The Washington Times AI News Desk

Michael Bay to direct film about U.S. pilots rescued in Iran during Operation Epic Fury

Director and producer Michael Bay is set to helm a film chronicling the rescue of two American airmen downed behind enemy lines in Iran during Operation Epic Fury, Universal Pictures announced Wednesday.

May 21, 2026

Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith arrested for speeding 135 mph in Georgia

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith was arrested on a Friday in Georgia after authorities clocked him driving at 135 miles per hour.

May 21, 2026

James Franco returns to Hollywood in Stallone-backed ‘Rambo’ movie

Nearly a decade after sexual misconduct allegations derailed his Hollywood career, James Franco is attempting a major return to mainstream cinema with a supporting role in the expanding "Rambo" franchise.

May 21, 2026

FCC seeks public comment on transgender content warnings for children’s TV ratings

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency is seeking public comment on whether the television ratings system should include parental warnings for children's programming that features transgender or gender identity themes, as the FCC reviews whether current ratings adequately inform families about what their children are watching.

May 21, 2026

‘Biological women’: The phrase that turned a bipartisan museum bill into a culture war

House Democrats are voting no on the Smithsonian women's history museum bill. Republicans added the phrase "biological women" to the mission -- and erased years of bipartisan support in the process.

May 21, 2026

Vanessa Trump reveals breast cancer diagnosis

Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr., disclosed on Wednesday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, sharing the news in a post on Instagram and revealing that she had already undergone a medical procedure earlier in the week.

May 21, 2026

Natalie Maines of The Chicks blasts Trump’s $1.776B fund as payment for ‘insurrectionists’

Singer NATALIE MAINES of The Chicks: "[Trump] is using your gas money to pay the insurrectionists. But don't worry about it. I'm sure posting selfies will fix everything."

May 20, 2026

Director Pedro Almodovar declares ‘The U.S. is not a democracy right now’ at Cannes

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar: "The U.S. is not a democracy right now. Some people say it's maybe an imperfect democracy, but I really don't think the U.S. is a democracy right now."

May 20, 2026

Bill Maher says prominent Democrats won’t come on his show unless they’re ‘pre-adored’

BILL MAHER: Prominent Dems, including Kamala Harris and the Clintons, won't come on his show because "Democrats are p---ies about ... going anywhere that they're not already pre-adored."

May 20, 2026

Bezos calls for eliminating income taxes on bottom half of earners

JEFF BEZOS: "The top 1% of taxpayers pay about 40% of all the tax revenue, and the bottom half pay 3%. I don't think it should be 3%. I think it should be zero."

May 20, 2026

‘A moment of authoritarian triumph’: How Trump outlasted Colbert on late night

The "Late Show" airs its final episode Thursday, canceled amid a $16 million Trump settlement and a pending merger needing White House approval. Colbert called it a "big fat bribe." Experts say the politics were impossible to ignore.

May 20, 2026

Hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut pleads guilty to battery, gets probation

Joey Chestnut, the 17-time winner of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge and been sentenced to probation following a bar altercation in Indiana earlier this year.

May 20, 2026

Hayden Panettiere says Oscar winner exposed himself to her at 19 in new memoir

Actress Hayden Panettiere is alleging that a "well-respected" Oscar-winning actor and director exposed himself to her at a private party when she was 19 years old, but stopped short of saying who it was.

May 20, 2026

‘Hacks’ actress Poppy Liu calls capitalism ‘greatest evil in the world’ at film premiere

Actress Poppy Liu calls capitalism "the greatest evil in the world."

May 20, 2026

Virginia Gov. Spanberger vetoes cannabis retail bill, pushing legal sales into 2027 at earliest

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have launched the commonwealth's long-delayed adult-use cannabis retail market, dealing a blow to fellow Democrats who had spent months crafting a framework for legal sales five years after possession was legalized.

May 20, 2026

Gas prices on track for most expensive summer in years, GasBuddy warns

Americans heading to the pump this Memorial Day weekend will face the highest prices in years, with the national average forecast to hit $4.48 per gallon -- up $1.34 from the same holiday last year -- as the Strait of Hormuz closure continues to strangle global oil supplies.

May 20, 2026

Panda Express calls police on customer wearing MAGA hat, vlogger says

A conservative vlogger claims Panda Express staff called police on him after he wore a MAGA hat and gave a thumbs-up to a cook at the restaurant.

May 19, 2026

Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons recalled over salmonella risk in 17 states

Shoppers in 17 states who purchased Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons should check their pantries after Sugar Foods LLC issued a voluntary recall over potential salmonella contamination.

May 19, 2026

Kuwaiti jiu-jitsu champion refuses handshake with Israeli medalist at Abu Dhabi podium

Kuwaiti jiu-jitsu gold medalist refuses to shake hands with Israeli bronze medalist: "We do not play with these types. We do not respect these types."

May 19, 2026

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice jailed after testing positive for marijuana, to miss OTAs and minicamp

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail after testing positive for THC in violation of his probation tied to a multi-car crash in Dallas more than two years ago, according to Dallas County court documents.

May 19, 2026