Yes, Sharkboy (AKA Taylor Lautner) Is Now Engaged, And Yes, You Are Aging

Associated Press
Ukraine's divisive mobilization law comes into force as a new Russian push strains front-line troops
A divisive mobilization law in Ukraine came into force on Saturday, as Kyiv struggles to boost troop numbers after Russia launched a new offensive that some fear could close in on Ukraine’s second-largest city. It also provides incentives to soldiers, such as cash bonuses or money toward buying a house or car, that some analysts say Ukraine cannot afford. Lawmakers dragged their feet for months and only passed the law in mid-April, a week after Ukraine lowered the age for men who can be drafted from 27 to 25.
Associated Press
Suspect in attempted assassination of Slovakia's prime minister makes first court appearance
The man accused of attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first court appearance Saturday as the nation's leader remained in serious condition recovering from surgery after surviving multiple gunshots, Slovak state media said. Fico, 59, was attacked as he greeted supporters following a government meeting Wednesday in the former coal mining town of Handlova. Prosecutors are seeking an order from Slovakia’s Specialized Criminal Court to detain the suspect.
USA TODAY
Who attacked UCLA protest? New reports unmasking the violent counter-protestors
Journalists began identifying people who attacked a pro-Palestinian protest. Also: Neo-Nazi guilty plea; school board member's change of heart.
Associated Press
Climate activists glue themselves at Munich airport to protest pollution caused by flying
German authorities closed down Munich airport temporarily on Saturday after six climate activists broke through a security fence and glued themselves to access routes leading to runways, officials and local media reported. The activists from the group Last Generation were protesting flying, the most polluting form of transportation, said the German news agency dpa. Incoming flights had to be diverted to other airports, an airport spokesperson said.
Reuters
Ukraine struggles to hold eastern front as Russians advance on cities
For Ukrainian gun commander Oleksandr Kozachenko, the long-awaited U.S. ammunition can't come fast enough as he and his comrades struggle to hold off relentless Russian attacks. America says it's rushing ammunition and weapons to Ukraine following the delayed approval of a $61 billion aid package by Congress last month. Gunners with Kozachenko's 148th Separate Artillery Brigade and the 43rd Artillery Brigade, both in the Donetsk region, said they were desperate for more 155mm rounds for their Western cannons, which had given them an edge over Russia earlier in the war.
Yahoo Finance
The stickiest part of the inflation story is still sticky: Chart of the Week
April's Consumer Price Index showed inflation moderating, a welcome sign. But as many categories fell, core services inflation has remained a bugaboo for the Fed — and consumers.
Yahoo Finance
Vanguard 'nickel-and-dimes Grandma' after 49 years without junk fees
Vanguard has long had a reputation for eschewing the random fees asset managers are known for. But as our contributing columnist Allan Sloan notes, the company has started charging what he calls chintzy fees.
AFP
Flash floods kill 50 in western Afghanistan
Flash flooding has killed at least 50 people in western Afghanistan, provincial police said Saturday, with some reaching safety on higher ground mere minutes before the water hit."Within five minutes of our escape, a huge and horrible flash flood came and washed away everything.
Associated Press
Parts of northern India scorched by extreme heat with New Delhi on high alert
Parts of northwest India sweltered under scorching temperatures on Saturday, with the capital New Delhi under a severe weather alert as extreme temperatures strike parts of the country. India's weather department expects heat wave conditions to persist across the north for the next few days, and has put several states on high alert. On Friday, parts of New Delhi reported up to 47.1 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit).
USA TODAY
How long will cicadas be around this year? Here's when to expect Brood XIX, XIII to die off
Periodical cicadas in both broods have already begun to emerge this year. But how long will they stick around?
USA TODAY
One week ago, the northern lights stunned America. When will it happen again?
Even though experts say conditions are primed for more aurora shows over the next few years, predicting exactly when and where is a challenge.
AFP
Taiwan and China: different views across the strait
Standing on the shore of Taiwan's Kinmen island, Taiwanese tourists snap photos of the skyline of China's Xiamen city that is clearly visible across the sliver of water separating them.As Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, a staunch defender of Taiwan's sovereignty, prepares to take office on Monday, Taiwanese visitors to Kinmen hope he can avoid a conflict.
USA TODAY
Arizona and Pennsylvania voters think Biden will handle abortion issues better than Trump
New polling shows Biden lagging behind Trump in most swing states. What could help the president's campaign: his popular stance on abortion.
CNN
Russian forces use border-town captives as ‘human shields,’ Ukrainian officials say
Russian forces have captured dozens of civilians in the border town of Vovchansk, a Ukrainian official has said, with a top regional police officer accusing them of using the captives as “human shields.”
USA TODAY
'Team of felons': Pardoned criminals, conspiracy theorists backing Trump's 2024 run
Concerns are growing that a Trump win would open the door to his administration ignoring legal constraints knowing that pardons are very possible.
AFP
Fighting rages in Gaza's Rafah after first aid delivery via pier
Heavy clashes and bombardment Saturday rocked Gaza's southern city of Rafah, witnesses said, as the Israeli military announced the first 310 pallets of humanitarian aid had entered the besieged territory via a US-built pier.The 310 pallets began moving ashore in "the first entry of humanitarian aid through the floating pier", the Israeli army said in a statement.
Associated Press
French authorities report sixth fatality in New Caledonia violence
French security forces reported another death Saturday in armed clashes in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the sixth fatality in a nearly a week of violent unrest wracking the archipelago whose indigenous population has long sought independence. The person was killed in an exchange of fire at one of the many impromptu barricades blocking roads on the island, said a security official speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the situation publicly. Le Monde and other French news outlets said the person killed was a man and that his son was among the injured.
AFP
Zelensky expects Russian offensive in northeast Ukraine to intensify
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an exclusive interview with AFP on Friday he expects Russia to step up its offensive in the northeast and warned Kyiv only has a quarter of the air defences it needs to hold the front line. "I won't say it's a great success (for Russia) but we have to be sober and understand that they are going deeper into our territory," he said, speaking from Kyiv in his first interview with foreign media since the offensive began.
AFP
Sri Lanka Tamils mark 15 years since end of civil war
Sri Lanka's minority Tamil community marked 15 years since the end of the island nation's civil war on Saturday in an emotional ceremony that proceeded despite fears authorities would attempt to prevent its staging.Saturday marked 15 years since the killing of the Tamil Tigers' charismatic but reclusive leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who had led the separatist group in open rebellion against Sri Lankan forces since 1972.
Reuters
Putin ally says EU is hypocritical for ban on Russian media
The speaker of Russia's parliament scolded the European Union on Saturday for banning the distribution of four Russian media outlets and said it showed how the West refused to accept any alternative point of view and was destroying freedom of speech. The European Union said on Friday it was suspending the distribution of Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti news agency and newspapers Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta on the grounds that they "have been essential and instrumental in bringing forward and supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine". Russia has said that the move will result in a harsh response against Western media in Moscow, but has yet to announce which media organisations it will affect.

