Rep. Max Miller denies abuse allegations, ex-father-in-law Sen. Bernie Moreno calls for resignation
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) denied allegations of domestic abuse against his ex-wife and daughter in a livestream on X, stating no court or agency has substantiated the claims. Miller claimed child-welfare agencies found reports of abuse against his daughter unsubstantiated. He also denied assaulting his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who had previously accused him of throwing hot water at her during a 2024 argument. Miller acknowledged spraying her with water but denied it was scalding. He said he did not intend to hurt her and called the incident "horseplay."
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Miller's ex-father-in-law, publicly denounced Miller as a "danger" to his daughter and unfit for office. Moreno described the situation as "pure hell" for his family and said Miller's behavior had forced him to speak out. He called for Miller to seek professional help and argued that the congressman should not be free to continue endangering others until he does. Moreno also mentioned that prosecutors did not file charges after concluding there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to present to a grand jury.
Miller faces Democrat Brian Poindexter in Ohio's 7th congressional district. The race is significant for Democrats, who view the seat as a potential pickup. Miller's campaign has been scrutinized for its handling of the allegations, with some Republicans expressing concern about the political fallout.
Where the accounts differ
Axios reports that Miller acknowledged spraying his ex-wife with water but denied it was scalding, while The Daily Caller and The Guardian describe the incident as Miller throwing "scalding water" on Emily Moreno. The Daily Wire and The Guardian mention that Emily Moreno testified that Miller held a gun to her head, a detail not included in Axios or Mother Jones. The Guardian and The Daily Wire note that Emily Moreno alleges Miller broke their daughter’s collarbone, while Axios and Mother Jones describe the injury as resulting from a custody exchange and mention that police concluded there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to present to a grand jury. Mother Jones and The Guardian report that Miller has been accused of throwing a woman down the stairs in 2021, a claim not mentioned in Axios or The Daily Caller.
Eastern Washington fires destroy 600 structures and force 60,000 to evacuate
Wildfires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area while destroying at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said. The fires in and around Spokane burned about 8.2 sq miles, but they were among dozens across the western US that stretched the ability of federal, state and local agencies to fight them. Officials said the evacuees in Spokane included patients at its US Veterans Affairs hospital. The National Weather Service issued warnings about the air quality in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, western and central Idaho and western Montana. It issued red flag fire warnings for parts of Utah and Montana and western Nebraska, and extreme heat warnings for the southern parts of Arizona, California and Nevada and northern Montana.
The fires in Spokane were part of a larger pattern of wildfires across the Pacific Northwest, with 99 large fires burning in the U.S. as of Sunday. Washington had 17 active large fires, including three major blazes in the Spokane area that forced evacuations and knocked out power to thousands. Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, citing drought conditions, high temperatures and high winds. The Old Trails Fire, one of the three in Spokane, started around noon on Saturday and burned over 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian and Associated Press both report that the Old Trails Fire started around noon on Saturday and burned over 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning. The Guardian states that the fires in Spokane burned about 8.2 sq miles, while the Associated Press says the Old Trails Fire had burned over 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning. The Washington Examiner claims that more than 200,000 acres are burning in 12 large fires across eastern Washington, a figure not mentioned by other outlets. The Associated Press and NPR both mention that the Old Trails Fire burned at Riverside State Park, to the northwest of Spokane, while the Guardian does not specify the location of the Old Trails Fire. The Guardian and NPR both report that the fires in Spokane burned about 8.2 sq miles, while the Associated Press says the Old Trails Fire had burned over 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning.
Top mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead after 11 hit by avalanche in Pakistan
Nirmal Purja, a British-Nepali mountaineer and former UK Special Forces member, died after being among 11 climbers caught in an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. The incident occurred on Thursday, with rescuers confirming the deaths of multiple climbers. Elite Exped, the company Purja co-founded, stated that Purja and other members of the expedition did not survive. The expedition included climbers from Nepal, the US, Oman, Pakistan, China, and another foreign national. The avalanche struck near camps two and three on the west ridge of the 8,047-metre mountain, according to GPS data. Rescue efforts faced challenges due to harsh weather conditions, with some bodies recovered but others still missing.
