We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
In a heartfelt display of community and charity, hundreds gathered in Chicago for the 32nd annual ABC7’s Gibbons Run on Saturday. Participants included runners, walkers, leukemia supporters, and survivors all uniting for a common cause.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
This meaningful event honors the memory of Jim Gibbons, a beloved ABC7 reporter who succumbed to leukemia in 1994, and contributes to the fight against the disease.
ABC7 reporter Jim Gibbons lost his battle with leukemia in 1994.
The proceeds from the run and walk are dedicated to supporting the Leukemia Research Foundation, which works tirelessly to find a cure.
The 2026 edition of the ABC7 Gibbons Run features a variety of events to engage all ages, including a chip-timed 5K run, a 3K walk, a dash for kids, and a charming “tiny trot” specifically for children aged 3 and under.
Following the races, participants and supporters are invited to a celebratory gathering at Montrose Harbor, marking the culmination of a day filled with hope and solidarity.
ABC7’s Dionne Miller caught up with survivors and some that are currently battling leukemia.
Landon Gayle was diagnosed leukemia in 2025. This year, he is planning his high school graduation.
About the Leukemia Research Foundation
The Leukemia Research Foundation, headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, is committed to funding innovative leukemia research worldwide and supporting people affected by leukemia.
Since its founding in 1946, more than $90M has been raised to pursue better treatments and the ultimate cure for leukemia. For more information, visit the Leukemia Research Foundation’s website at leukemiarf.org.
In a spirited address on Friday, Hannah Einbinder, known for her role in “Hacks,” took aim at Spencer Pratt’s mayoral ambitions in Los Angeles. The actress voiced her concerns during the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, where she linked Pratt’s growing support to financial interests.
Einbinder, 31, argued that monetary motivations were at the heart of Pratt’s rise in popularity. “In a city brimming with wealth, many individuals, who outwardly present themselves as Democrats or left-leaning, are ultimately driven by financial concerns. This often leads them to back candidates like Spencer Pratt,” she stated in an interview with Variety. “Resisting such influences is crucial,” she emphasized.
Pratt, 42, who gained fame from reality TV’s “The Hills,” is challenging current Mayor Karen Bass, 72, focusing on issues like homelessness and crime, despite a drop in crime rates during Bass’s leadership. His campaign recently gained momentum with support from Sydney Sweeney’s partner, Scooter Braun.
Einbinder’s remarks came on the heels of the series finale of “Hacks” on HBO, marking the conclusion of the show’s five-season run. Her comments highlight a broader conversation about the intersection of wealth and politics in Los Angeles.
Einbinder spoke out about Pratt’s candidacy – which recently got additional support from Sydney Sweeney’s boyfriend Scooter Braun – the day after her HBO series Hacks aired its series finale after five seasons.
She went on to say the situation was ‘complicated’ and that there are ‘no perfect candidates.’
Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, 31, said it was ‘important to resist’ the impact of money in the LA mayor’s election as she slammed Spencer Pratt while chatting with Variety on Friday at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television (pictured)
The former Hills star, 42, is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass , 72, while ramping up concerns about homelessness and crime in LA, though rates for most types of crime have decreased during Bass’s tenure; Pratt is pictured on Thursday on Fox & Friends in NYC
‘I’m underwhelmed in a lot of ways,’ she continued, before adding that she was supporting LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to Bass’s left on an affordability platform reminiscent of the one Zohran Mamdani used in his successful campaign to be elected New York City mayor.
Einbinder – who is the daughter of former Saturday Night Live star Laraine Newman and writer Chad Einbinder – stressed that she was trying to be ‘pragmatic’ about who she was voting for.
She also emphasized that it wasn’t just about finding someone to the left of Pratt when Variety’s Marc Malkin said he wanted her to run for office.
‘You don’t. You don’t, and neither do I. No!’ Einbinder shot back. ‘Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna.’
She was referring to Rinna’s announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt’s attempt to become LA’s next mayor.
When Variety asked her who she thought should get the job, Rinna admitted that she wasn’t sure, before adding, ‘Not a reality star, though.’
‘I’m sorry. I love him, but we’ve already done that,’ said the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star. ‘We’re not going to do that again.’
She admitted to being a ‘reality person’ herself and said, ‘You wouldn’t want me as mayor, really. I mean, let’s just face it, I love him. I think he’s amazing. I just think we did that.’
