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Maura Higgins Expresses Preference for a Different Partner Over Gleb Savchenko on DWTS

DWTS Producer Provides Casting Insights Following Maura Higgins and Ciara Miller’s Addition to Season 35

Maura Higgins is steadfast when it comes to her friendships.

Just a month after being named among the first celebrities set to compete in the 35th season of Dancing With the Stars, Maura has expressed her opinions on who she’d prefer as a dance partner. There’s one professional, Gleb Savchenko, she hopes to avoid twirling with on the dance floor this season.

In an exclusive chat with E! News regarding her latest collaboration with Wingstop, Maura stated, “I’d be thrilled to dance with anyone except Gleb.” Her reason? Loyalty to her friend, Brooks [Nader].

Elaborating on her stance, Maura added, “I’m not a fan of how he talks about women.”

“I don’t really want to spend all my time with someone like that,” she added. “I’m like, no thank you.”

As for her “dream” DWTS partner, the Love Island alum does have someone in mind: three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas, who was her costar on Traitors season four.

“I even get nervous of saying it because I see all these videos and they’re like, ‘Mark! Mark!’” Maura joked. “My accent is crazy but I do want Mark.”

SWAT Team Neutralizes 21-Year-Old Hunter Aiming at Humans in High-Stakes Confrontation

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A 21-year-old man from Kentucky, who allegedly targeted homeless individuals with a rifle, was fatally shot by SWAT team officers, authorities confirm.

Michael Hristov was shot by police at his residence in Louisville on May 14 after he reportedly fired at the officers, according to a statement made during a police press briefing.

Hristov had been a suspect in the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Michael Howard, an incident that occurred on December 24 of the previous year.

Investigators revealed that Howard’s lifeless and mutilated body was discovered in a homeless camp situated near Interstate 65, a day after Christmas.

The victim’s body had been subjected to horrific mutilations, including the severing of eight toes and genitalia, alongside carvings of satanic symbols. Only seven of the removed toes were recovered at the scene.

Police said Hristov also stabbed another homeless man on December 25, but that victim survived the attack.

Homicide detectives linked Hristov to the case through surveillance footage and a Reddit post warning of a ‘possible serial killer in Louisville’ which it turned out he had penned.

Police said Hristov had a known fascination with serial killers, a history of torturing animals, idolized mass shooters and had made statements about wanting to hunt homeless people. 

Michael Hristov, 21, was indicted for murder, abuse of a corpse and assault on May 13

Michael Hristov, 21, was indicted for murder, abuse of a corpse and assault on May 13

Police say he brutally killed Michael Howard and dismembered his body on December 24 last year. His remains were found in a homeless encampment near I-65

Police say he brutally killed Michael Howard and dismembered his body on December 24 last year. His remains were found in a homeless encampment near I-65

Hristov was shot dead by SWAT officers outside his Louisville home on May 14 as they were trying to carry out a warrant for his arrest

Hristov was shot dead by SWAT officers outside his Louisville home on May 14 as they were trying to carry out a warrant for his arrest

As officers tried to serve the warrant, Hristov shot at them from inside his residence

As officers tried to serve the warrant, Hristov shot at them from inside his residence

Police identified Hristov as their suspected killer after tracing surveillance footage from the Christmas Day stabbing.

They tracked his location to a home in Louisville where he resided with his mother.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for his home, scooter and technology, which they carried out on March 7.

During the search, police recovered a backpack that contained Howard’s missing toe and his blood, officials revealed.

Examination of his computer also determined that Hristov had written the eerie Reddit post before he carried out his crimes.

The post, published on December 21, warned that a killer was targeting ‘unhoused people’ near I-65 and ‘supposedly drew a symbol near the bodies.’

He was subsequently indicted for murder, abuse of a corpse and assault on May 13. 

Officers tried to serve his arrest warrant on May 14, but the killer responded by shooting at them from inside his home. 

Hristov penned an eerie Reddit post on December 21 warning of a 'possible serial killer in Louisville'

Hristov penned an eerie Reddit post on December 21 warning of a ‘possible serial killer in Louisville’

Police identified Hristov as their suspected killer after tracing surveillance footage from a separate stabbing on December 25

Police identified Hristov as their suspected killer after tracing surveillance footage from a separate stabbing on December 25

Hristov seen in the December 25 surveillance footage. The victim in that incident survived

Hristov seen in the December 25 surveillance footage. The victim in that incident survived

Some of his bullets struck nearby homes and cars.

While the residence was surrounded by police, Hristov called 911. He told the dispatchers he was armed with a gun and had 150 rounds of ammunition.

Hristov was shot dead by Officer Beau Gadegaard on May 14 this year

Hristov was shot dead by Officer Beau Gadegaard on May 14 this year

‘I am not here to shoot at SWAT officers, I am here to be shot by them,’ he told the 911 operator, according to recordings published by police.

