NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Twenty Native American students are heading to college thanks to a special scholarship opportunity. The New Mexico Gas Company has been awarding the scholarships since 2011, and they are available to students in traditional bachelor’s and graduate degree programs.
The gas company says the $3,000 scholarship provides flexibility for students because it can be used for any education-related expenses, not just tuition. Students at this year’s banquet say they were thrilled to head into higher education so they can give back to their community.
“I really want to give back to my Native communities. I am pursuing a degree in nursing, and I later want to pursue a Master’s Degree in public health so that I can build capacity in our Native communities, so we can strengthen our infrastructure, so we have lots of sustainability,” says Margaret Quintana, 2025 NASP recipient who will be attending UNM.
“It’s critically important to the future of young Native American children with such a lack of resources in many cases and a lack of doors that create opportunities for them to pursue careers, to pursue higher levels of education. These programs provide those pathways,” says Notah Begay III, Founder of NB3 Foundation and NBC golf commentator.
The following students won scholarships:
Kaden Bee, Kirtland, Navajo Nation, attending San Juan College to study engineering.
Sarah Begay, Brimhall, N.M., Navajo Nation, attending Navajo Technical University to study applied sciences and biology.
Shiloh Conn, Red Valley, Ariz., Navajo Nation, attending University of Connecticut at Hartford to study criminal law.
Mya Fragua, Acoma Pueblo, attending New Mexico State to study nursing.
Wacey Jodie, Albuquerque, Navajo Nation, attending University of New Mexico to study civil engineering.
McKenzie Johnson, Rio Rancho, Navajo Nation, attending University of New Mexico to study business administration and accounting.
Gabriella Jojola, Albuquerque, Isleta Pueblo, attending New Mexico State to study nursing.
Kassidy Jones, Gallup, Navajo Nation, attending Onandaga Community College to study kinesiology.
Tatum Lantana, Bloomfield, Navajo Nation, attending Texas Tech to study kinesiology.
Norlyn Lowden, Acoma Pueblo, attending University of New Mexico to study nursing.
Preston Lujan, Taos Pueblo, attending New Mexico State to study aerospace engineering.
Daija Martinez, Mescalero Apache, attending New Mexico State to study nursing.
Brooke Nez, Pinehill, Navajo Nation, attending Carthage College to study nursing.
Aaron Pino, El Paso, Acoma Pueblo, attending Indiana Institute of Technology to earn a Master of Science in cybersecurity.
Whitney Platero, Bloomfield, Navajo Nation, attending San Juan College to study mortuary science.
Margaret Quintana, Santo Domingo Pueblo and Cochiti Pueblo, attending University of New Mexico to study nursing.
Kiela Shroulote, Laguna Pueblo, attending Brookline College to study nursing.
Amari Solomon-Lule, Zuni Pueblo, attending Central New Mexico Community College to study health care.
Hayle Trujillo, Santa Fe, Nambe Pueblo, attending University of Arizona to study microbiology.
Vivyana Valencia, Acoma Pueblo, attending New Mexico State to study animal science
President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a trade agreement with the European Union that would set tariffs at 15%, ending what had been months of uncertainty surrounding trade with the United States’ largest trade partner.
The tariff rate is a reduction from the 30% that Trump threatened on July 12 and the 20% he said he would impose on April 2.
Announcing the agreement, Trump said the E.U. will not impose a tariff on U.S. imports. He added this agreement was “satisfactory to both sides.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday alongside Trump that the pact “will bring stability. It will bring predictability. That’s very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”
However, Trump said 50% tariffs on steel would remain unchanged and more tariffs could still be on the way for pharmaceutical products, which Ireland is one of the top sources of. Trump recently threatened 200% tariffs on pharma goods.
‘Meet the Press’
Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who are working together to push the Trump administration to release federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein, disagreed over whether Trump should pardon Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Massie told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” during a joint interview with Khanna that “whatever they need to do to compel [Maxwell’s] testimony, as long as it’s truthful, I would be in favor of.”
Khanna, on the other hand, said, “No, I don’t” believe that Maxwell should be pardoned or have her sentence commuted and that he is “concerned” that she met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last week.
“Look, I agree with Congressman Massie that she should testify, but she’s been indicted twice on perjury. This is why we need the files,” Khanna added.
In a separate interview, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would defer to the president on whether Maxwell should be pardoned, telling moderator Kristen Welker, “That’s not my lane.”