Einbinder said she was ‘underwhelmed’ with her choices for mayor, but she plans to vote for LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who is running to Bass’s left
Einbinder, who spoke out the day after the series finale of HBO’s Hacks aired, said only people with knowledge and expertise should run for office after it was suggested that she run for office; pictured with Hacks costar Jean Smart
‘Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna,’ she said. She was referring to Rinna’s announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt’s attempt to become LA’s next mayor; seen Friday in LA
‘I’m sorry. I love him, but we’ve already done that,’ said Rinna about electing a reality star on Monday at the AMAs (pictured). ‘We’re not going to do that again’
In response to Einbinder’s interview, Pratt blasted her for criticizing him and calling for people with expertise to be elected ‘from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day’; pictured with wife Heidi Montage in May 2025 in Las Vegas
‘I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change,’ he wrote in a post on X
Rinna added that she didn’t understand the apparent surge in support behind Pratt, who has placed in second or third behind Bass in multiple recent polls, including a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll commissioned by the Los Angeles Times that was released this week, which showed 26 percent of respondents backing Bass, while 25 percent said they support Raman and 22 percent plan to vote for Pratt in the primary on June 2.
On Friday, Einbinder laid out her suggestion for the kind of people who should be elected instead of reality stars.
‘We need to have people who work in housing, and tenants rights lawyers, and people with actual expertise in these positions,’ she emphasized. ‘Like, please, God!’
In response to Einbinder’s interview with Variety, Pratt lashed out at the stand-up comedian on X later on Friday.
He blasted her for criticizing him and calling for people with expertise to be elected ‘from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day.’
‘I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change,’ he wrote.
Einbinder has previously been vocal about her support for the Palestinian people and her distaste for AI.
Last month, she mocked AI creators trying to integrate the technology into Hollywood as ‘losers’ who are ‘trying to rob real creatives’ at a press conference on Hacks’ final season.
‘The people who make this stuff are losers,’ she said, via SlashFilm. ‘They’re not artists. They’re not creative. And they’ve wanted their whole lives to be special. And they’re not special.
‘They’re trying to rob real creative people of our gifts. And you can’t. And even if you try, you will never be cool. You guys suck. No one likes you,’ Einbinder continued. ‘Anyone who’s near you is because they crave power and access over any ethical standard. You are a loser. You will never be cool.’
She added that AI creators ‘probably had a rolly backpack in high school,’ adding, ‘I wanna put your head in the toilet and flush.’
WESTFIELD, N.J. – While New Jersey voters convened this week to discuss pressing issues such as affordable housing and the development of data centers with a state lawmaker, another topic was on their minds: the whereabouts of their congressman, Republican Tom Kean Jr.
“What’s the word?” inquired Steve McCabe, an 80-year-old retired attorney, directing his question to Jon Bramnick, a state senator from the GOP.
Bramnick was unable to provide an explanation for Kean’s nearly three-month-long, unexplained medical absence. He did, however, share with the audience Kean’s dedication to not missing votes during their time together in the Legislature, even recounting an instance where Kean braved a snowstorm to cast his vote.
“I said, ‘Tom, we should really turn around,'” Bramnick reminisced.
Currently, Kean has missed over 100 congressional votes and remains absent from both Washington and his district. This absence has sparked a political enigma with potential national ramifications, as Kean’s district is a prime target for Democrats aiming to regain control of Congress.
Kean’s office insists he is still running for reelection. He is not facing any challengers in Tuesday’s primary while several Democrats are running for their party’s nomination.
Harrison Neely, Kean’s campaign consultant, said the congressman was dealing with a medical emergency. He promised that Kean would be transparent about the issue and would return to a full schedule “very soon.”
“This was an emergency, you don’t get to plan these,” Neely said. “There’s no good timing for this.”
To Bramnick, it seems like it must be something serious.
“For him not to be there, that’s a big deal,” he said.
‘We’re expecting him back here soon’
Kean represents the 7th Congressional District, a mix of suburbs and small towns. It includes President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
Despite being redrawn after the most recent census in 2021 to become more favorable to Republicans, the district has seesawed between the parties in each of the last two midterm elections. Republican Leonard Lance lost to Democrat Tom Malinowski in 2018. Malinowski lost to Kean in 2022.
Kean’s last vote in the House was March 5. Since then his absence has drawn escalating attention.
“We’re expecting him back here soon,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., recently. “He’s going to be fully transparent.”
Kean comes from a storied political family. His father served as governor. An ancestor was New Jersey’s first leader after the United States declared independence.
The New Jersey Globe, a local political website, said it received a call from Kean this month. He did not explain his condition, only that “my doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery.”
McCabe, the voter who asked Bramnick about Kean, said he wanted an update after reading the news about the congressman’s absence.
“I hope he’s not sick,” he said.
What if Kean steps down?
Bruce Paterson, a 75-year-old retired engineer from Garwood, described himself as a “regular Democrat, not like the crazy Democrats they have today.” He attended the town hall with Bramnick and plans to support Kean in the general election.
“I hope he comes back,” he said. “I mean, will I vote for him? Probably only because we need a nice balance” in a state otherwise dominated by Democrats.
Another voter asked Bramnick if Kean steps down after Tuesday’s primary whether he would accept the Republican nomination for the 7th District. If that were to happen, party leaders in the district’s counties would hold a convention to choose a replacement.
