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Netherlands Queen Maxima Appears to Mimic Trump During NATO Visit, Sparking Viral Reactions

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AMSTERDAM (BN24) — Queen Maxima of the Netherlands sparked a flurry of viral reactions after appearing to mock U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech mannerisms during a joint photo opportunity in Amsterdam on Wednesday, shortly after a high-profile breakfast meeting ahead of the NATO summit.

The U.S. president, visiting the Netherlands for the summit, met with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the royal palace as part of his diplomatic engagements in Europe. Trump later praised the encounter on his Truth Social platform.

“The day begins in the beautiful Netherlands. The King and Queen are beautiful and spectacular people,” Trump posted. “Our breakfast meeting was great! Now it’s off to the very important NATO meetings. The USA will be very well represented.”

However, it was the trio’s brief appearance before the cameras that seized attention online. As Trump thanked the press and remarked, “That’s the picture we want,” and “It was great,” Queen Maxima appeared to subtly imitate his mouth movements—an action quickly dissected and shared across social media platforms.

Observers online were quick to interpret her gesture as mockery. A clip of the moment went viral within hours, with thousands of social media users weighing in on the queen’s apparent mimicry.

“This is hilarious! I’ve never been a fan of our stiff monarchy, but Queen Maxima rocks it,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote. “Treat him like a baby.”

“Maxima does not like Trump’s a** one bit,” another posted. Others chimed in with: “Was Queen Maxima of the Netherlands mimicking Donald Trump?!” and “Our queen making fun of Trump while standing right next to him—legend!”

Still, some defended the 54-year-old Argentine-born queen, suggesting that the clip may have been misinterpreted. “Awkward, but I think an accident,” one commenter wrote. “People are reading this wrong,” said another.

The White House declined to comment on the clip. Trump himself has made no public reference to the viral footage since returning to Washington following the conclusion of the summit.

The moment capped off a colorful NATO gathering, during which NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte—himself a Dutch native and former prime minister—made headlines by seemingly referring to Trump as “daddy” during a discussion about the Middle East conflict.

Comparing the war between Israel and Iran to “two kids in a schoolyard,” Trump had reportedly used strong language about the ceasefire’s fragility. Rutte, responding with his own metaphor, added, “Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” prompting widespread media commentary. Rutte later clarified that he was not directly calling Trump “daddy,” saying the comment was “figurative.”

news.com.au

Ayatollah Khamenei Reemerges With Warning to U.S. After Ceasefire, Dismisses Impact of Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Program

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TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resurfaced Thursday with a stern warning to the United States against any future aggression, declaring that Iran had delivered a “slap to America’s face” by launching a retaliatory missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Qatar, days after a ceasefire ended a 12-day war with Israel.

In his first public statement since June 19, Khamenei appeared in a prerecorded address aired on state television, breaking his silence following the intense Israeli and U.S. bombardment of Iranian military and nuclear sites. The 86-year-old leader, sounding fatigued and occasionally stumbling over his words, did not directly address the condition of Iran’s nuclear program or its damaged facilities.

“America intervened to save the Zionist regime from collapse and gained nothing,” Khamenei said, referring to Israel. “In response, the Islamic Republic struck back and delivered a powerful slap to America’s face. This action can be repeated.”

The U.S. confirmed that Iran launched a missile barrage on a base in Qatar earlier in the week, though officials said the attack caused no casualties and had been telegraphed in advance. President Donald Trump, who has described the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as “obliterating,” dismissed Tehran’s retaliation as a “very weak response.”

In Washington, the White House responded to Khamenei’s comments, accusing him of posturing. “Any commonsense, open-minded person knows the truth about the precision strikes on Saturday night,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. “They were wildly successful.”

Damage to Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure Confirmed

Despite Khamenei’s attempts to downplay the severity of the joint U.S.-Israeli assault, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said the damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was “very, very, very considerable,” though he stopped short of calling it “annihilated.” Grossi reiterated that IAEA inspectors have not yet been allowed access to assess the damage firsthand.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei also acknowledged this week that key nuclear installations were “badly damaged.”

Tehran remains defiant, however. In a symbolic move, the Iranian parliament on Wednesday voted to expedite legislation that would cut cooperation with the IAEA—a move likely to further strain already fragile relations with Western powers.

