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Misty Copeland broke barriers when she was named a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015.

It was at this moment that she became the first Black woman to be promoted to this rank in the company’s 75-year history at the time. Now, 10 years later, the dancer has announced her retirement, The Associated Press reported.

“It’s been 25 years at ABT, and I think it’s time,” Copeland said in an interview with The Associated Press a week ahead of the release of the official news. “It’s time for me to move to the next stage.”

What exactly is Misty Copeland’s next stage?

In addition to her work as a ballerina, Copeland is also the author of many books, including a memoir, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina. In addition to that, her philanthropic spirit shines brightly through The Misty Copeland Foundation, an organization whose mission is to increase diversity in the dance world and provide the opportunity to pursue dance to kids who grew up without proper resources and funding.

Copeland has also worked on a short film through her production company, Life in Motion Productions.

Misty Copeland’s final farewell

On Oct. 22, ABT is planning a farewell production for Copeland that will include a performance from the prestigious dancer, her first in five years, as well as tributes from other dancers, speeches and film clips.

“It was so important for children growing up and seeing somebody like Misty and saying, ‘Oh my gosh, she looks like I do,’” Susan Jaffe, artistic director at ABT, said, according to The Associated Press. “Through her books, through her lectures, even her endorsements, she has really been a trailblazer.”

Copeland has also played a huge role in putting together the event, planning one last dance: the Romeo and Juliet balcony pas de deux. Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy will serve as honorary chairs at the event.

“I’ve become the person that I am today, and have all the opportunities I have today, because of ballet, (and) because of American Ballet Theatre,” Copeland said. “I feel like this is me saying thank you to the company. So it’s a farewell. (But) it won’t be the end of me dancing. … Never say never.”

With her exit, there will no longer be a Black woman to hold the title of principal dancer at ABT, nor at most ballet companies across the globe. 

Israel intercepted a boat offering humanitarian aid to Palestine on Monday. The boat, the Madleen, was carrying activists, which included Greta Thunberg.

All passengers are currently being held by the Israeli government after being redirected to the port of Ashdod in Israel.

Greta Thunberg among activists intercepted in international waters

Thunberg and other passengers aboard the Madleen were stopped in international waters as they attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The boat left Sicily on June 1, according to Newsweek. Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), it was carrying food, baby formula, and medical supplies for Gaza residents.

In April 2025, the United Nations issued an assessment indicating that one in five residents of Gaza face starvation. There are currently 2 million people living in the city.

“If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” Thunberg said in a pre-recorded video released by the FFC.

The group invited passengers to record messages before their journey in preparation for the possibility of interception.

UN expert urges global support for Gaza despite Israeli blockade

Francesca Albanese, a special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories for the United Nations, encouraged continued efforts to challenge Israel’s blockade.

“Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,” she wrote on social media, according to The Independent.

Israel defends actions, cites security concerns and Oct. 7 attack

Israel’s Foreign Ministry shared a video showing the activists wearing life jackets and receiving food and water. The ministry stated that all passengers would be returned to their respective countries and that the humanitarian aid would be transferred to Gaza following Israeli procedures.

The government added that breaching the current blockade is “unlawful” and contradicts “ongoing humanitarian efforts.” It also said that the Madleen’s passengers would be shown videos of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel upon arrival in Ashdod.

The Oct. 7 attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 others, who were taken hostage in Gaza. The attack prompted a military response from Israel, which has led to over 54,000 Palestinian deaths, The Independent reported.

In May, another humanitarian boat sent by the FFC, the Conscience, was reportedly damaged by a drone strike near Malta. The group attributed the attack to Israel, though the Israeli government has not commented.

The streets of Los Angeles have been rocked by protests over the weekend, as crowds have demonstrated against raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city.

Local police, federal agents and the National Guard are now all involved, with city and state leaders clashing with the Trump administration over the protests and the federal immigration sweeps within the city.

What’s happened in Los Angeles this weekend in response to ICE raids?

The current round of clashes over immigration policies began on Friday in response to ICE agents conducting raids and arresting dozens of people in heavily Hispanic areas in and near Los Angeles, including the Westlake district and the Paramount suburb south of the city. Protests grew Saturday, with demonstrators gathering around locations, including the Los Angeles Federal Building and a Home Depot in Paramount.

An ICE statement about the situation claimed, “As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.”