Bramnick repeatedly noted Kean is running for reelection and questioned whether his own candidacy would be a good fit in today’s Republican Party. While Bramnick has criticized Trump, including during Bramnick’s failed campaign for governor last year, Kean has embraced the president and features his endorsement prominently on social media accounts.
“I’m not considered the biggest fan of Donald Trump,” Bramnick said. “I don’t think that the Republican Party is interested in sending someone to Washington that may vote yes or no depending on how I feel about the issue.”
Democrats are waiting in the wings
Some Democrats running in the primary have criticized Kean over the failure to tell constituents about what is going on.
“Tom Kean disappeared from the job,” said Michael Roth, a former Small Business Administration official.
Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy pilot also in the race, wished Kean a speedy recovery but criticized his record in Congress, including the battle over money for a new railway tunnel connecting New Jersey with New York City.
“He was nowhere to be found when funding got cut for the Gateway Tunnel, which is a critical infrastructure project in our district,” she said.
Candidates Tina Shah, an intensive care unit doctor, and Brian Varela, a marketing agency founder, have also been critical of Kean during debates.
Kean, who has a cash advantage at this point over his potential Democratic opponents, still has time before the November election to connect with voters, said Benjamin Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship.
“The issue is not going to be that he was out for a hundred plus votes in the spring,” he said. “The question is really, how effective is he going to get once he returns?”
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Inset: William Deandre-Kashawn Smith in court (WLNS). Background: The area near where Smith killed the mother of his children in Vandercook Lake, Mich. (Google Maps).
A Michigan resident has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the murder of his children’s mother, an act committed while some of their children slept beside her.
In April, William Deandre-Kashawn Smith, aged 36, was found guilty by a Jackson County jury of first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the death of 31-year-old Shi’Ana Gittens, which occurred in January 2024.
During the sentencing on Thursday, Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain handed down the life sentence and delivered a stern rebuke to Smith for his actions.
“You shot her in the head with a .28 caliber round while your daughter was in this bed with her,” McBain remarked directly to Smith, as reported by MLive. “You just executed her in the presence of your two kids.”
The judge emphasized that Smith would spend the remainder of his life incarcerated.
“You never have to worry about what a parole board will do with you because, all things being equal, you’re going to go into the front of the Jackson prison and they’re gonna take you out in a black bag at some point when you die,” McBain added.
The underlying incident took place inside a residence on East McDevitt Avenue in Vandercook Lake – a census-designated place that is located roughly 40 miles due west of Ann Arbor.
On the night in question, Smith sneaked into the house and shot Gittens in the right side of her head – one time – near her right ear, prosecutors explained. The bullet exited through the woman’s neck.
One of the couple’s four children, a 9-year-old boy, found his mother lying on the floor next to her bed and frantically called his father, pleading with him to come home. But Smith ignored the child.
“His son calls him in the middle of the night,” Jackson County Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey told the jury, MLive previously reported. “He’s terrified. He is sobbing. He begs him for help and he (Smith) does nothing. That is the monster that those kids lived with.”
Later, the victim was also discovered by the couple’s 6-year-old, according to a courtroom report by Lansing-based CBS affiliate WLNS.
Jurors were shown a video, bolstered by cellphone data, of Smith waiting outside the residence that night. In fact, the jury was made to sit through a full 22-minute-long piece of surveillance footage that showed the moment Smith drove up to when he finally went inside.
“Painstakingly, you sat here all for 22 minutes,” Guernsey said. “I didn’t speed it up. I wanted everybody to think about how long he sat there. That’s how long he had to think about what he was going to do.”
Eventually, the 9-year-old got hold of his grandmother – Smith’s own mother – who rushed to the house and called 911.
Smith was arrested roughly five miles northwest.
Jurors learned the couple’s fourth child had been born just weeks before the shooting – and that Gittens was still recovering from a cesarean section when she was murdered.
The defense, for its part, argued a severe lack of evidence.
“We know that there’s no physical evidence that links him to that crime,” Smith’s attorney said. “There’s no eyewitnesses. They found a shell casing. There’s no DNA on the shell. The detective went through all the text messages, all the phones, all the information and there was no indication he ever admitted to doing this or he was ever involved in this.”
In the end, however, the jury sided with the state.
During his sentencing hearing, the defendant maintained his innocence.
“I love her and I love my kids,” Smith told the court. “I don’t understand how I’m in the situation am in. I feel set up.”
During an impact statement, the victim’s sister addressed Smith directly.
“You created a living nightmare for my niece and especially my nephew,” she said. “I pray every night you sleep, you never rest. I pray your soul burns in hell for eternity after you die.”
The prosecutor also addressed Smith.
“This court knows it takes a special kind of evil to walk into a bedroom and shoot the mother of your children point-blank in the head and leave your children there to find her the next morning,” Guernsey said.
Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), showed little interest in discussing comments made by former First Lady Jill Biden about the 2024 presidential debate. Jill Biden recently expressed to CBS that she was “frightened” during her husband’s debate against former President Donald Trump, concerned that Joe Biden might have been experiencing a medical emergency, such as a stroke. Her remarks have reignited discussions about the age and health of then-President Joe Biden, especially following his debated performance that faced widespread scrutiny.
When approached by Fox News Digital for her perspective on Jill Biden’s comments, Brazile was clear in her stance. “I don’t want to talk about Jill Biden right now,” she stated, choosing to refrain from addressing the first lady’s observations about the debate.
Despite pressing from Fox News Digital, which highlighted the ongoing discussions surrounding the 2024 election and the release of the 2024 DNC autopsy report, Brazile remained focused on the future. This internal review of the party’s performance and the factors leading to its defeat did not deter her from urging fellow Democrats to concentrate on upcoming elections rather than revisiting past events.
Fox News Digital pressed Brazile to respond as conversations have been circulating around the 2024 election and what went wrong — particularly following the calling for and release of the 2024 DNC autopsy report, an internal review of the party’s 2024 defeat and the factors that contributed to it.
Brazile, referring to herself in the third person, urged Democrats to deny any calls to look to the past, and instead focus on the future of the party and upcoming elections.
“Donna Brazile will not focus on the past,” she said. “Donna Brazile want to focus on the future.”
Former acting chair of the Democratic National Committee Donna Brazile refused to discuss Jill Biden’s fears over Joe Biden’s 2024 debate performance. ABC
She argued Democrats already made their decision in 2024 when Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We made that decision in 2024 when the then-president decided to step down and pass the torch to Kamala,” Brazile said.
A longtime Democratic strategist, Brazile served as interim chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2011 and again in 2016. She has remained an influential voice within Democratic politics through multiple presidential election cycles and has frequently weighed in on the party’s direction following major electoral setbacks.
There has been widespread criticism over how Democrats handled concerns about Joe Biden’s age and his cognitive health, and whether that impacted the party’s performance in 2024.
Brazile refused to discuss the DNC’s 2024 defeat or Joe Biden’s health, urging Democrats to focus on the future. REUTERS
There has been continued debate within the Democratic Party about how it handled concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive health for office before he ended his re-election campaign and endorsed Harris.
Brazile’s comments highlight a divide between Democrats seeking a fuller accounting of the events that led to Biden’s withdrawal and the party’s 2024 loss and those who believe the focus should shift toward rebuilding ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and future presidential contests.
But Brazile made clear where she stands.
“Anyone who’s focusing on the past is not focused on the future,” she said. “I’m actually focused on ’26, ’28, ’32.”
On the porch of a Sydney suburb residence, an 81-year-old karate expert flows through a sequence of strikes and defenses, each move a testament to the decades of discipline and practice ingrained in his muscles.
Next to him, his son replicates every action, embodying the teachings not just of sport, but of survival passed down through generations.
In the distance, morning mist envelops a eucalyptus forest, setting a serene backdrop.
Kazuo ‘William’ Saito has dedicated over fifty years to mastering the traditional Japanese martial art, accumulating numerous championship victories throughout his journey.
His 28-year-old son, Harrison, is now treading a similar course.
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
For Saito, karate was never simply an after-school activity.
“I was born in Tokyo in 1945, and my father died soon after,” he tells SBS News. “During the war, Tokyo was badly bombed, and my mother and I lived in a rough area.”
Kazuo Saito says he learned karate to survive in post-war Japan. Source: Supplied / Kazuo Saito
“There were gangs; it was very dangerous. To survive, I had to be strong, I had to fight back,” Saito says.
Now decades later in modern Australia, those same lessons of discipline, control and resilience taught through karate are increasingly being explored as tools that may help young people navigate anxiety, stress and social pressure.
Can martial arts help youth mental health?
Harrison holds a black belt in karate and also teaches at a local high school. He says he wants children to understand what courage truly means.
“Fear will always be there, but they can learn to sit with that uncertainty, and bring themselves to a functional baseline,” he tells SBS News.
Black belt karate teacher Harrison Saito says martial arts training can go a long way in helping people cope with stress and pressure. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
Up to half of all Australian teenagers are projected to face depression or anxiety by age 20, unless urgent action is taken to address the drivers of poor mental health.
Research led by the Burnet Institute found that investing between $50 million and $1 billion annually into intervention programs could prevent up to 787,000 young Australians from experiencing anxiety and depression by 2050 and deliver up to $74 billion in societal economic benefits.
Brian Moore is a senior lecturer at the School of Education at the University of Wollongong whose research explores the effects of physical activity on youth mental health.
