The American Express Times
Saturday, April 4, 2026
American Combat Jet Shot Down Above Iran; One in Crew Is Rescued
An American F-15E combat jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, with one airman rescued and a dangerous search ongoing for a second crew member. This marks the first confirmed loss of a U.S. combat aircraft over Iran in the current conflict, undermining claims of air superiority and exposing military personnel to increased risks.
★ Featured Stories
China Aims for the Moon as NASA Takes Note
The United States and China are rapidly developing their space programs to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. Both nations are focusing on…
Bondi Wanted a Graceful Exit, But Trump Wanted Her Gone
President Donald Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her post on Thursday, concluding her 14-month tenure leading the Justice Department. The decision followed Trump's…
A New Approach for the Magazine
The New York Times Magazine is launching a major redesign this weekend, April 5-6, 2026, featuring enhanced visual elements, broader content categories, and more flexible…
The Mystifying Drunken Episodes of Teetotalers
Auto-brewery Syndrome is a rare medical condition where gut microbes internally produce ethanol from carbohydrates, leading to severe intoxication even in individuals who have consumed…
★ All Stories
Bettina Köster, 66, a Force in Berlin’s ’80s Avant-Garde
Bettina Köster, a pioneering singer, songwriter, and saxophonist who was a prominent figure in West Berlin's 1980s avant-garde music scene, died on March 16 at…
Smithsonian Faces Delay Over Trustees
The appointment process for vacant positions on the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents has stalled for a month, as the Trump administration seeks to influence…
Bangkok Keeps Evolving and Refreshing Itself
Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has firmly established itself as the world's most visited city, undergoing a significant evolution beyond its traditional image. This transformation features a…
U.S. Reports Strong Job Growth For March, Beating Predictions
The U.S. economy saw unexpected job growth in March, with employers adding 178,000 positions and the unemployment rate dropping to 4.3%. This strength provides the…
Iran Holds Nature Fest In Shadow Of the War
On Thursday, Tehran residents gathered in city parks to observe Sizdah Bedar, a traditional nature festival concluding the Persian New Year holiday. Despite recent bombardments…
The Apps You Need for Your Next Trip Abroad
International travelers are advised to use local apps for ride-hailing, dining, and navigation, as these often provide superior functionality and reach compared to global services.…
At War With Iran Again, Israelis Fear Conflict Is Becoming Routine
Israelis are consistently adapting their daily routines amid an ongoing war with Iran and Hezbollah, which frequently forces millions into shelters due to missile attacks…
Many of Cuba’s Critics Fled. Is a Popular Uprising Coming Anyway?
Cuba is experiencing an increase in localized protests, including actions against government property, fueled by severe economic and social hardship like power outages and food…
Russia Is Sending a Second Oil Tanker to Fuel-Starved Cuba
Russia confirmed plans to send a second crude oil tanker to Cuba, following a recent initial delivery that helped ease the island nation's severe energy…
Member of European Parliament Is Charged With Glorifying Terrorism on Social Media
Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament, has been charged in Paris with glorifying terrorism online after she quoted an individual implicated in…
Cuba to Pardon Over 2,000, Its Leaders Say
Cuba announced pardons for over 2,000 prisoners, making it one of the largest such releases in years and the second within a month. While presented…
Trump’s Clawbacks Have Eviscerated Once-Bipartisan Initiatives for Foreign Aid
The Trump administration unilaterally cut $4.2 billion in foreign aid last year, severely impacting economic and development assistance programs and eliminating nearly 90 percent of…
The One-Man Task Force Seeing Trump as Eco-Warrior
Edward Russo, the sole member and chairman of the White House Environmental Advisory Task Force, recently promoted President Trump as a leading environmental president despite…
Facing the Prospect of Midterm Defeats, Republican Lawmakers Flee to the Exit
A notable number of U.S. House of Representatives members, particularly Republicans, are departing their seats at near-historic rates as the midterm election cycle begins. This…
Judge Lets Man Exonerated Of Murder Remain in U.S.