Ceasefire Brings Tense Calm

Thursday also saw partial restoration of normalcy in Iran, with domestic and international flights allowed through the country’s eastern airspace and shops reopening in Tehran. The Ministry of Roads and Urban Development confirmed airspace had been reopened after being closed during the height of the conflict.

According to Iranian authorities, 606 people were killed and over 5,300 injured during the hostilities. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group said Israeli strikes were responsible for at least 1,054 deaths, including 417 civilians and 318 members of Iranian security forces.

In Israel, officials reported 28 dead and more than 1,000 wounded. Iranian missile barrages numbered more than 550, with Israel claiming a 90% interception rate. Israel said it struck over 720 Iranian military targets and eight nuclear facilities.

Future Talks in Question

While President Trump indicated this week that American and Iranian officials are expected to meet for nuclear talks as soon as next week, Iran has not confirmed its participation. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has said there is ongoing direct and indirect communication between the two sides, though a sixth round of negotiations scheduled earlier this month in Oman was canceled after Israel’s first strike on Iran.

Khamenei, in his address, made no mention of potential negotiations and reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to its nuclear program, a stance that analysts say is likely to remain a core sticking point in any future diplomacy.

“This conflict has demonstrated that Iran is capable of hitting important U.S. centers in the region and can act decisively whenever it deems necessary,” Khamenei warned. “If any aggression occurs again, the enemy will pay a heavy price.”

U.S. Blocks Financial Operations of 3 Mexican Institutions Accused of Laundering Funds for Cartels

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed sweeping sanctions on three Mexican financial institutions accused of laundering millions of dollars on behalf of major drug cartels, in a move that effectively blocks them from conducting certain transactions with the U.S. banking system.

The U.S. Treasury Department said CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and the brokerage firm Vector Casa de Bolsa were being sanctioned for their alleged roles in facilitating money transfers and laundering operations tied to the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

“These financial institutions have played a long-standing and vital role in laundering millions of dollars for Mexico-based cartels and facilitating payments for precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender said in a briefing. “These actions will effectively cut off these institutions from access to the U.S. financial system.”

The sanctions are part of a broader crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump targeting Mexican drug cartels, which his administration recently labeled as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The president has vowed to intensify pressure on cartel-linked financiers and their support networks.

The Treasury’s designation prohibits U.S. entities and banks from engaging in most transactions with the three financial firms, which are accused of moving funds for some of Mexico’s most violent criminal groups, including the Sinaloa, Jalisco New Generation, Beltrán Leyva, and Gulf cartels.

Treasury officials say CIBanco processed more than $2.1 million in payments for fentanyl precursor chemicals sourced from China. Intercam Banco allegedly facilitated over $1.5 million in similar transactions. Vector Casa de Bolsa, according to U.S. authorities, helped cartels launder more than $1 million for fentanyl procurement and played a key role in facilitating over $40 million in cartel-linked transactions—including payments tied to bribes sent to former Mexican Security Secretary Genaro García Luna, who was sentenced to 38 years in a U.S. prison last October.

The sanctioned institutions did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Though the Treasury did not publicly name the U.S. financial institutions involved in transactions with the sanctioned firms, officials confirmed that each of the three had facilitated transfers involving U.S.-based banks. They declined to say whether branches of the targeted banks operating outside of Mexico would still be able to access U.S. markets.

The move marks a continuation of the administration’s aggressive stance against cartels and fentanyl trafficking. Despite a recent decline in U.S. overdose deaths and fentanyl flow across the border, Trump’s administration has argued that enforcement must remain robust to dismantle the broader infrastructure sustaining narcotics operations.

Since President Trump returned to office, the administration has sanctioned 31 individuals and expanded legal designations against key trafficking organizations. Officials say more action is expected in the coming weeks as Washington and Mexico City deepen joint enforcement efforts.

AP

Palestinian Student Sues Michigan School Over Teacher’s Response to Her Silent Protest of Pledge

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DETROIT (BN24) — A 14-year-old Palestinian American student has filed a federal lawsuit against a Michigan school district, alleging her constitutional rights were violated after a teacher publicly chastised her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in protest of U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

Danielle Khalaf

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Arab American Civil Rights League, claims that Danielle Khalaf was subjected to humiliation and discrimination after silently protesting the Pledge over a three-day period in January. Danielle, a student at Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, is of Palestinian descent.

