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Roger Ailes, former chairman and CEO of Fox News, died this morning at age 77, according to The Washington Post. His wife Elizabeth said in a statement that Ailes was "a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity." Ailes started Fox News in 1996 and steered it to be the most-watched cable television network for several years. Before Fox News, Ailes had served as an aide to President Richard Nixon and was an advisor within the Republican party. Ailes resigned last year after sexual harassment allegations by several women on staff, including former anchor Gretchen Carlson, who said her contract was not renewed because she rebuffed Ailes' advances. Carlson settled with the network for $20 million. The cause of Ailes' death was not immediately known this morning, but he suffered a fall last week.

President Trump this morning tweeted that the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel amounted to a "witch hunt," The New York Times reported. Deputy Attorney General Rob Rosenstein announced late Wednesday that Mueller would oversee an investigation into allegations of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. Mueller was FBI director between 2001 and 2013. Rosenstein said in a statement that he made the appointment due to the "unique circumstances" of the situation. As special counsel, Mueller will have the power of a special prosecutor, but won't be within the chain of command of the Justice Department. On Twitter, Trump protested the lack of a "special councel [sic]" during the Clinton and Obama administrations, and said the investigation was "the greatest single witch hunt of a politician in American history!"

A former volleyball player at Baylor University says the school tried to cover up her claim of a 2012 gang rape, Reuters reported. The woman, identified only as Jane Doe, reported she was raped by four to eight football players during a party, and that the players later harassed and taunted her on campus. The Waco school did not report the allegations to police, the lawsuit claims. The suit also alleges that the football team often used rapes as "bonding" experiences. Baylor's attorney said in a statement that the school remained "committed to eliminating all forms of sexual and gender-based harassment" on its campus.

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn reportedly blocked a U.S. military action against ISIS which Turkey did not favor, MCCLATCHY News reported. At the time he made the decision not to move on an operation in Raqqa, Syria, Flynn had allegedly received more than $500,000 in payments from Turkey. President Trump fired Flynn in February after less than a month on the job, after Flynn lied about the substance of his pre-Inauguration conversations with the Russian ambassador. The news comes amid reports that the Trump transition team, headed by vice-president Mike Pence, was aware that Flynn was under investigation for possible ties to Turkey when it nominated him to the NSA post.

Chris Cornell, lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave, is dead at 52, according to NPR. Cornell was found in a room at the MGM Grand hotel in Detroit this morning, dead of an apparent suicide. The singer spent time in drug rehab for ongoing substance abuse problems, but had been clean since 2002. He's credited with being one of the forebears of Seattle's grunge music scene. Soundgarden had played a show Wednesday night in Detroit.

Gisele Bundchen, wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, says he had an unreported concussion last year, CBS News reported. In an interview with CBS, Bundchen said Brady has had other concussions "but we don't talk about it." The five-time Super Bowl-winning Brady, who has been in the league for 17 years, has never been listed with a concussion on Patriots' official injury reports. The NFL has faced intense criticism for its handling of player concussions in recent years.The league said it had "no evidence" that Brady had suffered concussions or head injuries.

A Tulsa jury on Wednesday acquitted police officer Betty Jo Shelby in the 2016 shooting death of motorist Terence Crutcher, according to CBS News. Shelby, who is white, was seen on dashboard camera shooting Crutcher, who was black, during a traffic stop, while his hands were raised. Shelby was charged with first-degree manslaughter within days of the shooting. Her attorneys had argued in court that Shelby believed Crutcher was reaching for a gun when she shot at him. Crutcher was not armed at the time.

General Motors will stop selling its vehicles in India by the end of 2017, Reuters reported. The company also said it will sell its South Africa operations. Both moves are seen as part of a strategy by the Detroit carmaker to refocus on its most profitable markets and are expected to save GM $100 million annually. In April, GM reported its first-quarter net profit was up 33 percent year-over-year. Also in April, the company announced plans to invest $14 million in a San Francisco facility to develop autonomous vehicles.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Wednesday retracted a story about the Chobani yogurt company to settle a defamation lawsuit with the company, according to The New York Times. Jones had posted stories to his InfoWars website connecting Chobani owner Hamdi Ulukaya and the company with a child sexual assault case. "On behalf of InfoWars, I regret that we mischaracterized Chobani, its employees and the people of Twin Falls, Idaho, the way we did," Jones said in a statement he read on his radio show. It's not the first time Jones has had to back off a story. In March he apologized for pushing the "pizzagate" story, which led to a gunman opening fire at Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Washington, D.C. because he believed there was a child sex ring there.

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A memo written by former FBI director James Comey indicates that President Trump asked him to end the bureau’s investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, The New York Times reported. “I hope you can let this go,” President Trump told Comey, according to the document. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who heads the House Oversight Committee, is now demanding that the FBI hand over all memos of discussions between the president and Comey. The White House has denied the “version of events” documented in the memo. “The president has the utmost respect for our law enforcement agencies, and all investigations,” the White House said. House Speaker Paul Ryan has also "urged against" drawing conclusions until all of the facts have been gathered and questioned why Comey did not act before Trump fired him.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly has a transcript of a recent discussion President Trump had with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, CNN reported. He says that the transcript will be provided “if the US administration finds it appropriate.” On Monday, the Washington Post reported that the president shared classified information in a meeting with Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. President Trump has tweeted that it is his “absolute right” to share information with Russia.

As US and EU officials prepare to meet on Wednesday, the International Air Transport Association is hoping they will opt for an alternative to an extension of the large electronics ban, according to Reuters. The group, which represents 265 airlines, says that expanding the ban to include Europe could cost passengers $1.1 billion annually and create new safety risks. It would like to see alternatives, such as new screening techniques at airport security checkpoints. "These alternative measures would also avoid the concentration of lithium battery-powered devices in the cargo hold of passenger aircraft which is deemed to create an additional safety threat," said IATA head Alexandre de Juniac.

Chelsea Manning has officially left the US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Reuters reported. Manning was arrested seven years ago for sharing classified information with WikiLeaks. President Obama commuted her sentence before leaving office. An online fundraising site set up for Manning indicates that she is headed to Maryland to begin her life outside of prison. Supporters have raised more than $151,000 for housing and other essentials.