The SWAT team tried to resolve the incident peacefully and even deployed a drone inside the home, but were unable to get Hristov to surrender.

About 20 minutes later, Hristov came outside armed and wearing a helmet and a ballistic vest. 

Officers ordered him to drop his weapon, but he refused to comply and was shot dead by Officer Beau Gadegaard. 

Gadegaard has been employed by the Louisville Metro Police Department since 2014. 

He was previously suspended in 2016 for not turning on his body-worn camera during a deadly police shooting, local media reported at the time. 

The SWAT team tried to resolve the incident peacefully and even deployed a drone inside the home, but were unable to get Hristov to surrender

The SWAT team tried to resolve the incident peacefully and even deployed a drone inside the home, but were unable to get Hristov to surrender

The killer responded by shooting at officers from inside his home. Some of his bullets struck nearby homes and cars

The killer responded by shooting at officers from inside his home. Some of his bullets struck nearby homes and cars

About 20 minutes later, Hristov came outside armed and wearing a helmet and a ballistic vest. Officers ordered him to drop his weapon, but he refused to comply and was shot

About 20 minutes later, Hristov came outside armed and wearing a helmet and a ballistic vest. Officers ordered him to drop his weapon, but he refused to comply and was shot

Investigators are working to determine if Hristov can be linked to any other attacks on homeless people.

‘This is scary to know that there are people in our community, or there was somebody in our community, that was walking around daily with us and and had these intense ideas,’ Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said during the press conference.

‘You know, if you looked at him and saw him riding the scooter, you wouldn’t think that he was out to commit murder or to attack homeless individuals.’

She urged anyone with information about potential crimes committed by the killer to report them to authorities.

McKinley also confirmed that Hristov had been investigated for threats by federal officials.

Breaking: U.S. State Department Targets Brazil’s Notorious Gangs with Terrorist Designation

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On Thursday, the State Department is set to reveal plans to label Brazil’s two most dominant criminal organizations, the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (First Capital Command, or PCC), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

This designation will enforce strict sanctions against these gangs and their affiliates, prohibiting them from holding assets in the United States and freezing any existing assets within the country. Moreover, it will become unlawful for U.S. citizens to provide any form of material assistance to them. The State Department emphasized in a statement that both the PCC and Red Command pose a severe security risk, not only to Brazil but also on an international scale, given their involvement in violent drug-related terrorism across South America.

These designations are slated to take effect on June 5.

The State Department noted that these syndicates collectively command numerous members and have been responsible for orchestrating brutal attacks targeting Brazilian law enforcement, government officials, and civilians. Their reach and illegal operations extend well beyond Brazil, impacting the entire region and even the United States.

The State Department further highlighted the Trump Administration’s commitment to using all available measures to shield the nation and uphold national security interests. This includes preventing illicit drugs from infiltrating U.S. streets and disrupting the financial networks that support violent narco-terrorists. They affirmed that this action underscores the administration’s steadfast dedication to dismantling cartels and criminal entities in the region, ensuring the safety of the American public.

The PCC and Red Command are best known for their transnational fundraising crimes, including lucrative drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and building relationships with other known South American criminal syndicates. During prior periods of rivalry, the PCC and Red Command have been behind gruesome prison riots in which inmates have massacred each other in gory ways meant to send a message to the other side. In times of “peace” between the two gangs, they have united to increase illicit activity and pose a threat to the public.

Authorities on the continent have long expressed concerns that both gangs have sought a friendly relationship with the Iranian terrorist proxy Hezbollah. In 2018, Joseph Humire, the current Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Americas Security Affairs, told Congress during a hearing that “proven ties” existed between the PCC and Hezbollah.

Unnamed officials told the Argentine outlet Infobae a year later that both gangs’ decision to form an alliance, following then-President Jair Bolsonaro’s increase in law enforcement activity to contain their influence, could also benefit Hezbollah as it could now safely seek ties to one without angering the other.

Drug traffickers spend their day at a drug den in the outskirts of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The First Capital Command (PCC), South America's largest criminal organization, is expanding into the vast Amazon basin. A series of near-sighted Brazilian government policies has enabled its rapid ascent in a region once beyond its reach, where the PCC and its principal rival, the Red Command, are asserting control of the forest's lucrative criminal operations illegal gold mining, land grabbing and timber trafficking threatening to further destabilize the notoriously turbulent region. (Washington Post/Dado Galdieri)

Drug traffickers spend their day at a drug den in the outskirts of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The First Capital Command (PCC), South America’s largest criminal organization, is expanding into the vast Amazon basin. (Washington Post/Dado Galdieri)

That alliance resulted in widespread violence in Brazil, as the gangs sought to disrupt law enforcement activity against them by engaging in terrorism. Messages spread by gang members in Ceará, Brazil, in 2019 openly stated that gang members were ordered to “set off general terror.”

“We will leave the state in a state of public calamity,” the criminals vowed.

