Smalltalk

Taiwan considers resubmitting request for rejected defence budget items

  • Taiwan may resubmit items cut from a special $40 billion defence request after parliament approved only two-thirds, trimming domestic projects like drones and anti‑ballistic missile funding.
  • Washington said it was disappointed by the reduced approval; the U.S. has backed Taiwan’s build‑up and already announced an $11 billion arms package, with a possible ~$14 billion follow‑on.
  • The debate comes as Trump visits Beijing to meet Xi — who warned over Taiwan — while Taipei says China’s military threat is the main regional insecurity and urges stronger deterrence.
War and Conflicts Politics
May 14, 2026 at 6:17 AM

Shakira, Madonna, BTS To Co-Headline First-Ever World Cup Final Halftime Show

  • The World Cup final halftime will be a pop star extravaganza — Shakira (who’s dropping the official song “Dai Dai”), Madonna and BTS, with the show curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin — and will raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
  • The 48-team tournament runs June 11–July 19 across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.
  • Big-name opening ceremony performers (Katy Perry, J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé and more) will appear across host cities, and opening matches will stream free on Tubi while all matches air on FOX/FS1 and the FOX apps.
Sports
May 14, 2026 at 5:44 AM

Sebastian Berhalter Scores 2 Goal As Whitecaps Extend Unbeaten Streak To 7 Games

  • Sebastian Berhalter scored twice (his first multi-goal game) and has a goal contribution in 9 of Vancouver’s first 12 matches, sparking a 3-2 win over FC Dallas.
  • The Whitecaps extended their unbeaten run to seven games, improving to 9-1-2 on the season.
  • FC Dallas’ coach Eric Quill was sent off late, and Petar Musa scored his 11th goal (tied with Messi for second in MLS).
Sports
May 14, 2026 at 4:11 AM

Red Bulls' Julian Hall Becomes Youngest Player In MLS History To Score Hat Trick

  • 18-year-old Julian Hall became the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat trick (three goals) and now has nine goals this season.
  • The New York Red Bulls edged Columbus 3-2 after Hall finished a rebound in the 79th minute for the winner — a dramatic, late finish.
  • Cade Cowell had two assists, but despite 65% possession the Crew have dropped three straight.
Sports
May 14, 2026 at 3:57 AM

Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions, orders new trial

  • South Carolina’s Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions and ordered a new trial, saying a court clerk improperly influenced the jury.
  • The Colleton County clerk, who later wrote a book that was pulled for plagiarism, was accused of jury tampering, pleaded guilty to obstruction/perjury and got probation — a surprising twist.
  • Murdaugh stays in prison for unrelated financial crimes (a 40-year sentence), and prosecutors say they will seek to retry him for the murders.
Crime Law
May 14, 2026 at 12:01 AM

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