Scientists claim that the Tyrannosaurus rex could take a bite with force equal to the weight of three small cars, Reuters reported. This amount of pressure allowed the dinosaur to easily crush bones, according to the researchers. They drew their conclusions by developing a computer model based on the dinosaur’s jaw muscle anatomy, and analyzed its living relatives (crocodilians, birds). "T. rex could pretty much bite through whatever it wanted, as long as it was made of flesh and bone," said Florida State University paleobiologist Gregory Erickson.

Ford will cut 1,400 salaried jobs in North America and Asia, Reuters reported. The company will offer voluntary early retirement and financial incentives to employees, and the cuts will amount to about 10 percent of its salaried workforce. Two-thirds of the cuts will occur in North America, while the rest will be carried out overseas. The jobs of hourly workers and production staff will not be affected.

Chinese state media is reporting that the US bears some responsibility for the “WannaCry” ransomware attack, according to CNBC. "Concerted efforts to tackle cyber crimes have been hindered by the actions of the United States," reported China Daily, the daily newspaper of the Chinese government. Specifically, China is expecting the National Security Agency to take some of the blame for the attack. About 30,000 Chinese businesses had been affected by the ransomware as of Saturday.

Michael Moore will produce a docuseries for TNT, tentatively titled, “Michael Moore Live from the Apocalypse,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. In the series, he will explore “Wall Street’s one percent” and “Washington D.C. politics” with his team of journalists and citizen-rebels. "Our show will be dangerous and relentless,” Moore said. “And it will be the destination for those who want to know what's really going on and what they might be able to do about it." The show will premiere later this year. Moore also recently announced that he is preparing to release a new documentary on President Trump, “Fahrenheit 11/9.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May says that her government will share classified information with the US in the future, Reuters reported. "We continue to work with the United States and continue to share intelligence with the United States as we do with others around the world because we are all working together to deal with the threats that we face,” she said. Earlier this week, President Trump said he had an “absolute right” to share information with Russia that may pertain to “terrorism and airline flight safety.”

Procter and Gamble’s Patrice Louvet has been named the chief executive of Ralph Lauren, effective July 17, according to Reuters. In February, CEO Stefan Larsson stepped down from the position following differences over “the direction in which to take the company’s product.” Louvet has served as the group president of P&G’s global beauty unit, overseeing brands including Olay and Pantene. "Finding the right partner to work with me to take us forward in our evolution has been my primary focus over the last several months and I am thrilled that Patrice is joining our talented team," executive chairman Ralph Lauren said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English say they will move ahead with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, regardless of whether the US stays involved, Reuters reported. "As the flagbearers of free trade, we will maintain close cooperation and aim at early realization of TPP," Abe said in a joint news conference with English. However, the rules of the TPP will need to be changed in order for it to be enacted without participation from the US. It will need to exclude a rule that requires ratification by a minimum of six countries that account for 85 percent of the combined gross domestic product of its original 12 members.

Singer Katy Perry has been named the first judge on the reboot of “American Idol,” according to Reuters. The musical reality show, which was originally on FOX, will debut on ABC in 2018. "I'm always listening to new music, and love discovering diamonds in the rough - from mentoring young artists on my label, or highlighting new artists on my tours, I want to bring it back to the music," said Perry. No other judges have been named, but former judge Simon Cowell has stated he will not return.

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This morning, President Trump tweeted that he “wanted” to share “facts pertaining to terrorism” with Russia, Reuters reported. Trump appeared to be reacting to news reports which broke late Monday, in which two U.S. officials claimed that the president disclosed classified information to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in an Oval Office meeting last week. The intel had been apparently supplied by a US ally who is helping in the fight against ISIS. It pertained to the use of laptops on airplanes to carry out terror attacks, according to the Washington Post. Reuters and the New York Times both confirmed the story. After it was released, national security adviser H.R. McMaster, Rex Tillerson, and Dina Powell claimed that it was false. "At no time were intelligence sources or methods discussed,” McMaster said. Russia’s foreign ministry echoed their claims.

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo says that North Korea’s missile program is advancing “faster than expected,” according to Reuters. The North is reportedly working on developing a missile with a nuclear warhead that is capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. On Sunday, it launched another test, which was “successful in flight,” according to the defense minister. "It is considered an IRBM (intermediate range ballistic missile) of enhanced caliber compared to Musudan missiles that have continually failed," Han said. According to KCNA, the missile flew 489 miles.

One cybersecurity expert is pointing to links between North Korea and the WannaCry ransomware attack, Reuters reported. According to Simon Choi, a senior researcher with Hauri Labs, some of the code in an early version of the WannaCry software has been seen in programs used by the Lazarus Group, which is thought to be a North Korean-run operation. "It is similar to North Korea's backdoor malicious codes," said Choi. Antivirus leaders Symantec and Kaspersky believe it is too soon to tell if North Korea was involved in the WannaCry attack based on current evidence.

The “sea monster” that washed up on the coast of Indonesia’s Seram Island has been identified as a baleen whale, according to Live Science. The animal, which is nearly 50 feet long, was initially spotted by a local man days ago. It was so decomposed that it was difficult to identify. Alexander Werth, a whale biologist at Hampden-Sydney College, said there were two ways he could tell it was a whale – its “throat pleats” and its upper jaw. "There is lots of stuff in the ocean that we don't know about — but there's nothing that big (that remains unknown),” Werth said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to win reelection, Reuters reported. The 68-year-old is running for a second term, and voters will head to the polls on Friday. The 2015 deal, spearheaded by Rouhani, to reduce Iran's nuclear program in exchange for a lightening of sanctions against the country, has proven divisive with voters and has been seized on by the opposition. The top challenger to Rouhani is 56-year-old Ebrahim Raisi, who has promised a revival of the values of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A South Carolina coroner has confirmed that 16-year-old Davis Allen Cripe died last month due to an overdose of caffeine, according to NBC News. Cripe had consumed coffee, an energy drink, and soda within a two-hour span. "It was so much caffeine at the time of his death that it caused his arrhythmia,” said Richland County coroner Gary Watts. "These drinks can be very dangerous. I'm telling my friends and family don't drink them." He went on to say that Cripe did not have any unknown heart conditions that could have contributed to his death.

