The Washington Times AI News Desk

‘Michael’ review roundup: Critics split on Jackson biopic ahead of Friday opening

The long-gestating Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" opens in theaters Friday to a sharply divided critical reception, with reviewers largely praising star Jaafar Jackson's uncanny performance while faulting the film for sidestepping the more controversial chapters of the pop icon's life.

April 21, 2026

Hardee’s franchisee ARC Burger files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy amid $29M in debt

A Hardee's burger chain franchisee that once operated dozens of locations across nine states has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, adding another casualty to a fast-food industry battered by closures and financial distress.

April 21, 2026

Whoopi Goldberg claims Trump ‘planning’ military draft amid Iran war

"The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg claimed Monday that the Trump administration is preparing to institute a military draft in connection with its ongoing military operation in Iran -- remarks that drew pushback even from a fellow panelist on the program.

April 21, 2026

Miss Universe Puerto Rico names second transgender contestant

Miss Universe Puerto Rico has announced that Gabriel Rodriguez Velazquez will compete in its 2026 national pageant, becoming the second openly transgender woman to enter the competition.

April 21, 2026

Alex Jones vows to fight on as satirists seek control of Infowars

Alex Jones isn't going down without a fight, and he's making sure his audience knows it.

April 21, 2026

Gut bacteria may flag Parkinson’s disease risk years before symptoms appear

The bacteria living in your gut may hold clues about your risk of developing Parkinson's disease long before any tremors or movement problems begin, according to a new study that researchers say could eventually lead to earlier screening and new prevention strategies.

April 20, 2026

Who is John Ternus, Apple’s next CEO?

When Apple announced Monday that John Ternus would succeed Tim Cook as chief executive officer on Sept. 1, the move confirmed what many industry observers had increasingly expected.

April 20, 2026

Alex Jones could see Infowars licensed to The Onion under new court deal

The parent company of The Onion filed a request Monday in a Travis County District Court to license the Infowars website for $81,000 per month, according to reports. The move is the latest in the satirical outlet's long-running effort to gain control of the platform founded by Alex Jones.

April 20, 2026

Study: Older Americans, service members wait longer on financial complaints

Service members and older adults are less likely to get timely company responses to financial complaints, even as overall response rates have improved.

April 20, 2026

Gas prices top $4 a gallon as Strait of Hormuz stays closed

Energy Secretary Chris Wright acknowledged Sunday that gasoline prices may not fall below $3 a gallon until next year, walking back an earlier prediction he made just weeks ago that cheaper fuel was imminent.

April 19, 2026

5 questions about the Kyiv supermarket shooting

A gunman killed at least six people in Kyiv on Saturday, shooting four bystanders on the street before entering a supermarket, where he killed a fifth victim and took hostages. A sixth victim, a young woman, later died from her injuries at the hospital. Police ultimately stormed the store after negotiations failed and shot the attacker dead.

April 18, 2026

Rosie O’Donnell calls Swalwell scandal ‘heartbreaking,’ compares him to Clinton: ‘Men suck’

Rosie O'Donnell called the sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell "heartbreaking," comparing the disgraced California Democrat to former President Bill Clinton and concluding that "men suck."

April 17, 2026

5 questions about the Martin family cold case

Kenneth and Barbara Martin, along with their daughter Barbie, disappeared in December 1958 while on a trip to collect Christmas greenery near Cascade Locks, Oregon.

April 17, 2026

Garret Anderson, Angels’ all-time hits leader and 2002 World Series champion, dies at 53

Garret Anderson, the Los Angeles Angels' career hits leader who helped the franchise capture its only World Series title, died Friday at the age of 53, the team announced.

April 17, 2026

Billy Ray Cyrus says he prays for Trump, will perform for any president regardless of party

Country music star Billy Ray Cyrus defended performing for presidents on both sides of the aisle, saying in a recent interview that leading the nation is "a tough job" and that he prays for the current commander-in-chief.

April 17, 2026

Why Democrats are turning against Israel — and how fast it happened

Senate votes to block U.S. military aid to Israel have jumped from 19 to 40 in two years. Here's what the numbers reveal about how fast -- and how far -- the Democratic Party has moved.

April 17, 2026

Elon Musk proposes ‘universal high income’ as answer to AI-driven job losses

Elon Musk is calling for the federal government to issue direct payments to Americans displaced by artificial intelligence, framing the proposal as a necessary response to what he sees as an inevitable wave of automation-driven unemployment.

April 17, 2026

801 Chophouse parent company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid beef price crisis

The parent company of 801 Chophouse, a high-end steakhouse chain known for Wagyu beef and entrees priced well into the triple digits, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection -- though the individual restaurants remain open and are not part of the filing.

April 17, 2026

D4vd arrest may not be last in Celeste Rivas murder case

Law enforcement sources say the murder case against pop singer D4vd may not end with his arrest, as investigators believe others were involved in the death and disposal of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez -- whose remains were found in the trunk of the singer's abandoned Tesla last year.

April 17, 2026

Trump nominates ex-deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz as CDC director

President Trump on Thursday announced on Truth Social the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calling her "a STAR" and saying she would help restore "the Gold Standard of Science" at the agency.

April 16, 2026