Taylor Swift could have chance to buy back music after Scooter Braun sparked bitter rift by buying them
Taylor Swift could have chance to buy back music after Scooter Braun sparked bitter rift by buying them
Six years after she lost the rights to her back catalogue, Taylor Swift could have the chance to buy it back — but it won’t be cheap.
In a bizarre twist, it is the former music manager who caused bad blood with the star by swooping in and buying her masters in the first place that is encouraging the move.
Scooter Braun, alongside Big Machine, bought the master recordings of her first six albums in 2019 for $300 million.
The move sparked a bitter war of words with the pop star and prompted her to later go on to record new “Taylor’s versions” of the albums.
At the time, Swift wrote of Braun, who managed Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Kanye West: “I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world.”
She also wrote: “Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy,”
“Essentially, my musical legacy is about to lie in the hands of someone who tried to dismantle it,” she alleged.
Braun sold the masters one year later to investment firm Shamrock Capital, but Page Six reports the company is now interested in selling them back to Swift.
“Interestingly enough, one of the individuals who is encouraging this deal to take place is Scooter, who was at the center of the deal the first time around alongside Big Machine,” said a source told Page Six.
But if Swift is keen to buy back her masters, she will have to cough-up an eye-watering amount, estimated at between $600m to $1 billion.
The albums up for grabs are Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989 and Reputation — all of which Swift has re-released her own versions of, bar her eponymous album and 2017’s Reputation.
However, speculation is rife that album may be about to drop after Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version) was previewed in an episode of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Look What You Made Me Do featured on the original Reputation LP and took aim at Taylor Swift’s enemies, including Kanye West, who she has famously feuded with in the past.
Swifties, who are known for finding Easter Eggs in everything she does, believe they have decoded when Taylor could unveil the album.
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U.S. Institute of Peace leaders regain control of HQ after judge declares DOGE takeover “null and void”
U.S. Institute of Peace leaders regain control of HQ after judge declares DOGE takeover “null and void”
The leaders of the United States Institute for Peace regained control of their offices Wednesday, weeks after they were ejected from their positions by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency in March.
The dramatic turn of events happened in the wake of U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell’s ruling on Monday that the takeover of USIP was “unlawful” and conducted by “illegitimately-installed leaders.” Howell further ruled that the action was “null and void.” The judge ruled after USIP’s leaders sued the government.
At an impromptu press briefing on the steps of the USIP building Wednesday, acting President George Moose addressed reporters.
“We are now back in the building and we intend to resume our stewardship and custodianship,” Moose said. “It is not just the platform from which we’ve been doing our work. It is a symbol of the aspirations and the intent of the American people to be seen and to be peacemaker in the world.”
Howell’s ruling was the culmination of a two-month legal battle that began after USIP employees were forcibly removed from the organization’s building in downtown Washington with the help of Washington, D.C., Metropolitan police.
The chain of events started on Feb. 19, when President Trump issued Executive Order 14217 declaring USIP “unnecessary” and terminating its leadership, most of its 300 staff members and its entire board. The organization was created by Congress as an “independent nonprofit corporation.”
That set the stage for the dramatic standoff between the USIP leadership and DOGE — the cost-cutting team run by billionaire Elon Musk — a month later. Representatives of DOGE gained access to the building with the help of a private security company, USIP spokesperson Liz Callihan said. During the standoff, Moose issued a statement saying “DOGE has broken into our building.”
On March 17, DOGE seized control of the institute’s headquarters and a newly installed president transferred ownership of the building to the Government Services Administration, which oversees contracting for the federal government and acts effectively as its landlord. The building was built specifically to house USIP and was paid for through a mix of public and privately donated money.
USIP counsel George Foote also spoke at Wednesday’s press conference. “The Institute is the rightful possessor of this building, that George [Moose] is the rightful acting president… The effect of the judge’s order was to outlaw everything that happened beginning with the president’s dismissal of our board of directors…so it never happened” Foote said.
USIP was established 41 years ago by Congress. Its mission is to provide analysis, education, and resources to those working for peace around the world and to reduce the chance that the U.S. government will be pulled into foreign conflict. In recent years, USIP staff have increasingly been deployed to hot zones overseas where they have taken part in conflict resolution between warring parties, including in Iraq and Papua New Guinea.
The Justice Department has not indicated whether it plans to appeal Judge Howell’s ruling. A White House spokeswoman said in response to Howell’s decision, “President Trump is right to reduce failed, useless entities like USIP to their statutory minimum, and this rogue judge’s attempt to impede on the separation of powers will not be the last say on this matter.”
Ahn’yae Hedgepeth contributed to this report.
Daniel Klaidman
Daniel Klaidman, an investigative reporter based in New York, is the former editor-in-chief of Yahoo News and former managing editor of Newsweek. He has over two decades of experience covering politics, foreign affairs, national security and law.
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Detroit orders work stoppage for planned Chick-fil-A near Grosse Pointe
Detroit orders work stoppage for planned Chick-fil-A near Grosse Pointe
A controversial Chick-fil-A location is still coming soon to Detroit’s east side near the Grosse Pointe border, but the project hit a speed bump this week.
Hours after demolition began on Monday, May 19, to a former Buick service center at 17761 Mack Ave. to make way for the future fast-food restaurant, Detroit officials ordered an immediate halt to the work.
According to the city, the problem was the demolition contractor did not give the required advanced notice of the demo work to nearby property owners.
The notices eventually were sent out via UPS and received the morning of May 20 by the property’s neighbors, which include a day care/Montessori school with 116 enrolled young children.
A city spokesman said the demolition crew is now in compliance and can restart the teardown of the old Ray Laethem Buick building.
Neighbors told the Free Press that the demo work had yet to restart as of late Wednesday afternoon.
The Mack Avenue Chick-fil-A was first proposed nearly two years ago and faced opposition from some area residents and business owners, including concerns about traffic and the close proximity to The Giving Tree Montessori Learning Center that neighbors the site.
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Plans call for razing an old Buick service center at 17761 Mack Av. in Detroit near Grosse Pointe to make way for a future Chick-fil-A
The restaurant plan ultimately was approved by the city last year once all traffic was routed on Mack Avenue, with none entering or exiting the neighboring Marseilles Street.
On April 4, Detroit issued a building permit for the 2,954-square-foot Chick-fil-A. The demolition permit for the site was issued May 14.
The Grosse Pointe News has reported that the future location would be the first drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A in Michigan.