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger says that hackers have obtained access to an upcoming Disney film and threatened to release it before it debuts, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The thieves have reportedly demanded a ransom payment in the form of bitcoin, and they may begin releasing the movie in chunks if it is not paid. Iger confirmed the news in a town hall meeting with his employees, according to sources. The movie thought to be held for ransom is “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” Federal investigators are working with Disney on the matter.

The revolt led by Ivory Coast’s mutinous military has come to an end, Reuters reported. Two spokespeople for the soldiers have accepted a government proposal on bonus payments, which previously sparked the mutiny. Ivory Coast’s defense minister has not disclosed the details of the agreement. One of the spokespeople for the military claimed that some of the soldiers had already received their bonus payments.

A new study suggests that alcohol does not cause people to exhibit obvious personality changes, according to Newsweek. Researchers looked at a group of 150 participants who consumed alcohol in order to draw their conclusions. They found that although some participants felt themselves being less neurotic or anxious, these changes were not immediately obvious to observers. “Participants felt like they were really affected by alcohol, whereas observers didn’t perceive such drastic changes,” said clinical psychologist Rachel Winograd, who led the research. “What we think about ourselves may not always be what other people see, for better or worse.”

Four men have pleaded guilty to hazing Baruch College freshman Chun “Michael” Deng, who eventually died from his injuries, CNN reported. Kenny Kwan, Charles Lai, Raymond Lam, and Sheldon Wong pleaded guilty to charges including voluntary manslaughter. Originally, they had been charged with murder. "It's a long time coming. We've had this case now for almost three full years," said Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Metzger. Deng was left unconscious after a ritual in the Poconos in 2013, and his fraternity brothers did not immediately contact the authorities.

Syria denies that it created a crematorium next to the Sednaya military prison, which has reportedly executed up to 13,000 people over the past four years, according to Reuters. The foreign ministry claims that the U.S. has developed "a new Hollywood story detached from reality" with its claim about the crematorium. On Monday, acting US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones presented aerial images of the area, seemingly depicting the structure near the prison.

A judge has paved the way for a copyright infringement suit against late night host Conan O'Brien to move forward, Fox News reported. O’Brien is accused of stealing jokes from Robert Alexander Kaseberg. He says that O’Brien stole his jokes “almost verbatim” after he posted them online and used them on the “Conan” show. "The laughter stopped in late 2014 and early 2015, at least for a spell, when (Kaseberg) began to notice similarities between his posts and several of the jokes used in the late-night television show Conan's monologues," said U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino, who chose not to toss the lawsuit.

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President Trump discussed the firing of FBI director James Comey with Lester Holt last night on NBC News, according to CNN. It was the first sit-down interview the president had done since he fired FBI director James Comey. On Tuesday, the White House had said that President Trump relieved Comey of his duties at the recommendation of the deputy attorney general following his investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server. In his interview with Holt, the president said it was his decision, and there was “no good time” to let go of Comey. The New York Times reported that in a private dinner, President Trump had “demanded loyalty” from Comey, and he would not concede.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a memo to federal prosecutors, asking them to "charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense,” NPR reported. Under the Obama administration, AG Eric Holder had asked prosecutors not to designate crimes to nonviolent drug offenders. "This policy affirms our responsibility to enforce the law, is moral and just, and produces consistency. This policy fully utilizes the tools Congress has given us," Sessions wrote in the memo. "By definition, the most serious offenses are those that carry the most substantial guidelines sentence, including mandatory minimum sentences."

Police and author JK Rowling are seeking an 800-word handwritten prequel to the Harry Potter series, which was stolen in April, NPR reported. "The only people who will buy this unique piece are true Harry Potter fans," said West Midlands Police in a statement. "We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police." Originally, the piece had sold for $32,000 at a 2008 auction. Thieves who broke into a home in a Birmingham suburb in the UK made off with the prequel, along with other valuables.

Nicole Kushner Meyer, Jared Kushner’s sister, will not hold a previously scheduled meeting in China this weekend, according to NPR. She was slated to deliver a presentation to Chinese investors, involving an opportunity to potentially earn an EB-5 visa, a program that offers investors a path to permanent residence. However, Meyer was criticized last week when she mentioned her brother Jared, and his direct connection to President Trump in a previous meeting with investors, posing a conflict of interest.

Department of Homeland Security officials met on Thursday to consider expanding the electronics ban on airplanes to Europe, NPR reported. However, they did not announce any changes to policy after their discussion. Currently, passengers must check large electronic items, such as laptops, if they are traveling from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. "No decisions have been made on expanding the restriction on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins; however, it is under consideration," the agency said in a statement. "DHS continues to evaluate the threat environment and will make changes when necessary to keep air travelers safe."

On Twitter, President Trump suggested that the White House is prepared to counter any claims made by former FBI director James Comey, should he decide to discuss his firing, Reuters reported. "James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!" President Trump tweeted. It is unclear if any tapes actually exist. Thus far, Comey has not publicly discussed his firing or engagements with President Trump.

Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin foreign policy aide, says Russia is considering retaliating against the U.S. for the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats deemed spies, Reuters reported. "We are waiting for the return of Russian diplomatic property illegally impounded before the New Year by the previous U.S. authorities," Ushakov said. "We decided not to respond immediately to this escapade, but no one has yet abolished the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy ... Our patience is not without limits.” Former President Obama ordered the expulsion of the diplomats last December for their alleged involvement in the presidential election.

North Korea has sent a letter of protest to the U.S. House of Representatives. In the letter, the country said the House should “think twice” before issuing more sanctions, according to Reuters. This month, the House approved legislation to tighten sanctions targeting the North’s shipping industry. "As the U.S. House of Representatives enacts more and more of these reckless hostile laws, the DPRK's efforts to strengthen nuclear deterrents will gather greater pace, beyond anyone's imagination," said the Foreign Affairs Committee of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly.

