The American Express Times
Friday, June 12, 2026
Trump, Pivoting Again, Calls Off New Barrage, Claiming Deal Is Near
President Donald Trump canceled planned military strikes against Iran after announcing progress in negotiations for a memorandum of understanding aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian officials denied that any agreement had been finalized, leaving the situation uncertain despite U.S. optimism and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
★ Featured Stories
Duane Michals, Photographer With Quirky Stories to Tell, Dies at 94
Duane Michals, a pioneering photographer known for his narrative black-and-white photo sequences paired with handwritten captions, died at age 94 in Manhattan. His innovative approach…
New Generation of Candidates Takes Housing Cost Personally
David Morales, a 27-year-old state legislator, is challenging incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in Providence with a campaign focused on combating rising housing costs and advocating…
Knicks Snap to Life, and Their City Doesn’t Sleep
The New York Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history to win Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs by one point, propelled…
Banned Drugs Aid U.F.C. Star’s Stunning Return
Conor McGregor is set to return to the UFC octagon this month in Las Vegas after an 18-month suspension related to missed drug tests and…
★ All Stories
Two City Council Members Question School Contracts
Two New York City Council members have demanded tighter oversight of public school contracts following revelations that Chancellor Kamar Samuels was involved in a $180,000…
Man Who Murdered Minnesota Legislator and Husband Pleads Guilty
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to murder and stalking charges for the June 2025 shootings that killed Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and…
Agents Scour California Plant After It Nearly Exploded
Federal agents searched GKN Aerospace’s Garden Grove facility to collect evidence related to last month’s near-explosion caused by an overheated chemical tank that led to…
Trump to Pick New Nominee of Intelligence
President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, as the next director of…
Elite Magic Club Denies Membership To Robot Performer D4RYL
Magician David Penn’s robot partner, D4RYL, was denied membership by The Magic Circle, a prestigious London magic society, due to its stance that magic requires…
In the U.K., a Cycle of Violent Attacks, Right-Wing Agitation and Riots
Recent knife attacks in England and Northern Ireland have sparked violent riots fueled by rapid right-wing agitation and the spread of inflammatory narratives on social…
In One Candidate, Colombian Women See Familiar Strategy
Abelardo De La Espriella, a controversial lawyer endorsed by Donald Trump, is leading Colombia's presidential race with a hardline, macho campaign that opposes progressive gender…
Justice Dept. Parrots Trump on Voter Fraud
Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli announced plans to file election fraud charges related to California’s primary races within the next one to two months,…
For Young Candidates, Housing Cost Is Personal
Young political candidates from both major parties across the U.S. are centering housing affordability in their campaigns, proposing reforms to zoning laws and expanding housing…
Trump’s Nod Doesn’t Ensure Clear Win in South Carolina
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, narrowly led the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary and will face State Attorney General Alan…
Florida Chooses University President Amid Right-Wing Protests
The University of Florida’s Board of Trustees unanimously chose Stuart R. Bell, former president of the University of Alabama, as the university’s next president, pending…
Judge Rejects Lawsuit Aiming to Stop Move of Homeless Intake Shelter
A New York State Supreme Court judge dismissed a lawsuit blocking New York City’s plan to relocate its primary homeless men's intake shelter to the…
Former Officer Pleads Guilty to Sending Inappropriate Texts to Crime Victims
Former NYPD officer Matthew Lambert pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for sending inappropriate messages to female crime victims and engaging in sexual activity with a…
Speight Jenkins, Adventurous Director Of Seattle Opera, Dies
Speight Jenkins, the transformative longtime general director of Seattle Opera, died at age 89, leaving behind a legacy of bold artistic leadership that elevated the…
Hoping Next Generation in Australia Will Benefit From Social Media Ban
Australia’s ban on social media accounts for children under 16 has struggled to stop teens from accessing platforms like TikTok and Instagram despite penalties for…
U.S. to Expel Women Who Sought Safety From Iran