More recently, reports from Brazil indicate that the gangs have expanded their drug trafficking to include legal prescription drugs by organizing widespread armed robberies of pharmacies. The leftist newspaper the New York Times reported last year, amid the current peace between the PCC and Red Command, a surge in robberies targeting supplies of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic occurred followed by their sudden appearance on black markets using mobile phone applications such as WhatsApp.

Despite the chaos they have sown in Brazilian society, leftist politicians have opposed large-scale attempts to curtail their activities, and reports suggest that socialist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opposed a U.S. terrorist designation for the gangs. In October, following a massive police raid ordered in Rio de Janeiro by conservative Governor Cláudio Castro, leftist politicians accused police, and not the gangs, of disturbing the local peace.

“What has been done to tackle criminal organizations is a bloodbath,” Socialism and Liberty Party Congresswoman Talíria Petrone complained. “For decades, we have been wiping up blood, and families continue to be destroyed by a public security model championed by Governor Cláudio Castro, who is incompetent and cowardly.”

Lula personally visited the White House in early May for an exchange that both sides described as friendly and productive despite past tensions between Trump and Lula. Trump praised Lula as “very dynamic,” and reports indicated the two discussed organized crime in Brazil. Lula and his allies reportedly opposed the terror designation out of concern that the U.S. government could greenlight military action in Brazil to deal with the threat the gangs pose to law-abiding Brazilians.

Shortly after his visit, Lula announced a new federal plan against organized crime.

“Brazil is keen to avoid such designations,” the news agency France 24 reported at the time, referring to terrorist designations, “and in recent weeks has stepped up intelligence sharing with the U.S. to combat arms and drug trafficking.”

The State Department designations will closely follow a visit to the White House by Lula’s strongest competitor in the 2026 presidential election, conservative Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of the former president. Bolsonaro revealed after meeting with Trump that he had requested the U.S. government consider designating the two gangs terrorist groups.

“While Lula came to the White House to lobby on behalf of drug traffickers, I came to do exactly the opposite: to emphatically ask President Trump to designate the PCC and Comando Vermelho as foreign terrorist organizations as soon as possible,” Sen. Bolsonaro told reporters this week. “And they are, indeed, terrorist organizations.”

Follow Frances Martel on Facebook and Twitter.

US Government Advocates for Donald Trump’s Portrait on Proposed $250 Bill

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The US government is working on a $250 note to bear the face of Donald Trump, his treasury secretary has announced.

The upcoming bill is set to feature something new: the president’s signature, marking a significant shift from the design of previous U.S. currency.

The bill will feature Donald Trump's mugshot and signature.
The bill will feature Donald Trump’s mugshot and signature. (US Treasury)

“I see no issue with featuring the president of the United States on the 250th-anniversary bill,” remarked Bessent.

However, he acknowledged that the law would require modification to permit Trump’s likeness on currency.

A statute established in 1866 prohibits living individuals from being depicted on U.S. currency.

Nonetheless, Congressman Joe Wilson, a conservative Republican, has proposed legislation to amend this rule.

“Grateful to commemorate President Trump’s legacy of greatness and the 250 anniversary of America,” Wilson said.

“The most valuable President on our most valuable bill.”

While the president has frequently minted commemorative coins bearing his face, this note is intended to be legal tender widely used across the country.

The plan was strongly criticised by Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

“While Americans are struggling to put food on the table, keep up with rising energy costs, and pay for health care, the administration is focused on illegally putting the president’s face on money,” Cleaver said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent touting the bill.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent touting the bill. (AP)

“As the president made very clear: ‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation’.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu noted that inflation was at a three-year high.

“And what are Trump’s priorities? Slapping his face on a $250 bill, just to boost his own ego,” she said.

“Every day he makes it more clear that he doesn’t care about the American people, only himself.”

The move to put Trump’s face on money comes as the president’s approval rating continues to sink.

A poll released fby YouGov this week shows him with just a 34 per cent approval rating, with 59 per cent disapproving.

Trump has previously intervened to stop a 2016 plan from the Obama administration to replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 note with abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Donald Trump has lost four cabinet members in the last few months, all women.
Donald Trump has a long history of putting his name and face on things. (AP)

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California ‘Party Mom’ Faces Court as Families Decry ‘Monster’ for Allegedly Grooming Children

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Dubbed the “Los Gatos Party Mom,” Shannon O’Connor was handed a 35-year prison sentence in California on Thursday. This decision came after heartfelt testimonies from victims and their parents who recounted the years of trauma, manipulation, and abuse linked to the alcohol-laden gatherings she allegedly hosted at her Silicon Valley residence, according to prosecutors.

During the sentencing at the Santa Clara County Superior Court, a victim known as “Jane Doe 4” expressed her disbelief and distress directly to O’Connor, as reported by KTVU. “It is beyond me. I cannot comprehend how someone could do this,” she said. “For me, what happened took away so many happy parts of who I was.”

