot, he was traveling, he was out," Mark Penley, a former deputy attorney general, told impeachment investigators.Over a two-year period ending in 2024, he flew to the Caribbean, Israel, India, Taiwan, South Africa, made three trips to Europe and hit five different ski towns in the Rockies, including five visits to Park City, Utah, according to reimbursement records for his security detail.Texas conservatives, including Paxton, have long treated California as a punching bag. "Don't California My Texas" is a favorite phrase of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who uses it as a pejorative shorthand for the left-wing values commonly associated with the west coast state.That kind of disdain has not stopped Paxton from spending time in California, where he spent a portion of his youth. Records show Paxton has taken roughly 25 trips to the state, costing Texas taxpayers about $180,000."I don't like to admit that I go to California. But it's beautiful," Paxton said on the "Swimming with the Sharks" podcast last November.He has shown a particular fondness for Northern California's wine country, which he visited at least five times, records show.A wine country visit in 2024 cost the public over $14,000, records show. During the trip, Paxton ventured near Yosemite National Park, records show, where his campaign paid for meals, including $436 dropped at Mammoth Rock Restaurant, a French-inspired brasserie that offers "elevated" classics such as escargot and duck confit.___Slodysko reported from Washington.
New Indigenous art exhibit in Hamilton places Mother Earth where Sir John A. Macdonald statue once stood
A new art exhibit in Gore Park asks passersby to reflect on the legacy of Canada's first prime minister and repossesses the space where his statue once stood in Hamilton. It was installed for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Wednesday and will be in the downtown park until the weekend.
Sexual assault trial begins for 'Trailer Park Boys' actor Mike Smith
Smith has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault that stems from an alleged incident in 2017.
Witnesses recount Christa Pike's survival of two lethal injections – video
Christa Pike, convicted of murdering a classmate, Colleen Slemmer, three decades ago, survived Tennessee's effort to execute her by means of an unprecedented two lethal injections, prison officials said. This was the state's first attempted execution of a woman in 200 years. 'At one point … she said, "my arm feels like it's about to burst open",' said Tori Gessner, a news anchor for ABC affiliate WKRN, who witnessed the attempted execution, before adding 'then she smiles really big'. Other journalists present described Pike snoring, exhaling loudly and gasping. The WPLN health reporter Catherine Sweeney said the state's protocol had no rules for what should happen should a dose fail to work a second time. Pike was taken to an off-site medical facility for treatment and is still aliveTennessee woman on death row taken to hospital after surviving two lethal injections Continue reading...
'Indomitable bravery': Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar to be awarded 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award'
Captain Smit Machchhar was injured by his co-pilot who planned to crash their aircraft. Despite being attacked, Machhar managed to save the lives of 174 passengers. The courageous actions of Machhar have garnered attention and respect globally. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the award to honor Machhar's bravery. The pilot is currently recovering from his injuries and is receiving well-wishes from across the nation.
Fried, Bellinger and García lead Yankees over Red Sox 9-2 for Wild Card Series sweep
One year after rallying past the Red Sox to win an AL Wild Card Series, the New York Yankees battered Boston.Max Fried dominated the Red Sox in the playoffs for the second straight year, Cody Bellinger and Luis García Jr. homered, and the Yankees rolled to a 9-2 win Wednesday night that completed a two-game sweep."We enjoyed tonight. We got a lot more work to do," Bellinger said.New York will face AL East champion Tampa Bay in an AL Division Series starting Saturday."The fans were electric from the first pitch and the boys were hungry. We got a young, hungry team here,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge said as teammates sprayed him with bubbly during the clubhouse celebration. "This makes me feel young every single time."Judge missed this series because of a calf injury and isn’t sure whether he will play against the Rays, who beat New York 7-6 in the season series."Saturday's a long ways away,” he said.Clinging to a 2-1 lead after Willson Contreras homered to end Boston’s 26-inning postseason scoreless streak, the Yankees broke open the