AP Trending SummaryBrief at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2024)

NASA cuts 2 from next SpaceX flight to make room for astronauts stuck at space station

NASA has cut two astronauts from the next crew to make room on the return trip for the two stuck at the International Space Station. NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch in September aboard a SpaceX rocket. They will return with Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore in February. NASA decided it’s too risky for them to fly home in their Boeing Starliner capsule. Bumped Friday from the SpaceX flight were NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson. NASA said they could fly on future missions. The space agency said it took into account spaceflight experience and other factors.

Neighbor held in disappearance of couple from California nudist resort. Both believed to be dead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A neighbor has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a couple from their home at a Southern California nudist resort. The Redlands Police Department says 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks was arrested Thursday night at Olive Dell Ranch and was booked into jail on suspicion of homicide. Seventy-three-year-old Stephanie Menard and her 79-year-old husband, Daniel, were last seen at their home Saturday morning. They were reported missing Sunday by a worried friend. Police believe the couple's bodies are in the suspect's home but are waiting for it to be shored up so they can enter. The house was substantially damaged when authorities used a tactical vehicle with a battering ram to break in.

2 women charged in Lululemon shoplifting scheme in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesota women are charged with organizing thefts of several thousand dollars' worth of merchandise from a Lululemon store in Minneapolis, and then funneling the stolen goods through a nail salon. Fifty-six-year-old My Hoang Thi Van, and 24-year-old Kathy Nguyen, are each charged with one felony count of organized retail theft. The Star Tribune reports that Minneapolis police tracked down the roommates from suburban Crystal after getting tipped by corporate investigators for the high-end athletic retailer. The criminal complaint says police used GPS tags to track the stolen merchandise to a nail salon in Crystal where one of the defendants worked.

Man pleads guilty to killing Baltimore tech entrepreneur in attack that shocked the city

BALTIMORE (AP) — A man has pleaded guilty to killing Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere last September in an apparently random attack that shocked the city. Jason Billingsley entered the guilty plea instead of going to trial Friday morning and received a life sentence. He also pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of attempted murder in a separate arson and home invasion case that took place just days before LaPere was found dead on the rooftop of her downtown Baltimore apartment building.

'Dancing With the Stars' pro Artem Chigvintsev arrested on domestic violence charge in California

YOUNTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A California sheriff's office says “Dancing With the Stars” pro Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested and booked on a domestic violence charge. Napa County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Henry Wofford says when deputies responded to a domestic violence call in Yountville on Thursday, it was apparent that there was potential abuse and Chigvintsev was arrested. Wofford says Chigvintsev was charged with felony domestic violence. Wofford said he could not release any information about the alleged victim or their relationship to Chigvintsev. He says Chigvintsev was released on $25,000 bail. Representatives for Chigvintsev didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on his behalf and it wasn't immediately clear whether he had an attorney.

Sheriff's office quickly dispels active shooter rumor at Disney World after fight, 'popping' sound

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A fight at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park and a “popping” sound caused a disruption among visitors and rumors of an active shooter that were quickly put to rest by the county sheriff’s office. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed on social media that there was no active shooter at the park on Thursday night. The office said the sound that was heard was believed to be a balloon. It said guests began running, and that’s how the active shooter rumor started. Visitors at the park posted accounts that people were running and children were crying amid the confusion.

A climate-related mass die-off leaves over 100 tons of dead fish collecting at a Greek port

VOLOS, Greece (AP) — Authorities say more than 100 tons of dead fish have been collected in and around the port of Volos, in central Greece, following a mass die-off linked to extreme climate fluctuations. The dead freshwater fish filled the bay, 320 kilometers north of Athens, and nearby rivers after water levels were swollen by floods last year, followed by months of severe drought. Fishing trawlers have been chartered by the regional authorities, along with earthmovers, to scoop the dead fish out of the sea and load them onto trucks bound for an incinerator.

She's a Norwegian princess. He's an American self-professed shaman. Their wedding is this weekend

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Norwegian king’s eldest child will marry an American self-professed shaman in a picturesque corner of southern Norway on Saturday. The wedding of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verret comes amid widespread criticism of the couple’s actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals. The 52-year-old princess is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she’ll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house to be able to work closer with her American fiancé. They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verret will not have royal titles or official duties.

Swiss city of Basel is chosen to host next year's Eurovision Song Contest

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss city of Basel will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest from May 13 to 17. The mostly German-speaking city on the Rhine River was selected over Geneva in a faceoff that generated buzz and anticipation across Switzerland. TBasel’s city council said it was “delighted with the decision and sees hosting the world’s largest music competition as a great opportunity,” he Alpine country won the right to host the glitzy song-and-dance extravaganza after Swiss singer Nemo won the contest’s 68th edition in May. The annual event draws hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

'K-pop Idols' documentary looks at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A new Apple TV+ documentary series, “K-pop Idols,” offers an intimate look at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity while grappling with challenges in a field that demands perfection. The six-part series features Korean American star Jessi and up-and-coming K-pop bands like Blackswan and Cravity. Blackswan members Fatou and Nvee told The Associated Press they practice up to 10 hours daily, including choreography and vocal sessions before the events to promote their latest songs. Once under contract, K-pop trainees enter a system that includes classes in manners, language, dance, and choreography. Despite pushback against the “dark side of K-pop” narrative, the documentary shows some problems persist.