He conducted a series of randomised trials involving 283 secondary school students aged 12-14. He found that martial arts training has the potential to improve self-efficacy and promote wellbeing through physical activity.
According to the Second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, an estimated one in seven — or about 560,000 — Australian youth and children are experiencing mental health disorders.
The survey reported the total prevalence of mental illness among Australian adolescents aged 12 to 17 years was 16 per cent for males and 13 per cent for females.
Moore says martial arts can promote a sense of mastery and accomplishment by creating opportunities for self-improvement.
It may also have broader social benefits.
“Across Australia and globally, government and youth outreach groups use community-focused sports as an intervention to lower juvenile justice crime rates and keep communities safer. Having said that, it’s really important that we remember that while martial arts might have mental health benefits, it’s not a psychological therapy,” he tells SBS News.
A family legacy shaped by karate
Harrison was born in Australia and, while more than half a century separates him from his father, Kazuo, they share a common goal: passing on skills and knowledge through their martial arts academy.
The karate they teach traces its origins back centuries to Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, where farmers and peasants — prohibited from carrying weapons — developed defensive combat techniques using their hands and feet.
Karate later evolved into a globally practised martial art and competitive sport, popularised through films, tournaments and international competition.
“As a young man, my father fought a lot and used martial arts, not for competition, but purely as self-defence. It was a matter of survival,” Harrison says.
“I am grateful for the experiences and the opportunities that my dad’s given me, and I am so proud to use what he’s taught me to continue his legacy.”
Kazuo Saito (right) with his karate master in Japan. Source: Supplied / Kazuo Saito
As both a teacher and a martial arts instructor, Harrison says he regularly witnesses the pressures young people face — from academic stress, online escapism and in some cases even substance abuse.
“Early drinking, I think that’s a big thing. Early drug usage, big thing. And they do a lot of online virtual reality immersion.”
Helping students stay calm and focused on their studies is one reason Harrison says he teaches karate three nights a week.
High school student Aiden Jacobs says martial arts training helps him manage the stress of studying. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
One of his students, Aiden Jacobs, has been training for four years and holds a green belt with a black tip.
The 17-year-old is among thousands of teenagers nationwide feeling the pressure in the lead-up to final year exams.
“It can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes you feel like: ‘Oh, maybe I don’t have this. Maybe I’m not doing this right’,” he tells SBS News.
Jacobs dreams of becoming an actor and hopes to gain admission to a national academy next year.
“There is a lot of pressure that builds up during the week,” he says.
But I leave karate class feeling free from stress in my mind. I have a clear head, clear body, clear soul.
Discipline, confidence and criticism
Martial arts training may help build strength, discipline and self-control. However, some critics argue traditional styles that rely heavily on cooperative drills or rigid forms — without realistic combat or “pressure testing” — can create a false sense of confidence that may not translate to unpredictable real-world confrontations.
Black belt Harrison Saito training with a student at the Sydney dojo. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
Harrison believes traditional karate offers something deeper than physical technique alone.
“For me, it is about understanding yourself better,” he says.
That idea resonates with students like James Bolton.
The 44-year-old construction project manager took up karate a year ago to help manage mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
“There were several burnouts over the last kind of 10 years,” he tells SBS News.
James Bolton says karate is as much about physical training as it is about strengthening the mind. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
Bolton says learning techniques such as stances, blocks, and kicks is only part of the physical training, but karate is not just about building the body; for him, it’s also about strengthening his mind.
The person that walked into this dojo a year ago to the person that is here today in front of you is almost unrecognisable.
“I think, in terms of physical fitness, state of mind, focus, calm, the stress that has just dissolved out of this body, and the resilience and resistance to taking that stress back on, is absolutely rock solid.”
Harrison believes the value of the sport lies not only in self-defence but also in the mental discipline and resilience it can help develop.
“Karate is a tried and tested framework that can see people through their day-to-day lives,” he says.
It is also a spiritual practise. It is about a mental battle of resilience.
Kazuo Saito (left) shows son Harrison some of his karate awards and medals. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
For students like Bolton, that resilience is part of what keeps them coming back — turning karate from a form of exercise into a source of stability, confidence and calm.
Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at beyondblue.org.au. Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Japanese.
An iconic bar in Atlantic City, renowned for its rich history and round-the-clock service, faces potential permanent closure due to a protracted dispute over its building height.
The legendary Irish Pub, located just steps away from the celebrated boardwalk of this New Jersey coastal city, is said to have inspired the red hotel piece in the classic Monopoly board game. For decades, it has drawn patrons with its doors open 24 hours a day.
However, confusion arose late last year when the pub unexpectedly shut its doors, leaving both locals and visitors inquiring about its status and calling for its reopening.
The reason behind the closure remained unclear until recently, when it was disclosed that the pub is grappling with fire code violations. These issues are intricately linked to an ongoing dispute over whether the establishment qualifies as a high-rise, due to its height.