According to the complaint, Danielle’s teacher confronted her in front of classmates, saying, “Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don’t like it, you should go back to your country.” The lawsuit argues that this comment, along with other actions, amounted to a violation of Danielle’s First Amendment rights.

“She was exercising a deeply held belief, grounded in her conscience and in protest of the violence unfolding in Gaza,” said ACLU attorney Mark Fancher. “We should all admire the courage it took for her to take that stand.”

The lawsuit further alleges that Danielle was labeled “disrespectful” by the teacher, leading to lasting emotional and psychological harm. It cites episodes of distress, including nightmares, heightened anxiety, and social isolation, including damaged peer relationships.

“It was traumatizing,” Danielle said at a news conference earlier this year. “It hurt, and I know she could do that to other people.”

The ACLU is seeking financial damages on Danielle’s behalf and a court ruling affirming that her rights were violated.

In a prior statement issued after the incident, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools acknowledged awareness of the situation and said “appropriate action” had been taken. The district has not elaborated on what that action entailed and declined to comment further Wednesday due to ongoing litigation.

“Discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously,” the district stated at the time.

Michigan is home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the country, with over 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, second only to California, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

The lawsuit adds to growing concerns about the treatment of Arab and Muslim American students amid heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict. Civil rights organizations have warned of rising bias incidents in schools across the U.S. tied to expressions of political dissent and ethnic identity.

Ecuador Recaptures Fugitive Drug Kingpin Wanted by U.S. Over Cocaine Trafficking

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QUITO, Ecuador (BN24) — Ecuadorian authorities have recaptured notorious drug kingpin José Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito,” more than a year after he staged a mysterious escape from prison, President Daniel Noboa confirmed Wednesday. The fugitive, who is also wanted in the United States on major drug trafficking charges, was apprehended in his hometown of Manta on Ecuador’s Pacific coast.

Macías, the longtime leader of the violent gang “Los Choneros,” was taken into custody by Ecuadorian military forces in what appeared to be a coordinated raid. Officials said he was found hiding beneath a kitchen counter in the basement of a house. Footage released by the military shows armed officers storming the property and one of them pointing a rifle at Macías as he confirmed his identity.

Interpol had issued a Red Notice for Macías following his escape from Guayaquil Regional Prison in early 2024. He had been serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking, murder, and organized crime. Authorities only discovered he was missing when military officials arrived to transfer him to a higher-security facility—only to find his cell empty. No credible explanation for the escape has ever been provided.

His recapture marks a significant victory for the Ecuadorian government, which has struggled to contain spiraling violence linked to drug cartels and prison gangs. The arrest also coincides with another high-profile prison break involving Federico Gómez, alias “Fede,” leader of the Las Águilas gang, who escaped custody earlier this week.

Macías has long been one of the most feared criminal figures in Ecuador. U.S. federal prosecutors in New York unsealed a seven-count indictment last year accusing him of trafficking thousands of pounds of cocaine into the United States, in coordination with powerful Mexican drug cartels. The indictment also alleges Macías conspired to smuggle firearms and ammunition from the United States into Ecuador.

“Los Choneros operated a vast network responsible for the shipment and distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States and elsewhere,” the U.S. indictment states.

U.S. Attorney John Durham has described Los Choneros as a transnational criminal organization comprised of assassins and arms traffickers. Washington designated the gang as one of the Western Hemisphere’s most violent organized crime groups in 2024.

Inside prison, Macías reportedly wielded considerable influence. He hosted lavish parties with liquor and even cockfighting rings, and once released a video message flanked by heavily armed men, addressing “the Ecuadorian people.”

The Ecuadorian government has labeled Los Choneros a terrorist organization and, earlier this month, raised the reward for Macías’ capture to $1 million. His re-arrest is expected to bolster President Noboa’s campaign against organized crime, which has intensified in recent months following a wave of gang-related violence.

The U.S. Justice Department is expected to formally request Macías’ extradition in the coming days, though Ecuadorian authorities have not commented on when or whether that process will begin.

Trump Administration Sues All Federal Judges in Maryland Over Immigration Removal Block

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — In an unprecedented legal maneuver, the Trump administration has filed suit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland, escalating its fight with the judiciary over immigration policy. The lawsuit, lodged Tuesday, seeks to overturn a standing order issued by Chief Judge George L. Russell III that temporarily halts the deportation of migrants who file habeas corpus petitions in federal court.