The 52-year-old O’Connor was sentenced to 29 years and four months for felony charges, with an extra six years for misdemeanor charges. Her convictions include 48 felony counts such as child endangerment, supplying alcohol to minors, and offenses of a sexual nature, as detailed by the news source.

Before her sentencing on Thursday morning, O’Connor addressed the court, offering apologies to the victims and their families. She maintained that she never held any sexual interest in minors.

CALIFORNIA ‘TEACHER OF THE YEAR’ SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF STUDENTS

Shannon O’Connor walking into a courthouse

Shannon O’Connor walks into court after being arrested in June 2021 and held in custody through preliminary hearings and a grand jury indictment in 2023. (KTVU)

“For the past five years, I’ve had the chance and time to reflect on what went wrong,” O’Connor said in a statement read in court, reported by KTVU. “I’m not here to make excuses for my actions.”

O’Connor acknowledged that families trusted her and said she “let you all down,” adding that both the victims and her own family had suffered in the aftermath of the case.

“My actions are the cause of your pain, and I’m ashamed,” she said. “I live every day wishing I could take everything back.”

She also described the toll the case had taken on her own family, saying her children had grown up “in the shadows of shame, harassment, humiliation and physical attacks,” while her husband’s “reputation, career and marriage” had been destroyed.

But O’Connor pushed back against prosecutors’ portrayal of her as a sexual predator, telling the court, “There is one thing that doesn’t sit right in my soul. I’ve never had sexual inclination toward your children or minors.”

EX-MAYOR CAUGHT IN LEWD ACT AT BOOZE-FILLED POOL PARTY, PROSECUTORS SAY

“I’m the victim of sexual abuse and I wouldn’t want to inflict that pain,” she added.

The statement came after days of emotional testimony from victims and parents, many of whom accused O’Connor of grooming vulnerable teenagers, encouraging sexual conduct among minors and supplying children with alcohol at chaotic house parties.

In a sentencing memorandum filed ahead of the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Joanna Lee asked the court to impose a sentence of 41 years and 10 months “to appropriately punish the defendant for every separate crime of endangerment, sexual abuse, and child abuse that the victims suffered.”

OHIO DAYCARE WORKER CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC PHYSICAL ABUSE OF TODDLERS SENTENCED TO YEARS IN PRISON

Shannon O'Connor sitting in court

Shannon O’Connor sits in court as prosecutors allege she organized parties where minors consumed alcohol and engaged in sexual activity between 2020 and 2021. (KTVU-TV)

The sentencing hearing featured emotional testimony from victims and parents who accused O’Connor of turning her Los Gatos home into a dangerous gathering place where underage teens drank heavily and engaged in sexual conduct.

Kate Doe, the mother of Jane Doe 4, broke down while telling the court her daughter developed a substance abuse problem after attending the parties.

NEW JERSEY TEACHER WHO SLEPT WITH STUDENTS AT FAMILY BAGEL SHOP LEARNS PRISON SENTENCE

“She was taking weekly drink orders for these kids,” the mother testified, according to KTVU. “She encouraged and managed sex acts. Our daughter was only 14 years old. She was quiet, innocent. Before encounter with Shannon, she was sweet, silly and full of joy.”

Kate Doe said she was the parent who first contacted police in 2021 after learning what was allegedly happening inside O’Connor’s home. At one point, she said, the family moved between Tahoe and Sea Ranch to keep their daughter away from O’Connor.

MARRIED OHIO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, 43, LEARNS SENTENCE FOR SEX WITH TEEN STUDENT IN OFFICE

“Shannon had been trying to collect our daughter — send her an airplane ticket,” she testified.

Another family told the court O’Connor had once been a trusted friend whose son was best friends with their own child before they discovered what prosecutors described as a pattern of grooming behavior.

EX-MAYOR CAUGHT IN LEWD ACT AT BOOZE-FILLED POOL PARTY, PROSECUTORS SAY

“She blatantly lied to us and made us think she’d keep our son safe,” the family testified. They alleged O’Connor groomed their son through social media and even taught him how to dispose of empty alcohol cans.

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The family recalled a Halloween party at O’Connor’s home where their 14-year-old son became so intoxicated he could barely communicate.

“We picked him up early, shivering, no shoes, no shirt,” the family testified, according to KTVU. “While kids were getting drunk she was across town at another Halloween party… Shannon left our 14-year-old child with alcohol and an open pool and hot tub.”

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Valerie Doe, the mother of two boys identified in court as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, testified that O’Connor “robbed” her sons of their childhoods.

“Without significant incarceration, she remains a direct threat to the community,” Valerie Doe said, according to KTVU. “By grooming my children, she weaponized them. They now suffer from deep-seeded guilt and trust issues.”

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She also described finding her sons barely conscious and vomiting after one of the parties.