Johnson later added, “If you’re asking my opinion, I think 20 years was a pittance. I think she should have a life sentence at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes, and as you noted earlier, probably 1,000 victims. I mean, you know, this, this is, it’s, it’s hard to put into words how evil this was.”
Politics in brief
Close to home: Democrats are planning to make Rep. David Valadao’s support for Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” — and his vote for Medicaid cuts — a focal point of their campaign in a key midterm race.
Charting old territory: As Texas Republicans plow ahead with a plan to redraw congressional maps ahead of schedule, many governors are increasingly grappling with the issue sooner than expected.
First up: The Democratic Party shook up its presidential primary schedule in 2024, placing South Carolina out in front. State leaders want to keep it that way in 2028.
More South Carolina: Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the Freedom Caucus, announced he is running for governor, looking to succeed GOP Gov. Henry McMaster.
As Israel announces a ‘tactical pause’ in fighting, Sen. Lindsey Graham says there’s no way to negotiate with Hamas
The announcement issued by the Israel Defense Forces said it would be implementing “humanitarian corridors” for the safe movement of United Nations aid trucks and “humanitarian pauses” in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he believes there is no way for Israel to safely negotiate an end to the war with Hamas and that Israel would take over Gaza, comparing the move to U.S. actions at the end of World War II.
“They’re going to do in Gaza what we did in Tokyo and Berlin, take the place by force and start over again, presenting a better future for the Palestinians, hopefully having the Arabs take over the West Bank and Gaza,” he later added.
How armed gangs are hunting the internet’s high rollers
Muhammad Arsalan and Festo Ivaibi, two victims of crypto crimes.Asim Hafeez; Esther Mbabazi for NBC News
As the price of bitcoin rises, criminals are increasingly reaching beyond cyberspace, with a growing number of real-life kidnappings aiming to empty people’s crypto wallets.
Crypto-related abductions increased every year since 2019, an NBC News analysis found, with a review of news reports and legal documents identifying 67 incidents of crypto kidnapping in 44 countries involving a target or their family member.
Muhammad Arsalan, a 23-year-old crypto influencer from Pakistan, was forced to surrender $340,000 worth of tether when he was kidnapped and held at gunpoint in December.
“I had no options left. This is my whole life savings. This is all my life’s money,” Arsalan said.
Live and let dye: The race to replace artificial food colorings
Kraft Heinz, Nestle, General Mills and major ice cream makers have all recently vowed to shift to natural coloring amid the Trump administration’s push to eliminate artificial dyes from the country’s food supply, as well as a broader movement by states to ban them because of safety concerns.
The transition presents challenges for food companies in developing reliable, cost-effective natural dyes, which are generally more expensive and difficult to make, requiring higher concentrations to achieve the same hue. The shift has also raised questions about the long-term impact of natural dyes on consumers’ health.
The Texas-based Atkinson Candy Company, which makes the Chick-O-Stick candy bar, is among smaller manufacturers struggling to maintain a distinctive hue while phasing out synthetic food dyes.
“They say in the industry that taste is king, but color is queen,” CEO Eric Atkinson explained. “The queen is very important.”
Notable quote
The director of national intelligence and the White House are lying, again.
Susan Miller,former senior CIA officer
The former senior CIA officer who helped oversee the intelligence assessment on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election told NBC News that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the White House are “lying” when they claim that it was an attempt to sabotage Trump.
The Illinois man who was sentenced to 53 years in prison for the murder of a young Palestinian American boy in a 2023 hate crime died in prison, authorities said.
Four adults were arrested after being accused of abusing nine children in their home by caging them with plywood under a bunk bed and spraying them in the face with vinegar as a form of punishment, Florida officials said.
Beyoncé reunited Destiny’s Child for the final “Cowboy Carter” tour date, with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams appearing onstage in Las Vegas.
Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday signaled their readiness to negotiate an end to a deadly border dispute following mediation efforts by Trump, who has pressed for ceasefire talks.
Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, the first to take place under the country’s new authorities after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Some have had a few. Some have had many. The Oregon Ducks seemingly come up with a new one every week.
The topic is, of course, alternate uniforms. The best of the best have become beloved staples of the fall calendar for college football fans. Just as many, though, have been relegated to the dustbin of history (or at least a campus storage closet). A vaunted few have risen to an even higher tier: cult classic.
With the 2025 college football season approaching, we decided to run through the extensive catalog of alternate uniform offerings in the sport since 2000 and parse through it all to determine some of the most memorable — for better or for worse.