The order, issued in May, mandates that immigrants who challenge their detention cannot be removed from the United States until 4 p.m. on the second business day after filing. The administration argues that this rule directly contradicts a Supreme Court ruling and undermines President Donald Trump’s constitutional authority to enforce immigration laws.

“It’s an extraordinary step,” said Laurie Levenson, a legal scholar at Loyola Law School. “Suing an entire federal bench is unheard of—and a clear escalation in the Justice Department’s campaign against judicial intervention.”

The lawsuit underscores the administration’s growing frustration with what it views as judicial overreach that has repeatedly thwarted its hardline immigration agenda. “President Trump’s authority has been undermined since the first day of his presidency by a torrent of court injunctions,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement Wednesday. “This is not just a legal fight—it’s a defense of the democratic will of the American people.”

Chief Judge Russell’s order was aimed at preserving due process for detained migrants, ensuring access to legal counsel, and maintaining the court’s jurisdiction while allowing the government time to formally respond. However, the Justice Department dismissed the order as a sweeping and “lawless” injunction that enjoins executive action without case-by-case analysis.

In its complaint, the Trump administration is asking that all Maryland federal judges recuse themselves from the matter and that a judge from another state be assigned. A spokesperson for the Maryland district court declined to comment.

Legal experts say the suit signals an erosion of long-standing norms. James Sample, a constitutional law professor at Hofstra University, said the Justice Department’s move circumvents typical procedure. “Ordinarily, losing parties appeal injunctions—they don’t sue the court,” he said. Still, he noted, the administration’s repeated transfer of detainees before they could seek relief left the judiciary few alternatives. “The court’s response was cautious and justified,” Sample said.

Among the judges named in the suit is U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who earlier this year ruled that the government’s deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador violated court orders. The administration admitted the deportation was a mistake, and a Justice Department attorney later fired in connection with the case filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that top officials had discussed ignoring court directives.

Abrego Garcia was returned to the U.S. earlier this month and charged with smuggling. Though prosecutors sought to detain him pretrial, a judge allowed his release pending further proceedings.

The administration’s sweeping lawsuit comes amid a wider confrontation with federal courts. President Trump has previously railed against judicial rulings, once even suggesting the impeachment of a D.C. judge who ordered deported migrants returned to the U.S.—a move sharply rebuked by Chief Justice John Roberts, who said impeachment is not an appropriate remedy for legal disagreement.

Defense of the Maryland order by the court emphasized its intent to maintain legal clarity and procedural fairness amid an influx of emergency filings. The order, later amended, cited repeated instances where the government failed to provide timely information on petitioners’ whereabouts and legal status.

Still, the Justice Department insists the court cannot unilaterally freeze deportations. “This is a textbook case of judicial overreach,” Bondi said, vowing to continue pressing the matter in federal court.

 Mbappé Returns to Real Madrid Training Ahead of Crucial Club World Cup Clash

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 MADRID (BN24) — Kylian Mbappé has resumed full training with Real Madrid after recovering from a bout of gastroenteritis that sidelined him for the Spanish club’s opening two matches at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 26-year-old French star, who reportedly lost nearly five kilograms during his illness, had been hospitalized but is now back in contention for Madrid’s next group stage match. His return offers a major boost to manager Xabi Alonso’s squad ahead of their early Friday morning fixture against Red Bull Salzburg.

According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Mbappé rejoined team activities this week and is being closely monitored as Madrid assesses his fitness. The club has yet to confirm whether he will be included in the matchday squad, but his return to training suggests he could be ready to feature in some capacity.

Mbappé last appeared on the pitch earlier this month during international duty with France, where he scored twice to help Les Bleus secure third place in the UEFA Nations League.

In his absence, Real Madrid managed a 1-1 draw against Saudi side Al-Hilal and secured a 2-0 victory over Mexico’s Pachuca, earning four points from two matches in Group H. Madrid needs a win against Salzburg to guarantee top spot in the group, although a draw may suffice if Al-Hilal fail to defeat Pachuca.

The Club World Cup has offered Alonso an opportunity to rotate his squad, but with a place in the knockout stage on the line, Mbappé’s potential return adds star power to an already high-stakes encounter.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward, who made headlines with his high-profile summer move to Madrid, is expected to play a central role in the club’s ambitions at the tournament if fully fit. His recovery and return could not have come at a more pivotal moment.

