Friday, April 17, 2026
FBI Director Kash Patel absent amid reports of excessive drinking
newsFBI Director Kash Patel absent amid reports of excessive drinking
The Atlantic reports colleagues alarmed by Patel’s episodes of heavy drinking and unexplained absences.
theatlantic.com
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf visits Ukraine, meets Zelensky in Lviv
newsSwedish King Carl XVI Gustaf visits Ukraine, meets Zelensky in Lviv
King Carl XVI Gustaf made his first trip since Russia's 2022 invasion, joining President Zelensky to honor fallen soldiers.
svt.seNatalie Portman expecting third child at 44
moviesNatalie Portman expecting third child at 44
Natalie Portman, 44, tells Harper's Bazaar she is expecting her third child, her first with Tanguy Destable.
Ontario buys $28.9M used private jet for Doug Ford
newsOntario buys $28.9M used private jet for Doug Ford
The province has taken possession of a 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 valued at $28.9 million for Premier Doug Ford's use.
thestar.com
Tickets on sale for The Mandalorian and Grogu, opens May 22
moviesTickets on sale for The Mandalorian and Grogu, opens May 22
Final trailer dropped and tickets are now available ahead of the film's May 22 theatrical release.
Nine Inch Noize releases live-set album today
musicNine Inch Noize releases live-set album today
Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize drop the collaborative Nine Inch Noize live-set album, available on streaming services.
Some MAGA supporters say Trump assassination attempt was staged
newsSome MAGA supporters say Trump assassination attempt was staged
Conspiracy theories have grown that the Butler, Pennsylvania shooting was staged, Wired reports.
Caitlyn Jenner asks Trump for help over passport gender policy
cultureCaitlyn Jenner asks Trump for help over passport gender policy
Jenner says the new policy prevents her from traveling internationally and that she wrote to Trump for help
Fact checks target multiple false claims from Trump today
politicsFact checks target multiple false claims from Trump today
Reporters and commentators flagged several false statements in Trump's remarks today, including his claim about Democrats clapping.
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announce separation
sportsSue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announce separation
Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe say they are ending their decade-long relationship and podcast.
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 finale airs tonight after uneven season
tvRuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 finale airs tonight after uneven season
The Season 18 finale broadcasts as viewers and critics note the season struggled to cohere.
Final Fantasy XIV unveils Patch 7.5 'Trail to the Heavens' trailer
gamingFinal Fantasy XIV unveils Patch 7.5 'Trail to the Heavens' trailer
Square Enix released the Patch 7.5 trailer; Part 1 launches April 28, with Part 2 due in early September.
Angels Hall of Famer Garret Anderson dies at 53
sportsAngels Hall of Famer Garret Anderson dies at 53
Three-time All-Star and 2002 World Series hero Garret Anderson, the Angels' career hits and RBI leader, has died; a heart attack is suspected.
Former Radio 1 DJ Andy Kershaw dies aged 66
musicFormer Radio 1 DJ Andy Kershaw dies aged 66
Andy Kershaw, the broadcaster known for championing world music and hosting at Live Aid, has died; family said he had cancer.
International Bat Appreciation Day
natureInternational Bat Appreciation Day
Artists, scientists and fans mark Bat Appreciation Day with art, species spotlights and conservation tips for bats like the bumblebee bat.
Snopes: Hegseth quoted Pulp Fiction, not the Bible
moviesSnopes: Hegseth quoted Pulp Fiction, not the Bible
Fact-check finds Pete Hegseth's Pentagon prayer closely matched Quentin Tarantino's fictional Ezekiel passage from Pulp Fiction.
open.substack.com
Federal judge blocks Nexstar's $6.2B Tegna merger
tvFederal judge blocks Nexstar's $6.2B Tegna merger
U.S. judge grants a preliminary injunction halting Nexstar Media Group's $6.2 billion merger with Tegna amid antitrust suit by states and DirecTV.
apnews.comWorld Cup travel costs outrage as MetLife rail fares hit $150
sportsWorld Cup travel costs outrage as MetLife rail fares hit $150
NJ Transit confirmed $150 round‑trip train fares to MetLife Stadium; limited $80 shuttle buses also cited
bbc.com
Bluesky outage blamed on DDoS as 'vibe coding' jokes spread
devBluesky outage blamed on DDoS as 'vibe coding' jokes spread
Platform downtime has been attributed to a DDoS in some posts, while discussions poke at 'vibe coding' dev practices
The Pitt's Noah Wyle says Season 3 will explore Robby's rock bottom
tvThe Pitt's Noah Wyle says Season 3 will explore Robby's rock bottom
Wyle teases a darker Season 3 arc for Robby in interviews following the Season 2 finale
Brazilian basketball legend Oscar Schmidt dies at 68
sportsBrazilian basketball legend Oscar Schmidt dies at 68
Oscar 'Mão Santa' Schmidt, Brazil's all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer, has died aged 68 after emergency hospitalisation.