A school of great white sharks was seen swimming near the coastline of Capistrano Beach in Orange County, California on Wednesday, OC Register reported. Beachgoers were advised to “exit the water in a calm manner” by lifeguards as soon as they were spotted. A video shot from a helicopter over the water has since gone viral. “We haven’t had any reports of anyone being bumped or charged, just observations of them either swimming or breaching,” said OC Lifeguards Chief Jason Young.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is looking forward to a “new beginning” in his country’s relationship with the U.S., ahead of his visit to Washington next week, Reuters reported. His remarks come after President Trump authorized the arming of Kurdish fighters; Turks consider some groups of Kurds fighting in Syria as terrorists. "The United States is still going through a transition period. And we have to be more careful and sensitive," he said. "Right now there are certain moves in the United States coming from the past, such as the weapons assistance to the YPG. These are developments that are in contradiction to our strategic relations with the United States and of course we don't want this to happen.”

Simon Cowell, one of the original judges on “American Idol,” will not be returning to the show when it debuts on ABC. Earlier this week, the network announced that it would be bringing the series back in 2017-18. However, the 57-year-old who has since moved on to “America’s Got Talent” says he will not be a part of the revival. "Randy [Jackson], Ryan [Seacrest] and Paula [Abdul]. You can’t recreate that,” Cowell said. It is unclear if Ryan Seacrest, the original host of the show, will be returning.

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In the days prior to his firing, former FBI director James Comey reportedly asked for more prosecutors and personnel to help with the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, according to The New York Times. It is unclear what happened after Comey made the request, or if it played a role in his firing. A Department of Justice spokesperson contradicts these claims.

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn has been subpoenaed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, NPR reported. “The subpoena requests documents relevant to the Committee's investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 elections,” said Sens. Richard Burr and Mark Warner. Flynn’s attorneys have previously stated that he will not testify about any Trump campaign association with Russia unless he is granted immunity.

A study from the Natural Resources Defense Council suggests that almost all of the tap water available on Puerto Rico violates federal safety standards, according to NPR. More than 2.4 million Puerto Ricans rely on tap water, which may contain harmful bacteria. The study claims that none of the municipal water systems on the island test for lead contamination. The NRDC is calling for federal and local authorities to invest in the water infrastructure.

A study claims that annually, about 12,500 kids under 18 are treated in the ER for ear injuries stemming from cotton swabs, CNN reported. On average, this breaks down to 34 visits per day. To draw their conclusions, researchers looked at a collection of hospital visits between 1990 and 2010. "This is not like brushing your teeth every day. Children and adults do not need to clean out the ear canal of wax as part of a routine hygiene practice," said Dr. Kris Jatana, lead author of the study.

Police officers were on hand as workers removed a statue of Jefferson Davis in New Orleans on Thursday, NPR reported. As the city continued to take down monuments representative of the Confederacy, security was in place to control protesters. “To literally put the Confederacy on a pedestal in some of our most prominent public places is not only an inaccurate reflection of our past, it is an affront to our present, and a bad prescription for our future,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu in a statement.

A poll shows that unemployed Americans were more likely to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton than Republican Donald Trump in last year’s election, according to USA Today. In the poll from Express Employment Professionals, 35 percent said they voted for Clinton, while 25 percent voted for Trump. However, their views on the current administration are mixed – 39 percent believe that the administration could have a “positive impact” on creating jobs, and 58 percent believe that it would be easier to find a job if there were less illegal immigration. “Despite the political commentary, political opinion is not as black and white—or red and blue—as we are often led to believe,” said Bob Funk of Express Employee Professionals.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said the U.S. intends to “work out” any concerns with Turkey surrounding the country’s decision to arm Kurdish fighters, Reuters reported. Earlier this week, President Trump approved a plan to arm Syrian Kurds in an attempt to help them retake the city of Raqqa from ISIS. Turkey has opposed the move and still hopes that the decision will be reversed. "The secretary reiterated U.S. commitment to protecting our NATO ally," said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White, after Mattis met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is looking for another $900 million to help with the Somali crisis, Reuters reported. There are more than six million people in need of humanitarian aid in the country, and an excess of 275,000 children are on the verge of starvation. Guterres said that the ongoing drought in the region has been the most pressing concern. Terrorists continue to launch deadly attacks in Somalia, despite progress made by the country's military.

Michael Parks, known for his roles in “Twin Peaks” and “Then Came Bronson,” has passed away at the age of 77, according to NPR. Over his career, he accumulated more than 100 credits for his roles in television and film. In 1969, he played Jim Bronson in “Then Came Bronson,” a television action drama on NBC. He went on to appear as a regular in 'Twin Peaks,' and featured in films including Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' series and 'Django Unchained', as well as 'Tusk' and 'Red State' from Kevin Smith. No cause of death was immediately announced.

North Korea continues to insist that the U.S. and South Korea developed an assassination plot against Kim Jong-un, and it is now asking for “terror suspects” to be handed over, Reuters reported. "The Central Prosecutor's Office will ask for the handover of those criminals and prosecute them under the relevant laws," said North Korean vice foreign minister Han Song Ryol. Last week, the North accused the CIA and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service of planning to use a biochemical weapon to exterminate Kim. It is unclear how many “suspects” are being sought by North Korean officials.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that Germany will wait on sending more troops to Afghanistan, according to Business Insider. This comes after NATO and the US committed to sending additional troops over to pressure the Taliban into negotiations with the Afghan government. "I don't think we're first in line to expand our capacities there,” said Merkel on Thursday. “It's more important to ensure that ... stability is guaranteed in the north.”

Microsoft has issued a patch to combat a newly discovered Windows operating flaw, Zdnet reported. Known as CVE-2017-0290, the flaw was discovered by vulnerability hunter Tavis Ormandy and publicized on Twitter. Ormandy called it a “crazy bad” bug that may be “one of the worst” Windows remote execution flaws in recent memory.” The flaw could allow cyber hackers to remotely access and hijack an entire operating system.

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President Trump fired FBI director James Comey late Tuesday, citing his probe into Hillary Clinton’s private email server as the primary reason, NPR reported. “President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions," said White House press secretary Sean Spicer. Democrats are questioning the timing of the move, as Comey was overseeing an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. "If the administration had objections to the way Director Comey handled the Clinton investigation, they had those objections the minute the president got into office,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “But they didn't fire him then. Why did it happen today?"