Trump Says U.S. to Hold Nuclear Talks With Iran, Credits Airstrikes for Forcing Ceasefire With Tehran

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 THE HAGUE, Netherlands (BN24) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will begin talks with Iran next week aimed at securing a commitment to end its nuclear program, and credited recent U.S. airstrikes with helping bring a swift close to the 12-day war between Israel and Tehran.

Speaking at a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump described Sunday’s U.S. strikes—featuring massive bunker-buster bombs—as devastating to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, calling the outcome “a victory for everybody.”

“It was very severe. It was obliteration,” Trump said, dismissing early assessments from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggesting that Iran’s nuclear capabilities may only have been delayed by several months.

U.S. officials later tempered expectations. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement that the strikes had “severely damaged” key Iranian nuclear sites, with credible evidence that some facilities were destroyed and would take years to rebuild. Israel’s nuclear agency issued a similar assessment, estimating the strikes set Iran’s nuclear weapons development “back by many years.”

Despite the show of force, Trump said he was optimistic about engaging Iran diplomatically.

“We’re going to talk to them next week,” he said. “We may sign an agreement. I don’t know. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary… but the last thing they want to do is enrich anything right now. They want to recover.”

Trump gave no details about the venue or participants in the upcoming negotiations. Tehran has long denied that it is seeking nuclear weapons, despite Western accusations to the contrary.

The airstrikes followed Israel’s surprise bombing campaign launched on June 13, which targeted Iran’s military command and its nuclear program. Iran responded with a massive missile barrage that, for the first time, breached Israeli air defenses. By Tuesday, both countries agreed to a ceasefire, bringing a halt to the most intense confrontation between the two nations in history.

Iranian officials reported 627 deaths and nearly 5,000 injuries, while 28 people were killed in Israel. Tight restrictions on media access in Iran have made independent verification of the toll difficult.

In Israel, officials claimed their objectives were met by eliminating Iran’s nuclear sites and missile capabilities. Iran, meanwhile, asserted it had forced an end to the war by successfully striking inside Israeli territory.

President Trump said he no longer supported regime change in Iran, an idea he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had floated during the war. “I don’t want chaos. I want stability,” Trump said. “We’ll work toward something better with them.”

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi emphasized that the international community must prioritize access for inspectors at Iranian sites. “Technological knowledge and industrial capacity remain. The key now is transparency and long-term solutions,” he said.

 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a moderate who rose to power last year, hinted the war could catalyze internal reform. “This war and the empathy it created are an opportunity to change how officials govern and unite the nation,” he said in a statement carried by state media.

Still, the Iranian government moved quickly to reassert authority. On Wednesday, the judiciary announced the execution of three men convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad. State-affiliated media also reported the arrest of 700 individuals accused of collaborating with Israel during the conflict.

The war took place amid a sensitive political backdrop in Iran, as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, now 86, is expected to be succeeded soon. Israel’s ability to strike senior Iranian officials at will has rattled Tehran’s ruling establishment.
 As the ceasefire took hold, residents in both countries began to emerge from shelters and return to daily life, but uncertainty lingers.

“We came back after the ceasefire was announced,” said Farah, 67, who fled Tehran for nearby Lavasan during the Israeli bombing campaign. “People are relieved, but there’s a lot of fear about what comes next.”

In Tel Aviv, Rony Hoter-Ishay Meyer, 38, echoed that sentiment. “The last two weeks were catastrophic. We’re exhausted,” she said. “We just want to get back to our normal energy.”

 Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon Aims to Break Four-Minute Mile Barrier in Paris as Nike Launches ‘Breaking4’ Bid

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 PARIS (BN24) — Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, the most decorated female middle-distance runner in history, will attempt to rewrite athletics history on Thursday night in Paris as she takes on the first-ever unofficial sub-four-minute mile for women.

The attempt, backed by Nike as part of its ambitious “Breaking4” initiative, echoes the sportswear giant’s earlier success in helping marathon great Eliud Kipchoge run an unofficial sub-two-hour marathon. Kipyegon’s run will take place at Stade Charlety, the same track where she set world records in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters.

The 31-year-old three-time Olympic and world 1,500-meter champion is aiming to break her own world mile record of 4:07.64, set in 2023, by more than seven seconds—a margin that would shatter one of the most elusive barriers in women’s middle-distance running.

