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Despite the strain that online learning has placed on students across the country, some have excelled — and made history in the process. Nine students at a Houston-area high school were named valedictorians in mid-April. Yes, you read that right. The students at Bellaire High School achieved a 5.0 grade point average, breaking the record

The Academy Awards this year could have been a major moment of pride for China. Chloe Zhao, a Beijing-born filmmaker, made history Sunday by winning the best director Oscar for her movie “Nomadland” — becoming the first Asian woman and only the second woman to ever win the award. Zhao’s movie also won best picture.

Here is a look at the kidnapping of three women in Cleveland and the case against now-deceased kidnapper Ariel Castro. Facts Former school bus driver Ariel Castro agreed to a plea deal relating to the kidnapping, rape and assault of three young women kidnapped in Cleveland between 2002 and 2004. Under the deal, Castro agreed

Here’s a look at the life of Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Billy Joel. Personal Birth date: May 9, 1949 Birth place: Bronx, New York Birth name: William Martin Joel Father: Howard Joel, engineer and pianist Mother: Rosalind (Nyman) Joel, homemaker Marriages: Alexis Roderick (2015-present); Katie Lee (2004-2009, divorced); Christie Brinkley (1985-1994, divorced); Elizabeth Weber

Here’s a look at the Penn State sexual abuse scandal. On November 4, 2011, a grand jury report was released containing testimony that former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually abused eight young boys over a period of at least 15 years. Officials at Penn State purportedly failed to notify law enforcement after learning

Here is a look at the life of Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook. Personal: Birth date: May 14, 1984 Birth place: Dobbs Ferry, New York Birth name: Mark Elliot Zuckerberg Father: Edward Zuckerberg, dentist Mother: Karen (Kempner) Zuckerberg, psychiatrist Marriage: Priscilla Chan (May 19, 2012-present) Children: Maxima and August Education: Attended Harvard University,

Here is a look at Russian opposition leader, Kremlin critic and activist Alexey Navalny. Personal Birth date: June 4, 1976 Birth place: Butyn, Soviet Union Birth name: Alexey Anatolyevich Navalny (sometimes spelled Alexei, Aleksei) Father: Anatoly Navalny, former military officer and basket-weaving factory owner Mother: Lyudmila Navalnaya, basket-weaving factory owner Marriage: Yulia (Alexandrovich) Navalnaya (2000-present)

North Korea warned the United States it will face a “crisis beyond control in the near future” and accused South Korea of carrying out an “intolerable provocation” against Pyongyang in a series of statements released Sunday, comments that could set the stage for a showdown between the three countries. In one statement, North Korea chided

Changes to the California correctional system’s Good Conduct Credit (GCC) program took effect Saturday, increasing the rate at which “incarcerated individuals are able to receive credits for good behavior,” a spokesperson for the corrections department said. Good conduct credits and educational achievements can help move up a person’s release date or parole hearing date, the

As the Shabbat drew to a close in Israel, funerals for the victims of Friday’s crush at Mount Meron have resumed — and so have the recriminations over the mountaintop disaster that killed 45 people, including children. Flags flew at half-staff on the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and other public buildings on Sunday, marking a

Eleven people were taken to the hospital after a restaurant deck collapsed on Saturday afternoon, the Hamilton County, Tennessee, Office of Emergency Management said in a news release. Authorities responded to a 911 call around 4 p.m. reporting that more than 40 people had fallen from a collapsed deck at a restaurant in Soddy-Daisy, the

Law enforcement agencies responded to an active shooter situation late Saturday at the Oneida Casino near Green Bay, Wisconsin. The scene was later contained, according to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who said in a tweet, “There is no longer a threat to the community.” Melinda Danforth, director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Oneida Nation,

Law enforcement agencies are responding to an active shooter situation at the Oneida Casino near Green Bay, Wisconsin, a tweet from the casino said Saturday. Officers are working to secure the location, according to the tweet. The casino is telling people not to go near the area as the investigation continues. “All Oneida Casino locations

A year ago, when the Covid-19 pandemic was still in its relative infancy, the head of the World Health Organization stressed that a global approach would be the only way out of the crisis. “The way forward is solidarity: solidarity at the national level, and solidarity at the global level,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom

A former player for the New York Jets died in an accident during a fishing tournament in Texas on Thursday, according to tournament officials and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Pete Lammons, 77, played six seasons for the Jets, including in Super Bowl III, according to a statement posted on the team’s website. Lammons

Medina Spirit won the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The 3-year-old brown colt was trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, who becomes the winningest trainer in the history of the Derby with his seventh victory. Hall of Fame jockey John Velasquez notched his fourth win at the Run of