The testimony echoed disturbing allegations laid out in the DA’s sentencing memorandum, which accused O’Connor of “victimiz[ing] an entire community of children and parents” through “constant grooming, manipulation, and hyper-sexualization of young teens.”

According to prosecutors, O’Connor hosted “chaotic alcohol-soaked benders” where minors became intoxicated to the point of “vomiting, choking on their own vomit, loss of consciousness, and loss of physical and mental faculty to consent.”

The memo alleges O’Connor used Snapchat to privately communicate with children, pressured girls to wear revealing clothing, organized co-ed hotel sleepovers and created “designated hookup rooms” inside her home.

Shannon O'Connor sitting at defense table in yellow jail-issue jumpsuit in courtroom

Shannon O’Connor listens in a courtroom in San Jose, Calif., on Oct. 20, 2021. She has been indicted on 63 counts including plying minors with alcohol and aiding and abetting sexual assault. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group/AP)

Prosecutors further alleged investigators found O’Connor’s phone “flooded” with images of underage girls in suggestive poses, which they argued demonstrated a “deep sexual interest in minor children.”

“This defendant not only didn’t protect these children, she endangered their safety, coordinated their sexual assaults, and she tried to get them not to tell,” Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in the March release. “These brave kids came forward to tell the truth about what happened and to put a stop to it.”   

Another victim’s mother described O’Connor in court as a “monster” and a “pedophile,” urging the judge to impose the maximum possible punishment.

Mount Everest Climber Sets New Speed Record, Toppling 23-Year Milestone

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American climber Tyler Andrews shattered the speed record for ascending Mount Everest with supplementary oxygen on Thursday, a milestone confirmed by his team to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Andrews reached the summit of the world’s tallest mountain an hour quicker than the previous record-holder.

At 36, Andrews accomplished the 8,849-meter climb in a remarkable 9 hours and 55 minutes, decisively surpassing the 10-hour and 56-minute record set by Nepali climber Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa back in 2003.

However, his impressive feat awaits official validation from Nepal’s mountain authorities.

According to his Instagram updates, which featured real-time GPS tracking, Andrews reached Everest’s summit just before dawn on Thursday.

“He achieved Everest’s peak in an astonishing 9 hours and 55 minutes,” shared Dawa Steven Sherpa, team leader from Asian Trekking, with AFP.

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The Asian Trekking team said that Andrews completed a solo climb, during which guides provided supplementary oxygen, food and water while tracking his ascent.

He had initially tried to break the 22 hours and 29 minutes speed record to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen earlier in May, but had to turn back.

Andrews, who said he is a cancer survivor, is raising funds to support youth athletes who lack access to coaching and equipment in Ecuador and Nepal.

Andrews completes his summit days after Melbourne teenager Bianca Adler became the youngest Australian to ever summit the famous mountain.

More than 950 climbers have reached the top of Everest this season, with the weather window rapidly coming to a close.

Five people have died this season — two Indians and three Nepali climbers involved in Everest preparations.

That compares to the 18 people who died in 2023, the deadliest season on the mountain.


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Inside the Star-Studded Guest List for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Upcoming Wedding

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As Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce prepare to exchange vows, curiosity is mounting among fans about the guest list for the star-studded event.

Initial reports suggested that Swift and the NFL star were planning a New York City wedding over the Fourth of July weekend. However, sources have informed Page Six that these plans have changed.

Speculation now suggests that the earlier save-the-dates were a clever distraction orchestrated by Swift to keep her true wedding plans under wraps. According to TMZ, Swift has taken a personal approach by calling guests individually to invite them to the celebration.

Among the celebrities reportedly invited is Zoë Kravitz, despite past rumors of a rift. A source confirmed to Page Six that the “Big Little Lies” actress is “definitely attending” the highly anticipated wedding.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz was given an invite to the wedding despite feud rumors, and an insider tells Page Six the “Big Little Lies” star is “absolutely coming” to Swift and Kelce’s big day.

Though, her fiancé, Harry Styles — whom Swift dated for a few months between 2012 and 2013 — likely won’t be attending, as he’ll be traveling for his Together, Together Tour.

Ed Sheeran and his wife, Cherry Seaborn

Ed Sheeran, a longtime friend of Swift’s, received an invite to the singer’s wedding along with his wife, Cherry Seaborn.

A source told Page Six that the pop star took a page from Sheeran’s private 2018 wedding, and modeled her covert nuptials ceremony in a similar fashion.

“To this day no one knows exactly who attended Ed Sheerhan’s wedding, and that’s the model for this one,” said the source. “Total secrecy.”

Haim

It comes as no surprise that the Haim sisters were sent invites. Earlier this year, Swift kicked off 2026 by supporting the eldest Haim sister, Este, at her NYE wedding to tech entrepreneur Jonathan “Johnny” Levin at a boutique hotel in California.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse confirmed she received an invite to Swift’s wedding and would be in attendance in her May 28 Variety magazine interview.

