Stories from New York · United States

Legal proceedings continue in a US court regarding the former president of Venezuela, who was reportedly taken from Caracas to New York by US special forces. Defense lawyers are challenging a decision by Washington to change the license that previously allowed Nicolas Maduro to receive half of the government's funds. The legal team is demanding the dismissal of the case against Maduro and his wife, who have been in custody since January.

A film trailer has been described as featuring a caricature of East Asian behavior. In one scene, Jin Chow tells the protagonist, Andrea Sacks, that if she doesn't want him, she can interview someone else. The character is portrayed as socially awkward and an academic overachiever, with a 3.86 GPA and a 36 ACT score.

The satirical news organization The Onion has reached a deal to take over Alex Jones's Infowars platform. The acquisition follows significant legal and financial challenges faced by Jones. This move represents a major shift in the ownership of the controversial media outlet.

A hotel package in Philadelphia for 2026, America's 250th birthday year, includes free parking and admission to five regional attractions. These attractions include the Franklin Institute, Longwood Gardens, Elmwood Park Zoo, Mercer Museum, and the Brandywine Museum of Art, offering visitors a comprehensive experience of the area's offerings.

A man identified as Van Dyke allegedly wagered over $30,000 on the Polymarket platform regarding the removal of President Maduro. Prosecutors claim he participated in the planning and execution of a military operation and pocketed more than $400,000. This development highlights the intersection of prediction markets and political instability in Venezuela.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued amended licenses allowing the Venezuelan government to pay legal fees for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. This move permits defense attorneys to receive payments for the ongoing narcotics prosecution in New York. The decision follows a judicial document outlining specific conditions for these transactions. Federal prosecutors announced the U.S. This Treasury Department decision follows a hearing in the Southern District of New York regarding the alleged plundering of Venezuelan wealth. Prosecutors previously argued Maduro should not use state funds for personal legal defense. Maduro's attorney has characterized the U.S. will permit defense attorneys for Nicholas Maduro and his wife to be paid by the Venezuelan government.

Police in New York arrested Zaheer Davis, a teenager wanted in connection with the shooting death of a 15-year-old at a park in Queens. An angry crowd gathered outside the 113th precinct during the suspect's transport for arraignment on murder charges. The incident has caused significant local tension following the recent shooting.

The New York City hot sauce expo is taking place in Brooklyn this weekend. The event coincides with a local exhibit featuring a statue of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky character. Following the exhibit's close in August, a statue of Philadelphia boxing legend Joe Frazier will be installed at the bottom of the Rocky steps.

Goldman Sachs has filed with the SEC to launch a Bitcoin fund. The move comes amid institutional interest and bank predictions that Bitcoin could reach $140,000 this year.

A compilation album titled 'Andy Warhol and Music' features music from the Factory era, including tracks by The Velvet Underground and Blondie. The album is divided into two parts: 'Guests of the Factory' and 'Playlist of the Factory.' It also includes a song by The Cars, representing later recordings from the Factory's period. Warhol's famous studio, The Factory, operated from 1962 to 1984. The album includes Velvet Underground's song 'Venus in Furs' and Nico's song 'These Days' from her album 'Chelsea Girl'.