More than 1,600 people have been evicted from migrant camps in France, NPR reported. About 350 officers moved people out of tents, some of which had served as housing for months. "The government will take us into houses,” said one migrant. “I don't know where but it's fine.” Paris police said that the camps, located at the Porte de la Chapelle, had posed “major risks for the security and health of their occupants as well as for local residents.”

Nucleus CEO Jonathan Frankel claims that Amazon “copied” his company’s touchscreen-enabled intercom system with the development of the Echo Show, CNET reported. Amazon’s new Alexa-equipped product debuted yesterday for $230. Nucleus’ similar product, which can be used with Alexa, costs $249 and came out last August. "They probably copied us," Frankel said. "When they had the opportunity to extend their tentacles into millions of homes, they had to do it, even if it means throwing us under the bus, even if it means putting their whole ecosystem at risk and letting people know that they're not necessarily a trusted partner." An Amazon spokesperson has denied that the Echo Show was inspired by Nucleus, adding that the company always planned to make Alexa a visual product.

President Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this morning for a previously scheduled engagement, CNN reported. The diplomat also met with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson while visiting Washington D.C. to discuss Ukraine and Syria, and briefly joked about Comey's dismissal. The talk between Trump and Lavrov took place less than one day after the president dismissed FBI director James Comey, who was looking into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

A new study suggests that saturated fats, such as those found in dairy products, do not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, USA Today. A group of international researchers looked at 29 studies to draw their conclusions. They found that products, such as full-fat yogurt and cheese, do not increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. “There’s been a lot of publicity over the last five to 10 years about how saturated fats increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and a belief has grown up that they must increase the risk, but they don’t,” said researcher Ian Givens.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has officially dropped his bid for re-election amid a sexual assault scandal, Reuters. Murray has been accused of sexually abusing four men as teenagers. "The mayor's race must be focused on... issues, not on a scandal, which it would be focused on if I were to remain in this race," he said. Murray has denied the claims against him. A primary election for mayor will be held in the city on August 1.

ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman’s wife of 33 years, Kathy Berman, died in a car crash on Tuesday, ABC News reported. The driver of the other car involved in the accident, an 87-year-old man, also died in the incident. Berman, who joined ESPN in 1979, left his position as the host of Sunday NFL Countdown back in January. However, he remains under contract with the network. “We know how much his family means to him and all we can do at a moment like this is give him the love and support he will surely need at this hour,” said ESPN president John Skipper.

Widespread protest has broken out over Bethune-Cookman University’s choice of commencement speaker, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, NPR reported. Petitions have garnered more than 50,000 signatures, and many have spoken out on social media over the school’s choice. "This is a person who's planning to privatize our schools,” said Rachel Gilmer of the Dream Defenders, a youth organization against DeVos. “They're planning to gut many of the steps taken to protect student borrowers by Obama ... she has made it clear in her words and her actions that she doesn't care about the futures of black people." Bethune-Cookman's president defended the selection, saying DeVos seeks to 'empower parents and students.'"

A video of a fight that erupted on a Southwest Airlines plane over the weekend has gone viral, CBS News. The brawl broke out after the flight landed at Hollywood Burbank Airport. Two men began throwing punches, and one was eventually arrested for assault and battery. It is still unclear why the fight began. "Everyone was de-planing then all heck broke loose," said Michael Krause, who filmed the footage. The incident is one of many as of late that has demonstrated hostility plaguing the airline industry.

Pope Francis will canonize Francisco and Jacinta Marto this weekend when he makes his first pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal, The Washington Post reported. The location is where the Martos reportedly saw visions of the Virgin Mary nearly 100 years ago, along with their cousin, Lucia dos Santos. She may also eventually be canonized, but efforts to beatify her could not begin until she passed away in 2005. “At Fatima, the pope could make an appeal to humanity that ‘If you don’t change your criteria, be it political or economic, the world will suffer,’” said Monsignor Carlos Azevedo, who has documented the Fatima legend.

Researchers have unearthed “the most complete” ever fossil of an ankylosaur in Montana, Phys.org. The dinosaur, which roamed the earth about 75 million years ago, weighed nearly 5,500 pounds and was 20 feet long. The researchers found the remains while digging up another skeleton nearby. The fossil had an abundance of soft tissue, which likely helped preserve it over time. In their study, the scientists stated that the remains will play a critical role in helping them understand the evolution of dermal and epidermal structures of the species.

Rapper Lil Bow Wow is facing scrutiny on social media after “faking” a ride he supposedly took on a private jet, Cosmo reported. The musician posted an image of a private plane on Instagram, claiming he was using it for a press run. However, a Snapchat user made a post shortly afterward, seemingly depicting the rapper in an economy class seat on a standard flight. The post has since gone viral, and Bow Wow has not publicly commented on the accusations.

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In her Senate hearing yesterday, former acting attorney general Sally Yates said she warned the White House of national security adviser Michael Flynn’s connections to Russia, The New York Times reported. “We wanted to tell the White House as quickly as possible,” she said. “To state the obvious: You don’t want your national security adviser compromised with the Russians.” After Yates reportedly informed the incoming Trump administration about Flynn, he stayed in his position for another 18 days before being relieved. “I don’t have any way of knowing what, if anything, they did,” Yates continued. “If nothing was done, then certainly that would be concerning.”

Moon Jae-in appears likely to be named South Korea's next president, according to exit polls following Tuesday’s vote, The Washington Post reported. Moon would take over for Park Geun-hye, who was impeached earlier this year. Exit polls showed that he had 41.4 percent of the vote shortly after voting concluded. Conservative candidate Jong Joon-pyo had 23.3 percent, while centrist Ahn Cheol-soo received 21.8 percent of the vote. “I felt the people’s earnest desire for government change to create a country worthy of being called a nation,” Moon said, after casting his own ballot.

A new study suggests that humans may have coexisted alongside a human-like species that was thought to be extinct in Africa nearly 300,000 years ago, Reuters reported. Homo naledi remains now indicate that they were roaming the continent around the same time modern humans were emerging. "No one thought that a small-brained, primitive hominin could extend down through time this long and that period is exactly the moment when we thought modern humans were arising here in Africa," said Lee Berger, lead researcher. "Now that we know that modern humans or at least the earliest forms of them were not alone during this expansion of the tool kit, it makes us now have to get better and better evidence to say who made what.”