Waterhouse told the outlet that she’s hoping to grab “some inspiration” from the ceremony for her own upcoming wedding to Robert Pattinson.

“Nothing scarier than the actual planning part, right?” Waterhouse said.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid is said to have received an invite to Swift and Kelce’s wedding day. The supermodel and Swift have long been close friends and have been known to enjoy an occasional girls night out with each other.

Hadid is rumored to be one of Swift’s bridesmaids.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez and her husband, Benny Blanco, were also sent invites to Swift’s wedding, which comes as no shock considering that Swift was at Gomez’s side when she tied the knot with the music producer last year.

The Grammy winner even gave a heartfelt speech at the reception.

Gomez is also rumored to be one of the singer’s bridesmaids.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne was also sent an invite to the famous couple’s wedding, insiders told Page Six.

The model has maintained a years-long close friendship with Swift, and at one point, was even her roommate after a particularly bad breakup.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid

On Kelce’s side, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid was given an invite. The NFL coach also has ties to Swift through her father, Scott Swift.

“I knew her from Philadelphia. Her dad was a big NFL fan,” the former Philadelphia Eagles coach explained on a 2023 episode of Outkick’s “The Five Spot.”

“So I had met her when she was real young, and her dad,” Reid continued.

Confidential White House Advisor Discloses Strategy to Prevent Widespread Panic Over Alien Encounters

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Global markets spiraling into disarray, streets filled with unrest, and a sweeping distrust in governmental, spiritual, and media institutions. These are the once inconceivable scenarios that the White House is now considering, as it unveils previously classified footage and documents detailing unidentified flying objects from across the globe.

Yet, no disclosure carries the potential to disrupt public order quite like the announcement that humanity might not be alone in the universe. I have compelling reasons to believe that the administration is gearing up for such a groundbreaking revelation.

On Friday, the White House released another set of UFO files, this time presenting evidence that is notably more challenging for skeptics to dismiss.

In one of the videos, a UFO is seen accelerating almost instantly over the Syrian skies. Another clip portrays a disc-shaped object traversing the Hindu Kush mountains, lacking any visible heat plume for propulsion. While these images don’t conclusively prove extraterrestrial origins, they strongly suggest that the government possesses more information than it is currently disclosing.

One video appears to show a UFO accelerating almost instantaneously in the skies over Syria. Another captures a disc-like object moving across the Hindu Kush mountains with no visible heat plume propelling it. While the images fall short of proving that these crafts are the work of non-human intelligence, it seems to me that the government knows more than it is revealing.

I’ve spoken to the UFO experts who say they’re helping the White House develop a public communications strategy to reveal the existence of alien lifeforms. 

Investigative journalist and longtime UFO researcher Jeremy Corbell tells me that he is one such advisor.

A video released by the White House last week appears to show a UFO accelerating almost instantaneously in the skies over Syria

A video released by the White House last week appears to show a UFO accelerating almost instantaneously in the skies over Syria

Investigative journalist and longtime UFO researcher Jeremy Corbell says that he is advising the White House on a strategy to reveal to Americans that we are not alone in the universe

Investigative journalist and longtime UFO researcher Jeremy Corbell says that he is advising the White House on a strategy to reveal to Americans that we are not alone in the universe

UFO-researcher Jeremy Corbell (pictured, second row, middle) at a House Oversight Committee hearing at the US Capitol on September 09, 2025

UFO-researcher Jeremy Corbell (pictured, second row, middle) at a House Oversight Committee hearing at the US Capitol on September 09, 2025

‘Officials from the White House and the Department of Defense have, in official capacity, sought my counsel on communications strategy and terminology – specifically in preparation for a potential formal announcement by President Trump regarding UAP reality and non-human intelligence,’ Corbell said, referring to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, otherwise known as UFOs.

‘These consultations took place over the past six months, via video conference, with multiple communications officials who wanted to be the most informed person in the room when disclosure planning begins,’ he continued. ‘They don’t yet know how far the President is willing to take this. They are preparing for a range of outcomes. That preparation is real and it is underway.’

In response to Corbell’s claims the White House referred the Daily Mail to the Department of Defense. A Pentagon official said: ‘We are not aware of any formal strategy meetings with Mr. Corbell.’

Corbell, however, is not that only individual who claims that the administration has sought help in planning the rollout a disclosure of extraterrestrial life.

Ross Coulthart, a journalist with NewsNation who has written extensively on what he believes is a government cover-up of non-human life, says he too was contacted by the Trump administration.

Coulthart also claims administration officials are consulting with world religious leaders as they consider the potential shock of such an admission.

For the faithful, the disclosure of alien existence could raise deep, potentially destabilizing, spiritual angst undermining core Biblical teachings.

My sources in the UFO community say that churches, mosques and synagogues will be tasked with calming their followers and explaining why religion remains relevant. There are signs that such preparations are underway.

