National

Who is Nadia Beller, connected to alleged assault by ex-boyfriend detained in Bolivia

The Bolivian government requested on Tuesday that the judiciary investigate a well-known Argentine political consultant detained for the alleged attempted femicide of his ex-partner and for suspected illicit enrichment in a case that has sparked controversy in the Andean nation. "No one is above the law, and we demand a thorough investigation," said Bolivian Minister of Government Marco Antonio Oviedo in a brief statement to the media. The consultant is Fernando Cerimedo, who has been identified by Bolivian Vice President Edman Lara as an advisor to President Rodrigo Paz. In Argentina, Cerimedo had collaborated with the party of President Javier Milei. On Monday night, Beller was attacked outside a hotel in Santa Cruz by two individuals disguised as delivery workers who shot at her directly. She was later taken to a hospital, where she is recovering from surgery to remove the bullets.

USCIS Announces New Version of the Form for Applying for Permanent Residency

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the release of a new version of the form used by immigrants to obtain permanent residency. The new version of Form I-485 will be launched on September 18 and will include new requirements related to public charge, recently announced. The new edition will replace the form released on January 20, 2025.

Four Americans Die in Helicopter Crash in Kenya

A helicopter crash in northern Kenya has resulted in the deaths of four American citizens. The incident occurred at 9:13 a.m. while the helicopter was en route from Loisaba Nature Reserve to Ewaso Nyiro in Samburu County. The U.S. State Department confirmed the fatalities and is in contact with local authorities for consular assistance. The helicopter, owned by Lady Lori Helicopters, was carrying six passengers and a pilot when it crashed in a rugged area near Mount Ololokwe. Local emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, are involved in the multi-agency response to the accident.

Lindsay Clancy Trial: Session Ends Abruptly After Testimony on Psychosis and TikToker