Protesters shutdown the 101 Freeway as they clash with law enforcement in downtown Los Angeles due to the immigration raids in L.A. on Sunday, June 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. | Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

A Waymo car burns in the street as smoke billows during protests in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. Following a series of aggressive federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, tensions escalated when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a high-profile raid on a Home Depot location. The raid sparked widespread protests across the city, where demonstrators decried the targeting of immigrant communities and the separation of families. Clashes soon broke out between protesters and federal agents, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, a move harshly criticized by California officials, including the governor, as “purposefully inflammatory.” | Photo by David Pashaee / Middle East Images via AFP

Demonstrators confront a line of National Guard troops during a protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. Tensions remain high after President Trump deployed federal forces despite opposition from local officials. | Photo by David Pashaee / Middle East Images via AFP

Also on Saturday, President Donald Trump deployed at least 2,000 National Guard troops to LA to fight what he has labeled “RIOTS & LOOTERS” in a post on social media.

Clashes continued on Sunday. Some protestors burned empty cars and shot fireworks at police officers, and officers have, in turn, used pepper spray and nonlethal bullets against protestors. The Associated Press reported that an Australian reporter was shot with a rubber bullet while conducting a live broadcast of the protester clashes.

The police fired rubber bullets at Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi while she was reporting live from Los Angeles today.Appalling and unjustified.pic.twitter.com/QLixvXawDg— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 9, 2025

Who’s in charge, and what comes next?

Immigration operations continue to be carried out by federal agents operating under ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. The National Guard has been assigned to protect these agents in their duties. Governors and the president have the authority to deploy the National Guard within a state. In this case, Trump did so over the objection of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. This action marked the first time a president has called in the National Guard without a governor’s approval since 1965 during the Civil Rights Movement. Newsom has condemned the president’s move and said he would sue over the deployment, saying Trump “flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard.”

This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted.He flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard.The order he signed doesn’t just apply to CA.It will allow him to go into ANY STATE and do the same thing.We’re suing him.pic.twitter.com/O3RAGlp2zo— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemns National Guard deployment

Normal police operations in Los Angeles are still under the control of the Los Angeles Police Department, which in turn answers to Mayor Karen Bass. The mayor has condemned the National Guard deployment. The New York Times reported that Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said he would not have requested National Guard assistance but was making “a reassessment” in light of escalating violence, which he blamed on “anarchists” rather than immigration protesters.

With protests likely to continue, the situation in Los Angeles remains a standoff between authorities participating in Trump’s immigration sweeps and protesters opposing these raids, using both peaceful and sometimes violent methods to do so as the LA crisis has created a larger standoff between the Trump administration and local and state authorities in California, even as experts warn that Trump may be laying the groundwork to deploy troops in more areas and situations across the United States.

Khaby Lame has been detained and released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a statement to Men’s Journal, ICE confirmed that the globally recognized TikTok star was detained in Las Vegas on Friday for overstaying his visa, but was later permitted to leave the country. The agency said the Italian citizen arrived in the U.S. on April 30 but remained after his visa expired.

“Lame was granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.,” ICE wrote.

What did Khaby Lame post on social media after getting detained by ICE?

Lame, who has more than 162 million TikTok followers, has stayed active on social media since the incident. On Saturday, he posted a promotional TikTok video for Kellogg’s cereal. He also shared a photo of a scenic view with a palm tree on his Instagram Story.

On Sunday, Lame posted another Instagram Story featuring a photo with Will Smith, writing, “what a great experience! Thank you for letting me be part of your movie @willsmith @martinlawrence.”

Who is Khaby Lame?

Lame rose to fame after losing his job as a factory mechanic in 2020, France 24 reported. He began creating short-form video content, quickly becoming known for his viral reaction skits. According to France 24, Lame earned about $16.5 million in 2023, largely through brand marketing deals.

Although Lame has lived in Italy since infancy, after being born in Senegal, he didn’t officially receive Italian citizenship until 2022, per The Associated Press.

“It is not that before, before signing, I didn’t feel Italian, so very little has changed,” Lame said after gaining citizenship. “But now I am officially Italian, on paper.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Khaby Lame his real name?

Technically, yes. Khaby is a nickname. His full name is Khabane Lame, and he uses his legal name as the display name on his Instagram account.

Why does Khaby Lame not talk?

Lame said that him not speaking in videos was initially not a purposeful decision.

