Strauss' 'Blue Danube' is beamed into space as Vienna celebrates 200th anniversary with a concert
Strauss' 'Blue Danube' waltz has finally made it into space, nearly a half-century after missing a ride on NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft. (AP video shot by Philipp Jenne)
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Associated Press
32 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Arkansas authorities release photo rendering of 'Devil in the Ozarks' as manhunt continues
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas authorities on Tuesday released a photo rendering of a convicted murderer and former police chief known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks " as the search for the escaped inmate entered its second week. The Arkansas Department of Corrections said the photo rendering of Grant Hardin, 56, depicts how he may look after he escaped May 25 from the Calico Rock prison. The rendering shows Hardin with some hair on his head and face. Authorities have said Hardin escaped by donning an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform. Rand Champion, a department spokesperson, said officials are focusing their search on the north-central Arkansas region where the prison is located. Tips from elsewhere about potential Hardin sightings have come in, but so far none have panned out, Champion said. Hardin, a former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. He was the subject of the TV documentary 'Devil in the Ozarks.' Hardin was housed in a maximum-security wing of the primarily medium security prison, formally known as the North Central Unit. Officials are investigating whether a job Hardin held in the kitchen aided in his escape, including whether it gave him access to materials he could have used to fashion his makeshift uniform.
The Hill
35 minutes ago
- The Hill
Santa Ono rejected for University of Florida presidency amid conservative backlash
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Longtime academic Santa Ono was rejected Tuesday for the University of Florida presidency by the state university system board amid sharp criticism from political conservatives about his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and other initiatives they view as unacceptable liberal ideology. The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's universities, voted 10-6 against Ono, who was most recently president of the University of Michigan. The University of Florida Board of Trustees had voted unanimously in May to approve Ono as the school's 14th president, and it is unprecedented for the governors to reverse such an action. Now the search will start all over. Ono's proposed contract included a number of ideological requirements, such as how well he stopped programs that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. He was to cooperate with Gov. Ron DeSantis' Office of Government Efficiency — similar to the office created by President Donald Trump — and appoint other university officials and deans who are 'firmly aligned' with Florida's approach. Several prominent conservatives raised questions about Ono before the vote over pro-Palestinian protests, climate change efforts, gender ideology and DEI programs at the University of Michigan and his previous academic positions. These actions, Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said on the X social platform, show 'he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Others raising objections include Donald Trump Jr. and Florida GOP U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Greg Steube and Jimmy Patronis. Donalds is a Republican candidate for governor. Writing in Inside Higher Ed, Ono said he supported DEI initiatives at first because they aim was 'equal opportunity and fairness for every student.' 'But over time, I saw how DEI became something else — more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success,' Ono wrote, adding that he eventually limited DEI offices at Michigan. 'I believe in Florida's vision for higher education.' DeSantis, a Republican who has pushed reforms in higher education to eliminate what he calls 'woke' policies such as DEI, did not take a public stand on Ono but did say at a recent news conference that some of his statements made the governor 'cringe.' Ono faced similar pointed questions at Tuesday's meeting — especially from former Republican state House speakers Paul Renner and Jose Oliva — leading board member Charles Lydecker to object to the procedure. 'We have never used this as a forum to interrogate. This is not a court of law. Candidly, this process does not seem fair to me,' Lydecker said. Oliva, however, questioned how to square Ono's many past statements about hot-button cultural issues with his more conservative stance now that he sought the Florida job. 'Now we are told to believe you are now abandoning an entire ideological architecture,' Oliva said. 'We are asking someone to lead our flagship university. I don't understand how it becomes unfair.' Steube, writing on X, praised the board for its decision. 'Great news for my alma mater and the state of Florida! The Board of Governors heard us loud and clear: Santa Ono was the wrong choice for UF,' the congressman said. Ono was to replace Kent Fuchs, who became the school's temporary, interim president last summer after ex-U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse stepped down. Sasse left the U.S. Senate, where he had represented Nebraska, to become the university's president in 2023. Sasse announced in July he was leaving the job after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. Later reports surfaced that Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions and spent over $1.3 million on private catering for lavish dinners, football tailgates and extravagant social functions in his first year on the job. Ono is also the former president of the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Diddy Prosecutors Raise Concerns After Witness Identity is Leaked
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Prosecutors in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial raised concerns to the judge on Tuesday after an online streamer and outlet leaked the identity of a key witness in the case. Combs' former personal assistant, who utilized the pseudonym "Mia," finished her testimony on Monday. Judge Arun Subramanian barred a YouTube streamer who shared Mia's identity from returning to court. Prosecutor Maurene Comey said another outlet posted Mia's real name on X. Prosecutors want the post removed and the source barred from court. Subramanian asked the prosecution to draft a possible court order for consideration. Why It Matters Mia worked for Combs from 2009 to 2017. Throughout her multiple days on the stand, she detailed multiple alleged incidents of physical and sexual assault by Combs. Combs is facing federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Sean 'Diddy' Combs, right, turns around and looks at the audience during jury selection at Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Sean 'Diddy' Combs, right, turns around and looks at the audience during jury selection at Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. Elizabeth Williams via AP The identification of Mia comes as another witness is expected to testify under a pseudonym. "Jane," also identified as Victim-2, is expected to take the stand this week. What To Know Shortly after prosecutors spoke about Mia's identity being leaked, a woman was removed from the courtroom for causing a disturbance. "Everyone is laughing at Diddy," the woman said. "It's not right what they're doing to him!" Subramanian asked for her to be escorted out "right now." Eddy Garcia, who worked as the security supervisor at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016, testified on Tuesday. Combs was seen on the hotel's surveillance footage physically attacking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Footage of the 2016 incident was released by CNN last year. Combs said he wanted the video taken off a server and a copy of the video because it could "ruin his career" if the footage was made public, Garcia testified. Garcia said he then spoke to his supervisor, who agreed to do it for $50,000. Garcia said he signed an NDA, which would charge him $1 million if the agreement was broken. Combs then returned with a brown paper bag containing $100,000, Garcia testified. Garcia said he kept $30,000, gave $50,000 to his supervisor and $20,000 to another security officer. Derek Ferguson, a former CFO for Combs-founded company Bad Boy Entertainment, also testified on Tuesday. He said he never saw anyone help Combs commit crimes or acts of violence. What People Are Saying Garcia, referring to communications with Combs during his testimony: "On Easter, he said, 'Happy Easter my angel, God is good,' and then proceeded to ask if anyone had asked about the incident or the video. I said I hadn't heard anything and he said, 'OK.'" Ferguson, referring to Combs in his testimony: "He just worked constantly. His passion for what he did was really high so his work ethic and the number of hours that he put in was something that really pushed the entire team." What Happens Next Combs' trial is currently in its fourth week. Proceedings are expected to last eight to 10 weeks. Combs is facing life in prison if convicted. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