“If there’s a place for something special, it’s Paris,” Kipyegon said ahead of the attempt. “I’ve broken the 1,500 and 5,000 world records here. I feel the energy on this track. Now we try for this historic mark.”

Weather conditions in Paris are expected to be optimal Thursday night, and the attempt will feature cutting-edge elements designed to maximize Kipyegon’s performance. She’ll be equipped with Nike’s latest super-spikes, weighing just 85 grams, along with specially engineered racing apparel. But more critical may be the aerodynamic pacer formations, inspired by those used during Kipchoge’s sub-two marathon.

A rotating crew of pacers, choreographed by computational modeling to deliver maximum drafting advantage, will flank Kipyegon in tight formation. Each will be fresh enough to maintain the necessary pace—each of her four laps must average just under 60 seconds to break the four-minute barrier.

Kipyegon’s dominance in the 1,500 meters spans nearly a decade. She captured Olympic gold in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and won the world title in 2017, 2022, and 2023. Last year, she also added the 5,000-meter crown to her résumé, underlining her range and durability. Remarkably, she returned to world-class form after a 21-month hiatus following the birth of her daughter in 2018.

She currently holds the world records in both the 1,500 meters (3:49.04) and the mile (4:07.64). Her 5,000-meter record was recently broken by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.

Nike’s “Breaking4” mirrors the 1954 milestone when Britain’s Roger Bannister famously broke the four-minute mile for men. Just weeks later, Diane Leather became the first woman to run a sub-five-minute mile. The current men’s mile world record, 3:43.13, was set by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.

Thursday’s attempt won’t be officially ratified for record purposes due to the pacer format and technology support, but for Kipyegon and millions of fans watching, a sub-four mile would still be a seismic moment in the sport’s history.

 U.S. Marine Convicted of Sexual Assault in Okinawa, Sentenced to 7 Years by Japanese Court

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 NAHA, Japan (BN24) — A Japanese court on Tuesday sentenced a U.S. Marine to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa, deepening tensions on the southern island long burdened by the American military presence.

Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton, 22, from Ohio, was convicted by the Naha District Court of assaulting a woman in her 20s in May 2024 in the village of Yomitan. According to prosecutors, Clayton choked the woman from behind, sexually assaulted her, and left her with injuries. The court found him guilty despite his denial of the charges, which prosecutors had sought to punish with a 10-year sentence.

Presiding Judge Kazuhiko Obata said the victim’s account, delivered anonymously and remotely during the proceedings, was both consistent and credible. The court rejected Clayton’s claims of innocence, siding with the prosecution’s argument that the assault was both violent and deliberate.

The conviction has reignited outrage on Okinawa, home to roughly 70% of all U.S. military installations in Japan. Although the island accounts for less than 1% of Japan’s landmass, it hosts the bulk of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed across the country under the Japan-U.S. security treaty.

“This behavior does not reflect the values of the Marine Corps nor does it exemplify the standards the overwhelming majority of our Marines uphold daily,” said Capt. Kazuma Engelkemier, spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Division, in a statement confirming the verdict. Engelkemier added that the Marine Corps had fully cooperated with the investigation and respected Japan’s judicial process. Clayton has remained in Japanese custody since his indictment last year.

The case is among several high-profile sexual assault allegations involving U.S. service members that sparked criticism in 2024, especially after reports emerged that local authorities initially delayed publicizing the arrests to protect victims’ privacy. That approach triggered accusations of cover-ups and eroded public trust.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani raised the issue during a meeting Monday with Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commander of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, calling for stronger disciplinary and preventive measures. The meeting coincided with the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest campaigns of World War II.

The legacy of that battle, followed by decades of U.S. military occupation until 1972, has left a deep sense of resentment among Okinawans. Residents continue to protest the noise, environmental pollution, aircraft accidents, and recurring crimes associated with U.S. bases.

The case has also intensified calls for revisions to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Japan and the United States. Critics argue the agreement too often shields American personnel from Japanese legal accountability, allowing the U.S. to retain primary jurisdiction over many crimes.

This week, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet adopted a new statement revealing that between 2014 and 2024, Japanese prosecutors dropped over 300 criminal cases involving U.S. military personnel, including a 2020 sexual assault case in Okinawa that never resulted in charges.

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