The Washington Times AI News Desk

‘Leaving Neverland’ director: Michael Jackson biopic ‘flips the truth’

Dan Reed, whose 2019 HBO documentary featured Wade Robson and James Safechuck accusing Jackson of grooming and sexually abusing them as children, told Variety that Antoine Fuqua's "Michael" fails to honestly portray the late singer or meaningfully grapple with his alleged conduct.

April 30, 2026

Actor Ving Rhames collapses at L.A. restaurant, released same day

"Mission: Impossible" star Ving Rhames was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday after collapsing at a North Hollywood restaurant while dining with his family. He was released the same evening.

April 30, 2026

Lawsuit accuses JPMorgan exec of sexual abuse, racial harassment

A senior JPMorgan Chase executive director has been sued in New York by a former colleague who alleges a monthslong campaign of sexual assault, racial harassment and workplace intimidation. The allegations, which have not been independently verified, are denied by the bank.

April 30, 2026

David Allan Coe, who penned ‘Take This Job,’ dies at 86

David Allan Coe, the outlaw country singer-songwriter who penned "Take This Job and Shove It" and built a devoted following on the fringes of Nashville, died Wednesday. He was 86.

April 30, 2026

76 teams, zero cheers: The backlash over the new March Madness plan

The "Cinderella story" is under fire. The NCAA is weighing a controversial plan to expand March Madness to 76 teams, a move critics call a "power grab" for big-name schools. From the new 24-team opening round to the threat to mid-majors, here is what you need to know about the proposed changes to the Big Dance.

April 30, 2026

‘Columbo’ star Peter Falk’s daughter Jacqueline dies at 60

Jacqueline Falk, the daughter of late "Columbo" star Peter Falk, has died by suicide at 60.

April 29, 2026

Five Mississippi middle schoolers save bus driver’s life in roadside emergency

Five middle school students are being hailed as heroes after they took control of a runaway school bus and helped save their driver's life when she lost consciousness behind the wheel last week.

April 29, 2026

George Clooney defends Kimmel over Melania quip: ‘Jokes are jokes’

George Clooney defended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel Monday night, drawing a parallel between Kimmel's joke about first lady Melania Trump and a remark by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, saying both sides should be held to the same standard on political rhetoric.

April 29, 2026

Former Nebraska coach admits to sexual relationship with player as lawsuit moves forward

A former assistant coach for the University of Nebraska women's basketball team has admitted under oath to having a sexual relationship with a player at the center of an ongoing federal lawsuit, according to recently filed court documents.

April 29, 2026

Father-daughter pair pleads guilty to selling fake Picasso, Warhol, Banksy artworks

A father-daughter pair pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn on charges stemming from a years-long scheme to sell counterfeit artworks falsely attributed to some of the art world's most recognized names, federal prosecutors announced.

April 29, 2026

United Airlines flight reportedly hits drone at 3,000 feet over San Diego

A United Airlines Boeing 737 reportedly struck a drone at approximately 3,000 feet while on approach to San Diego on Wednesday.

April 29, 2026

Chinese national extradited from Italy faces charges in connection to alleged Houston hacking case

A Chinese national extradited from Italy appeared in federal court in Houston on a nine-count indictment alleging he participated in computer intrusions targeting U.S. universities and a global law firm as part of a state-sponsored hacking campaign -- including targeting American COVID-19 researchers during the height of the pandemic, the Justice Department announced.

April 29, 2026

Bill Maher clashes with David Cross over transgender kids: ‘Good luck with President Vance’

Bill Maher and actor-comedian David Cross clashed over transgender children and Democratic electoral politics during a heated exchange on Maher's Club Random podcast released Monday.

April 29, 2026

DOJ orders Purdue Pharma to pay $5B in criminal penalties for role in opioid crisis

Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP was sentenced in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, and ordered to pay more than $5 billion in criminal penalties for its role in fueling the nation's opioid epidemic, the Justice Department announced.

April 29, 2026

Austin’s oldest candy company, Lammes Candies, closes after 141 years

Austin's oldest continuously operating family business is shutting its doors after 141 years of selling pralines, chocolates and holiday treats to generations of Central Texas families.

April 29, 2026

Yes, food stamp recipients are driving Lamborghinis — 14,000 luxury vehicles found in just one state

Fourteen thousand luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bentleys, are owned by food stamp recipients in just one unnamed state. Here's the loophole that made it possible.

April 29, 2026

5 questions about Ukraine’s record of drone warfare

Ukraine shot down more than 33,000 Russian drones in March, marking a record monthly figure since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over four years ago.

April 29, 2026

NJ influencer’s body returned home without engagement ring as Zanzibar probe continues

The body of New Jersey social media influencer Ashly Robinson has been returned to her family -- but without her engagement ring or other personal belongings -- as Tanzanian authorities continue investigating the circumstances of her death.

April 28, 2026

Woman dies after falling from Carnival Firenze balcony near Catalina Island; FBI investigating

A woman is dead and federal authorities are investigating after she fell from the balcony of her stateroom aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship sailing near California's Catalina Island early Monday.

April 28, 2026

Bette Midler releases anti-Trump ‘All You Fascists’ music video

Bette Midler released a music video for her reworked version of Woody Guthrie's 1940s protest song "All You Fascists Bound to Lose," targeting the Trump administration and urging voter turnout in the midterm elections.

April 28, 2026