According to a statement provided to the Daily Mail by the state’s Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has imposed $66,000 in penalties on the Irish Pub for these violations.
‘Under the Fire Code, business owners that receive a Notice of Violation(s) from the Division of Fire Safety can work on addressing the violations while continuing to operate their business.
‘Because this is an active matter with DCA’s Division of Fire Safety, we are unable to provide additional comment.’
Irish Pub owner Cathy Burke told local outlet NJ.com: ‘We have to resolve this issue.
The Irish Pub was the inspiration for the red hotel in the board game Monopoly
The busy boardwalk in Atlantic City. The classic Monopoly board is famously based on the real streets and landmarks of the beach town
The red hotel piece in Monopoly that was created based off the architecture of the Irish Pub
‘This can’t be the end of the Irish Pub.’
Although the pub could operate while sorting the violations, Burke said she does not want to give staff false hope only to later nix them.
Burke said she closed the pub at the end of 2025 after a state inspection found the building needed major renovations, including adding a sprinkler system to the first-floor bar and restaurant.
She told NJ.com that inspectors have come through the pub repeatedly over the past 20 years. ‘This is a doozie of a story,’ she said.
In the early 1990s, the state reclassified the property as a high-rise, meaning a building with occupied floors more than six stories or over 75ft above fire department access level.
This triggered calls for stricter fire safety regulations that Burke contested in court.
She challenged the reclassification, arguing the pub operated like a nightclub at times due to occasional live shows and musical performances.
The city fired back its point that the building qualifies as a high-rise because the street level for fire trucks is about six inches lower than the pub’s first floor.
The interior of the Irish Pub. The bar was famously known for always being open 24/7
The interior of the Irish Pub has famous faces emblazoned on the walls and glass lamps hanging from the ceiling
The upstairs of the pub used to be a hotel that would rent rooms out for as little as $25 a night
But Burke said the pub and hotel building stood at 58ft tall and appealed to the Construction Board of Appeals, which ruled in her favor.
After winning the appeal, Burke installed sprinklers throughout most of the building, except the bar and restaurant.
‘We weren’t required to do it, we just did it. It cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars,’ she told the outlet.
However, records obtained by the outlet showed the state later again labeled the pub as a high-rise, sparking a review of the case. It was later again determined not to be a high-rise building.
Until this year when it was once again classified as a high-rise and required to meet the fire safety codes.
‘My greatest concern is my staff and my customers,’ Burke told NJ.com.
‘Our patrons have been so kind and understanding,’ Burke said. ‘That’s what makes me upset. They’re missing out every day that the pub is closed.’
And the patrons have shared their sadness and frustration on social media.
Atlantic City is often called ‘America’s Playground’ or ‘Vegas of the East Coast’. An aerial view of its boardwalk and steel pier
The board game Monopoly took inspiration from Atlantic City
‘Every single day I walk past the Irish Pub, I still see people stopping at the doors. Pulling the handles. Looking sad and disappointed because it was a tradition to visit when you traveled to Atlantic City,’ one person wrote on Facebook.
‘So many asking if they’re reopening soon. People post memories. People say how sad it is.
‘The Irish Pub is more than a business, it’s part of the identity of Atlantic City,’ another added.
The spot has been a fixture on the beach block of St James Place since 1902, and has been owned and operated by Burke and her husband, Richard, since 1972. It also previously offered hotel rooms from as little as $25 a night.
Inside, it felt like stepping back in time with an antique bar, wood-paneled interior, and green stained-glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Famous writers, movie stars, and athletes have stopped by for a pint with locals saying that if you sit at the front table, eventually everyone in the world will pass by.
Yankees player Joe DiMaggio was a regular and pictures of him are emblazoned on the walls inside the bar.
Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer has also stepped behind the bar before to pull pints for late-night crowds.
A still from Boardwalk Empire. The Visit Atlantic City website describes the pub’s history writing: ‘If you’re looking to experience a taste of the old Atlantic City, as depicted in the popular HBO series Boardwalk Empire, look no further than the Irish Pub’
People stroll along the boardwalk in Atlantic City. The Irish Pub is located just off the boardwalk
At one time, it operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition and was raided in the 1920s – the only time it ever shut its doors.
The Visit Atlantic City website describes its colorful history writing: ‘If you’re looking to experience a taste of the old Atlantic City, as depicted in the popular HBO series Boardwalk Empire, look no further than the Irish Pub.
‘It has survived hurricanes, prohibition, two world wars, high tides and low tides. It has fed the famous and infamous. Being situated on St James Place and the Boardwalk, it has been identified with the game of Monopoly and the red hotels used in the game are based on the architecture of the Irish Pub.’
The classic Monopoly board, originally patented in 1935, is famously based on the real streets and landmarks of Atlantic City long before the dozens of casinos took over the town.