Representatives for Chick-fil-A and the site’s demolition contractor, Warren-based Blue Star, did not return messages seeking comment May 21.
Renee Chown, owner of The Giving Tree Montessori Learning Center, which she said is a day care as well as a private elementary school, opposes the Chick-fil-A because it would bump up against the learning center and its playground.
Chown said she was surprised Monday morning when the demolition work began and went outside to confront the workmen.
“When they started that demolition, none of us had a notice,” she said. “We are a little upset here.”
Chown also questioned whether the Chick-fil-A location violates a city ordinance against locating fast-food drive-thrus on major roadways within 500 feet of a school.
Story Continues
“There is absolutely no way that they can put that drive-thru next to our playground,” Chown said, “because those kids will be smelling smoke, ********** smoke, the rodents will be out there, they are going to listen to people talk not in such a good language, and the noise control, the fumes of the exhaust pipes — there are many many things wrong with this project.”
However, city spokesman John ****** noted that Detroit’s Zoning Board of Appeals issued its decision in favor of the Chick-fil-A in April 2024, which was two months before the Montessori center is said to have received its registration as a private school.
Dave Bell, director of the city’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department, said in a statement that a survey found no asbestos in the old Buick service center building, and that the contractor does have an approved plan to mitigate demolition dust.
Bell also said the city asked the contractor to ****** a perimeter fence before resuming demolition work, even though such a fence isn’t always a requirement.
Another neighbor to the site is Allemon’s Landscape Center, a business that dates to 1910.
Owner Joe Allemon said in a phone interview that he, too, received a demolition notice via UPS on May 20. Nevertheless, he has been opposed to the fast-food restaurant plan, largely because of all the traffic it would likely generate.
“We are not against the brand Chick-fil-A — it’s the location,” he said. “The overwhelming community is against this development, but it has just fallen on deaf ears.”
Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or *****@*****.tld. Follow him on X @jcreindl
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit orders work stoppage for Chick-fil-A near Grosse Pointe
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Stock futures are flat after a big sell-off on deficit concerns: Live updates – CNBC
Stock futures are flat after a big sell-off on deficit concerns: Live updates – CNBC
Stock futures are flat after a big sell-off on deficit concerns: Live updates CNBCDow sinks 800 points as bond market starts to freak out over Trump’s tax bill CNNWall Street stocks tumble as worries mount about US debt MSNDow slides more than 800 points as spiking Treasury yields and deficit fears spur a sell-off: Live updates CNBCWall Street tumbles under the weight of rising Treasury yields and US debt worries AP News
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Target mosquito parasites with drugs to cut malaria, study says
Target mosquito parasites with drugs to cut malaria, study says
Mosquitoes should be given malaria drugs to clear their infection so they can no longer spread the disease, say US researchers.
Malaria parasites, which kill nearly 600,000 people a year, mostly children, are spread by female mosquitoes when they drink blood.
Current efforts aim to kill mosquitoes with insecticide rather than curing them of malaria.
But a team at Harvard University has found a pair of drugs which can successfully rid the insects of malaria when absorbed through their legs. Coating bed nets in the drug ********* is the long-term aim.
Sleeping under a bed net has been one of the most successful ways of preventing malaria as the main malaria-spreading mosquitoes hunt at night.
Vaccines to protect children living in high-risk malaria areas are also recommended.
Nets are both a physical barrier and also contain insecticides which kill mosquitoes that land on them.
But mosquitoes have become resistant to insecticide in many countries so the chemicals no longer kill the insects as effectively as they used to.
“We haven’t really tried to directly kill parasites in the mosquito before this, because we were just killing the mosquito,” says researcher Dr Alexandra Probst, from Harvard.
However, she says that approach is “no longer cutting it”.
The researchers analysed malaria’s DNA to find possible weak spots while it is infecting mosquitoes.
They took a large library of potential drugs and narrowed it down to a shortlist of 22. These were tested when female mosquitoes were given a blood-meal contaminated with malaria.
In their article in Nature, the scientists describe two highly effective drugs that killed 100% of the parasites.
The drugs were tested on material similar to bed nets.
“Even if that mosquito survives contact with the bed net, the parasites within are killed and so it’s still not transmitting malaria,” said Dr Probst.
“I think this is a really exciting approach, because it’s a totally new way of targeting mosquitoes themselves.”
She says the malaria parasite is less likely to become resistant to the drugs as there are billions of them in each infected person, but less than five in each mosquito.
The effect of the drugs lasts for a year on the nets, potentially making it a cheap and long-lasting alternative to insecticide, the researchers say.
This approach has been proven in the laboratory. The next stage is already planned in Ethiopia to see if the anti-malarial bed nets are effective in the real world.
It will take at least six years before all the studies are completed to know if this approach will work.
But the vision is to have bed nets treated with both anti-malaria drugs and insecticide so that if one approach doesn’t work, then the other will.
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Another non US-born superstar voted NBA MVP
Another non US-born superstar voted NBA MVP
********* point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become the fourth player born outside of the US to be voted NBA MVP since 2019.
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United flight bound for LAX makes emergency return to HNL
United flight bound for LAX makes emergency return to HNL
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A United Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles returned safely to Honolulu early Tuesday after a potential security concern was discovered onboard.
59-year-old Honolulu man drowns off Kailua Beach
Flight 1169, a Boeing 777 carrying 339 passengers and 10 crew members, declared an emergency en route to Los Angeles and turned back to Honolulu, landing without incident at 1:35 a.m.
Hawaiʻi homeowners are heading toward a mortgage crisis: New report
According to the airline, the flight was diverted after a message was found written on a lavatory mirror prompting immediate concern.
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Law enforcement met the aircraft upon landing and conducted a full security sweep. No further details have been released.
Passengers are being rebooked on another flight to Los Angeles scheduled for later Tuesday.
