Lyman Frank Baum's 'The Wizard of Oz,' a timeless tale of courage and friendship, celebrated its 125th anniversary. The story follows Dorothy's journey through Oz, aided by iconic ruby slippers, a change from the book's silver. The 1939 film adaptation significantly shaped the story's visuals, influencing adaptations like 'The Wiz' and 'Wicked,' solidifying its place in pop culture.
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Donald Trump's acceptance of a private jet from Qatar has sparked a rare rift within the MAGA world. Prominent right-wing figures are denouncing the move as unethical and potentially illegal, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and Qatari influence.
Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted in 1996 for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty, are now eligible for parole. The brothers, initially sentenced to life without parole, were resentenced due to new evidence of alleged abuse and evolving laws regarding youth offenders. Their case, recently revisited in popular media, raises questions about trauma, justice, and redemption.
Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have reached Turkey for peace discussions. This occurs as the war continues. Russia claims to have captured two villages. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised Vladimir Putin's absence. He called the Russian delegation a 'dummy'. Russia responded by calling Zelenskyy a 'clown'. Talks are a restart of previous negotiations.
French cryptocurrency boss Pierre Noizat on Friday praised his "heroic" son-in-law and a neighbour wielding a fire extinguisher for preventing the kidnap attempt of his pregnant daughter and young grandson. Noizat praised his "heroic" son-in-law as well as the man who used a red fire extinguisher against the attackers, saying he was "exemplary."
New York attorney general Letitia James is facing criticism over her proposed FAIR Business Practices Act, which aims to combat consumer scams. Business groups warn the bill could lead to frivolous lawsuits and legal shakedowns of small businesses, while James defends it as crucial for protecting New Yorkers from fraud amid reduced federal enforcement.
Every week, Bibi Jan scrapes together some of her husband's meagre daily wage to buy precious water from rickshaw-drawn tankers that supply residents of Afghanistan's increasingly parched capital. But in reality, Bibi Jan and many other Kabulis are forced to lug water in heavy jugs from wells or buy it from tankers.
NASA's Perseverance rover has detected a visible green aurora at Mars, a first for the red planet. Triggered by a solar storm in March 2024, the aurora offers a potential spectacle for future astronauts. Scientists believe this discovery enables forecasting of auroras on Mars, aiding in space weather studies and enhancing the prospect of human-visible displays.
Germany, under Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, plans significant investments in defense and infrastructure. This move signals a shift from fiscal restraint. The plan, however, tests the EU's fiscal rules. Concerns arise about potential violations of deficit and debt limits. Some fear this could set a precedent, prompting other nations to demand similar flexibility.
FBI Director Kash Patel has announced a forthcoming release of previously hidden documents related to the Trump-Russia investigation and the January 6 Capitol breach. Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino claim the documents will reveal misuse of the FISA process by former FBI officials like Comey, McCabe, and Strzok.
Serbian students concluded their ultra marathon from Novi Sad to Brussels, advocating for democracy and accountability in Serbia. They met with EU officials to highlight issues back home, where protests have been ongoing for months. The EU has criticized Serbia's government, withholding aid due to unmet reform obligations, while students push for fair elections.