Purja, known as Nimsdai, was celebrated for climbing all 14 of the world’s peaks over 8,000 metres in 189 days in 2019. He also led the first team to summit K2 in winter. The expedition included notable climbers such as Nadhira Alharthy, the first Omani to climb Everest, and Mallory Geis, an American climber. Purja’s company confirmed the deaths of other climbers, including his climbing partners and guides, such as Pur Bahadur Gurung and Nima Sherpa. The British adventurer Bear Grylls expressed grief over Purja’s death, highlighting his impact on the climbing community.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian and CBS News both mention that the avalanche struck at around noon on Thursday, while the UPI account states the avalanche occurred on Thursday but does not specify the time. The Guardian and NPR report that four bodies were found by Friday, while CBS News and FOX News mention three bodies found by Friday. The Guardian and CBS News list Mallory Geis as the American climber, while FOX News refers to her as Sarah Mallory Geis. The Guardian and NPR identify Nadhira Alharthy as the first Omani to climb Everest, while the UPI and CBS News refer to her as Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy. The Guardian and CBS News mention that Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa died, while the UPI and FOX News list Pur Bahadur Gurung as Yukta and Nima Sherpa as one of the deceased.
Water-dropping aircraft take off to tackle major Greek wildfire, after 2 killed in crash
Five water-dropping planes and five helicopters took off at first light Monday to assist hundreds of firefighters battling a major wildfire west of Athens, Greece, a day after a midair collision between two firefighting helicopters killed two crew members. The collision highlighted the dangers of fighting wildfires in volatile conditions. Flames advanced deeper into the region of the Greek capital, prompting fresh evacuations. In France, firefighters guarded a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris. The two crew members — one Greek and one Danish national — died when their helicopter collided with another near the seaside area of Psatha while tackling the fire that started Friday morning. The blaze raged through pine forests and scrubland through the weekend, whipped by gale force winds that often prevented water-dropping planes from operating. The crew of the second helicopter – a Greek and a British national – were taken to a hospital, where their injuries were reported to be light.
Greece’s firefighting department said the fire apparently began from sparks emitted by a faulty power line transporting electricity from a private wind generator facility to the main electricity network. Two people were arrested — an electrical engineer responsible for designing and overseeing the power project, and a contractor involved in constructing the electricity transmission network. Both face felony arson charges, while authorities had also issued an arrest warrant for the owner of the wind generator company.
Where the accounts differ
AP and UPI both state that two crew members died in the collision, with one being a Greek national and the other a Danish national. BBC and Straight Arrow News add that the second helicopter had a British pilot and a Greek co-ordinator who survived. CBS News and The Guardian do not mention the British survivor. The Guardian and BBC attribute the collision to two Bell helicopters leased from Australian company McDermott Aviation, while AP and UPI do not specify the helicopter model. Straight Arrow News and The Guardian mention that the collision occurred in the Psatha area of western Attica, while CBS News and AP refer to the area as near Porto Germeno. UPI and Straight Arrow News report that more than 16,000 acres have been burned by multiple fires on the Gulf of Corinth, while AP and CBS News do not provide this figure.
Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, known for playing mobsters and tough guys, dies aged 80
Vincent Pastore, a veteran actor known for his roles as mobsters and tough guys, has died at the age of 80. He was best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the TV series *The Sopranos*. His manager, Bob McGowan, confirmed his death, stating that Pastore was found in his home on New York’s City Island after not being heard from for several days. Pastore had a long acting career, appearing in films such as *Goodfellas* and *Awakenings*, and had a role in the 1990s TV series *The Sopranos*. He was born in the Bronx and grew up in suburban New Rochelle, New York. He enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University. He is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.
Pastore’s career spanned several decades, with roles in television series such as *Law & Order*, *Blue Bloods*, and *General Hospital*. He also appeared in films like *Carlito's Way* and *Men of Respect*. His role as “Big Pussy” on *The Sopranos* brought him widespread recognition, though his character was killed off in the second season. Pastore returned for several guest appearances in later seasons. His manager, Robert Attermann, described him as a kind and generous person who supported young actors and was passionate about his craft. Friends and colleagues, including actor Michael Imperioli, remembered him as a loyal friend and a caring individual.