He told CNN (via CapitalFM.com), “I came up with the idea because I was seeing these videos circulating, and I liked the idea of bringing some simplicity to it. The type of gesture came by chance, but the silence didn’t. I thought of a way to reach as many people as possible. And the best way was not to speak.”

ABC News has suspended veteran correspondent Terry Moran for criticizing Donald Trump and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller on X.

Moran went to the social media platform on Sunday and said Trump and Miller are “world-class haters.” The correspondent said Trump’s hatred is “only a means to an end, and that end is his own glorification.”

“That’s his spiritual nourishment,” Moran said as he called out the President for his ego.

For Miller, Moran said “his spiritual nourishment” is hatred. The now-suspended journalist later deleted his post.

What did the Trump administration say about Terry Moran’s post?

The Trump administration responded in a statement on Sunday.

“We have reached out to ABC to inquire about how they plan to hold Terry accountable,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X.

Last night, in a since deleted post, so-called “journalist” @TerryMoran went on a rampage against Stephen Miller and called President Trump “a world class hater.”This is unhinged and unacceptable. We have reached out to @ABC to inquire about how they plan to hold Terry… pic.twitter.com/HsgusJEIvH— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) June 8, 2025

According to CNN, Leavitt also addressed the comments on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News, saying, “hopefully this journalist will either be suspended or terminated.”

Referring to an alleged private conversation, Leavitt claims that ABC had told her that “they will be taking action.”

Miller also responded to Moran, saying, “the most important fact about Terry’s full public meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America.”

The most important fact about Terry’s full public meltdown is what it shows about the corporate press in America. For decades, the privileged anchors and reporters narrating and gatekeeping our society have been radicals adopting a journalist’s pose. Terry pulled off his mask.— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 8, 2025

What did ABC say about suspending Terry Moran?

ABC News confirmed Moran’s suspension shortly after Leavitt spoke to Fox News.

“ABC News stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others,” a spokesperson told CNN. “The post does not reflect the views of ABC News and violated our standards — as a result, Terry Moran has been suspended pending further evaluation.”

Moran has been with ABC News since 1997.

Simone Biles is calling out former U.S. swimmer-turned-right-wing talking head, Riley Gaines. The legendary Olympian went to social media on Saturday to call out Gaines, who has been critical of transgender athletes.

Biles’ response came after Riley criticized a girls’ softball team in Minnesota for accepting a transgender athlete. After the team posted a photo on X to celebrate their state championship, Riley called them out for turning off comments on their post.

What did Simone Biles say to Riley Gaines?

“Comments off lol To be expected when your star player is a boy,” Riley wrote.

A short time later, Biles posted her own response to Riley, telling the swimmer to stop being angry about the fact that she lost a race against a transgender woman in 2022.

“@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.”

The gold medalist also tried to encourage Riley to uplift “the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports.”

“Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!” the superstar gymnast wrote.

@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender… https://t.co/pjpzuZ0AlO— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025

What happened to Riley Gaines at the 2022 NCAA Championships?

According to the BBC, Gaines became outraged when she finished fifth in the 200m freestyle swimming at the 2022 NCAA Championships, tying with transgender woman Lia Thomas.

As Gaines and other critics continued to speak out against transgender athletes after the race, World Aquatics established a new rule a year later. The organization stated at that time that transgender women can’t compete in women’s elite races if they experienced male puberty at any point.

AT&T is offering special deals for older customers, but there’s a catch to get the offer. The company announced that its new AT&T 55+ Plan, available for people 55 years old and up, provides unlimited talk, text and data for $40 per month for one line. The deal also offers $35 per month for two lines, or $70 total. In comparison, AT&T’s Unlimited Starter SL plan costs $65.99 per month for one line.

AT&T, which initially offered the 55+ plan exclusively in Florida for $60 for two lines and $80 for one, is now expanding the deal nationwide.

“At AT&T, we recognize the importance of addressing the unique needs of our 55 and better audience, a demographic that values simplicity and seamless connectivity in today’s fast-paced digital world,” the company stated, per PC Mag.

What’s the catch for AT&T’s senior plan?

To be eligible for AT&T’s 55+ plan, customers must enroll in wireless billing and autopay with a bank account. Per the terms and conditions, the total price may be higher after taxes and fees.