A recent update from the UN estimates that at least 245 migrants have died in shipwrecks over the past 24 hours in the Mediterranean Sea, The New York Times reported. “As stressed by High Commissioner Grandi on Sunday, rescue at sea operations, including by the Italian Coast Guard, in coordination with Frontex, and by NGOs are of crucial importance,” the UN Refugee Agency said. So far this year, more than 1,300 people have died or disappeared while attempting to cross the sea to Italy.

ABC has announced that it is bringing “American Idol” back on its network, It will be the 16th season for the reality music competition program, which ended with a “farewell season” on its original network, FOX, Variety reported. “America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever ‘Idol,’” said Disney/ABC TV Group president Ben Sherwood. Judges and hosts for the show have yet to be confirmed. Insiders claim that it could debut as early as March 2018.

According to the US-based SITE monitoring website, ISIS has beheaded a Russian intelligence officer who was captured in Syria, according to Reuters. In a 12-minute video, a man wearing a black jumpsuit can be seen kneeling in the desert, urging Russian agents “to surrender.” A narrator in the footage can be heard saying, "This idiot believed the promises of his state not to abandon him if he was captured.” Russian senator Vikor Ozerov says there will be “hell to pay” if the recording is verified as authentic. The supposed intelligence officer in the video could not be identified.

Matt Furie, who created Pepe the Frog, has depicted the character's “death” in his latest cartoon strip, according to The New York Times. He hopes to “symbolically close the book” on the character, which has become associated with white supremacist movements on the internet. This is despite the fact that Furie has insisted that Pepe was meant to be a positive character. Oren Segal, director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, says he “appreciated” Furie’s attempt to maintain control over the character. However, he had “mixed feelings” about seeing Pepe in a coffin.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in the “Serial Street Shooter” case in Arizona. Aaron Saucedo, who has been in custody since April 19, is suspected of shooting nine people around Phoenix, according to The New York Times. He is now facing 26 felony counts, including homicide charges. “This case plagued our community for more than a year, as the mayor mentioned to you, and left behind a trail of victims that included mothers, sons, brothers, sisters and families still mourning the loss of their loved ones,” said police chief Jeri L. Williams. Officers received more than 3,000 tips leading to Saucedo’s arrest.

Amazon has debuted the Echo Snow, an IoT device that can respond to voice commands and make video calls with its screen, Tech Crunch reported. The product will cost $229.99 when it hits the market on June 28, and Amazon is taking preorders now. Initially, it will only be available in the U.S. Like other Echo devices, the Snow can play media, and it comes with Dolby-powered speakers and eight microphones.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta's governor, has been sentenced to two years in jail for blasphemy, Reuters reported. His sentence was considered “harsher-than-expected,” and he has said that he intends to appeal. The governor had accused political rivals of deceiving the public by using a Koran verse to indicate Muslims should not be led by a non-Muslim. After a video of his comments went viral, he was eventually brought to trial. "They sentenced him because they were pressured by the masses. That is unfair," said Purnama supporter Andreas Budi.

Wikipedia has appealed to Turkey’s constitutional court after being banned by the country’s telecommunications watchdog about two weeks ago, Reuters reported. On Friday, a Turkish court rejected an appeal by Wikipedia’s owner, the Wikimedia Foundation, claiming that freedom of speech may be limited in cases where there is “a necessity for regulation.” Turkish officials claim that Wikipedia is attempting to run a “smear campaign” against the country as a whole.

John Ausonius, known as “Laserman” for his gunsight, has been indicted by German prosecutors in the murder of a woman 25 years ago, Fox News reported. Ausonius is already sentenced to life in prison for one murder and nine attempted murders during the 1990s. Now he is suspected of killing Blanka Zmigrod, 68, back in 1992. The murder case was reopened in 2014 as a part of an effort by Germany to reexamine far-right killings. Ausonius will be extradited to Germany in December.

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates is scheduled to testify today on what she told the Trump administration about Michael Flynn’s links to Russia, CNN reported. She is expected tell a Senate subcommittee that she warned the White House that Flynn was not being entirely truthful about his association with Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. White House press secretary Sean Spicer and chief of staff Reince Priebus have previously said that the administration looked into Yates’ information at the time and “found nothing.”

The president’s travel ban on six majority-Muslim countries is now going to the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals, according to a CNN report. The judges have already decided that the case should be heard “en banc,” or by the full court. Ten out of the 15 judges are either Clinton or Obama appointees, and at least one of the “reliably conservative” votes is off the table, according to CNN. This means that a relatively “left-leaning court” may decide the outcome of the case. If the Justice Department were to prevail in the 4th Circuit, the case would go back to the district court judge for further litigation.

On Monday, a series of advertisements from Facebook were published in newspapers across Britain to help users spot “fake news” on the social platform, according to The New York Times. Ahead of general elections next month, Facebook has adjusted its algorithm to reduce the amount of false information circulating on the website. "People want to see accurate information on Facebook and so do we," said Simon Milner, Facebook's UK director of policy. "To help people spot false news we are showing tips to everyone on Facebook on how to identify if something they see is false."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a new bill into law that bans “sanctuary cities,” or jurisdictions that limit the collection of information pertaining to individuals’ immigration statuses, according to The New York Times. “Texas strongly supports the legal immigration that has been a part of our state from our very beginning,” Abbott said while signing the bill. “But legal immigration is different from harboring people who have committed dangerous crimes.” The governor went on to say that the goal of the bill is to “ensure the safety” of Texans.

The Meadows Music and Arts Festival is returning to New York City for a second year in September, Pitchfork reported. Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gorillaz will be headlining this year’s event, which will take place between September 15 and 17, and will stream on Tidal. The festival also marks M.I.A’s return to U.S. touring since being faced with visa troubles. Other performers include Broken Social Scene, Foster the People, Big Boi, and Future. Last year, headliner Kanye West notably cut his performance short due to a family emergency.