A drone managed to record the moment when the object suddenly disappears, appearing as a faint white streak as it moved to the right

A drone managed to record the moment when the object suddenly disappears, appearing as a faint white streak as it moved to the right

Vice President JD Vance, who recently described himself as ‘obsessed’ with UFOs on at least two conservative influencer podcasts, has spoken of potential alien life through the lens of a Christian worldview.

‘I think they’re demons…’ Vance told Benny Johnson in March. ‘I don’t think they’re aliens. There are weird things out there that are very difficult to explain…

‘When I hear about extra natural phenomenon, that’s where I go to: The Christian understanding that there’s a lot of good out there, but there’s also evil out there. And I think that one of the devil’s great tricks is to convince people he never existed.’

Vance’s language underscores the potentially fraught position of religious institutions in the disclosure debate. And with more than 1.4 billion adherents around the world, no institution could be more influential in maintaining order than the Catholic Church. But the Vatican is already facing challenges.

The Holy See is tied to one of the most extraordinary allegations in the history of UFO debates: that a non-human craft was recovered in Magenta, Italy, in 1933. The craft, described by witnesses as cylindrical with portholes on the sides and white and red lights, was then allegedly held by the Italian government during the rule of fascist leader Benito Mussolini, and later came into American hands after the Vatican quietly alerted Washington of its existence.

Details of the Magenta recovery have also been publicly echoed by a former intelligence official and UFO whistleblower David Grusch. Asked in 2023 whether the Catholic Church was aware of a non-human presence on Earth, Grusch replied: ‘Certainly.’

Vice President JD Vance, who recently described himself as 'obsessed' with UFOs on at least two conservative influencers podcasts, has spoken of potential alien life as 'demons'

Vice President JD Vance, who recently described himself as ‘obsessed’ with UFOs on at least two conservative influencers podcasts, has spoken of potential alien life as ‘demons’

An artist's impression of the alleged 1933 UFO crash outside Magenta in northern Italy shows a craft shaped like a saucer

An artist’s impression of the alleged 1933 UFO crash outside Magenta in northern Italy shows a craft shaped like a saucer

Although the Vatican has no settled public doctrine on UFO disclosure, it is taking this issue seriously. Since 2002, an Italian think tank has held UFO conferences at the Vatican on how the Church might respond to confirmation of non-human intelligence. Senior Vatican-linked astronomers have also argued that alien life would not necessarily contradict the Catholic faith.

Pope Francis went even further when he joked, during a morning mass in 2014, that he would be open to baptizing a Martian: ‘If… an expedition of Martians arrives and some of them come to us… and if one of them says: ‘Me, I want to be baptised!’, what would happen?’ The church, he said, turns away no beings – not even extraterrestrial ones.

More than a decade after Pope Francis extended his blessings to alien life, the push for White House disclosure of their existence now reaches into President Trump’s inner circle. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he would release everything he could on UFOs if given the power to do so, while Donald Trump Jr. has spoken openly about his own fascination with the subject.

Even more vocal is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who’s been one of the strongest Congressional proponents of releasing UFO files and is likely aware of cases such as the alleged UAP incident in Italy. Rubio also appeared in the 2025 documentary The Age of Disclosure, which details the alleged decades-long effort to conceal the presence of non-human life on Earth.

Despite support from such close presidential confidants, NewsNation’s Coulthart says that the biggest risk for the government may not be in the disclosure that alien life exists.

Pope Francis meets with Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday at the Vatican on April 20, 2025

Pope Francis meets with Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday at the Vatican on April 20, 2025

Rather, it could be the potential for the public to feel betrayed by elected officials if only part of the truth is exposed, but the rest denied or redacted.

The White House might admit that some UFOs are believed to involve advanced non-human intelligence. But the administration could also refuse to address claims by sworn whistleblowers about alleged efforts to recover alien crafts and programs to analyze the technology. Such a partial reveal could be viewed by many Americans not as transparency, but as another cover-up.

The backlash could prove catastrophic.

Which is why Corbell says his advice to the White House around disclosure is simple: admit what is known, admit what remains unknown, acknowledge the existence of non-human life-forms and explain the defense concerns that drove decades of secrecy.

He and others who are pressing for full disclosure believe President Trump understands the scale of this moment and the outsized role his administration will play in shaping public reaction to confirmation of non-human life.

Don’t Miss Out: ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 19, Episode 3 Release Date Revealed on Paramount+

The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is making a triumphant return with the latest season of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Fans were not let down by the gripping two-episode premiere of Season 19.

Kicking off the new season, the first episode thrust viewers into the heart of action as the BAU hunted down a duo of roadside kidnappers. Simultaneously, Elias Voit, portrayed by Zach Gilford, grappled with his inner turmoil and the weight of his transgressions. The excitement continued in Episode 2, where Luke, played by Adam Rodriguez, faced a devastating personal loss. Meanwhile, the return of Brian Garrity, enacted by Paul F. Tompkins, added another layer of intrigue as the team embarked on another intense investigation. But this is merely the beginning of the unfolding drama!