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United said it is cooperating with local authorities, who are handling the investigation.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
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Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wins NBA MVP – The Guardian
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wins NBA MVP – The Guardian
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wins NBA MVP The GuardianThunder’s SGA bests Jokic again to win first MVP ESPNShai Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA Most Valuable Player award NBC NewsThunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expected to win NBA MVP, per report USA TodayIs Nikola Jokić the greatest MVP runner-up of all time? Nuggets star among elite company in NBA history CBS Sports
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What’s likely to move the market
What’s likely to move the market
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today. Sign up for free to receive it directly in your inbox. Here’s what CNBC TV’s producers were watching as spiking bond yields pushed stocks into sell-off mode, and what’s on the radar for the next session. Apple OpenAI is buying Jony Ive’s artificial intelligence devices startup io for $6.4 billion. Ive is the designer behind several of Apple’s biggest products, including the iPhone. He went on to form his own design company. Apple fell 2.3 %on the news, as investors worried that an OpenAI/Ive partnership will mean competition in the device market. Apple is off 22% from the December high. The stock is down 19% so far in 2025. Frequent CNBC guest and tech stock expert Gene Munster said Wednesday night on ” Fast Money ” that Apple has gone unchallenged for a long time. “They are now going to be challenged,” he said. Regarding Apple and the other big tech companies, Munster said, “This is a shot across the bow. This is war time.” However, he believes this development will make Apple innovate. There will be more to follow on this Thursday. AAPL YTD mountain Apple shares in 2025 The big bond question Wednesday’s less-than-great Treasury auction for 20-year debt led to a sell-off for bonds and a jump in yields. Bonds and yields move in opposite directions. Every single U.S. bond ETF that I track — and there are a lot of them — was down. The 30-year Treasury bond yield is back above 5% at 5.08%. The 20-year yield is at 5.11%. The 10-year Treasury note yield is at 4.59%. The two-year Treasury note is yielding 4.02%. The one-year Treasury bill yield is at 4.13%. The six-month T-bill yield is 4.3%. The three-month T-bill yield is 4.34%. The one-month T-bill yield is 4.27%. The iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (SHYG) yields 7.17%. The iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) yields 5.87%. The SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) yields 6.68%. The Fidelity Corporate Bond ETF (FCOR) yields 4.52%. The BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) yields 5.91%. BondBloxx co-founder Joanna Gallegos told CNBC’s Frank Holland of “Worldwide Exchange” this week that this is the sweet spot in the market: high yield with little risk. Bitcoin There was a new all-time high for bitcoin on Wednesday, topping $109,500. Thanks to CNBC floor director and bitcoin watcher Will Moore for the assist. Coinbase shares are at 26% from the December high. Galaxy Digital is 11% from the high hit just a few days ago. CleanSpark is 51% from the June high. Strategy is is 26% from the November high. BTC.CM= YTD mountain Bitcoin in 2025 via CoinMetrics UnitedHealth Shares of the health insurance giant slid 5.8% after a downgrade from HSBC . UnitedHealth is down 52% from the November high. Shares are down 29% in a month. Thursday on “Squawk Box,” we’ll have a follow up, covering several issues for the health insurance and health-care industries from both the stock and patient perspective. Ralph Lauren The luxury retailer reports Thursday before the bell. This very stock will be a big part of “Sectornomics” Thursday with CNBC TV’s Dominic Chu as we take an inside look at the consumer discretionary sector, the worst performer of the year so far in 2025. Ralph Lauren is down 1% in the past three months. But it is up about 22% so far in May. Shares are down 5% from the February high. Watch CNBC’s “Squawk Box” with Becky Quick, Joe Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin as the numbers come out and “Sectornomics,” as well as ” Worldwide Exchange ” with Frank Holland. RL 1M mountain Ralph Lauren in the past month Toronto-Dominion Bank One of Canada’s biggest banks reports before the bell. TD Bank shares are up 8.3% in the past three months. Shares have recently hit a high. Existing homes CNBC TV’s Diana Olick will have the number at 10 a.m. Thursday. The 30-year mortgage is rate is right in the 7% range. In the last month, Toll Brothers is up about 13%. Shares are off 38% from the November high. PulteGroup is up 6.4% in a month. The stock is 33% from the October high. Taylor Morrison is up about 3% in a month. Shares are off 25% from the November high. Lennar is up nearly 2% in a month. The stock is down 43% from the September high. D.R. Horton is down about 1% in a month. Shares are off 40% from the September high. Hovnanian is down 2.6% in a month. The stock is down 62% from the August high. TOL 1M mountain Toll Brothers in the past month Cattle’s bull run CNBC TV’s Pippa Stevens will have the story Thursday. Live cattle futures are up 11% so far in 2025. Tyson Foods is down nearly 7% in three months. The stock is down 16% from the September high. JBS is up 36% in three months. It’s off 16% from the April high. Epic Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park will open in Orlando Thursday. Comcast is the corporate parent. The stock is 22.5% from the October high. Shares are down 10.5% in a year. Disney , the other theme park giant in town, is 7% from the December high. Shares are up 7% in a year. Six Flags isn’t in Orlando, but the company has 46 properties that are mostly in the U.S. The company is also present in Canada and Mexico. Six Flags Great Adventure is off exit 7A on the New Jersey Turnpike. Shares of Six Flags Entertainment are 42% from the July high. Shares are down 23% in a year. CMCSA YTD mountain Comcast shares in 2025 Home Depot The company will have its annual shareholder meeting in the morning. Home Depot is 15% from the November high. Shares are up about 7% in a month. Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC.
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New Police Minister Reece Whitby has focus on parents of juvenile offenders
New Police Minister Reece Whitby has focus on parents of juvenile offenders
Central to new Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby’s challenge is to change behaviours, and he has already set his target on one key demographic – parents of juvenile offenders.
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FAA issues ground stop at Austin airport over staffing issues; 160 flights delayed
FAA issues ground stop at Austin airport over staffing issues; 160 flights delayed
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Wednesday, delaying more than 100 flights amid ongoing staffing shortages — part of a broader national trend straining the air traffic control system.
The disruption comes as Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest hubs, enters its fourth week of significant delays and, more recently, flight caps due to a combination of staffing shortages, recent technological failures, and ongoing runway construction.
The FAA, currently facing a shortfall of thousands of air traffic controllers, recently terminated hundreds of probationary employees and is now scrambling to recruit replacements under the guidance of the Department of Government Efficiency.
According to KUT, each tower shift in Austin is supposed to include 14 air traffic controllers, but today’s shifts are staffed with only eight to 10. Airport media personnel were unable to confirm those staffing levels or whether air traffic controllers were specifically the reason for the ground stop, which was labeled only as a “staffing” issue. The FAA has not yet responded to a request for confirmation.
Currently, more than 180 flights are delayed or canceled in Austin.
More: Free bags no more: Here’s the last day to book tickets with free checked bags at Southwest
When will operations resume as normal in Austin?