We broke our superlatives list down into a number of categories — three broad, three specific, each with multiple nominations, and six exclusive awards. Some of these categories reward aesthetic beauty. More prefer just plain zaniness.
Here are the best, worst and wildest of alternate uniforms from the past 25 years.
Best in show
In the nominations for our best of the best, we covered a wide range of topical ground. From distinct colors to well-executed throwbacks, our five picks offer an array of different ways to make an alternate uniform pop.
It’s always encouraging when a team is willing to try something new — creativity and boldness are two traits that help make college football fun. That said, not every outside-the-box alternate uniform idea is created equal. We’re not necessarily saying these uniforms are bad, but they definitely were… enterprising.
A great — or poor — helmet can make or break a uniform, so we created a separate category for some of the most notable lids. Bonus points were awarded for distinctiveness, regardless of how well-executed.
A key element of college football is representing a school’s hometown or home state. These three schools went the furthest in going above and beyond to fulfill that mission, incorporating their state’s flag into their alternate uniforms. The aesthetic results were varied.
An unlikely source of quality alternate jerseys in recent years? Outer space. In fact, space-themed uniforms produced enough impressive alternates that we deemed it worthy of its own category. Here are the best of the best to have drawn inspiration from the stars.
Context matters for uniforms, too. Almost all alternate uniforms represent or honor something, but some threads have particularly special motives. These two alternates have established themselves as particularly distinguished in the backstory category.
The Eagles have donned uniforms featuring a red bandana pattern and a “FOR WELLES” nameplate once a year since 2014. The uniforms pay homage to Welles Crowther, a Boston College alum who died saving lives in the Sept. 11 attacks while wearing a red bandana.
A tradition since 2016, UAB has worn special jerseys for select games as part of a partnership with Children’s Harbor, a service center for seriously ill children and their families in Birmingham, Alabama. The Blazers’ Children’s Harbor jerseys feature the names of patients on the back in place of those of players.
Worst trend to never catch on
Block letter jerseys
A very brief but nevertheless unfortunate stint in the pantheon of alternate uniform history was the spurt of designs in the early 2010s featuring jerseys with block letter logos front and center. Of the assorted pitfalls an alternate uniform can hit, these ran the gauntlet.
Changing the aesthetics for the jerseys of teams with classic traditional threads? Check. Unwieldy designs without grounding in a school’s history or tradition? Check. Creating a strange on-screen viewing experience? Check. Blissfully, these never took hold outside of a few Big Ten one-offs.
Lifetime achievement award
Oregon
Undoubtedly the most prolific uniform-producing school, the Ducks put out more uniform combinations in a season than some programs do in a decade. Instead of trying to choose which categories to slot them into — since they’ve produced enough memorable combinations to be involved in just about every option, really — we’re simply giving the Ducks a lifetime achievement award, showcasing a short palette of their range here.
Best alternate uniform reveal series
Notre Dame
While there have been plenty of great alternate uniform reveals, nobody in the game has committed to a bit quite like Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish started in 2022, parodying “The Hangover” to unveil their uniforms for that year’s Shamrock Series game in Las Vegas. They’ve since established the movie parody lane as their niche, riffing “Jerry Maguire” in 2023 and “Wolf of Wall Street” in 2024.
Admittedly, there are not a ton of matchups producing alternate uniform matchups on an annual basis. Or any, for that matter. But it simply wouldn’t be an alternate uniform story without plaudits being given to the level of detail put into Army and Navy’s respective uniforms on a yearly basis for their rivalry game in recent years. So, like Oregon, we’ve created a specific category to highlight some of the best Army-Navy alternate uniform showdowns.
Techs Stick Together unity award
Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech, 2007
It felt right to end this piece with an “alternate” uniform that, while very much not intentional, was certainly memorable. On November 1, 2007, Virginia Tech played a routine road game against Georgia Tech. There was just one issue — some of the Hokies’ jerseys had gone missing. As a result, four Virginia Tech players had to play with the only extra uniforms on hand: Yellow Jacket road jerseys, with new names scrawled on the back and “Georgia Tech” blacked out on the front.
In February of 2022, Sharon and OzzyOsbourne starred in YUNGBLUD‘s music video for “The Funeral,” the start of a friendship, and a mentorship, that we got to watch at its peak on stage on the 5th of July.