The official synopsis for Season 19 teases: “Criminal Minds: Evolution returns with a thrilling new season that pushes our elite profilers to their limits. As the BAU investigates a string of chilling new cases, Elias Voit embarks on a path to atone for his past. His newfound infamy inadvertently awakens their most formidable nemesis yet, The Fan. Precise, calculating, and relentlessly dangerous, this UnSub pushes the BAU to the brink and back under the shadow of Elias Voit. But how far will The Fan go to prove his superiority over his idol?”

Already captivated? You’re certainly not alone. So when can eager fans expect to watch the next chapter of this thrilling saga? Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19, Episode 3 is set to premiere on Thursday, June 4 at 3:01 a.m. ET on Paramount+.

When Does Criminal Minds: Evolution Episode 3 Come Out on Paramount+?

Criminal Minds: Evolution Episode 3 debuts Thursday, June 4 at 3:01 a.m. ET on Paramount+.

When Do New Episodes Of Criminal Minds: Evolution Come Out?

New episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution come out Thursdays at 3:01 a.m. ET on Paramount+.

How Many Episodes Are In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19?

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 consists of 10 episodes. Here’s how to watch…

Rossi and Prentiss on 'Criminal Minds'
Photo: Justin Lubin/Paramount+

Where To Watch Criminal Minds: Evolution: Paramount+ Streaming Info

Criminal Minds: Evolution is exclusively streaming on Paramount+, which means you’ll need to be a Paramount+ subscriber in order to watch new episodes.

Paramount+ offers two subscription plans, Essential and Premium. The ad-supported Essential plan costs $8.99/month, while the ad-free Premium plan (which comes with Showtime titles and live CBS) costs $13.99/month.

All 15 seasons of the original Criminal Minds series — which aired from 2005-2020 on CBS — are also available to stream on Paramount+. 

Can You Watch Criminal Minds: Evolution On Paramount Network?

If you’re hoping to watch new episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount Network, unfortunately you’re out of luck. Criminal Minds: Evolution is a Paramount+ streaming-exclusive series, which means it’s only available to watch online.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Cast Guide:

A number of fan-favorite Criminal Minds: Evolution stars will be returning for Season 19, including Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Zach Gilford, RJ Hatanaka, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster. Plus familiar faces like Nicole Pacent and Paul F. Tompkins will be back. But Criminal Minds: Evolution also has a stacked lineup of celebrity guest stars on the way. Here’s who to expect:

  • Connor Storrie 
  • Clark Gregg
  • Jeri Ryan 
  • Justin Kirk 
  • Yvette Nicole Brown 
  • Cress Williams
  • Kofi Siriboe
  • Lyndon Smith
  • Richard Cabral
  • Rob Yang
  • Nicholas Gonzalez
  • Inny Clemons
  • Dash Mihok
  • Cara Jade Myers
  • Jim True-Frost

Stay tuned for more Criminal Minds: Evolution coverage from Decider.

Tea Around Town Addresses Concerns Over Late Cancellations and Refund Policies for Tea Party Bus Services

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A well-known bus company in Chicago, famed for its mobile tea parties, is addressing accusations of abandoning customers and failing to issue refunds.

After an initial report by ABC7 Chicago’s I-Team, the station has been flooded with hundreds of complaints regarding the company’s practices.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

In light of the coverage, the company’s owner has acknowledged the issues and expressed a willingness to take responsibility.

In response, the regional manager traveled to Chicago specifically for an interview to discuss the matter.

Following the feedback, the company asserts that they have developed a strategy aimed at resolving the grievances and improving their services.

People from Chicago and across the country said the company promised them a whimsical afternoon tea experience on a luxurious bus, but instead left them stranded in dresses, hats and fascinators.

Jonathan Morillo says it’s a unique and complicated operation. In Chicago alone, there are anywhere from eight to 20 bus trips a day.

“We have aggressively expanded. Now, with that, and the manner in which we aggressively pursued the expansion, comes things like pain points,” Morillo said. “It’s incredibly disheartening. We do this and I do this, of course, because we have a passion for hospitality. So when things like that happen it truly does affect me and bother me.”

He says they’ve experienced buses breaking down and delayed communication with customers when things do go wrong.

“We’ve learned that there’s better ways to communicate, and quicker ways to communicate with our guests so that they don’t get affected in such a short amount of time. And we give them ample time to plan if there is going to be an issue,” Morillo said.

Morillo says they’ve hired a fleet manager who’s responsible for buses and added more people to their customer service team to better address problems and refunds.

“Our goal is to ensure that people got above and beyond their value of what they paid for. And then go on, and like I said, come off there with an amazing smile off the bus, having had a great experience to go tell other people,” Morillo said.

The company says they’ve halted their expansion to smaller markets to address all of the current issues and make sure things are running smoothly in their current cities.

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