'South Park' targets federal takeover of DC police in latest episode

NEW YORK (AP) — The team at “South Park” is continuing its comic assault on the Trump administration. The new episode on Comedy Central Wednesday addressed the federal takeover of the Washington, D.C., police department, showing armed forces patrolling in front of the White House and U.S. Supreme Court, with a tank rolling by the presidential residence. The full half-hour episode, which primarily satirized artificial intelligence, also roasted world leaders and tech CEOs for kowtowing to President Donald Trump. In the first three episodes of its 27th season, the cartoon has depicted Trump lying in bed with Satan, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shooting puppies. The White House has attacked “South Park” as a fourth-rate, irrelevant show.

Jury deliberations begin in trial of man accused of organizing rapper Young Dolph's killing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A jury has begun deliberating in the trial of a man charged with organizing the daytime ambush killing of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery in November 2021. The trial of 45-year-old Hernandez Govan began Monday in a Memphis courtroom. Govan is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He is not accused of shooting Young Dolph, but prosecutors claim he directed the two people who did so. Deliberations began Wednesday and will continue Thursday. Young Dolph, whose legal name was Adolph Thornton Jr., grew up in Memphis and was a rapper, independent label owner and producer.

Managers miffed at offshore sports betting on Little League World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — At least a couple of offshore bookmakers are offering odds on games at the Little League World Series. Team managers, and Little League itself, are not pleased. In news conferences throughout the Little League World Series, U.S. team managers have voiced their displeasure with gambling on their games — players at the tournament top out at 12 years old. Little League International also released a statement last week denouncing sports betting on youth competition.

Hundreds of historic tall ships sail into Amsterdam for a maritime festival

AMSTERDAM (AP) — A flotilla of hundreds of historic ships is sailing into Amsterdam for a five-day festival celebrating the Dutch capital’s maritime history. Vessels from all over the world left the North Sea coastal town of IJmuiden to begin their hourslong journey along a canal into the city for SAIL 2025, the first edition in a decade. Each tall ship is greeted with two cannon shots and its country’s national anthem as it enters the harbor.

Cheetah cubs destined for the illegal trade in exotic wildlife rescued in Somaliland

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ten undernourished cheetah cubs held in captivity for months and destined for international wildlife trade markets have been rescued in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which is caring for the cubs, said Wednesday they were in a stable condition, though they were all limping due to being held in captivity for so long. Two people who were in possession of the cubs were arrested during a Aug 14 operation in the northern Sallahley District. The authorities have urged the public to report suspected wildlife trade activities to help conserve threatened species.

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that’s designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they’re being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google’s efforts to broaden the use of AI. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple’s inability to deliver on its promise to smarten up iPhone with more AI technology. Google also isn't raising the prices on the new Pixel phones at a time trade wars are pressuring Apple to consider charging more for the next iPhone.

Dave Koz and his band were in flight delay hell. So they picked up their instruments

Passengers plagued by delays on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle got an unexpected pick-me-up when jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and bandmates held an impromptu jam session on the plane. It happened last week when the plane was stuck on the tarmac in Boise, Idaho. Koz and fellow musicians on the Summer Horns Tour were headed to Seattle for two shows. Their flight was supposed to be direct but had to divert to Boise after flight crew members timed out. Later there was a mechanical issue. Koz says a flight attendant asked them to play a song, and the video of their performance has gone viral.

Aubrey Plaza describes grief over husband Jeff Baena's death, likens it to an 'ocean of awfulness'

Aubrey Plaza has described her grief over husband Jeff Baena’s death, likening it to “a giant ocean of awfulness.” The actor spoke on the podcast ’’Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” telling her former “Parks and Recreation” costar in her most detailed public remarks to date that it’s been “a daily struggle” to overcome the tragedy. Writer-director Baena’s January death at age 47 was ruled a suicide. Plaza tells Poehler that her grief feels like an image from a horror movie “The Gorge” in which a gorge between two cliffs is filled with monsters.

Walmart recalls frozen shrimp over potential radioactive contamination

Walmart has recalled frozen, raw shrimp sold in 13 states after federal health officials warned of potential radioactive contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Walmart to pull certain lots of Great Value brand frozen shrimp from stores after the agency detected potential contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The contamination was found in shipping containers and a sample of breaded shrimp. The shipping containers and shrimp were processed by a company doing business as BMS Foods of Indonesia. FDA officials say the shrimp could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of over time.

Singer Tamar Braxton says she 'almost died' in weekend accident

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Singer and actor Tamar Braxton says she “almost died” in a weekend accident she doesn't remember. On Tuesday, Braxton shared on Instagram that a friend found her in a pool of blood with a face injury. She says she fractured her nose, lost some teeth and mobility. Earlier that day, she posted: “Thank you God for waking me up today.” She says she received calls after the post and struggled to talk, so she shared what happened publicly. Braxton says her outlook on life is now different and asks for prayers as her journey to healing begins.