Husband suspected wife of poisoning him before she killed 3 relatives with toxic mushrooms

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian court has heard a husband suspected his wife of poisoning him over a year before she murdered three of his relatives with toxic mushrooms. On Friday, a judge lifted a gag order on pretrial evidence that Erin Patterson wanted kept secret while she attempts to overturn her convictions. The evidence includes Simon Patterson’s suspicions that his wife had tried to kill him. Erin Patterson was convicted last month of murdering her parents-in-law and her husband's aunt with a poisoned meal. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder the aunt's husband. Her lawyers plan to appeal.

Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and former manager, dies at 48

NEW YORK (AP) — Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and talent manager Brandon Blackstock has died of cancer. His death was first reported by People. He was 48. A representative for the Blackstock family shared a statement to The Associated Press explaining that Blackstock battled cancer for more than three years. Blackstock was the father to four children, two from a previous marriage and two with Clarkson. He was previously Clarkson’s manager and also formerly represented Blake Shelton. Clarkson and Blackstock were married in October 2013. In 2020, she filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

JD Vance went kayaking for his birthday. Secret Service had the river level raised

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Vice President JD Vance’s security detail had an Ohio river’s water level raised last weekend to accommodate a kayaking trip he and his family took for his 41st birthday. The U.S. Secret Service said it requested the increased waterflow for the Little Miami River to ensure motorized watercraft and emergency personnel “could operate safely” while protecting the Republican vice president, whose home is in Cincinnati. The Army Corps of Engineers action was first reported by The Guardian. Critics blasted Vance as entitled, pointing to the Trump administration's government-cutting efforts. His office said Vance was unaware the river had been raised.

Dean Cain, former TV Superman, will be sworn in as honorary ICE officer

Dean Cain wants to join the U.S. and Immigration Customs Enforcement agency. In an interview with Fox News, Cain said he has already spoken to the agency responsible for President Donald Trump's mass deportations agenda. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says Cain will be sworn in as an “honorary ICE Officer” in the coming month. McLaughlin referenced Cain's 1990s role in “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” saying “Superman is encouraging Americans to become real-life superheroes.” Cain also posted a video encouraging others to join the agency. The 59-year-old been outspoken in his conservative viewpoints and endorsed Trump in three elections.

Mets to celebrate 60th anniversary of the Beatles' Shea Stadium concert with special night

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets will honor the 60th anniversary of the Fab Four’s performance at Shea Stadium when they host the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 15 for The Beatles Night at Citi Field. The 1965 concert marked the first major stadium performance by a rock band. Celebrations begin with a performance by 1964 The Tribute at 6:15 p.m. The first 15,000 fans will receive a Shea Stadium replica.

Wind riders: Kiteboarders flock to Greek coast as August gales churn sea

ARTEMIDA, Greece (AP) — Strong August winds have swept the eastern coastline near Athens, drawing dozens of kiteboarders to the beach. Gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour turned the area into an open-air playground for wind sports enthusiasts on Thursday. The seasonal "meltemi" winds are dreaded by ferry passengers but revered by kiteboarders. Alexios Limperopoulos, a business owner and longtime kiteboarder, describes the joy of catching big jumps. The kiteboarding community is active year-round, adapting to changing seasons with wetsuits and braving cold winter gales that often shut down ferry routes.

Hubble Space Telescope takes best picture yet of the comet visiting from another solar system

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the best picture yet of a high-speed comet visiting our solar system from another star. NASA and the European Space Agency released the latest photos Thursday. The interstellar comet was discovered last month by a telescope in Chile. Astronomers originally estimated the size of its icy core at several miles across, but Hubble's observations have narrowed it down to no more than 3.5 miles. It's only the third known object from another solar system to pass our way. It poses no threat to Earth.

Intel's stock tumbles after Trump says its CEO must resign

Intel’s shares slumped Thursday as President Donald Trump said in a social media post that the chipmaker’s CEO must resign immediately. “The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump made the post after Sen. Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel Chairman Frank Yeary expressing concern over CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s investments and ties to semiconductor firms that are reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army, and asked the board whether Tan had divested his interests in these companies to eliminate any conflicts of interest.

Eddie Palmieri, pioneering Latin jazz musician and Grammy winner, dies at 88

Eddie Palmieri, the pioneering rumba and Latin jazz musician, has died at 88. His daughter Gabriela said he died Wednesday in New Jersey after a long illness. Palmieri was the first Latino to win a Grammy and earned seven more over his career. He released nearly 40 albums and continued performing into his 80s. Known for his innovative style, he formed the band La Perfecta in 1961, introducing a unique trombone section. His work fused salsa, funk, soul and jazz, leaving a lasting impact on Latin music worldwide. Palmieri released the album “Masterpiece” in 2000, which teamed him with the legendary Tito Puente. It was a hit with critics and won two Grammy Awards.

A speeding motorist driving at 199 mph on Germany's Autobahn is fined more than $1,000

BERLIN (AP) — German police say a motorist has been clocked driving at more than 199 mph on the Autobahn west of Berlin. He was traveling at more than 124 mph above the speed limit. The speedster wasn’t identified publicly. He was caught while racing along the A2 highway near Burg on July 28. The Magdeburg police office says he was handed a fine of 900 euros, stripped of two points from his driver’s license and banned from driving for three months. The section of the Autobahn where the record-breaking driver was caught has a limit of 74 mph.