According to the FAA website, the ground stop, which temporarily halts incoming flights, is scheduled to end by 9 p.m. Currently, the average delay is about 49 minutes.
Texas airport delays: See live flight status
See up-to-date information on Texas’ 10 busiest airports.
To view flights at smaller airports in Texas, visit FlightAware and search by flight number or location.
What is the DOT Dashboard?
The Department of Transportation created a dashboard for travelers to easily access information about services that U.S. airlines provide in the case of cancellations or delays.
Click here to access the DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard.
A new rule from the DOT that went into effect at the end of October requires airlines to refund passengers if their flight is significantly delayed for reasons within the carrier’s control and also makes airlines more responsible for following their own customer commitments in those cases.
(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: FAA issues ground stop in Austin over staff shortages. See delays
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Trump crypto czar Sacks stablecoin bill unlock trillions for Treasury
Trump crypto czar Sacks stablecoin bill unlock trillions for Treasury
U.S. President Donald Trump sits next to Crypto czar David Sacks at the White House Crypto Summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 7, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
President Donald Trump’s top crypto and AI advisor David Sacks said Wednesday that the administration expects the stablecoin legislation moving through the Senate to pass with “significant bipartisan support,” and claimed it could unlock demand for U.S. Treasuries.
“We already have over $200 billion in stablecoins — it’s just unregulated,” Sacks told CNBC’s “Closing Bell Overtime.” “If we provide the legal clarity and legal framework for this, I think we could create trillions of dollars of demand for our Treasuries practically overnight, very quickly.”
The GENIUS Act — a bill to regulate stablecoins — cleared a key procedural vote in the Senate. With 15 Democrats voting for the bill to pass the cloture threshold this week, the proponents have the votes necessary to avoid a filibuster.
“We have every expectation now that it’s going to pass,” added Sacks, though he didn’t answer a question about concerns from Democrats that there aren’t sufficient safeguards in place to keep the president and his family from profiting from legislation.
Read more about tech and crypto from CNBC Pro
Democrats previously rejected the GENIUS Act in part on concern that President Trump’s personal cryptocurrency ventures, including his own meme coin and a stablecoin from his family’s crypto business, created an unprecedented conflict of interest.
Unlike digital assets such as bitcoin, which can trade wildly, stablecoins are a subset of cryptocurrencies whose value is tied to that of a real-world asset, like the U.S. dollar. Bitcoin hit a new record on Wednesday, nearing $110,000.
Tether, which is banked by Cantor Fitzgerald in the U.S., controls more than 60% of the stablecoin market. Deutsche Bank found that stablecoin transactions hit $28 trillion last year, surpassing that of Mastercard and Visa, combined.
Sacks, who has emerged as a powerful policy voice inside Trump’s inner circle, framed the GENIUS Act not just as a crypto breakthrough but as a national economic strategy.
“Stablecoins offer a new, more efficient, cheaper, smoother payment system — new payment rails for the U.S. economy,” he said. “It also extends the dominance of the dollar online.”
The White House has aggressively backed the effort, even as concerns mount over the president’s potential conflicts.
While Sacks sold $200 million in crypto-related holdings before taking his White House job according to a disclosure filing, Trump and his family have been leaning into building a crypto empire.
The Trumps are financial backers of World Liberty Financial, which just launched its own stablecoin — USD1 — backed by Treasuries and dollar deposits.
Abu Dhabi’s MGX investment fund recently pledged $2 billion in USD1 to Binance, the world’s largest digital assets exchange. It’s the company’s largest-ever investment made in crypto.
Still, the path to passage isn’t entirely smooth. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., added a controversial rider to the bill that would cap credit card late fees — what’s seen as a poison pill that could alienate banking allies and stall final approval.
WATCH: Trump’s growing crypto empire raising conflict of interest concerns
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Walmart plans job cuts in restructuring push to simplify operations
Walmart plans job cuts in restructuring push to simplify operations
An employee counts inventory in a Walmart Supercenter on May 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images
U.S. retail bellwether Walmart is planning to cut about 1,500 jobs as part of a restructuring push to simplify its operations, according to a memo seen by Reuters.
The company’s plan will impact teams in its global technology operations, e-commerce fulfillment in U.S. stores and its advertising business Walmart Connect.
“To accelerate our progress delivering the experiences that will define the future of retail, we must sharpen our focus,” the memo said.
The company will also eliminate some roles and opening some new ones, according to the plan.
Walmart is the largest U.S. private employer with about 1.6 million employees. It employed about 2.1 million employees worldwide in total, according to its website.
It is also the country’s biggest importer with about 60% of its imports, mainly items such as clothing, electronics and toys, from China.
The Wall Street Journal first reported about the plan to cut jobs.
The company had last week said it would raise prices for some products by the end of May as President Donald Trump’s trade war hits its supply chain and increases expenses.
Walmart had cut some roles and closed its office in North Carolina in February as part of its move to relocate employees to its main hubs in California and Arkansas.
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New trailer for animated Predator: Killer of Killers film drops
New trailer for animated Predator: Killer of Killers film drops
Heading to Disney Plus and Hulu, Predator: Killer of Killers has dropped a new trailer ahead of its June 6 release.
This new trailer focuses on a Viking mother accompanied by her young song on a quest for revenge. Beyond her and her child, we also see a Feudal Japan-era ninja and a WW2 pilot investigating an aircraft that turns out to be none other than the Predator awaiting battle.
Predator: Killer of Killers is the second flick in the series that is debuting this year, with word first coming from CinemaCon before word spread surrounding the live action Predator: Badlands, which is set to star Elle Fanning under the watchful eye of Prey director Dan Trachtenberg, who’s also tied to Killer of Killers, as well.
Beyond Trachtenberg, animation company The Third Floor is tied to bring it together with Josh Wassung joining the director and Micho Robert Rutare penning the script.
Predator: Killer of Killers releases to Disney Plus and Hulu on June 6.
Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger Editor-in-Chief
Gabe has been a gamer since he was young, playing games like Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, Guitar Hero, and whatever looked cool on GameFly. Ever since 2018, he’s been infatuated with the inner workings of the gaming and entertainment industries, covering a wide range of topics from video games to TV and film. Starting as a contributor for PSX Extreme, he’s worked his way up to its Managing Editor. Using what’s he learned over the years, he founded Smash Jump to remind everyone to smash jump.