Palestinians claim that new video footage showing hunger strike leader Marwan Barghouti eating snacks in prison is fake, The New York Times reported. Israeli prison officials released video of Barghouti eating, despite being a part of a widespread Palestinian hunger strike, back in April. “Barghouti is a murderer and hypocrite who urged his fellow prisoners to strike and suffer while he ate behind their back,” said Israel public security minister Gilad Erdan. “Israel will not give in to extortion and pressure from terrorists.”

Global banks intend to move approximately 9,000 jobs away from the UK as a result of Brexit, according to Reuters. Standard Chartered and JPMorgan have already shared their plans to adjust their European operations accordingly after Britain leaves the EU. "It's full speed ahead. We are in full motion with our contingency planning," said the head of investment banking at one global bank in London. "There's no waiting." The moves represent about two percent of the city’s finance jobs. However, Britain’s tax revenues could dip if wealthy taxpayers in financial services leave the country.

The X-37B space plane officially touched down at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, Space reported. It had spent 718 days in space, and it is one of two X-37B space plane vehicles owned by the Air Force. The majority of its activities are classified by the government. "The hard work of the X-37B OTV team and the 45th Space Wing successfully demonstrated the flexibility and resolve necessary to continue the nation's advancement in space," said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.

On Monday, Warren Buffett spoke out about the United airlines incident involving Dr. David Dao, calling it a “terrible mistake,” according to Reuters News. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is the largest investor in United’s parent company, United Continental Holdings, Inc. "Obviously it was a terrible mistake," Buffett said. “[Munoz has since] apologized many times, but your first reaction is going to get a lot of attention." He went on to acknowledge that flying has become “less comfortable” overall for passengers, especially on fuller flights.

The breakout Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” has been renewed for a second season, CNN reported. Selena Gomez, who is an executive producer for the show, confirmed the news on Instagram on Sunday night with a post that read, “Their story isn’t over. Season 2 of #13ReasonsWhy is coming.” The book that the series is based on does not have a sequel. However, co-showrunner Brian Yorkey says “there was more left to tell” after season 1.

At least five members of a scientific review board have been released by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to The New York Times. “The administrator (Scott Pruitt) believes we should have people on this board who understand the impact of regulations on the regulated community,” said spokesman J.P. Freire. About six weeks ago, the House passed a bill to alter the composition of another EPA review board to “include more representation from the corporate world.”

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Today, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency accused the CIA and South Korea’s intelligence agency of attempting to assassinate Kim Jong-un, according to The Washington Post. “[The] hotbed of evils in the world, hatched a vicious plot to hurt the supreme leadership of the DPRK,” the source reported. Specifically, North Korea is accusing the U.S. and South Korea of attempting to kill Kim with a biochemical substance. "The current situation on the peninsula is complex and sensitive, and the parties concerned should exercise restraint, in particular to avoid taking actions that stimulate others and to prevent a further escalation of the situation on the peninsula," said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

A video of a family being questioned on a Delta flight has gone viral, the BBC reported. One crew member told Brian Schear that one of his sons “owned” the seat he was in, meaning his toddler brother could not sit in it instead. Another crew member can be heard saying, "This is a federal offense and then you and your wife will be in jail and your kids will be in foster care.” The crew was convinced that under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the toddler should sit in the adult’s lap, which goes against Delta’s own guidelines. Schear eventually relented and agreed to hold his child, and Delta has since apologized for the incident.

The Department of Justice is investigating Uber for its use of Greyball, software that allowed it to operate in regions where it was banned, according to The New York Times. Its legality has been questioned, as it essentially allows Uber to deploy a “fake version” of its app to evade regulators in areas where the ride hailing service is prohibited. The federal inquiry into Uber’s use of Greyball was disclosed in an audit conducted by the city of Portland, Oregon. It came to light on Thursday that the inquiry was a part of a criminal investigation.

New research suggests that noise pollution is posing a threat to wildlife in protected areas, Phys.org reported. In a study conducted by scientists from Colorado State University and the U.S. National Park Service, data found that noise pollution was twice as high as background sound levels in a majority of protected areas across the country. "The noise levels we found can be harmful to visitor experiences in these areas, and can be harmful to human health, and to wildlife," said Rachel Buxton, lead author of the study.

“Several people” were killed on Friday when Pakistani and Afghan troops began fighting near the border town of Chaman, Reuters reported. A total of 18 people were wounded, according to local officials. "Afghan border police opens fire on Frontier Corps detailed for security of population census team," said the Pakistan military's media wing. "Exchange of fire continues. Chaman crossing closed." Zia Durani, a police spokesman for Afghanistan's Kandahar province, alleges that Pakistani officials claimed to be conducting a census, but it was a cover for “malicious activities and to provoke villagers against the government.”

HBO is reportedly working with four ideas from different writers to create spinoffs of “Game of Thrones,” Entertainment Weekly reported. The show ideas are coming from Max Borenstein (“Kong: Skull Island”); Jane Goldman (“X-Men: First Class”); Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential”); and Carly Wray (“Mad Men”). Author George R.R. Martin is also playing a role in the process. Thus far, the only comments HBO has made on the matter indicate that the shows will “explore different time periods of George R.R. Martin’s vast and rich universe.”

A U.S. service member has been killed in Somalia in a mission against al-Shabaab. "U.S. forces were conducting an advise and assist mission alongside members of the Somali National Army," said U.S. African Command, Reuters reported. "U.S. forces are assisting partner forces to counter al-Shabaab in Somalia to degrade the al Qaeda affiliate's ability to recruit, train and plot external terror attacks throughout the region and in America." In the incident, two other U.S. servicemen were also wounded.

Approximately 211,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPR reported. The national unemployment rate was at 4.4 percent, and the number of unemployed people across the country hovered around 7.1 million. The bureau said these numbers only saw “incremental changes” in April. "The labor force participation rate, at 62.9 percent, changed little in April and has shown little movement over the past year," the bureau added.

NASA is seeking coders to help it speed up its FUN3D design software, according to Engadget. The goal is to help it run from 10 to 10,000 times faster on the Pleiades supercomputer without decreasing its accuracy. “This is the ultimate ‘geek’ dream assignment,” said Doug Rohn, director of NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program. “Helping NASA speed up its software to help advance our aviation research is a win-win for all.” Interested participants can submit their code for consideration until June 29.