Ever since that day that Ozzy and Sharon starred in that music video, have they looked out for YUNGBLUD, also known as DominicHarrison. YUNGBLUD was mentored in his career and in his rockstar persona by both Sharon and OzzyOsbourne, as they gave him advice on navigating a ‘rockstar’s career. The relationship between the two became so strong that Ozzy even gifted YUNGBLUD his beloved cross necklace, which Harrison famously had recreated and gifted back to Ozzyon the night of Back To The Beginning.
It’s probably due to one thing – the Osbournes see YUNGBLUD as a younger Ozzy. He all but proved it to them on The Osbournes podcast last summer, where Sharon and KellyOsbourne asked Harrison questions about himself, and YUNGBLUD answered every single one of them like ‘young’ Ozzy would.
So, there’s a standing relationship between the two, beyond just that night at Back To The Beginning. Maybe that’s what helped Harrison put on a performance of a lifetime – he was performing for the grandfather of metal, his mentor, his hero.
And because of that stellar performance, YUNGBLUD has vowed to play “Changes” at every single show for the rest of his life. He says so in a caption of a video uploaded to Instagram. It reads:
I’m trying to compute the last couple days and honestly I’m absolutely fucking shattered.
You have been my North Star for everything for as long as I can remember from when I was misunderstood as a child to the way people thought I was just a little “too much” or “strange” in my life and career.
I owe so much to you, your wife and your family – you all gave me a road to run down and supported me when people would turn their nose up.
You loved life so much and you adored music. It was your smile man. You taught me it was beautiful to be out of the box.
I promise you with all my heart I will try my best and make it my life’s journey to keep the sprit that you started and what you have taught me alive. I will give it my best shot.
To sing this song for you at an event surrounded by legends inspired by you to a crowd that loved you was truly my life’s greatest honour and I vow to play this song every night for the rest of my life.
You’re my hero in every regard. I hope you’re up there avin a drink with Randy.
For the prince of darkness you sure brought all the light to the world. I love you Ozzy.
Marvel’s first family has finally found box office gold. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the first film about the superheroes made under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the Walt Disney Co., earned $118 million in its first weekend in 4,125 North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.That makes it the fourth biggest opening of the year, behind “A Minecraft Movie,” “Lilo & Stitch” and “Superman,” and the biggest Marvel opening since “Deadpool & Wolverine” grossed $211 million out of the gate last summer. Internationally, “Fantastic Four” made $100 million from 52 territories, adding up to a $218 million worldwide debut. The numbers were within the range the studio was expecting.The film arrived in the wake of another big superhero reboot, James Gunn’s “Superman,” which opened three weekends ago and has already crossed $500 million globally. That film, from the other main player in comic book films, DC Studios, took second place with $24.9 million domestically.The box office success of “First Steps” and “Superman” means “the whole notion of superhero fatigue, which has been talked about a lot, can I think be put to rest. I always say it’s bad movie fatigue, not superhero fatigue,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore.”First Steps” is the latest attempt at bringing the superhuman family to the big screen, following lackluster performances for other versions. The film, based on the original Marvel comics, is set during the 1960s in a retro-futuristic world led by the Fantastic Four, a family of astronauts-turned-superhuman from exposure to cosmic rays during a space mission.The family is made up of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), who can stretch his body to incredible lengths; Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), who can render herself invisible; Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), who transforms into a fiery human torch; and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who possesses tremendous superhuman strength with his stone-like flesh.The movie takes place four years after the family gained powers, during which Reed’s inventions have transformed technology, and Sue’s diplomacy has led to global peace.Both audiences and critics responded positively to the film, which currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and promising exit poll responses from opening weekend ticket buyers. An estimated 46% of audiences chose to see it on premium screens, including IMAX and other large formats.The once towering Marvel is working to rebuild audience enthusiasm for its films and characters. Its two previous offerings this year did not reach the cosmic box office heights of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which made over $1.3 billion, or those of the “Avengers”-era. But critically, the films have been on an upswing since the poorly reviewed “Captain America: Brave New World,” which ultimately grossed $415 million worldwide. “Thunderbolts,” which jumpstarted the summer movie season, was better received critically but financially is capping out at just over $382 million globally.Like Deadpool and Wolverine, the Fantastic Four characters had been under the banner of 20th Century Fox for years. The studio produced two critically loathed, but decently profitable attempts in the mid-2000s with future Captain America Chris Evans as the Human Torch. In 2015, it tried again (unsuccessfully) with Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller. They got another chance after Disney’s $71 billion acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019.The “Fantastic Four’s” opening weekend results were a little less than some rival studio projections, Dergarabedian said. Nonetheless, the film is expected to carry movie theater earnings well into August.Holdovers dominated the top 10, but one other newcomer managed to make the chart. The dark romantic comedy “Oh, Hi!” earned $1.1 million from 866 screens.”Jurassic World Rebirth” landed in third place in its fourth weekend with $13 million, followed by “F1” with $6.2 million. The Brad Pitt racing movie also passed $500 million globally. “Smurfs” rounded out the top five with $5.4 million in its second weekend.The box office is currently up over 12% from last year.Top 10 movies by domestic box officeWith final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:1. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $118 million.2. “Superman,” $24.9 million.3. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $13 million.4. “F1: The Movie,” $6.2 million.5. “Smurfs,” $5.4 million.6. “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” $5.1 million.7. “How to Train Your Dragon,” $2.8 million.8. “Eddington,” $1.7 million.9. “Saiyaara,” $1.3 million.10. “Oh, Hi!,” $1.1 million.