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Judge rules US deportations to South Sudan violate court order – BBC
Judge rules US deportations to South Sudan violate court order – BBC
Judge rules US deportations to South Sudan violate court order BBCJudge Finds U.S. Violated Court Order With Sudden Deportation Flight to Africa The New York TimesUS judge says Trump administration violated court order on deportations Financial TimesUS must keep control of migrants sent to South Sudan in case removals were unlawful, judge rules AP NewsDHS exposes crimes by migrants deported to South Sudan as judge threatens to order their return Fox News
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Mariah Carey returns to Perth to headline Fridayz Live this October
Mariah Carey returns to Perth to headline Fridayz Live this October
Mariah Carey fans, get ready to feel all the emotions because the superstar singer is finally returning to play her first Perth show in 11 years.
The multiple Grammy Award winner will headline Fridayz Live at Langley Park on October 24 as part of the RnB festival’s four-date national tour.
The pop diva, who is currently on tour in Asia in celebration of the 20th anniversary of her album The Emancipation of Mimi, said she is excited to be returning to our shores.
“I missed you terribly, certainly the fans and the people, the beautiful land and the animals, you know, it’s Australia, c’mon!” Carey said.
Camera IconThe pop diva said she is excited to be returning to our shores. Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images
The global megastar released her debut self-titled album in 1990 and has gone on to sell more than 200 million albums worldwide.
Her current setlist features all her biggest hits including her 1990 breakthrough chart-topper Vision of Love, Emotions, Fantasy, Dreamlover, Hero, Always Be My Baby, Obsessed and We Belong Together.
The 56-year-old last performed in Perth at Sandalford Estate in 2014, delivering a 13-song hit-laden set. Her only other visit was in 1998 when she played Burswood Dome.
The Fridayz Live line-up also features American rapper Pitbull, also known as Mr Worldwide, who is currently trending on TikTok thanks to fans posting videos of audiences wearing bald caps to his concerts. Wiz Khalifa, Lil John, Eve, Tinnie Tempah and Jordin Sparks will also perform.
Presale tickets are available from May 26, register at fridayz.co/register
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A former Florida Republican congressional candidate gets 3 years for threatening primary opponent
A former Florida Republican congressional candidate gets 3 years for threatening primary opponent
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A former Florida Republican congressional candidate accused of stalking and plotting to have his primary opponent murdered by a purported foreign hit squad was sentenced Wednesday to three years in federal prison.
William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg was sentenced in Tampa federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to sending an interstate transmission of a threat to injure.
In 2021, Braddock and U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna were both candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Luna eventually won the primary and later the general election. She was re-elected last year.
Braddock spent months disparaging Luna and attempting to inject himself into her life, investigators said. During a June 2021 telephone call with Luna’s friend, GOP activist Erin Olszewski, Braddock threatened to have Luna murdered by a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” if she continued to poll well in the race for the 13th District.
There was no evidence that Braddock, a former Marine, had such contacts in foreign organized crime or took any steps to carry out a ******* plot.
Later that year, Braddock flew to Thailand and eventually settled in the Philippines, officials said. He remained there until surrendering to authorities in Manila in 2023. He was taken back to the U.S. last fall to face trial.
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3 best NBA player props, Knicks vs. Pacers odds for Game 1: Use Siakam, Towns in 2025 NBA Playoff picks – CBS Sports
3 best NBA player props, Knicks vs. Pacers odds for Game 1: Use Siakam, Towns in 2025 NBA Playoff picks – CBS Sports
3 best NBA player props, Knicks vs. Pacers odds for Game 1: Use Siakam, Towns in 2025 NBA Playoff picks CBS SportsNBA playoffs: What to expect in Knicks-Pacers series NBA2025 NBA Playoffs: Live updates, highlights from Pacers-Knicks Game 1 ESPNKnicks vs. Pacers Eastern Conference finals Game 1 betting odds and our prediction Bergen RecordKnicks-Pacers Is Back. Can the Reboot Top the Original? The Ringer
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Inside the Oval Office Meeting With South Africa’s President
Inside the Oval Office Meeting With South Africa’s President
John Eligon, Johannesburg bureau chief, recounts what he witnessed in the Oval Office when President Trump confronted the visiting President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa with an elaborate presentation attempting to falsely prove a “genocide” against white Afrikaners.
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Detectives charge 64-year-old former teacher with sex offences over alleged relationship with student in Perth
Detectives charge 64-year-old former teacher with sex offences over alleged relationship with student in Perth
A former high school teacher has been charged with historical sex offences after he allegedly had a relationship with a student in the 1990s.
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Some Afrikaners say Trump is being lied to about a “White genocide” in South Africa: “It’s not happening”
Some Afrikaners say Trump is being lied to about a “White genocide” in South Africa: “It’s not happening”
Refugee admissions to the United States have all but ground to a halt — except for one group, or a “small subset,” as Secretary of State Marco Rubio called them on Tuesday: Afrikaners. They are members of the White ethnic ********* that once led South Africa’s brutal, four-decade apartheid regime, which ended in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as president.
The Trump administration has already welcomed the first group of Afrikaner asylum applicants, who were given expedited refugee status after claiming they were the victims of violence and discrimination in South Africa.
Other Afrikaners are waiting, keen to take advantage of the offer of special treatment from the Trump administration to gain protected status and the right to live and work in the U.S.
Those hopefuls have been meeting to share information on the process, including Dolf Grobler, who has already applied. The professional hunter told CBS News he has $2.5 million to help make America great again.
“I’m worried that the genocide, which is currently mainly focused on White farmers, is going to spread,” he said. The claim of a White genocide is one that President Trump’s adviser Elon Musk, whose family are Afrikaners, has backed.
Musk joined Mr. Trump at the White House on Wednesday as the U.S. leader hosted South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa for an official visit. The Afrikaner refugee program was a topic of discussion, along with trade and other matters. In the Oval Office meeting, Ramaphosa pushed back against Mr. Trump’s repeated claims of Whites being targeted.
“Those people in many cases, are being executed, being executed, and they happen to be White, and most happen to be farmers,” Mr. Trump said, calling the situation “sort of the opposite of apartheid.”
“People who do get killed, unfortunately, through criminal activity, are not only White people. Majority of them are ****** people,” Ramaphosa said.
According to South African police, in the last three months of 2024, 12 people were murdered on farms there; one was a White farmer, while the others were ****** laborers or security workers. Asked if he believed life for him and his family was better under apartheid — an overtly racist *********-rule system that denied equal rights to South Africa’s vast majority ****** population — Grobler didn’t hesitate.