The Trump administration plans to deport nearly two dozen migrants—including Iranian women and individuals with court protection against return to their home countries—to the conflict-ridden…
With Smack at Starmer, Defense Secretary Quits
John Healey resigned as Britain’s defense secretary, criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for proposing a defense funding plan that falls short of the previously discussed…
Trump Says He’s ‘Not Looking to Renew’ Trade Deal He Once Called the Best Ever
President Donald Trump cast doubt on renewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (U.S.M.C.A.), suggesting the U.S. does not need imports from its two largest trading partners.…
House Rejects FISA Spy Law Extension, Trump’s Pick for Intelligence Director
Congress failed to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before its expiration at midnight Friday, as both the House and Senate blocked…
Rule Blocks Mail Ballots If States Keep Voter Data
The U.S. Postal Service proposed a rule allowing it to reject mail ballots from states that do not share voter roll data federally, requiring new…
Appeals Court Judge Blocks Alabama From Using Nitrogen Gas in Execution
A federal appeals court upheld a ruling blocking Alabama from using nitrogen hypoxia in the execution of Jeffery Lee, requiring the state to choose a…
Mayor Urged to Pause A.I. In New York City’s Schools
A majority of New York City Council members have urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels to pause the use of artificial intelligence…
Mamdani Finds a Foil Familiar to New Yorkers: Dolan
New York Knicks owner James Dolan publicly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch for implementing strict security measures…
Texas Governor Proposes New Data Center Regulations Amid Concerns
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed new regulations to limit tax incentives and require water-efficient technologies for the state's expanding data center industry, aiming to…
Souleymane Diallo, Journalist Who Skewered Guinea’s Autocrats, Dies at 80
Souleymane Diallo, co-founder of Guinea’s satirical newspaper Le Lynx and a relentless critic of authoritarian regimes, died on June 1 in Montreal at age 80.…
The Bipartisan Hatred of All Things Feminine
Female political leaders in the U.S. have faced increased turnover, gender-based attacks, and persistent biases during the second term of former President Trump, with women…
My Life Lessons From M.M.A. Fighting
A mixed martial arts event featuring a new arena called the Claw is planned for President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday on the White House South…
Oracle Spending Sends Its Shares Tumbling 12%
Oracle's stock dropped 12 percent following concerns over its rising expenses and debt tied to expanding AI infrastructure, erasing about $72 billion in market value.…
Oil Prices Drop as Trump Reverses Threat to Strike Iran
President Donald Trump eased previous threats of military action against Iran and suggested progress toward a peace deal, causing oil prices to drop sharply. This…
Mideast War Is Weakening Global Growth, Bank Warns
The World Bank reported that the Middle East conflict and a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran have disrupted critical shipping routes, causing inflation to rise and…
The Joy of Missing Out on an Enormous Launch
SpaceX is launching an initial public offering with a proposed opening share price of $135, potentially making Elon Musk a trillionaire and awarding significant payouts…
SpaceX I.P.O.: Early Investors Poised for Massive Gains
SpaceX will begin trading publicly on Friday in what is projected to be the largest IPO ever, with a valuation around $1.77 trillion. This milestone…
Nadella Is Open to Sharing Wealth of A.I. Companies
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged widespread public concerns about AI's risks during a live interview while highlighting the technology's potential to boost wages and economic…
Also Expected to Take the Field at the World Cup: Hazardous Heat
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, held across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, faces rising concerns about extreme heat, with experts noting that…
Spielberg in His Maximalist Element
Steven Spielberg released "Disclosure Day," a sci-fi thriller featuring a tense chase intertwined with themes of belief, morality, and human connection. The film blends action…
It’s Not the 1994 World Cup, but It’s Something
The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, marking the tournament's return to North America since 1994. This expanded…
Trump’s Enablers
A letter to the editor questions the roles of Todd Blanche, nominated for Attorney General, and Senator Lindsey Graham in sustaining support for President Trump…