An immigration judge has ruled against the deportation of Subramanyam Vedam, a Pennsylvania man detained by ICE after his murder conviction was overturned following 43…
Acting Attorney General Has Long Been at Trump’s Side
Todd Blanche, formerly President Trump's attorney and deputy attorney general, has been appointed acting attorney general after his predecessor's firing. His appointment solidifies his extensive…
Hegseth Fires Army Chief Amid Battle With Its Leaders
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Gen. Randy George as the Army's chief of staff on Thursday, along with other high-ranking Army officials. This action reflects…
Artemis II Pilot Gives Orion Capsule Test Drive on Way to the Moon
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover successfully conducted a manual flight test of the Orion spacecraft, precisely maneuvering it around a discarded rocket stage during its…
Mamdani and City Council Speaker Spar Over the Budget
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin are in an escalating dispute over their differing strategies to address the city's…
The President Has No Idea How to End His War
President Trump delivered an Oval Office address on the ongoing conflict with Iran, reiterating military progress and threatening to target Iran's civilian infrastructure within weeks.…
OpenAI Buys Streaming Show, Aiming to Shape A.I. Narrative
OpenAI has acquired TBPN, an online streaming program dedicated to discussing technology and business. The AI company intends to use this platform to influence public…
Billions Were Plowed Into Vertical Farms. Most Failed.
Vertical farming, once envisioned as a transformative agricultural method, has seen widespread failure among startups despite billions in venture capital funding. These collapses are primarily…
When a Semifinal Seems Like a Final, Does the Billing Hold?
The NCAA men's basketball tournament's bracket structure frequently results in its most anticipated contests, such as this year's Arizona versus Michigan game, taking place in…
William F. Murphy Is Dead at 85; Led Diocese and Faced Scandal
Former Bishop William F. Murphy, whose leadership in Boston and New York's Diocese of Rockville Centre was defined by the clergy sex abuse crisis, passed…
ICE Arrests Islamic Leader Of Large Wisconsin Group
U.S. immigration authorities detained Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin's largest Islamic organization, alleging he concealed past Israeli criminal convictions on his American green card application.…
Democrats Start to Hammer Republicans Over War in Iran
A Democratic-aligned organization, VoteVets Action Fund, launched a $250,000 advertising campaign against Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, criticizing his support for military operations…
H.H.S. Is Moving to Restore Vaccine Advisory Committee
The Health Department is reinstating its key vaccine advisory committee, allowing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to nominate members after a federal judge previously…
Two Men Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 7-Month-Old Girl in Brooklyn
A 7-month-old girl tragically died in Brooklyn after being hit by a stray bullet in a shooting that also grazed her brother. Authorities have since…
LETTERS: A.I. and Therapy
Psychiatrist Brandon Jacobi recently argued that the increasing use of AI in mental health care, despite clinical concerns, is primarily driven by systemic issues such…
Another Drug For Weight Loss Gets Approval From the F.D.A.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Eli Lilly's new daily oral medication, Foundayo, for weight loss. This development offers patients a more convenient treatment…
Ye the Performer Sticks to the Music
Rapper Ye, formerly Kanye West, recently performed two large-scale concerts at SoFi Stadium in California, marking his most significant domestic live appearances since 2021. These…
An Artist at Work on His Grand Finale
American artist James Grashow created the monumental wood sculpture "The Cathedral," which is featured in the new documentary "Jimmy & the Demons" that premiered months…
A Quebec Rock Duo’s Intricate Music Goes Viral
The Canadian instrumental rock duo Angine de Poitrine has recently gained significant online recognition, notably with a KEXP live performance featuring tracks from their newly…
What to Make Next Week: Recipes
A new collection of diverse and easy-to-prepare recipes, featuring several main courses and a dessert, has been released for home cooks. These options span from…
Johnson’s Waver on Shutdown Reflects Weak Hold on Power
Speaker Mike Johnson has repeatedly altered his position on a Senate-approved measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security, leading him to postpone a House…
G.O.P. Tensions Flare Over Islamic Schools In Texas, Private Muslim Institutions Meet Resistance to Joining Voucher Program
After initially excluding Islamic private schools from Texas's new $1 billion private school voucher program, the state has begun inviting them to apply following a…
E.P.A. Targets Microplastics and Drugs in Drinking Water
The Trump administration announced its intention to address microplastics and pharmaceuticals in U.S. drinking water, proposing to list them as priority pollutants and funding research…