“Yes,” he told CBS News. “I can’t say in my heart that we are better off now.” Although he did concede apartheid was wrong.
Claims of a White genocide are often circulated by right-wing groups, but the view is not held widely within the Afrikaner community.
Afrikaner commentator Piet Croucamp, an academic at North-West University in South Africa, says the claims are simply untrue.
“There’s no sign of it, never has been. In fact, Whites are economically the strongest group” in South Africa, Croucamp told CBS News. “64% of all boardrooms in South Africa are still White. The average incomes of White South Africans are vastly higher than ****** South Africans … they have better schools, they have better education, private health care. This is the land of milk and honey if you’re White.”
Croucamp suspects the South African government’s strong stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, and its relations with China, could have played some part in Mr. Trump’s decision to embrace the controversial amnesty program for Afrikaners, but he believes there’s more to it.
“In South Africa, right-wing groups, so-called civil society groups, we know that they have access to the Trump administration because they claim that. And just over the last few days, they have, several times, they said that they will speak to the American government, as if they have access to them. And if you listen to what Trump has said, it corresponds exactly with the genocide narrative that they sell and that they market,” Croucamp said. “So, I’m afraid I have to believe them when they say they have direct access to the Trump administration, and we see what Trump has been doing.”
Grilled about the refugee program Tuesday on Capitol Hill, in a testy exchange with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Secretary of State Rubio insisted that U.S. foreign policy “doesn’t require even-handedness, it involves prioritizing the interests of the United States. … The United States has a right to pick and choose who they allow into the United States.”
White South Africans make up only about 7% of the country’s population, but they still own more than half of all its farmland. And while the country has a staggeringly high crime rate, racial motives are not generally a factor, according to Afrikaner cattle farmer Nick Serfontein.
He acknowledged that violent attacks on farmers do occur, especially in agricultural land near big cities, where there are often large, impoverished populations, but he said overall, “I feel safe. I sleep with my doors open here on the farm.”
There have also been allegations that White farmers are the victims of land expropriation, with the government seizing farms without providing compensation. In January, Ramaphosa signed into law measures to expropriate mostly unused land for public use, which his government said was necessary to address the consequences of decades of apartheid. While the law provides for fair compensation in most cases, it also allows for expropriation without compensation under limited circumstances. And any measures can be challenged in court.
Mr. Trump has argued that it unfairly targets White landowners, though the law does not mention the race of anyone who could be affected under the legislation.
And more importantly, there hasn’t been a single case of expropriation without compensation documented in the 31 years since apartheid ended.
Serfontein argues the problem isn’t a deliberate effort by the government to seize White-owned land without compensation, but rather “because of a dysfunctional government. The model is wrong.”
He said that for decades, land has been handed over to a ****** population with compensation for former owners under established rules, but without any support for the new owners. So, almost a decade ago, Serfontein helped to launch a project aimed at training new ****** farmers to work the land.
To date, he says he’s personally helped train more than 700 young ****** farmers — the country’s next generation of agricultural workers.
“I’m extremely positive, and so are the young people, the young farmers, they are positive,” he said.
As for a white genocide, he agreed with Croucamp, saying bluntly: “It’s not happening.”
Serfontein said he didn’t know the histories of the Afrikaners who had already left for the U.S., and he didn’t doubt they “probably had some unhappy experiences in South Africa, about a number of things. But let me tell you that if you went to NAMPO last week — NAMPO is the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere — you would have found a vibe there between the farmers, young farmers, old farmers, ****** farmers, White farmers, that you’ve never experienced before. They are so excited about the future of South Africa.”
They want to farm in a country, Serfontein says, where most people understand that the land must be shared by both ****** and White.
Debora Patta
Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.
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Video shows student sprinting across stage with baby to receive diploma as police chases
Video shows student sprinting across stage with baby to receive diploma as police chases
A graduating student at the University at Buffalo in New York caused quite a stir as he sprinted across the stage with his baby son to accept his diploma, all while being chased by the police.
University at Buffalo’s College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony livestream captured the graduate, Paul Al Arab, as he ran onto the stage holding his son with a police officer chasing after him.
Upon reaching the stage, Al Arab shook hands with those onstage and collected his diploma before pumping his fist in the air as the audience cheered him on. The police officer, meanwhile, could be seen walking behind him. Both the father and son were dressed in matching blue caps and gowns.
Why police chasing Al Arab?
Al Arab, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology, according to WGRZ, also posted the clip of the incident on TikTok and shared what went down behind the scenes.
“I’m a full-time student, working two jobs—one of them overnight—and taking care of my son during the day until his mom gets home from work,” Al Arab said in the caption of the video, which played a snippet from Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” performance during the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show in the background. “And here I am, graduating, with my boy by my side. WE DID IT!”
Shortly after the video started gaining traction on social media, Al Arab added a note explaining what went down on the May 19 ceremony.
“Hey, I just want to explain what happened since a lot of people have been asking,” Al Arab wrote. “During a prep class for commencement, I asked if I could walk with my baby and they told me it was fine. But when the time came, they tried to stop me and even called the police. They tried to ******* me out, but honestly, the only reason they let me go was because of all of you who cheered and supported me — so thank you.”
University at Buffalo says Al Arab’s son didn’t earn ‘enough credits to receive a diploma’
University at Buffalo, in a statement, addressed the incident, saying the “graduating senior ignored multiple directives from university event staff and UB Police, ran away from officers, and broke commencement rules by bringing an infant onto the commencement stage at Alumni Arena.”
“While the situation created a light-hearted moment for the thousands in attendance who cheered on as the graduate took to the stage with the infant in his arms, the graduate’s actions were a violation of commencement rules which clearly state that ‘only graduating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage’,” the statement continued.
The university said the graduate, in an email, apologized for the disruption and that the university will not be penalizing him, adding that commencement rules are in place for the safety of all those in attendance.
“The graduate who broke the rules on Sunday will not be penalized and will still receive his degree from the university,” the statement said.
“The infant, despite crossing the stage in a cap and gown, has not yet earned enough credits to receive a diploma,” the college added. “We hope to see him back on stage in about 20 years so he can follow in his dad’s footsteps.”
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Al Arab creates GoFundMe to support student parents
Following the incident, Al Arab is using his virality to spotlight student parents and help those struggling to complete their education while fulfilling their parental duties by setting up a GoFundMe with an aim to raise $10,000.