Editor’s note: Testimony in this trial may be explicit and difficult for some to hear. A forensic doctor who treated Lindsay Clancy after she killed her three children concluded his testimony on Wednesday, following a brief delay at the start of the day. A TikToker was also questioned without the jury present, after which the judge ruled that the defense could not call her as a witness. After a lunch break, the judge excused the jury due to 'an unforeseen circumstance.' This comes a day after the jury heard from Clancy's former mother-in-law. On Tuesday, the jury in the Lindsay Clancy case viewed a reconstruction by the forensic pathologist of the Duxbury home and how Clancy was believed to have been injured, and heard from a doctor who helped Clancy call her husband from the hospital. Forensic psychologist Dr. Paul Zeizel, who spoke with Lindsay Clancy after the murders, returned to the stand to continue his testimony from Tuesday. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioned him about Lindsay's mental state in the weeks and months leading up to the murders and the multiple medications she had been prescribed. Reddington now inquired about the morning of January 24, 2023—the day of the murders—when Lindsay took her daughter to a medical appointment. Zeizel stated that being able to perform routine tasks is not unusual for someone in a 'psychotic state.' He also discussed how Lindsay made a snowman in the backyard with two of her children and searched for a restaurant on Google, in addition to discussing everyday tasks with her then-husband, including a trip to the pharmacy and ordering takeout. He noted that these actions are also consistent with someone in a psychotic state. Dr. Zeizel asserted that Lindsay Clancy 'did not understand the wrongness of her act,' stating that he administered a brief mental status exam and Hare's psychopathy checklist to determine if she had antisocial personality disorder, which she did not. He is now testifying about a study on postpartum psychosis symptoms and some of the symptoms Lindsay was experiencing. Zeizel indicated that Lindsay exhibited symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with postpartum psychosis. He also described her as feeling withdrawn, tired, and heavy, lacking energy. Additionally, she found it increasingly difficult to care for her children and maintain her personal hygiene. Lindsay also experienced intense confusion and complained of hearing things that did not exist, and was in a 'dissociated state,' Zeizel said. She was also restless and agitated, and was 'extremely' unable to sleep. At the time of the incident, Zeizel stated that he believes Lindsay was suffering from a mental defect. 'My opinion is that she indeed suffered from a mental illness or defect,' he said. 'She had bipolar disorder with postpartum psychosis. Furthermore, she was unable to conform her conduct to the law and did not understand the wrongness of her act.' Dr. Zeizel was cross-examined by the prosecution, who asked if he knew Reddington and had worked with him for several years, to which Zeizel responded affirmatively. The prosecutors also questioned Zeizel about his credentials as a forensic psychologist and the established standards for the position. 'With those standards, they are not mandatory, but people are encouraged to follow them, right?' asked Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham, and Zeizel agreed. Part of this is that forensic psychologists must be impartial. Buckingham noted that Zeizel has been involved in this case for 41 months and that he drafted a report and provided other reports and updates on Lindsay Clancy's condition over the years, including one from July 2025, which indicated that by that date, Lindsay was residing at Tewksbury Hospital and that a transfer to Worcester Recovery Center was planned. 'I don't know if it was a plan, but it was a hope or a goal,' Zeizel said. He also stated that she was in the process of tapering off all psychotropic medication and was improving. However, Buckingham pointed out that she remains at Tewksbury Hospital and is still taking psychotropic medication. Buckingham asked Dr. Zeizel about Lindsay Clancy's medications, which he said did not provide her relief. He stated that she also took three medications while in nursing school for glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. Buckingham noted that Zeizel maintained two medications during his Tuesday testimony and said that Lindsay took two medications instead of three while in nursing school. He also misstated one of the dates when Lindsay was hospitalized. The defense objected to a question from Buckingham, and the judge asked to approach the bench. Buckingham rephrased the question about whether Zeizel reviewed a report from forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick before reaching his conclusions. Zeizel said he 'glanced at it,' but did not review the full report. He also stated that he examined thousands of pages of Tewksbury Hospital records regarding Lindsay Clancy, but did not review every page. On May 26, 2023, what would have been Callan's first birthday, Buckingham asked if Zeizel remembered reading that Lindsay was wheeling herself down the hallway in her wheelchair and met with her mother. But Zeizel said he did not recall that specific incident. On September 30, 2023, what would have been Dawson's fourth birthday, Buckingham asked if Zeizel knew that Lindsay spent time watching television, using her phone, and visiting with family. Zeizel again stated that he did not remember seeing that. On January 24, 2024, the anniversary of the 2023 incident, Buckingham said they saw Lindsay taking medications and that she was 'pleasant during interactions,' and that she spent much of the morning in her room using electronic devices. And on May 26, 2024, again Callan's birthday, she also spent time using her phone and playing dominoes with other patients in the TV room. And on September 30, 2024, again Dawson's birthday, Lindsay was seen once more using her cell phone and socializing with her peers. And on December 24, 2024, what would have been Cora's seventh birthday, Lindsay was 'well-behaved' and met with her family. Zeizel said he did not remember all the specific details of these visits, but told Buckingham that he had no reason to doubt that they were part of the Tewksbury Hospital records he reviewed. Buckingham continued with other key dates in 2025, including the second anniversary of the incident and the birthdays of her children. The prosecution played a clip from a press conference on December 8, 2023, where Dr. Zeizel spoke alongside defense attorney Kevin Reddington. In the press conference, Zeizel described Lindsay Clancy as being in an 'unreal state,' saying: 'it feels like a dream.' He also spoke about the voices Lindsay was reportedly hearing. At that time, Zeizel stated he had met with Lindsay on three occasions but had not yet reviewed all her records. However, Buckingham said that Zeizel is testifying in court to the same conclusions, after reviewing all the information, as those he presented in the 2023 press conference. 'That was not an assessment of Mrs. Clancy. It was an assessment of people going through mental health crises,' Zeizel responded. The prosecution concluded its cross-examination, and Reddington resumed questioning Zeizel about 'confirmation bias,' meaning that a witness for a particular side might want to help with their testimony. But Reddington stated that Zeizel became involved 'out of compassion.' 'Do you care for her?' Reddington asked. 'Yes,' Zeizel said, noting that it is indeed recommended to establish a trusting relationship in order to evaluate a patient while maintaining independence. Zeizel also stated that his opinion is not based on money or helping Reddington or Lindsay Clancy. The attorneys are now speaking at the bench after the prosecution objected to a question from Reddington. TikToker Questioned Without Jury but Not Allowed to Testify A voir dire was held, a hearing conducted without the jury present to assess the admissibility of a witness or evidence, and to determine if the defense could call Emily Thorndike as a witness. Thorndike was a TikTok user and licensed clinical social worker who had previously worked at McLean Hospital, the psychiatric center in Bedford where Lindsay Clancy voluntarily admitted herself on December 31, 2022, several weeks before she attempted to kill her three children. She stated that she lived in New York but spent the summer in Cape Cod. 'I am that lucky.' Thorndike said she was only familiar with the case from what she had seen before being isolated after being contacted by Reddington as a potential witness. Thorndike had been following the Clancy trial and posting videos about it on TikTok, including a description of McLean Hospital that was very different from what the prosecutors had presented. She testified about her years of work at McLean and said that what she heard while watching testimony about the hospital staff during the holidays did not match her experience. She recorded a TikTok in response, stating that what was discussed in court was not her experience. Thorndike said that during the trial, it was mentioned that there was individual therapy in the unit, and she asserted that there was not, and also stated that on weekends and holidays, there was only one doctor to see all patients, and that some of those consultations lasted only a few minutes and there were no in-depth sessions. Reddington said he saw Thorndike's TikTok and had his investigator locate her and obtain her contact information. The prosecution then questioned Thorndike about her experience and her role at McLean Hospital. The prosecutors asked her how many days of the trial she had seen, and she said that the testimony of Patrick Clancy's friends was perhaps the last she managed to see. They also asked Thorndike what the staffing levels might have been when Lindsay was at McLean, as by then Thorndike no longer worked there. Thorndike said she only had general information about what staffing was like in the past. The prosecution finished questioning Thorndike, and she left the stand. Reddington then argued that Thorndike had the academic training and experience, was well aware of the staffing ratios at McLean, and should be allowed to testify. 'I am not looking to bring her in to discredit McLean Hospital. They have already done a good job of that on their own,' he said. Reddington stated that he only wanted Thorndike to testify that McLean was not the 'wonderful' place described during previous testimonies. The prosecutors opposed the witness, noting that McLean's records documented Lindsay Clancy's interactions and treatment, and that Thorndike would not provide any information that was not already in the records. They stated that Thorndike did not work on weekends and did not have pertinent information for this case. 'The best evidence is the records themselves,' said Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham. The judge stated that he was considering two issues: the late disclosure of the witness and the analysis under Rule 403, which pertains to relevant evidence. 'First, I find this witness credible, but that is not always everything in this decision,' he said, noting that he had to evaluate the prevention of surprises. However, he indicated that the prosecutors had known for a week, so that did not apply. He said that the prejudice to the prosecution was limited. But he stated that the relevance of the testimony was limited because Thorndike had not worked at McLean for a year. 'That testimony has quite limited value,' he said. And the judge said he did not recall any 'five-star rating' of McLean during previous testimonies, as Reddington had suggested. He also considered that the incorporated records from McLean in recent days spoke to staffing levels on holidays and non-holidays. So any information about whether they were working with 'minimal staffing' was already reflected in the records. The judge ultimately denied the request to call the witness but allowed the defense to present records regarding McLean's staffing. He said he would issue a written ruling. In the end, there were no further testimonies. Judge William Sullivan told the jury that an 'unforeseen circumstance' meant they would be excused earlier than expected. 'This was not something we saw coming,' he said, adding that they should not blame anyone in the case, as it was beyond their control. Prosecutors allege that Lindsay strangled her children—Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months—on January 24, 2023, at their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, after sending her then-husband, Patrick, on an errand. She then jumped from the second-floor window of the home and, from the fall, was left paralyzed from the waist down. The defense claims she was under the influence of bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis and should not be held criminally responsible. Watch a live stream of the court hearings in the video player above.