game with a six-run sixth after Spencer Jones reached on a wild pitch while striking out leading off — with the help of a video review.García, acquired at the trade deadline, had three hits in his first postseason start, and Bellinger had four RBIs that included a three-run homer capping the sixth-inning burst that put New York ahead 8-1."Step one," said Bellinger, who caught the ceremonial first pitch from his dad, Clay, a 2000 Yankees World Series champion. "Now we got to go into Tampa and play against a tough team.”Boston, which reached the playoffs after rebounding from a 32-46 start, lost last year’s wild-card matchup after defeating the Yankees in the opener. "Regardless of all the special things that happened this summer, and there was quite a few, the goal is to win the World Series and that ended for us tonight, so it's frustrating," Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said. "There's a lot of things you can say, but in the moment right now, I think the guys only care that we lost. And it's going to take some time to get over that."Boston, which also got a seventh-inning homer from Nick Sogard off Will Warren, was missing leadoff hitter Roman Anthony because of a hand injury. The Red Sox were held to a .117 average in the series (7 for 60) with 18 strikeouts and outscored 18-2.New York hit .382 in the series. Boston’s bullpen had a 20.25 ERA."We played great baseball in a lot of ways here, obviously anchored by our two great starters,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Yankees batters hit .450 (9 for 20) with runners in scoring position after finishing 19th among the 30 teams with a .246 RISP during the regular season."I feel like it's a whole new level from regular season to these last two days," Austin Wells said.A day after Cam Schlittler led New York to a 9-0 win, Fried pitched three-hit ball over six innings to win a postseason game for the first time since the 2021 World Series clincher with Atlanta.New York started eight left-handed hitters against Sonny Gray, back on the mound where his career derailed during a dismal Yankees stretch in 2017 and '18.García’s fourth-inning homer put the Yankees ahead and Bellinger, one of the top lefty-on-lefty hitters in the major leagues, added a fifth-inning RBI single against left-handed Erik Miller, who had just relieved.Gray was disappointed he wasn’t allowed to face Bellinger."I think I'm the best pitcher in the American League going through the order a third time. I think that's a fact," Gray said. “I would've liked to live or die with me in that moment, but that’s the competitor I am. And, yeah, I think you can probably ask the guys and they felt the same way. So I felt strong. I felt confident. I felt convicted."Jones struck out both to start and end the bottom of the sixth, a weird half-inning that included a wild pitch, throwing error, stolen base, bunt single and intentional walk to Ben Rice that preceded Bellinger’s homer.“I can't believe they were willing to face a guy like Belli with men on base there,” Rice said.Garrett Crochet, who beat the Yankees in last year’s Wild Card Series opener, hadn’t pitched since April 25 because of left shoulder inflammation when he bounced a sweeper off Adley Rutschman’s chest. The catcher picked up the ball and threw to first, where umpire John Libka signaled that Jones was out. The Yankees appealed and the call was reversed by the video umpire at the commissioner’s office."I couldn't believe he was there," Boone said. “I saw the ball squirt away a little bit. I didn't think that much of it, and looked up and I was, like, ‘Oh, he's safe.”’ Jones swiped second and kept going to third when Rutschman's throw skipped into center. Rookie George Lombard Jr. singled for his first postseason RBI, Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled and Trent Grisham loaded the bases with a bunt single.Wells’ sacrifice fly against Garrett Whitlock increased the lead to 4-1, Ryan McMahon hit an RBI groundout and Rice, who had four hits and six RBIs in the opener, was intentionally walked. Bellinger reached down and pulled a changeup into the right-center field seats.Fried struck out six and walked one. He has allowed one run over 12 1/3 innings in the two Wild Card Series against the Red Sox."Definitely wasn't sharp from the get-go but just wanted to challenge them, not try to give any free passes, especially in the first inning,” Fried said.After a night of celebration and a day off, the Yankees will head to Florida on Friday."There's just so much more to do," Bellinger said after the big night with his father on hand. "So obviously enjoy the moment, understand how cool it is, but keep on going."Up NextNew York RHP Gerrit Cole (10-9, 3.61), who would have started a third game against Boston, is likely to start Game 1 against the Rays.
On TV