Marvel’s first family has finally found box office gold. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the first film about the superheroes made under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the Walt Disney Co., earned $118 million in its first weekend in 4,125 North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.
That makes it the fourth biggest opening of the year, behind “A Minecraft Movie,” “Lilo & Stitch” and “Superman,” and the biggest Marvel opening since “Deadpool & Wolverine” grossed $211 million out of the gate last summer. Internationally, “Fantastic Four” made $100 million from 52 territories, adding up to a $218 million worldwide debut. The numbers were within the range the studio was expecting.
The film arrived in the wake of another big superhero reboot, James Gunn’s “Superman,” which opened three weekends ago and has already crossed $500 million globally. That film, from the other main player in comic book films, DC Studios, took second place with $24.9 million domestically.
The box office success of “First Steps” and “Superman” means “the whole notion of superhero fatigue, which has been talked about a lot, can I think be put to rest. I always say it’s bad movie fatigue, not superhero fatigue,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore.
“First Steps” is the latest attempt at bringing the superhuman family to the big screen, following lackluster performances for other versions. The film, based on the original Marvel comics, is set during the 1960s in a retro-futuristic world led by the Fantastic Four, a family of astronauts-turned-superhuman from exposure to cosmic rays during a space mission.
The family is made up of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), who can stretch his body to incredible lengths; Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), who can render herself invisible; Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), who transforms into a fiery human torch; and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), who possesses tremendous superhuman strength with his stone-like flesh.
The movie takes place four years after the family gained powers, during which Reed’s inventions have transformed technology, and Sue’s diplomacy has led to global peace.
Both audiences and critics responded positively to the film, which currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and promising exit poll responses from opening weekend ticket buyers. An estimated 46% of audiences chose to see it on premium screens, including IMAX and other large formats.
The once towering Marvel is working to rebuild audience enthusiasm for its films and characters. Its two previous offerings this year did not reach the cosmic box office heights of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which made over $1.3 billion, or those of the “Avengers”-era. But critically, the films have been on an upswing since the poorly reviewed “Captain America: Brave New World,” which ultimately grossed $415 million worldwide. “Thunderbolts,” which jumpstarted the summer movie season, was better received critically but financially is capping out at just over $382 million globally.
Like Deadpool and Wolverine, the Fantastic Four characters had been under the banner of 20th Century Fox for years. The studio produced two critically loathed, but decently profitable attempts in the mid-2000s with future Captain America Chris Evans as the Human Torch. In 2015, it tried again (unsuccessfully) with Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller. They got another chance after Disney’s $71 billion acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019.
The “Fantastic Four’s” opening weekend results were a little less than some rival studio projections, Dergarabedian said. Nonetheless, the film is expected to carry movie theater earnings well into August.
Holdovers dominated the top 10, but one other newcomer managed to make the chart. The dark romantic comedy “Oh, Hi!” earned $1.1 million from 866 screens.
“Jurassic World Rebirth” landed in third place in its fourth weekend with $13 million, followed by “F1” with $6.2 million. The Brad Pitt racing movie also passed $500 million globally. “Smurfs” rounded out the top five with $5.4 million in its second weekend.
The box office is currently up over 12% from last year.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $118 million.
2. “Superman,” $24.9 million.
3. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $13 million.
4. “F1: The Movie,” $6.2 million.
5. “Smurfs,” $5.4 million.