“Balancing two jobs, being a full-time dad, and pursuing my education has been challenging, but I promised my son that I would walk that stage with him,” Al Arab said in the fundraiser’s description. “It symbolized every sacrifice and sleepless night.”
Al Arab maintained he was allowed to walk onto the stage with a baby.
“No one objected, so I didn’t see a reason to double-check,” Al Arab said. “I’ve seen others walk with their babies at graduations before, so it didn’t seem like a big deal. That’s why I was surprised when they tried to stop me and involved campus police.”
Thanking his professors and audience members for their support, Al Arab said he did not mean to “cause a scene” and that he has “a lot of respect for UB and my professors.”
“I was just a proud dad, keeping a promise,” he said. “It’s time we normalize seeing fathers in these moments. Being active, present, and proud shouldn’t be surprising. It should be celebrated just like we do for moms.”
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at *****@*****.tld and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police chases University at Buffalo student running to receive degree
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New Orleans jail worker thought he was unclogging a toilet, not helping 10 escape, lawyer says – AP News
New Orleans jail worker thought he was unclogging a toilet, not helping 10 escape, lawyer says – AP News
New Orleans jail worker thought he was unclogging a toilet, not helping 10 escape, lawyer says AP NewsHow the New Orleans jailbreak unfolded, sparking a massive manhunt YahooNew video obtained by WDSU shows three escaped inmates walking in the CBD WDSUTwo charged with helping inmates who escaped New Orleans jail The Washington Post
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2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid review
2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid review
If you like the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class but want a lot more performance – courtesy of a ******* electrified six-cylinder powerplant – the Mercedes-AMG E53 might well be your ideal ride.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Take the already attractive and luxurious presentation of the latest sixth-generation E-Class sedan first revealed in 2023, then combine it with Mercedes-AMG’s tradition of amping up engine and chassis performance to make everything move as fast as it can, and you get the new E53 Hybrid.
The key talking point here is the beefed-up plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, which is new for the latest W214-series large ******* executive sedan. With more than 100kW of power and nearly 500Nm of torque on tap, the electric motor alone is capable of convincing you this is a reasonably fast four-door.
But it’s paired with the real beating heart of the E53: a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine, which – when everything’s charged and working harmoniously – can propel the E53 from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds, which not hanging around by any measure, let alone for a big luxury sedan.
It’s also blisteringly quick for a car that’s as heavy as this is, but there’s also a lot going on under the sheet metal to make sure the car can handle it, including adaptive suspension and even adaptive engine mounts.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
The E53 is undoubtedly a niche car, however, with minimal direct rivals let alone those with a PHEV powertrain. Lines could be drawn between the BMW M5 and the larger Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid, but they’re both more expensive and likely to attract a different audience.
We’re still waiting for Mercedes-AMG’s new E63, a model that’s long been the arch-enemy of the M5. In the meantime, the E53’s closest rival is therefore the Audi S6, but unlike its toned-down A6 counterpart it hasn’t been revealed with PHEV power just yet.
The S6’s twin-turbo petrol V6 is capable of pushing it from zero to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds, but the Ingolstadt brand’s large sports sedan is also significantly cheaper than the E53. A more tantalising comparison would almost certainly come with an S6 PHEV.
Is the E53 Hybrid capable of wearing the many hats AMG has thrown at it, or has it missed the mark? We tested the Stuttgart brand’s big new electrified performance sedan at its local media launch in Victoria to find out.
How much does the Mercedes-AMG E53 cost?
There’s only one variant of the new Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan, and it’s priced at $199,900 before on-road costs.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
That makes it roughly $30,000 pricier than its most direct rival in the Audi S6 quattro, priced at $168,015 before on-road costs.
There’s also a ******* connection with the M5 and the Panamera E-Hybrid, which are both large luxury PHEV sedans. The M5 is quicker and sharper without being significantly more expensive at $259,900 before on-roads, while the Panamera E-Hybrid is larger and starts at $268,100 before on-roads.
Even more distant rivals could include fully electric ******* four-doors like the Audi e-tron GT for around $200,000 depending on the variant, and the BMW i4 M50 for roughly $130,000 before on-roads, neither of which are leagues away in terms of size.
Mercedes-AMG is also offering an Edition One variant of the E53 at launch, adding a claimed $29,900 worth of extra accessories.
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the Mercedes-AMG E53 like on the inside?
Unbelievably screen-heavy, even by modern standards.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
In case you somehow missed it, the E53’s drawcard is that colossal full-width digital panel on the dashboard. It’s shared with the standard E-Class, and dubbed the MBUX Superscreen by Mercedes-Benz.
It combines two 12.3-inch screens – a driver’s instrument cluster and a front passenger display – with a third, 14.4-inch unit in the middle for infotainment and vehicle settings.
Visually, it’s hardly complicated and reminiscent of similar setups in some other Mercedes models, but it is different from the MBUX Hyperscreen found in the EQE because it isn’t recessed into the dashboard. Moving from left to right, the passenger’s screen allows for functions like music and video playback, and also supports Bluetooth headphone connectivity.
It’s invisible to the driver when in Reverse or Drive too, thanks to light-directing tech designed to minimise distraction. A bonus for all passengers is Mercedes’ so-called ‘4D audio’, which incorporates a high-end Burmester sound system linked to seats that vibrate bass frequencies – with varying intensity.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
In the middle is the multimedia heart of the E-Class interior. Here you’ll find basic apps like satellite navigation, and it’s also where you operate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring – both of which via wired and wireless connectivity.
Diving through here will also reveal vehicle settings to adjust all sorts of items, including but not limited to interior ambient lighting, specific suspension and power tunes, and climate control. Unfortunately, there are no physical buttons for the latter, which is instead operated via the ‘always-on’ ribbon at the bottom of the screen.
It’s not an ideal setup and can be finicky to work with on the move. Pressing a function like temperature will open a dedicated climate menu, which can also overwhelm you with the amount of controls you’re then presented with.
There’s plenty more to be found here with some time spent flicking and pressing. The same can be said for the instrument display, which also offers a plethora of information and customisation options.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
The buttons on the right-hand side of the steering wheel allow the driver to flick through various displays and themes on not only the instrument cluster, but also the head-up display above.
Both of these displays are crisp and relatively easy to decipher, and of course the instrument screen can show all sorts of vehicle info like temperatures and levels. We did find that a few of the head-up display interfaces were obnoxiously large and blocked a lot of the view ahead, particularly the motorsport-esque ones with a big rev counter.