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent — 4x1: "Diplomatico" (Citytv)

Bateman must adjust to an unexpected change when she is assigned a new partner from the Guns & Gangs unit.

Ask This Old House — 25x1: "TBA" (PBS)

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent — 4x2: "The Scorpion and the Tortoise" (Citytv)

New Music

No new drops today. Go rediscover something in your old playlists.

In theaters
Beware Boiúna (104 minutes)
Deep in the Amazon, a medical mission spirals into a fight for survival when Boiúna, a colossal ancient predator, awakens to reclaim her domain. In the jungle where nature holds absolute power, she decides who lives and who dies.
Launching today
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Crew-13 — SpaceX (15:10 UTC)
SpaceX Crew-13 is the thirteenth crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
Useless Fact

The penguin is the only bird that can swim but can't fly.

The loonie
CAD → USD
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0.6217
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Today In History
2024 — Claudia Sheinbaum Elected as First Woman and Jewish President of Mexico
Claudia Sheinbaum is sworn-in as president of Mexico; she is the first woman and the first Jewish person to be elected to the post. What other countries have been led by women? STR—AFP/Getty Images
2017 — 2017 Las Vegas Music Festival Shooting
From his hotel room in Las Vegas, 64-year-old gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on a music festival, killing 58 people and wounding hundreds before taking his own life; it surpassed the Orlando shooting (2016) as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history
2013 — Tom Clancy, Bestselling Techno-Thriller Novelist, Dies at 66
American novelist Tom Clancy, who created the techno-thriller—a suspenseful novel that relies on extensive knowledge ofmilitary technologyandespionage—died at age 66
1994 — Palau Becomes Sovereign Nation
In 1994, the Republic of Palau officially became a sovereign and independent nation after gaining independence from the United States.
1982 — Establishment of U.S. Claims Court
Congress established the U.S. Claims Court (now the U.S. Court of Federal Claims) to handle cases in which the United States is a defendant
1975 — Muhammad Ali Defeats Joe Frazier in "Thrilla in Manila"
In what is regarded by many as the greatest prizefight of all time (the "Thrilla in Manila"), Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier after the latter's corner called a halt to the bout after 14 brutal rounds. How much do you know about boxing? AP Images
1971 — Walt Disney World Resort Opens in Florida
The Walt Disney World Resort, a Disney-themed entertainment complex featuring attractions based on Disney stories and characters, opened near Orlando, Florida.
1962 — Johnny Carson Becomes King of Late-Night TV
Johnny Carson began hosting The Tonight Show in 1962, establishing a format for late-night TV talk shows that would endure for decades and cementing his status as the "king of late-night television".
1961 — Roger Maris Breaks Babe Ruth's Home Run Record
American baseball player Roger Maris hit his 61st home run of the 1961 season, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season home run record.
1960 — Nigeria Gains Independence from Britain in 1960
Nigeria gained its independence from Britain but remained a member of the Commonwealth
1949 — People's Republic of China established
In Beijing, with most of the Chinese mainland held by the communist People's Liberation Army, its dynamic leader, Mao Zedong, proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China on this day in 1949
1946 — Nuremberg Trials Verdicts Announced
The verdict was handed down on 22 of the original 24 defendants in the Nürnberg trials, a series of trials held after World War IIin which the International Military Tribunal indicted and tried former Nazileaders aswar criminals
1932 — Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" in 1932 World Series
During game three of the World Series, New York Yankee Babe Ruth made his famous "called shot" when he pointed to the centre-field bleachers in Wrigley Field and then hit a home run to that spot; the Yankees defeated the Chicago Cubs and went on to win the championship. See where Babe Ruth ranks on our list of the 10 greatest baseball players of all time UPI/Bettmann Archive
1890 — Yosemite National Park Established by U.S. Congress in 1890
By an act of the U.S. Congress, Yosemite National Park was created, eventually becoming one of the most heavily visited national parks in the country
1800 — Napoleon forces Spain to cede Louisiana to France in 1800
Napoleon induced a reluctant King Charles IV of Spain to cede Louisiana back to France. How much do you know about Napoleon?
1553 — Mary I Becomes First Queen of England
With her coronation, Mary I became the first queen to rule England in her own right; she was later nicknamed "Bloody Mary" because of her persecution of Protestants in a vain attempt to restore Roman Catholicism in the country. Test your knowledge of the queens of England.
-331 — Alexander the Great Defeats Darius III at Gaugamela
Alexander the Great of Macedonia defeated Darius III of Persia at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE, spelling the end of the Persian empire.

This is today, boiled down to the essentials. The full stash lives at logicalchaos.ca. Go get lost in it.