6. “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” $5.1 million.
Russia on Sunday opened a regular air link between Moscow and Pyongyang, a move reflecting increasingly close ties between the two countries.
The first flight operated by Russian carrier Nordwind took off from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport carrying over 400 passengers. Russia’s Transport Ministry said there will be one flight a month to meet demand.
Passengers gather to check in for the first flight connecting Moscow and Pyongyang at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International airport, amidst the warming relations between Russia and North Korea outside Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 27, 2025.
AP Photo
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who visited North Korea’s new Wonsan-Kalma beach resort earlier this month to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, promised to encourage Russian tourists to visit the complex.
The resort, which can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, is at the center of Kim’s push to boost tourism to improve his country’s troubled economy.
North Korea has been slowly easing the curbs imposed during the pandemic and reopening its borders in phases. But the country hasn’t said if it would fully resume international tourism.
Russia’s Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777-200ER takes off for the first flight connecting Moscow and Pyongyang at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport.
/ AP
Regular flights between Russia’s eastern port city of Vladivostok and Pyongyang reopened in 2023 following a break caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Russia and North Korea have sharply expanded military and other ties in recent years, with Pyongyang supplying weapons and troops to back Russia’s military action in Ukraine.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum officially welcomed five new members Sunday. This year’s induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, honored the 2025 Hall of Fame class, led by the peerless Ichiro Suzuki. The five-person Hall of Fame class is the largest since seven people were inducted in 2022.
To summarize this year’s Hall of Fame class:
Lefty starter CC Sabathia, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, and lefty reliever Billy Wagner were voted into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
First baseman Dick Allen and outfielder Dave Parker were voted into Cooperstown by the Hall of Fame’s Classic Baseball Era Committee.
As always, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on the lawn outside the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. Thousands of baseball fans were in attendance, with Mariners fans and Yankees fans particularly well represented. Here is what you need to know about Sunday’s induction ceremony.
Ichiro Suzuki
Despite not making the jump to MLB until age 27, Suzuki played parts of 19 seasons in the show and retired with 3,089 hits. He led the league in hits seven times, including a single-season record 262 hits in 2004. He’s a 10-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. Suzuki retired as a career .311/.355/.402 hitter and received MVP votes in nine seasons. Ichiro fell one vote short of unanimous Hall of Fame selection and was of course a first-ballot inductee.
“Baseball taught me to make value decisions about what’s important,” Ichiro said during his speech. “Taught me what it means to be professional, and that’s the main reason I’m here today.”
In 2001, Suzuki joined Fred Lynn as the only players to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. He played most of his career with the Mariners (2001-12 and 2018-19), but also had stints with the Yankees (2012-14) and Marlins (2015-17). Ichiro played nine seasons with the Orix Blue Wave in Japan before coming to MLB. He has 4,367 hits between Japan and MLB.
“People often measure me by my records: 3,000 hits, 10 Gold Gloves, 10 seasons of 200 hits. Not bad, eh?” Ichiro joked. “… For the third time, I am a rookie. I’m 51 years old. Easy on the hazing.”
Suzuki also joked that he hadn’t heard of the Marlins when he signed with Miami in 2015 and took a shot at the lone BBWAA member who didn’t vote for him last winter.
CC Sabathia
Sabathia played 19 big-league seasons from 2001-19 with Cleveland (2001-08), the Brewers (2008), and the Yankees (2009-19). He retired with a 251-161 record and a 3.74 ERA, and his 3,093 strikeouts are third most all-time among left-handers. Sabathia won a Cy Young award with Cleveland (2007) and a World Series championship with the Yankees (2009). He was the ALCS MVP in 2009. Sabathia was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee and received 86.8% of the BBWAA’s vote.
“(My wife) Amber and I have always been ‘we,'” Sabathia said during his speech. “We picked the Yankees. We bought a house in New Jersey. 17 years later, that’s where we still live. It’s where we raised our family. When I wrote my book, I dedicated it to our children because that’s still our biggest accomplishment together to this day. The best part of being retired is watching what our kids do.”
Billy Wagner
A natural right-hander who learned to throw left-handed after breaking his arm as a child, Wagner is one of the most dominant relievers in baseball history. He is eighth all-time with 422 saves and his 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings is the best in baseball history among pitchers with 900 innings. Wagner played with the Astros (1995-2003), Phillies (2004-05), Mets (2006-09), Red Sox (2009), and Braves (2010). He’s a seven-time All-Star who received Cy Young votes in two seasons.