Former Fauci Advisor Faces Up to 5 Years in Prison for Handling COVID-19 Records

Dr. David Morens, a former senior advisor to Dr. Anthony Fauci, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiring to conceal federal records related to COVID-19 origin research. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, with sentencing set for November 12 by federal judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens, 78, admitted to using his personal email to intentionally evade public information laws while at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. This case follows a Republican-led investigation into the pandemic's origins, which scrutinized Morens' communications. Fauci has not been charged in this matter.

Texas Border Business · Aug 18, 2026

271 New Federal Immigration Cases Filed in Western District of Texas

Between July 31 and August 6, federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas initiated 271 new immigration and related criminal cases. These cases involve charges against alien smugglers and undocumented individuals with prior convictions for offenses such as DWI, violent crimes, and theft. The investigations were supported by various federal agencies, including ICE and the FBI, alongside state and local law enforcement. The Western District of Texas covers 68 counties, including major cities like San Antonio and El Paso, and is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at combating illegal immigration and organized crime.

Amazon to Expand Light Package Delivery to 500 Cities in the U.S.

Millions more people could receive small, lightweight packages from Amazon delivered by drones by the end of the year, under a plan the company announced Thursday to expand aerial deliveries to suburban areas in nearly 500 cities across the United States. Customers could receive drone deliveries in as little as 30 minutes, Amazon stated in a press release. The drones can carry packages weighing up to 5 pounds. This plan will intensify the competition between Amazon and Walmart to offer consumers the fastest delivery times. Both giants rely on a combination of drones and delivery drivers to fulfill consumer orders. Amazon's plan would expand its drone delivery operations nationwide to more than six times its current size, adding hundreds of new communities, including metropolitan areas like Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Boise. The drones will primarily fly in suburban areas, away from skyscrapers and major airports that could pose challenges.

