AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2024)

The 'Appeal to Heaven' flag evolves from Revolutionary War symbol to banner of the far right

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is embroiled in a second flag controversy in as many weeks, this time over a banner that in recent years has come to symbolize Christian nationalism and the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The “Appeal to Heaven” flag seen outside his New Jersey beach home last summer dates to the Revolutionary War and was flown on six schooners outfitted by George Washington to intercept British vessels at sea. In recent years, it has been adopted by the far-right and was among several banners flown by rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Dave Chappelle says there's a 'genocide' in the Gaza Strip as Israel-Hamas war rages on there

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — American comedian Dave Chappelle has said a “genocide” is striking the Gaza Strip amid the Israel-Hamas war to cheers during his performance in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Chappelle also urged Americans on Thursday to fight antisemitism so Jews don’t feel like they need to be protected by Israel. But when touching on the upcoming U.S. election, Chappelle’s mention of President Joe Biden — who has promised “ironclad” support for Israel” — drew widespread boos throughout the arena. Donald Trump drew scattered cheers. Chappelle performed at the Abu Dhabi Comedy Week.

Rapper Sean Kingston's home raided by SWAT; mother arrested on fraud and theft charges

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A SWAT team has raided rapper Sean Kingston’s rented South Florida mansion and arrested his mother on fraud and theft charges. The Broward County sheriff's office arrested 61-year-old Janice Turner during Thursday's raid. Kingston was not present. Authorities refused to say if the 34-year-old artist is also a target. Kingston posted on Instagram that his attorneys are dealing with authorities. An attorney for a home entertainment company said the arrest stems partly from Kingston failing to pay for a $150,000 television system. He allegedly told the company if they gave him a discount, he would make commercials for them. The company says he never paid or did ads.

Officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler disciplined for not having bodycam activated

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say the Kentucky police officer who arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler outside the PGA Championship is receiving “corrective action” for not having his body-worn camera activated when he approached the golfer’s vehicle and was allegedly dragged to the ground. Louisville police said Thursday that they don't have footage of the initial interaction Friday between Scheffler and Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis outside Valhalla Golf Club. The golfer was arrested on charges that he injured Gillis and disobeyed commands, but Scheffler has called the incident a misunderstanding. Officials didn't elaborate on what “corrective action” has been taken against Gillis for not having his bodycam turned on.

Court overturns suspension of Alex Jones' lawyer in Sandy Hook case that led to $1.4B judgment

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An appeals court has overturned a six-month suspension given to a Connecticut lawyer for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Attorney Norman Pattis was suspended last year for improperly giving Jones' other lawyers in Texas confidential documents. The documents included the medical records of relatives of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Pattis defended Jones against a lawsuit in Connecticut by Sandy Hook families that led to a $1.4 billion judgment against Jones for calling the shooting a hoax. Twenty students and six educators were killed. The Connecticut Appellate Court overturned the suspension Thursday and ordered a new hearing on possible sanctions. Pattis denied the misconduct claims.

American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — American Airlines is walking back a court filing in which it seemed to blame a 9-year-old girl for not noticing a camera phone when she used an airplane lavatory. A former flight attendant has pleaded not guilty to luring young girls to use the lavatory where he taped an iPhone to the toilet. American had said it would dispute a lawsuit by the 9-year-old's family by showing that any injuries she suffered were caused by her “own fault and negligence" because "she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.” A spokesperson said Thursday that the wording was a mistake and American doesn’t believe the child is at fault for the incident.

Charlie Colin, founding member of the band Train, dies at 58 after slipping in shower

BRUSSELS (AP) — Train bassist and founding member Charlie Colin has died at 58. Colin’s sister confirmed the musician's death Wednesday to The Associated Press. Variety reported Colin slipped and fell in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels. Train formed in San Francisco in the early ’90s. Colin played on Train's first three records, 1998’s self-titled album, 2001’s “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003’s “My Private Nation.” The track “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also earned two Grammys. Colin left the band in 2003. He also worked with the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Remaining wrongful death lawsuit filed after deadly Astroworld concert has been settled, lawyer says

HOUSTON (AP) — An attorney says the one remaining wrongful death lawsuit filed after 10 people were killed during a deadly crowd crush at the2021 Astroworld music festivalhas been settled. Jury selection in the lawsuit filed by the family of9-year-old Ezra Blount, the youngest person killed during the concert by rapperTravis Scott, had been set to begin Sept. 10. S. Scott West, an attorney for Blount’s family, said Thursday a settlement has been reached. Blount’s family had sued Scott,Live Nation, and other companies and individuals connected to the event. Earlier this month, lawyers announced that the nine other wrongful death lawsuits that had been filed were also settled.

Explorers discover possible wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong's plane in South Pacific

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Searchers have discovered what they believe is the wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong's plane in the South Pacific. The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisconsin, and the nonprofit World War II historical preservation group Pacific Wrecks announced the discovery Thursday. Bong, who grew up in Wisconsin, flew a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter nicknamed “Marge” in honor of his girlfriend, Marjorie Vattendahl. Another pilot was flying the plane in March 1944 over what is now known as Papua New Guinea when engine failure sent it into a spin and it crashed into the jungle. The Bong center and the preservation group announced a search for the wreckage this past March.

At the 'Super Bowl of Swine,' global barbecuing traditions are the wood-smoked flavor of the day

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) — Memphis barbecue is elevated to fine dining under the sun at the annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Techniques are passed on from generation to generation and a multi-cultural community of pitmasters, chefs and culinary athletes have become united by food. Teams comprised of people from Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Canada and Brazil come to Memphis to learn from and compete with mostly American teams in the so-called Super Bowl of Swine. Juan Garza, who led the Mexican-based team when they competed last week at the cooking contest, said each country has its own barbecue traditions, but everything is merging together as “techniques are going across borders.” Garza said his team's mantra is “El fuego nos une,” which means the fire unites us.

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