“Obstacles aren’t a roadblock. They’re a stepping stone,” Wagner said during his speech. “I wasn’t the biggest. I wasn’t left-handed. I wasn’t supposed to be here.”
Wagner used part of his speech to honor Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, his longtime teammates in Houston.
“Who could have imagined, when I debuted in 1995, that I would take the field with two future Hall of Famers. Now I’m joining them,” Wagner said. “It was Craig Biggio. Bige, even though you whined and complained about pitchers, I still loved you. You brought consistency every day, and your competitive drive helped me to be my very best. Thank you.
“Baggy, where do I start. It wasn’t your words — you are a man of few words — it was your look. Your glare. That’s what let everyone know things were OK if we needed to get our act together. I loved your grit. You taught me one of baseball’s greatest lessons: how to show up and play after a bad day. No excuses. Showed me what a big leaguer looks like. Your friendship means the world to me.”
Wagner was voted into the Hall of Fame in his tenth and final year on the BBWAA’s ballot. His support gradually increased from 10.5% in 2016, his first year of eligibility, to 82.5% this year.
Dick Allen and Dave Parker
Allen and Parker were inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously Sunday. Allen died at age 78 in December 2020. He played 15 years in MLB with the Phillies (1963-69 and 1975-76), Cardinals (1970), Dodgers (1971), White Sox (1972-74), and Athletics (1977). The 1964 NL Rookie of the Year and 1972 AL MVP retired with a .292/.378/.534 batting line and 351 home runs. Allen spent 14 years on the BBWAA’s ballot and seven cycles on Hall of Fame’s various committees before getting into Cooperstown.
“Today his name is enshrined among the greatest to ever play the game,” Willa Allen, Dick’s widow, said during her speech. “And I know beyond all the applause, Dick would want this moment to inspire others to play with passion, to live with heart, and to always be true to yourself. Thank you for honoring Dick. Thank you for believing in him, and thank you for finally bringing him home.”
Parker died on June 28 at age 74. Cobra was a 19-year big leaguer with the Pirates (1973-82), Reds (1984-87), Athletics (1988-89), Brewers (1990), Angels (1991), and Blue Jays (1991). The 1978 NL MVP won World Series titles with the Pirates (1979) and Athletics (1989) and slugged 339 home runs in his career. Parker spent the maximum 15 years on the BBWAA’s Hall of Fame ballot and went through four cycles on the Hall of Fame’s committees before being voted into Cooperstown this past winter.
“Pops wanted to say, ‘To my six darling children, 13 grandchildren, four beautiful great-grandchildren, you are the true achievement of my life,'” Parker’s son, Dave Parker II, said as he read his father’s Hall of Fame speech. “The warmth, love, and affection each of you bring when we’re together keep me going daily. I love you so much.”
Parker also wrote a poem for his Hall of Fame induction:
The Hall of Fame’s committees have changed over time. Allen and Parker were voted in by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which considered those whose primary contribution to the game came prior to 1980. Allen received 13 votes from the 16-person committee. Parker received 14. Twelve votes were needed for induction.
Hulk Hogan’s son Nick remembered his late father in a lengthy, emotional social media post over the weekend.
35-year-old Nick Hogan shared a collection of photos of his father through the years, and shared that some of his best memories with his dad took place just recently.
Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) died on Thursday morning (July 24) at his home in Clearwater, Fla.
He was 71 years old.
The former WWE star had been rumored to be in poor health for several months, but family disputed reports from June that he was on his death bed.
Police say there was no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.
“My dad was the most incredible person I’ve ever known and will always be my hero,” Nick wrote in the caption of his tribute.
“He was the most kind, loving and amazing father anybody could ask for,” he continued. “I feel so blessed to have had the greatest dad in the world.”
Nick described Hogan as his lifelong “best friend,” as well as a constant mentor. He also shared that he’d recently moved back to Florida to be closer to his father, and that in the wake of his death, he cherishes the time they spent together during those final years.
“I am so grateful for those memories,” Nick continued. “They are the best moments of my life.”
“I thanked him for everything he has ever done for me and told him how much I loved him and hugged him every chance I got,” he added.
Though he’s at peace knowing he never took his wrestling star dad for granted, Nick didn’t shy away from letting fans know just how much this loss hurts.
“I would do anything to have him back but I know now that he will always be watching over me,” he reflected. “I will always remember the lessons and advice he gave me and carry on in a way that I know would make him proud.”