Amazon to Expand Light Package Delivery to 500 Cities in the U.S.

Millions more people could receive small, lightweight packages from Amazon delivered by drones by the end of the year, under a plan the company announced Thursday to expand aerial shipments to suburban areas in nearly 500 cities across the United States. Customers could receive drone deliveries in as little as 30 minutes, Amazon stated in a press release. The drones can carry packages weighing up to 5 pounds. This plan will intensify the competition between Amazon and Walmart to offer consumers the fastest delivery times. Both giants rely on a combination of drones and delivery personnel to fulfill consumer orders. Amazon's plan would expand its national drone delivery operation to more than six times its current size, incorporating hundreds of new communities, including metropolitan areas like Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Boise. The drones will primarily fly in suburban areas, away from skyscrapers and major airports that could pose challenges.

The Justice Department Seeks to Reactivate Criminal Case Against Kilmar Ábrego García

The Justice Department is pushing to reactivate criminal charges against Kilmar Ábrego García and informed a federal appeals court that a judge erred in labeling the case of the man mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador as 'abuse of power.' The government is appealing the May ruling by U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, who dismissed human trafficking charges against the Salvadoran citizen. The ruling was an extraordinary rebuke to a Justice Department that, under President Donald Trump, has been repeatedly accused of targeting defendants for political purposes. Crenshaw determined that Ábrego García would never have faced criminal charges if he had not successfully sued the government for his 2025 deportation. The ruling was an embarrassment for the Trump administration, which only brought him back after securing a formal indictment against him. Crenshaw did not conclude that the government acted with 'actual malice,' a standard rarely met and generally requiring evidence such as a prosecutor admitting that charges were filed in retaliation against someone. However, the judge did find sufficient evidence of 'presumed malice,' such as the timing of the formal charges.

Trump and Carney Hold Last-Minute Talks to Avert Tariffs on Canada

The United States and Canada are negotiating to reach a truce on tariffs before the deadline of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday set by U.S. President Donald Trump. If an agreement is not reached, Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump have spoken twice by phone in the past two days about the ongoing trade negotiations, including another call on Tuesday afternoon, according to Carney's office, highlighting the last-minute push to reach a deal before the deadline. 'We are negotiating,' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told the press on Monday. 'The negotiations are very intense and delicate. This is not the time to talk about negotiations in public.'

States Say Meta Platforms Exploit Young Minds as Trial Begins

Meta is once again in the hot seat over the dangers its platforms may pose to children. Once more, the company claims it is working tirelessly to keep them safe. A pivotal trial for the parent company of Instagram and Facebook began Tuesday in a federal court in California, with four states seeking billions of dollars in damages, as well as fundamental changes in how Meta manages its platforms. A jury will decide whether the state attorneys general have proven that the tech giant designed its apps to 'hook users, keep them engaged for as long as possible, collect their data, and conceal the truth from the public,' as stated by Megan O’Neill, deputy attorney general of the California Department of Justice, in her opening argument. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey were among the 29 states that sued the tech giant in 2023 over the safety and privacy of minors; the other 25 will go to trial later. The company is also facing lawsuits in state courts, including one currently underway in Tennessee.

Hayden Panettiere's ex-partner, former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, mourns her death

Hayden Panettiere's ex-partner stated on Tuesday that his family is 'going through a time of deep shock and pain' following her passing. Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian boxer and brother of the mayor of Kiev, paid tribute to his former fiancée through an Instagram post. 'The news of Hayden's tragic death deeply saddens me. She left this world too soon,' he wrote. 'Although she was no longer my partner, Hayden was an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.'

These are the CDC's 'zombies': they seem alive but have become dead

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still has a program for Alzheimer's disease. Congress allocated $41 million to it this year, but there is no one to manage it. The same goes for the Office on Smoking and Health, which received $246 million, yet also faced staff cuts. This situation is mirrored in the epilepsy program, its data collection operation on sickle cell disease, and its sexual assault prevention unit. Think of them as the government's zombie programs: they appear to be alive, at least according to legislation and congressional budget allocations. However, in practice, they are dead or nearly dead, as the CDC experts who used to do the work were laid off by the Trump administration or remain on paid leave without being allowed to perform their jobs.