The Daily Mail reached out to Burke for further comment.
On May 22, 2026, it was revealed that Queen Elizabeth II had a unique companion during her time at her Scottish royal residence—a cherished teddy bear named Haddington Bear. This special toy, dressed in tartan, held a place of honor on a pink sofa as the late monarch attended to her duties with the iconic red boxes at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The bear, named after the town of Haddington in East Lothian, was a thoughtful gift to the Queen. Its name playfully referenced the beloved children’s character, Paddington Bear, adding a touch of whimsy to the royal setting.
Haddington Bear who belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth
This detail about the Queen’s affection for Haddington Bear has come to light as the Royal Collection Trust offers a rare glimpse into the private apartments of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, inviting the public to discover more about the personal touches that adorned their royal lives.
Haddington was a gift and was named after a nearby East Lothian town with more than a nod to Paddington Bear, the popular children’s character.
The Queen’s penchant for Haddington has been revealed as the Royal Collection Trust opens the doors of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s private apartments for the first time.
Emma Stead, the curator for the Palace of Holyroodhouse, said: “The Queen was given him as a gift and after that she asked that whenever she arrived here, he be placed in that particular position on the sofa awaiting her arrival.
“She had a few personal objects that she liked to be placed quite precisely.
“Another one is the pin cushion just to the left of the fireplace, which was presented to her when she attended the Commonwealth Games in 1986 in Edinburgh, and it has all the badges of the represented countries who took part.”
Learning curator Richard Williams added: “All we can say is the Queen was very particular and that always would have gone there.
“I know from staff colleagues in Windsor that if they were going to redecorate her private rooms, they would take photos of everything so that they could put things back in the exact spot.”
Tours of the private rooms are now open and will run daily until September 10, closing only for this year’s Royal Week.
Visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse – the monarch’s official residence in Scotland – will be able to view Queen Elizabeth’s sitting room, dressing room and where she ate breakfast, as well as the late Prince Philip’s desk, art collection and his own oil painting of the landscape from Balmoral.
The public will be surprised to learn that the royal couple lived an ordinary life at the residence and would relax in the evenings watching television or watching VHS videos or listening to the radio.
Dr Richard Williams, learning curator at the Royal Collection Trust, said: “These are not rooms with grand chandeliers. These rooms are much more liveable, domestic, very comfortable spaces of a modern couple.
“It does give us a quite new insight into this aspect of the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The contrast is really quite marked.”
The late Queen spent “Royal Week” in the palace every year, where she hosted a garden party, audiences and undertook her business of state in Scotland amid public engagements.
Three of the Queen’s outfits will also be on show, in a small room with a large wardrobe and a dressing table upon which a Roberts radio is set to Radio 4, as Elizabeth enjoyed listening to the radio as she dressed up to five times a day for her royal duties.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is now used by King Charles III – the son of Queen Elizabeth II – and his wife Queen Camilla.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, dies on 9 April 2021 aged 99. Queen Elizabeth passed away on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96.
This week, the national average for a gallon of gasoline dipped to $4.35, thanks to a decline in crude oil prices. This change is attributed to emerging reports of potential peace talks involving Iran, which have influenced oil markets.
In Washington, the trend of rising gas prices seems to be reversing, with a notable decrease nationwide. Over the past week, the average price per gallon has fallen by nearly 20 cents, as the anticipation of peace negotiations with Iran has led to a drop in oil prices.
According to AAA, as of Saturday, the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline averaged $4.356, a significant decrease from the previous week’s $4.529. Despite this decline, gas prices remain higher than in recent years, coinciding with the onset of the busy summer driving season.
California continues to experience the highest average gas prices in the nation, with costs hovering around $6.04 per gallon. In contrast, Indiana benefits from the lowest average price, approximately $3.72, as reported by AAA.
This recent price reduction follows a decrease in crude oil costs, driven by discussions of a potential ceasefire involving Iran. A crucial element of these talks is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and gas transportation.
AAA said falling crude oil prices helped push gas prices lower this week, though the organization warned the situation remains fragile and prices could spike again if negotiations break down.
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has largely restricted traffic through the waterway since fighting escalated earlier this year, contributing to higher fuel prices globally.
President Donald Trump met Friday with national security advisers at the White House to discuss a tentative agreement that would extend a ceasefire with Iran and reopen the strait. Iranian officials said no final agreement had been reached.
Oil prices have fluctuated sharply in recent weeks as investors monitor developments in the Middle East.
AAA said gasoline demand also rose last week, according to Energy Information Administration data, increasing from 8.76 million barrels per day to 9.25 million barrels per day as summer travel ramps up.
Despite the recent decline, gas prices remain significantly higher than a year ago, when the national average stood at $3.16 per gallon at the same time in 2025.
