Author: Lester Holt

Roots in Theater Jerry Adler, who died peacefully on Saturday at age 96, spent the first decades of his career working behind the scenes. Born into a theater family—his father, Philip Adler, managed Broadway productions, and his cousin Stella Adler was a legendary acting coach—he began as an assistant stage manager while attending Syracuse University. Over the years, Adler contributed to 53 Broadway productions as a stage manager, director, and producer, working with iconic performers such as Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, and Marlene Dietrich. He left Broadway during its decline in the 1980s, after decades of shaping major productions. Discovering…

Ottawa will lift certain retaliatory duties while keeping tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminium. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that Canada will scale back part of its trade countermeasures against the United States. While tariffs on vehicles, steel, and aluminium remain, other duties on American products will be removed starting September 1. Decision follows missed trade deadline The announcement comes after Carney’s first phone call with President Donald Trump since both nations missed their self-imposed deadline for a new trade deal. Canada had previously imposed a 25% tariff on around C$30bn (£16bn; $21.7bn) of US goods, including appliances and…

Federal Focus Turns to Major Cities President Donald Trump announced plans to extend his administration’s anti-crime drive to Chicago and New York, labeling Chicago “a disaster” and pledging that New York would follow. The initiative builds on federal campaigns that have concentrated on Democratic-led cities with Black mayors, drawing widespread criticism. Guard Forces to Carry Weapons in the Capital Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed that National Guard soldiers deployed in Washington DC will now be armed, reversing previous assurances that they would remain without weapons. Nearly 2,000 Guard troops are stationed in the city, including reinforcements sent from Republican-controlled states.…

The United States will continue imposing a 27.5% tariff on European automobiles until the European Union enacts legislation to lower duties on American exports. A framework agreement released Thursday outlines the path for reducing tariffs to 15%. Trade Agreement Overview The agreement was announced July 27 following a meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland. Under the deal, the EU has pledged to remove tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and expand access for American seafood and agricultural products. In return, the U.S. will cut tariffs to 15% on a wide range…

Natural cycles mask long-term warming effects The pace of Arctic sea ice loss has slowed sharply over the past 20 years, with researchers finding no major decline in its extent since 2005. The unexpected pause is thought to be driven by natural fluctuations in ocean currents, which have temporarily reduced heat flow into the region. A pause, not a recovery Experts caution that the slowdown is only temporary. When ocean patterns shift again, melting is expected to resume — likely at twice the previous long-term rate. “It has bought us a bit of time, but it isn’t good news,” said…

Criminal Inquiry Underway Federal prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that Washington DC police may have manipulated crime statistics to make the city appear safer than it truly is. Sources cited by the Washington Post, NBC News, and Fox News report that the investigation is being conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, led by Jeanine Pirro. Trump Comments on Investigation Former President Donald Trump highlighted the inquiry on social media, claiming that DC authorities provided “fake crime numbers” to create a “false sense of security” and that officials are now “under serious investigation.”…

Tourists Rush to Leave Hurricane Erin has forced vacationers to cut short their trips on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, even though the hurricane is forecast to stay offshore. The storm swept through parts of the Caribbean on Monday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Officials ordered evacuations on several barrier islands along the coast, warning of dangerous rip currents and waves reaching 15 feet (4.6 meters). On Ocracoke Island, both residents and tourists spent hours waiting at the ferry terminal — the only exit apart from flights. Forecast and Warnings Forecasters expect Erin to turn north and away from the…