“Activation/upgrade fee per line (up to $50) and deposit may apply,” according to the terms.

Additionally, AT&T states it will slow data speeds “if the network is busy.”

How can older customers sign up for AT&T’s special offer?

Older consumers can sign up for the 55+ plan on AT&T’s website, where they’ll be asked to submit documents to verify their age.

“For failed age verification, an additional $20/mo. per line charge will apply unless the customer calls to cancel or change plans,” AT&T states.

People who want an even bigger deal can sign up for a bundle plan that includes “2 wireless lines + AT&T Internet 300 or AT&T Internet Air for $99/mo. plus taxes and fees.”

August Egg Company is recalling 1.7 million brown cage-free and certified organic brown eggs due to possible Salmonella contamination. According to Newsweek, the company issued the recall on Friday after distributing the eggs to several major grocery chains earlier this year.

“It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens,” August Egg Company said in a statement, per Newsweek. “Our internal food safety team is also conducting its own stringent review to identify what measures can be established to prevent this situation from recurring. We are committed to addressing this matter fully and implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again.”

Where were the recalled eggs sold?

The recalled products were sold at major grocery stores including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raley’s, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs. In California and Nevada, the eggs were distributed between Feb. 3 and May 15, with sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 4, 2025.

Eggs were also distributed in Washington, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois, labeled with sell-by dates from March 4 to June 19, per The Guardian.

How many people have gotten sick?

So far, 79 people have become ill due to the Salmonella outbreak, and 21 of them have been hospitalized, The Guardian reported. According to the CDC, Salmonella causes roughly 1.35 million infections in the U.S. every year.

What should you do if you bought the eggs?

Customers can call August Egg Company at 1-800-710-2554 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT. They can also return the eggs to the store where they made the purchase for a refund.

Let me know if you want to include a social CTA or health resource link for readers!

Rickey Smiley called out the culture of hazing, which allegedly led to the recent death of Caleb Wilson, who was pledging Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The comedian and TV host spoke out about the issue in an appearance on Jemele Hill’s “Spolitics” podcast.

Smiley, who has been an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity since 2000 and joined the org through the Psi Rho graduate chapter, has used his platform to call out the incident that led to Wilson’s death in March.

He said he was personally touched by the issue as he is a member of the fraternity in addition to dealing with his own son’s death in January 2023.

Rickey Smiley offered support to Caleb Wilson’s family

“I called Caleb Wilson’s dad and offered my condolences because I’m a dad that also lost his son,” Smiley told Hill, according to The Grio. “You know what he said? You are the first member of your fraternity to call and offer your condolences.”

Wilson died after being repeatedly punched in the chest during an off-campus fraternity ritual.

Rickey Smiley is calling out hazing culture

Smiley said hazing culture went against the founding principles of Omega Psi Phi.

“I don’t think Bishop Edgar A. Love would have punched anybody in the chest. Just, Love, Cooper and Coleman founded Omega Psi Phi at Howard University in 1911,” he said. “A lot of these guys that started this culture, I don’t care if it started in the 80s, I don’t care when it started. It is wrong. In 25 years in the frat, I have never put my hands on anybody.” 

“I’m not throwing my frat under the bus because everything the founders founded it on, I still believe it…I understand the culture of [traditions] but that don’t make [all traditions] right,” Smiley added.

He shared that one of his nephews who crossed Omega Psi Phi went through a similar hazing ritual to Wilson’s and his ribs had been bruised at the time.

“I [joined] Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, because of what it was founded on, not the culture that was created,” Smiley said. “Culture starts with cult. It’s gang activity…the last physical altercations that I’ve gotten into as a man was with Ques. Why? Why I leave the conclave wondering ‘what am I a part of? Why is it always some issues with my fraternity? With my bruhz?’ Because there’s a culture giving people access to be disrespectful. It’s gang-like mentality and mindset.” 

“You don’t know what somebody went through to get to where they are. You are already a man if you make it out of the projects to make it to college. Who are you to put your hands on someone?” he added. “Hazing has to stop. It’s wrong; stop putting your hands on people. People come to these organizations looking for something they never had. [Hazing] is not what the organization was founded on.”

The news was confirmed Thursday night in an Instagram post shared by the GMWA Alliance of Gospel Music Professionals on behalf of the Hutchins Family, IR Record Label and HD Global Media Group. Norman Hutchins’ family and record label speak […]