Where the accounts differ
The New York Post reports that Pastore celebrated his 80th birthday just weeks before his death, sharing a cake with his “right-hand man,” Stephen Villano. This detail is not included in the other accounts. The BBC and CBS News mention that Pastore was found dead in his Bronx home, while the New York Post specifies that he was found in his City Island home. The New York Post also states that Pastore died of natural causes and was not sick prior to his death, a detail not included in the other accounts. The New York Post attributes the claim about Pastore’s health and cause of death to Stephen Villano, while the other outlets do not mention this.
US representative Marcy Kaptur taken to hospital after car crash
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) was hospitalized after a car crash in Toledo, Ohio, on Sunday. According to her office, she was a passenger in a vehicle heading to church when the crash occurred. Kaptur, 80, is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is described as active and alert. Toledo police responded to a two-vehicle crash shortly before 11 a.m. local time, which they classified as a hit-and-run, also known as a “hit-skip” incident. The crash involved two individuals, including Kaptur, who were transported to a nearby hospital. The investigation is ongoing, with police indicating it is in its early stages.
Kaptur represents Ohio’s 9th Congressional District and is seeking re-election in the fall against Republican Derek Merrin. She is the longest-serving female lawmaker in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives. Her office has expressed gratitude to first responders and constituents for their support following the incident.
Where the accounts differ
The Guardian and The Hill both state that Kaptur was a passenger in the vehicle, while The Daily Wire does not specify whether she was driving or a passenger. The Hill and The Washington Examiner mention that the crash occurred around 10:45 a.m., while The Guardian and UPI note it happened shortly before 11 a.m. The Daily Wire and The Hill report that the driver of the vehicle Kaptur was in was identified as Kegan Zimmermann, a detail not included in The Guardian or UPI. The Washington Examiner and The Hill mention that a witness said the driver of the other vehicle fled after being picked up by a third vehicle, a detail not included in The Guardian or The Daily Wire. The Daily Wire does not mention the driver of the vehicle Kaptur was in, while The Hill and The Washington Examiner do.
U.S. dollar weakens sharply against the Japanese yen after market interventions
The U.S. dollar weakened sharply against the Japanese yen on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan's finance minister confirmed both sides had intervened in markets. Before late last week, the dollar was trading above 163 yen, touching 40-year highs. After regulators were suspected of stepping in, it fell below 160 yen. Early Monday, after the official announcement of the intervention, the dollar dropped about 1% to 156.34 yen. The yen's prolonged weakness against the dollar has been a source of frustration for Tokyo, as Japan imports much of what it consumes, pushing prices higher and increasing inflation. Efforts earlier this year to raise the yen's value against the dollar did little to change the exchange rate.
Japan and the United States confirmed a rare, coordinated yen-buying intervention to halt the Japanese currency’s slide to 40-year lows. The yen leapt after the announcement, gaining as much as 1.4 percent to hit a nearly three-month high of 155.20 per U.S. dollar. The intervention followed a joint statement last year and was aimed at countering excessive volatility and disorderly movements in the Japanese yen. Japan’s Finance Ministry said it would not hesitate to act further if necessary. The move is the first since a 2011 coordinated action to weaken the yen after the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.
Where the accounts differ
NPR reports that the dollar fell below 160 yen after regulators were suspected of stepping in, while Al Jazeera states the yen gained 1.4 percent to hit a nearly three-month high of 155.20 per U.S. dollar. The Guardian mentions the yen hit its highest level in three months, while BBC notes the yen fell to a 40-year low before the intervention. NPR and Al Jazeera both attribute the intervention to Trump and Japan's finance minister, but NPR includes Trump's comment about Japan's "weakening yen" and the "financial benefit" of the intervention, which Al Jazeera and The Guardian also include. The Guardian and BBC mention the Bank of Japan's June rate hike to 1%, while NPR and Al Jazeera do not. The Guardian and BBC report that Japan may have sold $58.97bn to buy yen, while NPR and Al Jazeera do not specify the amount.