ValleyCentral (KGBT) · Aug 18, 2026

Minnesota attorney general sues Texas governor to compel extradition of ICE agent for trial

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, seeking to compel the extradition of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to stand trial for assault and falsely reporting a crime in the wounding of a man during the agency's crackdown in Minneapolis. Ellison said he would

KRGV (NBC 5) · Aug 18, 2026

SpaceX recovers Starship rocket 24 days after launch in Cameron County

SpaceX successfully recovered its Starship rocket 24 days after its 13th test flight, which launched on July 24 from Starbase in Cameron County. The recovery team located the rocket off the coast of Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. Engineers from SpaceX are en route to the site to perform further analysis on the vehicle in calmer waters before planning its return to Starbase. This operation marks another significant milestone for SpaceX in its ongoing efforts to develop reusable rocket technology.

Inmate Scheduled for Execution After Killing His Estranged Wife

MIAMI — A Florida man convicted of fatally shooting his estranged wife and injuring his mother-in-law is set to be executed on Tuesday, continuing the aggressive use of the death penalty in the state during the final term of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. William Frances Silvia, 61, would be the 13th inmate executed this year in Florida, which has two more executions scheduled for September and has carried out more than half of the 22 executions in the country so far in 2026. Silvia is expected to receive a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, starting at 6 p.m. local time.

ValleyCentral (KGBT) · Aug 18, 2026

Starship flight 13 recovered after 24 days at sea

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX announced Tuesday morning that Starship Flight 13 was successfully guided to a location off the coast of Christmas Island after efforts were made to recover it from the Indian Ocean. According to SpaceX, the recovery team successfully directed the Starship after approximately 24 days at sea. The recovery comes after

USCIS Expands Public Charge Criteria for Permanent Residency Applicants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its guidelines for determining when an individual applying to adjust their status to become a permanent resident may be considered likely to become a 'public charge.' The changes will take effect on September 18, 2026, following the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) rescission of public charge regulations established in 2022 during the Biden administration. The public charge rule generally applies to individuals seeking permanent residency through immigration categories that are not exempt by law. Those who may be subject to this evaluation include certain spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens, relatives of permanent residents, fiancés of U.S. citizens, some employment-based immigrants, and investors, among other categories. However, there are numerous exceptions, including refugees, asylees, certain T and U visa beneficiaries, some self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), special immigrant juveniles, and applicants protected by specific humanitarian laws. USCIS will evaluate five legally established factors: age, health, family situation, assets and economic resources, and education and skills. They may also consider other relevant case elements, including the receipt of certain public benefits subject to economic criteria. The date of September 18, 2026, is crucial; for benefits received before this date, USCIS will only consider cash public assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization paid by the government. For benefits received after September 18, the agency indicates it may consider a broader range of assistance, including cash aid, housing, food stamps, financial aid for college, and other similar benefits subject to economic criteria. USCIS emphasizes that determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the totality of each applicant's circumstances. Receiving a public benefit alone does not automatically mean a residency application will be denied. The new guidelines also include the option for a public charge bond in certain cases. If an officer determines that the only reason a person would be inadmissible is the potential to become a public charge, USCIS may allow them to present a bond as financial security. The amount will be determined based on how much government assistance the person might receive over the next five years. Applicants cannot submit this bond on their own initiative; USCIS must first formally invite them to do so through a Notice of Intent to Deny. In that case, the individual may submit Form I-945 and meet the agency's requirements. The new policy will apply to Form I-485 for registering permanent residency or adjusting status subject to public charge grounds that are mailed or electronically submitted starting on September 18, 2026. USCIS states that the new guidelines replace previous public charge guidance and will serve as a framework for its officers to individually evaluate each application.

Ethics Committee Investigates Congressman Jimmy Gomez for Allegation of Inappropriate Sexual Conduct

The House Ethics Committee announced on Monday that it is reviewing allegations that Representative Jimmy Gomez, a Democrat from California, "may have engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct in violation of the Official Code of Conduct," including "maintaining inappropriate sexual contact with a House employee." "The Committee notes that the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations and making its review public does not, in itself, indicate that any violation has occurred," said a statement from the panel's chairman, Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, and the ranking Democrat, Mark DeSaulnier, from California. "No further public comments will be made on this matter, except in accordance with Committee rules," the statement added. Gomez, who is married and established a Congressional Parents Caucus in 2023, stated in a release that he had "made personal mistakes outside of my marriage" and that he would cooperate with the investigation. "Although my actions were consensual in nature and did not violate the law or House ethics rules, that does not diminish the impact that these mistakes have had on the people I care about most," the statement said. "I take full responsibility and am committed to addressing this pain privately with my wife and family."