How Did Hulk Hogan Die?
Daily alludes to several health battles, but fans know that in recent years Hogan underwent many surgeries related to injuries suffered during his wrestling career, including 10 back surgeries in 10 years.
TMZ shared that he went into cardiac arrest on Thursday morning at his Florida home. He died at a Clearwater hospital approximately 90 minutes later.
“Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones,” a statement from the family reads. “At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends.”
“May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades. He will be missed, but never forgotten.”
What Has Hulk Hogan’s Immediate Family Said?
Sky Daily, Hogan’s wife since 2023, was the first of his immediate family to issue an individual statement.
She said he had been dealing with health issues, but she thought they had more time.
“This loss is sudden and impossible to process,” Sky wrote. “To the world, he was a legend…but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.”
Hogan’s daughter Brooke hasn’t issued a statement, and she made her Instagram account private after his death.
TMZ alludes to some turbulence in Hogan’s relationship with his daughter in recent years, reporting that their last conversation happened two weeks before Hogan and Skye married in 2023.
The outlet also reports that Brooke told Hogan she loved him during that call, and expressed concern about his health, asking him to stop working so hard and prioritize his wellbeing.
40 Photos of Hulk Hogan’s Life In and Out of the Wrestling Ring
(NEXSTAR) — Dramatic video shows the moment a group of bystanders confronted an armed man accused of stabbing 11 people at a Michigan Walmart on Saturday.
Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea confirmed that Bradford Gille of Afton, Michigan, entered the Walmart in Traverse City and randomly stabbed 11 shoppers. A group of bystanders confronted Gille in the parking lot and were able to detain him until authorities arrived, Shea said.
Witness Chris O’Brien captured the interaction between Gille and a group of at least three men in the parking lot.
In the video, seen below, two men can be heard telling Gille to drop or throw the gun away. They can be seen continuing to walk toward him as he appears to back up. One man appears to be holding a gun while yelling at Gille. Shea confirmed during a Sunday press conference that one of the bystanders was armed with a pistol.
Warning: The below video may be disturbing to some; viewer’s discretion is advised.
Several seconds into the video, the men can be heard yelling at Gille to get on the ground. While difficult to hear in the video, Steven Carter, another witness, told The Associated Press that Gille could be heard responding to the crowd, “I don’t care, I don’t care.”
The video then cuts to a man, whom appears to be Gille, standing outside a sheriff deputy’s vehicle in handcuffs. Carter said someone had been able to tackle and subdue the man.
According to Shea, Gille was taken into custody without incident.
Someone in the background can be heard saying, “there are several people stabbed.” Through the rest of the video, several emergency responders can be seen and heard arriving at the scene. The video also appears to show people — first responders and apparent bystanders — tending to injured shoppers.
Shea said the 11 victims were both men and women and they ranged in age from 29 to 84 and included one Walmart employee. Munson Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom Schermerhorn said at a press conference Sunday that one patient was treated and released; two were in serious condition; and the rest are in fair condition. All were expected to survive.
Shea said the “remarkable” efforts of the bystanders likely prevented others from being harmed.
“I cannot commend everyone that was involved enough,” Shea said at a press conference. “When you stop and look from the time of call to the time of actual custody, the individual was detained within one minute.”
The motive behind Saturday’s attack remains unclear. According to Shea, Gille had “prior assaultive incidents as well as controlled substance violations” and said very little as he was arrested. He is expected to be charged with one count of terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder.
KINSHASA, Congo — At least 21 people were killed on Sunday in an attack on church premises in eastern Congo by Islamic State-backed rebels, according to a civil society leader.
The attack was carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) around 1 a.m. inside the premises of a Catholic church in eastern Congo’s Komanda. Several houses and shops were also burnt.
“More than 21 people were shot dead inside and outside and we have recorded at least three charred bodies and several houses burned. But the search is continuing,” Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator in Komnada, told The Associated Press.
A spokesperson for the Congolese army in Ituri province, where Komanda is located, confirmed 10 dead.
“What we know this morning is that there was an incursion by armed men with machetes into a church not far from Komanda, where about 10 people were killed and massacred and some shops were set on fire,” Lt. Jules Ngongo, the DRC Army’s spokesperson in Ituri, said.
The ADF, with ties with the Islamic State, is a rebel group that operates in the borderland between Uganda and DRC, has routinely conducted attacks against civilian populations for more than a decade.