Jeremiah Jackson hits go-ahead 3-run homer for Orioles
sportsJeremiah Jackson hits go-ahead 3-run homer for Orioles
Jackson's 390‑ft, 102 mph 3‑run blast off Connor Brogdon gives Baltimore a 6-4 lead in the top of the 8th.
mlb.com
Outlander Season 8, Episode 7 kills Fergus
tvOutlander Season 8, Episode 7 kills Fergus
Episode 8x07 ends with Fergus' death in a tearful montage; cast performances singled out for praise
Naomi Girma header breaks deadlock, gives USWNT 1-0 lead vs Japan
sportsNaomi Girma header breaks deadlock, gives USWNT 1-0 lead vs Japan
Girma heads in a Kennedy Wesley set piece off a corner to put the United States ahead against Japan.
Tom Waits and Massive Attack release 'Boots on the Ground'
musicTom Waits and Massive Attack release 'Boots on the Ground'
Tom Waits and Massive Attack debut 'Boots on the Ground', marking Waits' first new recording in about 15 years.
White Rabbit Red Rabbit returns to West End with rotating stars
artWhite Rabbit Red Rabbit returns to West End with rotating stars
Unrehearsed play to run at the Duchess Theatre June 8, Nov 2; rotating performers include David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Riz Ahmed.
Lana Del Rey performs main theme for 007: First Light
musicLana Del Rey performs main theme for 007: First Light
Del Rey released the surprise single 'First Light' as the main title theme for IO Interactive's 007: First Light, due May 27
Clair Obscur and Dispatch tie for most wins at BAFTA Games Awards
gamingClair Obscur and Dispatch tie for most wins at BAFTA Games Awards
Clair Obscur and Dispatch each took three trophies, sharing top honors at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards in London.
Magic erupt in Play‑In, up 68-37 in third quarter vs Hornets
sportsMagic erupt in Play‑In, up 68-37 in third quarter vs Hornets
Orlando built a 31‑point lead in Q3 of the Play‑In game as Charlotte struggled with turnovers and poor shooting.
Austin Riley belts three‑run homer, Braves tee off on Taijuan Walker
sportsAustin Riley belts three‑run homer, Braves tee off on Taijuan Walker
Riley’s 3-run blast (103 mph, 380 ft) gave Atlanta a 6-0 lead against Philadelphia.
mlb.com
SmackDown spot features giant Gingerbread Man prop in Trick Williams segment
foodSmackDown spot features giant Gingerbread Man prop in Trick Williams segment
Trick Williams brought out a giant gingerbread‑man prop to mock Sami Zayn; Sami later confronted the character during the segment.
Finance ministers and bankers warn Mythos AI could expose cyber vulnerabilities
financeFinance ministers and bankers warn Mythos AI could expose cyber vulnerabilities
Officials at IMF meetings raised serious concerns that Anthropic's Mythos model identifies and can exploit software weaknesses
bbc.com
Tigers recall Hao-Yu Lee for MLB debut
sportsTigers recall Hao-Yu Lee for MLB debut
Detroit called up top prospect Hao‑Yu Lee from Triple‑A Toledo after Zach McKinstry was placed on the 10‑day injured list.
fptrack.com
Top Gun 3 confirmed, Tom Cruise returning as Maverick
moviesTop Gun 3 confirmed, Tom Cruise returning as Maverick
Paramount announced Top Gun 3 is in development with Tom Cruise back in the lead role and Jerry Bruckheimer producing
variety.com
The Pitt showrunner discusses season 2 finale and hints at season 3
tvThe Pitt showrunner discusses season 2 finale and hints at season 3
Showrunner R. Scott Gemmill spoke about the season 2 ending and teased what storylines might follow in season 3
Texas medical board sanctions three doctors after delayed pregnancy care
scienceTexas medical board sanctions three doctors after delayed pregnancy care
State board found substandard, delayed care during miscarriages that led to the deaths of two pregnant women and sanctioned three physicians.
Singer D4vd arrested in 14‑year‑old's murder after body found in Tesla
newsSinger D4vd arrested in 14‑year‑old's murder after body found in Tesla
Houston-born singer D4vd held without bail after a 14‑year‑old's decomposed body was found in a towed Tesla.
The Boys S5 brings back a season‑1 character and foreshadows another death
tvThe Boys S5 brings back a season‑1 character and foreshadows another death
This week's episode features a surprise return from season 1 while plotlines set up an impending character death.
Harry and Meghan meet Bondi Beach terror survivors during Sydney visit
cultureHarry and Meghan meet Bondi Beach terror survivors during Sydney visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke with Bondi terror attack survivors and volunteer lifeguards, then sailed with Invictus Australia.