Four men who were convicted of gang rape in New Delhi will be put to death, NPR reported. This comes after India’s Supreme Court decided to reject their appeals for "the brutal, barbaric and diabolic nature of the crime.” In the 2012 incident, a 23-year-old woman was attacked and gang raped on a bus, and she later died. The four men were sentenced to death in September 2013. Another man implicated in the crime was found dead in his cell, and a juvenile accused of the crime received a maximum three-year sentence.

YouTube will soon roll out about a handful of original series for free. Kevin Hart, Ellen DeGeneres and Rhett and Link are producing the unscripted series, which will debut later this year, according to Bloomberg. Google, which owns YouTube, also intends to increase its spending on YouTube Red, the paid video and music streaming service. “We’re working with YouTube stars and big celebrities that we know have global appeal, advertiser appeal and are largely established on the platform,” said Susanne Daniels, YouTube’s head of original content.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says that English is “losing importance” in Europe, Reuters reported. He made the statements upon announcing that he would not give an upcoming speech in English because is becoming less significant as a result of Brexit. Juncker himself speaks several European languages fluently. “This is not a question of 'punishment,’” he said. “These negative consequences simply follow logically from the choice made by the British people."

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The House is expected to vote today on the new American Health Care Act, which revises and eliminates several provisions from the Affordable Care Act, NBC News reported. Late Wednesday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy had said that the GOP had the votes to pass the bill. “I feel great about the count,” he said. Other leaders such as Rep. Tom MacArthur acknowledged that the bill was flawed. "It's not a perfect bill — nobody says it is — but directionally it's going in the right place. In response to criticisms, the American Health Care Act includes $8 billion over five years to help those with pre-existing conditions pay for care, and states would be able to opt out of the requirement that says insurers have to cover certain benefits.

Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron spoke over each other frequently during a televised debate on Wednesday, which lasted two-and-a-half hours, according to Reuters News. The two presidential candidates discussed topics including the euro and how to fight terrorism. At one point, Macron called Le Pen a “parasite” and “liar,” and Le Pen countered by calling him a “smirking banker.” After the debate, a snap opinion poll found that 63 percent of viewers thought Macron was more “convincing” than Le Pen.

New research suggests that saliva may be able to help identify the seriousness of concussions in children, NPR News reported. In an experiment, the genetic material in saliva was able to help experts identify the severity of concussions in children whose symptoms lasted for more than a month with 90 percent accuracy. “A pediatrician could collect saliva with a swab, send it off to the lab and then be able to call the family the next day,” said Steven Hicks, who helped develop the test. In approximately 25 percent of instances, children experience the symptoms of concussions for up to four months.

China now says that it wants “good neighborly relations” with North Korea, according to Reuters. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, “China's position on developing friendly, good-neighborly relations with North Korea is also consistent and clear.” Earlier this week, the Korean Central News Agency stated, “China should no longer try to test the limits of the DPRK's patience…..(and) had better ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless act of chopping down the pillar of the DPRK-China relations.” This comes as the U.S. continues to urge China to “rein in” North Korea.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will no longer make public appearances beginning this autumn, Fox News reported. “He may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time,” the palace announced. Officials said he has the “full support of The Queen." The prince, who is 95, is a member of more than 780 organizations. He will continue to be affiliated with them, despite not playing an active role in engagements.

A phishing scheme hit the internet on Wednesday, targeting Google users through the company's Documents platform, according to CNN. In the attack, hackers sent targets an email asking them to open a Google Doc from one of their contacts, using their Gmail account. Sources vary on how many people were affected by the scam, but threat intelligence firm Talos said that at its peak, 150 scam messages were being sent per minute. A Google spokesperson told CNN that only 0.1 percent of Gmail users were going to be affected.

Eleven people have been charged in connection with the death of 71 migrants who were found in a truck in Austria in August 2015, according to Reuters News. Four of the individuals are charged with murder, and prosecutors asked for them to receive life sentences. The rest of the individuals are expected to receive fixed-term prison sentences and expulsion. Four men reportedly transported the migrants directly in the human smuggling incident. The other people involved in the situation were thought to be responsible for sustaining the smuggling network.

Google will pay $334 million in a settlement with Italy over taxes, Reuters reported. Between 2009 and 2013, Italian police claimed that Google did not pay taxes on approximately 1 billion euros of revenue in the country. "In addition to the taxes already paid in Italy during those years, Google will pay another 306 million euros," a Google spokesperson said. The settlement will cover lost revenue between 2002 and 2015.

The New York Police Department has completed its investigation into the death of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam, and they now believe it was “likely” a suicide, according to NPR News. Although it was originally thought to be a suicide, investigators tracked down leads to confirm their suspicions. Abdus-Salaam’s family claimed that the judge would not have taken her own life. Now that investigators have found no signs of foul play in their leads, they believe she likely took her own life. Evidence has been turned over to the city’s medical examiner for a final determination.

On Tuesday night, a fan was ejected from a Boston Red Sox game and banned from Fenway Park for life for using a racial slur against a Kenyan woman, NPR News reported. This was the same game in which Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones reported that fans had made inappropriate racial remarks against him. "To the Sox's credit, they took the incident seriously," said Calvin Hennick, who reported the individual for using racist language against the Kenyan woman. "When we see this sort of thing, we must fight back," Hennick wrote on Twitter. "Our opponent lacks a spine. There is no way for us not to win."

Russia, Iran and Turkey have signed a deal to create “de-escalation zones” in Syria, according to Fox News. According to the agreement, four zones will be established in northern, central and southern Syria with the goal of reducing violence. However, it is unclear how this goal will be reached. The opposition is protesting Iran's involvement, claiming that their actions have deepened the conflict. Syrian peace talks will be held by the countries in July, according to the Kazakh Foreign Minister.

Facebook has officially launched Express Wi-Fi in India, and it has partnered with Bharti Airtel to deploy 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, Tech Crunch reported. The goal of Express Wi-Fi is to allow local entrepreneurs to resell internet access in locations that lack connectivity. In March, Facebook launched the service in Kenya in partnership with Surf. “We are invested in helping people connect, helping entrepreneurs and developers grow, and eliminating barriers to connectivity,” Facebook said at the time. “We remain committed to giving people the power to share and making the world more open and connected.”