Yes, Sharkboy (AKA Taylor Lautner) Is Now Engaged, And Yes, You Are Aging

What a dream dream dream dream (dream dream)! Taylor Lautner and his girlfriend of three years are now engaged!

The Twilight alum announced the news on Instagram with a lovely series of photos from when he popped the big question. Like, BRB, swooning from the hundreds of roses, neon sign of his last name, and dozens of candles producing the perfect ~mood~ lighting.

The engagement took place on Thursday, with the 29-year-old sharing, "And just like that, all of my wishes came true."

Tay — who is a registered nurse — also shared an image of the romantic scene. "My absolute best friend," she wrote. "I CANNOT WAIT TO SPEND FOREVER WITH YOU."

The couple have been together since 2018, first sparking rumors that they were together while attending a wedding. They confirmed the news shortly thereafter, with Tay posting a photo to Instagram with a cheeky caption (and eventual manifestation!), "IT'S WEDDING SZN (Not ours tho hehe)."

Naturally, the actor's comments section flooded with congratulations from figures like Nikki Reed to Patrick Schwarzenegger, who wrote, "I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! LOVE YOU. And yes I'll be the flower boy."

And you already know fans offered their share of congratulations (and light-hearted jests):

Congrats to the newly engaged couple!

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Ukraine's divisive mobilization law comes into force as a new Russian push strains front-line troops

Suspect in attempted assassination of Slovakia's prime minister makes first court appearance

Who attacked UCLA protest? New reports unmasking the violent counter-protestors

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Putin ally says EU is hypocritical for ban on Russian media