Arkansas gem hunter says he found what may be a $1 million diamond
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Thousands of gem enthusiasts visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, each year. It is one of the only places in the world where the public can dig for and keep their diamonds. As many as 800 diamonds are found each year by visitors who pay $15 to fill buckets of gravel. Jack Pearadin has been searching for a dozen years and found hundreds of gems, but none so big as the 6-carat diamond he found this year. He's calling it “American Dream” and says collectors have told him it could be worth $1 million.
Massachusetts man charged with cyberstalking podcaster and former Trump official Katie Miller
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Massachusetts man has been arrested in a federal case alleging he cyberstalked conservative podcaster and former Trump administration official Katie Miller. Authorities say the man contacted Katie Miller at least 40 times over the course of several weeks, sometimes leaving disturbing voicemails and text messages about her and her husband, Stephen Miller, who serves as White House deputy chief of staff. He also sent messages to phone numbers for her parents, according to prosecutors. The court documents do not identify the victim by name, but a person familiar with the matter confirmed that it is Katie Miller. In a social media post on Thursday, Katie Miller thanked Justice Department and FBI officials for keeping her and her family safe.
Average long-term US mortgage rate churns upward to its highest level in nearly 3 years at 7.28%
NEW YORK (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate remained above 7% this week, reaching its highest level in nearly three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 7.28% from 7.03% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the average rate was 6.34%. This is the sixth week in a row that mortgage rates have increased. The average rate is now the highest it’s been since Nov. 22, 2023, when it was at 7.29%.
Tokyo court grants legal protection to human voices in AI clone case
TOKYO (AP) — A Tokyo court has awarded legal protection for the human voice in a landmark case involving a popular Japanese anime voice actor. The court ruled Wednesday that Kenjiro Tsuda's voice was used without permission on TikTok. The decision marks Japan's first acknowledgment of voice rights. Tsuda, known for his roles in anime, sued over an AI clone of his voice used in videos. The court found this unauthorized use an infringement of publicity rights. The ruling comes as concerns rise among voice actors about AI cloning. The TikTok account in question has already been closed.
Naomi Campbell's 5-year ban on serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales is overturned
LONDON (AP) — Supermodel Naomi Campbell has won a legal challenge to overturn a five-year ban on being a charity trustee in England and Wales. A three-person tribunal ruled Thursday that the Campbell had been “deceived” by Bianka Hellmich, a fellow trustee in the poverty charity “Fashion for Relief.” Two years ago, the Charity Commission, which registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, found “multiple instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement” at the charity. This included using charity funds to pay for her stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, as well as spa treatments, room service and cigarettes. As a result, it imposed the ban on Campbell. The supermodel said she was “so grateful” to the tribunal.
Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem files for divorce from her husband of 34 years
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband of 34 years. A filing made in April in Noem's home state of South Dakota but posted online Monday cites “irreconcilable differences.” Kristi and Bryon Noem married in May 1992 and have three children. Kristi Noem led President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown from January 2025 to March 2026 and previously served as governor. The Republican faced questions this year about her relationship with top adviser Corey Lewandowski but denied allegations of an affair. Noem’s attorney on Wednesday confirmed the divorce filing and said she'd reserve further comments for the legal process.
Gentle giant Backpack declared winner of Alaska's Fat Bear Week
After a week of fierce competition, Backpack emerged victorious as Fat Bear Week champion, the heftiest bear of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve. The nonprofit running the longstanding contest announced the winner Tuesday. The week of competition celebrates the resilience of the 2,200 brown bears that live in the preserve on the Alaska Peninsula, which extends from the state’s southwest corner toward the Aleutian Islands. Fat Bear Week was started in 2014 as an interactive way to inform the public about brown bears, the coastal cousins of grizzlies.
Police investigate after toddler pulls out loaded gun at Michigan daycare
CANTON, Mich. (AP) — Police in southeast Michigan are investigating after a toddler pulled out a loaded pistol at a daycare. Authorities say one of the child’s parents has been taken into custody as the investigation continues. Police Chief Joseph Bialy says no one was injured in Monday's incident in Canton. Police are praising the daycare staff for acting quickly to make sure all of the children were kept safe. Bialy says the child's other parent is a police officer from a neighboring jurisdiction. He says the handgun found at the daycare was not a service weapon.
A TV journalist is crowned king of a traditional monarchy in Uganda
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A journalist has been crowned king of a traditional monarchy that lost its onetime “boy king” last month. The death of King Oyo Nyimba in August triggered widespread grief and a succession dispute in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom. The journalist picked to replace him is a prince who had long been employed as a broadcaster and editor with Uganda Broadcasting Corp. He chose the regnal name of Edward Rukidi Nyabongo. He performed rituals overnight, was ushered into the palace and was formally unveiled to his followers on Tuesday. Traditional kingdoms were banned in the 1960s after Uganda’s independence from British colonial rule by a republican president who said that he wanted to unify the country. They were restored in 1993.
NFL asks Homeland Security to take down video of Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has asked the Department of Homeland Security to take down a video on social media showing highlights of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins in reference to a potential caravan of immigrants approaching the U.S. border. The video posted on Sunday shows Dawkins’ pregame walkout as he chants “The time has come,” followed by a series of big hits. The DHS post includes the caption “Our time has come.” Dawkins was a nine-time Pro Bowler and five time All-Pro safety during 16 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos before retiring in 2011.
