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Benghazi Attack Arrest, TrumpRX, & Meat Overcharges
Good morning! The weekend edition is 737 words, a 3-minute read.
What’s on tap:
Russian intelligence officer shooting
First female solo row across the Atlantic
Mapping America’s favorite wing flavors
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Today’s Big Story
Benghazi Suspect Arrested
A participant in the 2012 attack on the US compound in Benghazi, Libya, has been arrested and will be prosecuted for the deaths of four Americans, the Justice Department announced Friday. Zubayar Al-Bakoush, 58, a member of an extremist militia, was wanted for more than a decade.
Al-Bakoush is accused of joining more than 20 militants armed with AK-47s and grenade launchers who breached the consulate gates on September 11, 2012, and set buildings on fire. The attack killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith. A second attack on the nearby annex killed security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Al-Bakoush also conducted surveillance and attempted to break into staff cars.
He appeared in Washington federal court on Friday and faces charges including murder, attempted murder, arson, and providing material support to terrorism. Two other Libyans have been previously convicted: Ahmed Abu Khattala in 2014 and Mustafa al-Imam in 2019.
Saturday’s Quick Hits
President Trump launched TrumpRx, a website offering discounts on 40 prescription drugs for people paying cash. Fertility drugs are up to 93% off, and Wegovy dropped to $149 monthly from over $1,000. But the discounts only work without insurance and don't count toward deductibles. Experts compared it to existing coupon sites like GoodRx. More drugs are coming soon, according to the website. (More)
A Russian intelligence official was shot multiple times in Moscow on Friday and hospitalized. Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy chief of military intelligence, was attacked in his apartment building by an unknown shooter who escaped. He's the latest senior Russian military figure targeted in recent months, with others killed by car bombs blamed on Ukraine. Russia suggested Ukraine was trying to disrupt ongoing peace talks, but Ukraine hasn't commented on the shooting. (More)
College programs whose graduates earn less than high school diploma holders could lose access to federal student loans under a new Republican law, affecting approximately 40,000 students. Programs must prove graduates outearn high school workers or lose loan eligibility. Arts, religion, and cosmetology programs are most at risk, while STEM and liberal arts programs largely pass the test. About 2% of bachelor's and associate degree programs nationwide could be affected starting in July. (More)
"West Wing" actor Timothy Busfield was indicted Friday on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under 13. Two boys told police Busfield touched them inappropriately while he directed "The Cleaning Lady" from 2022 to 2024, when they were 7 and 8. Busfield denies the charges and plans to fight them. Prosecutors say medical findings and therapist testimony support the accusations. (More)
The Trump administration offered to unfreeze $16 billion for a New York-New Jersey rail tunnel if Senator Chuck Schumer agreed to rename Penn Station and Dulles Airport after him, sources told ABC News. Schumer rejected the deal. Without the funding by Friday, the tunnel project stops and 1,000 construction jobs disappear. Officials sued Trump's administration to release the money, which was approved in 2024 before Trump froze it last fall. (More)
The body of Lil Jon's 27-year-old son was found in a pond near his Georgia home days after he was reported missing, police said Friday. Nathan Smith was last seen running from his Milton home Tuesday morning under unusual circumstances, but police said foul play is not suspected. (More)
Weekly Dose of Positive
After losing his arm in a workplace accident, Patrick Duke learned golf and beat 100,000-to-1 odds to hit his first hole-in-one. (More)
A Pennsylvania woman realized her doctor, who delivered both her children, was also her elementary school pen pal after rediscovering letters from 30 years ago. (More)
Zimbabwe-born doctor Tafadzwa Mandiwanza is now Ireland's first female brain surgeon for children. (More)
Taryn Smith, 25, became the first woman to solo row across the Atlantic, finishing the 3,000-mile race from Africa to Antigua in 46 days. (More)
Extra Credit
TikTok sleuth accuses Walmart of overcharging for meat.
The world’s biggest claw machine.
Mapping America’s favorite wing flavors, by state.
See a rare bus-sized jellyfish caught on camera.
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