Fresh insights have emerged in the high-profile case of Mackenzie Shirilla, an Ohio woman whose story has gained renewed attention following its feature in Netflix’s “The Crash.” Dubbed “hell on wheels,” Shirilla’s tale is being revisited through newly released jail calls and text messages.
Currently 21 years old, Shirilla is serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life for the deaths of Dominic Russo, 20, and Davion Flanagan, 19. Prosecutors contended that on July 31, 2022, she deliberately crashed her Toyota Camry into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio. The prosecution’s argument painted the crash as an intentional act to end a tumultuous relationship with Russo, with Flanagan tragically caught in the crossfire.
These newly disclosed records, made public by the Strongsville Police Department and reported by Fox 8, coincide with Shirilla’s recent appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court for a case review.
OHIO TEEN WHO INTENTIONALLY KILLED BOYFRIEND IN HIGH-SPEED CRASH LEFT TWISTED ONLINE TRIBUTES TO HIM
The crash that claimed the lives of Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan occurred when Shirilla drove her car into a wall on July 31, 2022. (Strongsville Police Department)
OHIO TEEN WHO INTENTIONALLY KILLED BOYFRIEND IN HIGH-SPEED CRASH LEFT TWISTED ONLINE TRIBUTES TO HIM
Mackenzie Shirilla crashed her car into a wall on July 31, 2022, killing Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan.(Strongsville Police Department)
Shirilla’s case is back in the limelight after Netflix’s new series, “The Crash.”
SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
What has happened since ‘The Crash’?
Since the documentary was released on May 15, police have released text messages between Shirilla and her boyfriend, Russo, as well as jailhouse calls and bodycam footage from the day of the crash, according to Fox 8.
The texts, reviewed by the local outlet, reveal that Shirilla complained to Russo about blackouts years before the crash and again just weeks before it, including a July 2, 2022, message in which she described what she called her “worst black out.”
PARENTS OUTRAGED BY HOMEY PRISON LIFE FOR DRIVER WHO KILLED THEIR SON: ‘HOW IS THIS JUSTICE?’
Shirilla’s attorneys have argued that medical evidence could support her claim that she blacked out before the July 31, 2022, crash that killed Russo and Flanagan.
SEND US A TIP HERE
Mackenzie Shirilla sits behind the wheel of her Toyota Camry alongside a photo of Davion Flanagan, one of two men she was convicted of murdering.(Instagram)
But other messages painted a darker picture of the couple’s relationship. Shirilla reportedly messaged, “THIS IS WHY I J WANNA F—ING KMS [kill myself]” and “I’m gonna kill someone.”
In another message, according to Fox 8, she told Russo to “treat the girl who would die for you a little better.”
In March 2022, Russo allegedly texted that Shirilla “hit me” and “tried to throw a rock at me.”
Along with the new text messages, her father, Steve Shirilla, has been placed on administrative leave from his job at a Catholic school for participating in the documentary, according to WOIO-TV.
According to the outlet, the school, Mary Queen of Peace School, sent a letter to families said that is investigating claims that a teacher at the school “has demonstrated poor judgment.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Mary Queen of Peace School for comment.
Mackenzie Shirilla looks on during her sentencing in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. She was found guilty of four counts of murder and other charges related to the deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and his friend, Davion Flanagan, in July 2022.
The messages have resurfaced as Shirilla’s lawyers asked the Ohio Supreme Court to review whether her postconviction claims should be heard after a lower court ruled her petition was filed one day too late.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
In a filing with the Ohio Supreme Court reviewed by Fox News Digital, Shirilla’s attorneys argue her trial lawyers failed to adequately investigate evidence that she suffered from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS. The syndrome they say could have caused her to lose consciousness before the crash.
The defense says the condition was only “cursorily referenced” at trial, despite Shirilla and her family allegedly putting her attorneys on notice about it. Her lawyers now argue trial counsel should have dug deeper and sought expert testimony to explain whether POTS could account for Shirilla’s failure to brake before impact.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley “believes without question that Mackenzie Shirilla is guilty of murder,” his office said in a May 27 statement.
“We are confident that any court that reviews this case will come to the same conclusion.”
Before delivering her verdict in 2023, Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy Margaret Russo said Shirilla was on a “mission.”
“This was not reckless driving. This was murder,” the judge said at the time as Shirilla wept in court. “She had a mission, and she executed it with precision. The mission was death.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Shiirilla’s attorneys for comment.
!['Spencer shouldn’t [run], and neither should I, OK? I’m with Lisa Rinna, I stand with Lisa Rinna,' she said. She was referring to Rinna's announcement on Monday at the American Music Awards that she opposes Pratt's attempt to become LA's next mayor; seen Friday in LA](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/05/30/07/108971995-15860243-_Spencer_shouldn_t_run_and_neither_should_I_OK_I_m_with_Lisa_Rin-a-39_1780121453530.jpg)