Between the driver and the instrument cluster is a chunky, leather-wrapped steering wheel. It’s practically identical to the tillers in most modern Benzes, but its large diameter seems appropriate for a car of this stature.
The material it’s finished in is also high-quality, and it’s nice to hold. But we don’t love the use of haptic controls on its horizontal spokes, as some of our directional swipes sometimes went astray.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
We also found the positioning of the instrument display and steering wheel awkward in the context of the rest of the dash, particularly because the main Superscreen panel is sleek while the driver systems jut out haphazardly.
Ergonomically it all works, however, and the electric adjustment for both the steering wheel and seats helps with this. Our testers were fitted with optional AMG Performance Seats (borderline sports buckets), which are heavility bolstered but incredibly firm.
While these seats make sense for the car’s performance applications, they’re far too firm to be comfortable on long drives. This was especially evident when jumping out of the front seats and straight into the back, where the rear bench gets the same soft cushioning as the E53’s standard front seats.
We at least appreciated the level of adjustment here, as you have electric lumbar support and side bolstering control. Going for these seats means you do miss out on some creature comforts like a massage function, but we don’t expect that to be a dealbreaker for many.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Elsewhere up front, most of the switchgear works with a solid action, especially those two circular selectors on the steering wheel.
You also get two cupholders, two USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad under the central sliding panel, along with another USB-C port and a generous amount of storage in the centre console bin.
Moving to the back reveals a space that’s more compromised than you’d expect, as is the case with the standard E-Class. This is disappointing given the exterior proportions of the car, and it just feels a touch too closed-in.
Headroom is fine as the E-Class’ roof height remains relatively high towards the rear of the car, but it’s legroom that isn’t quite at the level we’d like. Those sitting behind tall drivers will feel cramped, while foot space across the floor is hindered by a sizeable driveline tunnel.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Still, the rear seats themselves are comfortable enough, especially in the context of the front AMG seats as mentioned.
You also get a dedicated climate control panel on the back of the centre console, which features more of those haptic controls as up front. It’s nice to have – even if it’s just about non-negotiable in a car that costs this much – but it will quickly attract smudges and fingerprints. Like many cars of its ilk, it’s the same with the glossy surfaces up front.
Other rear-seat niceties seem sparse at first, with no obvious cupholders for a start.
There is a fold-down centre armrest that’s well-padded, which features a dull ****** plastic strip along the front. Pressing this will pop out a temporary-looking cupholder arrangement, which isn’t all that dissimilar to something you’d find up front in a Ford Ranger ute, which isn’t quite we’d expect for $200,000.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
That’s another theme with the interior of the E-Class, as it’s just a little too plasticky – particularly with its steering wheel stalks. Build quality wasn’t quite up to scratch in the car we drove either, as there was a strange buzzing in the front of the cabin that we couldn’t quite pinpoint.
Sure, there are nicer elements like the leather steering wheel trim and woodgrain finish up front – or carbon-fibre if you opt for that – but the E53 cabin feels somewhat let down by the copious glossy surfaces and other less inviting items like those rear cupholders.
Mercedes-Benz quotes a boot capacity of 370 litres, which isn’t massive for a sedan this size. But you do get a generous opening and a floor that seems to stretch forward forever, and while you’ll have to lift items up and over the boot sill, at least it’s comfortably low.
On either side of the cargo compartment are two switches to drop the rear seatbacks, which gives you a bit more space for longer items. You can also drop only the centre seat if you still need to use the outboard pews.
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
For the E53, AMG ditched the 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine in the E200 and E300, and instead crammed in a lusty turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, plus a powerful electric motor.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Though our drive route didn’t provide an extended real-world demonstration of the E53’s everyday capabilities, we saw a fuel economy of roughly 5.5L/100km after driving through Melbourne’s south-east suburbs and up to the foothills of the Victorian High Country.
We also had the opportunity to cycle through the multitude of drive modes, including the electric-only setting.
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Mercedes-AMG E53 drive?
Like an E-Class on steroids, but not quite with the level of brutality AMG is best known for.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
And that’s exactly what you’d want for a car that isn’t necessarily touted as a giant-killing high-performance super sedan.
It makes even more sense when you consider the E53 costs ‘just’ $70,000 more than the E300 sedan, which offers two fewer cylinders, one less litre of displacement, a decent-sized battery and plug-in capability. The difference in power output alone could well be more than enough justification for some.
A 50 per cent larger engine in a full-blown PHEV powertrain are nothing to sneeze at, and the E53 benefits greatly as a result. It also gets a sizeable battery and a solid electric-only range, along with a series of other goodies to keep you interested.
Let’s start in electric-only mode, as we did on the local launch. Like a typical electric vehicle (EV), the big E53 will start up with little more than a few clicks and whirrs as everything gears up to go, after which you’ll be able to set off in complete silence.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Unlike EV modes in other hybrids, the E53 can travel as an EV at speeds of up to a whopping 140km/h – though it won’t get there nearly as fast as it will when also using the combustion engine. But the electric motor’s 480Nm of torque alone still rewards lead-footed drivers with a sturdy shove in the back.
In this mode, the combustion engine will only fire up if you plant the throttle, or if the battery charge is low. If so, the dashboard will throw up a warning and you’ll be prevented from driving in zero-emissions mode.
You can also charge the car’s battery on the move, and the same steering wheel paddles that change gears in Sport mode can also be used to adjust regenerative braking intensity – but there’s still no full one-pedal driving capability. This is only available when either battery-hold or EV-only mode is selected.
Fortunately, having the hybrid assistance mitigates the complaints we had with the E300 and its transmission’s somewhat clunky low-speed behaviour.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Still, prioritising EV driving will drain the battery quickly. In fact, upon getting into another E53 halfway through our drive, we found the battery was completely empty after about 75km – 25km short of Mercedes’ NEDC claim.
Comfort mode is the most ‘normal’ setting for the E53, and likely the one owners will spend most time in. This balances between petrol and electric power to give you the smoothest drive possible without too many frills.
Sport mode sharpens things up by prioritising the engine with some electrical assistance, while also stiffening up the car’s adaptive shocks. You’ll also notice a significant pickup in throttle response, while the transmission is also adjusted to provide snappier shifts.
Sport+ is where everything gets thrown at the wall, with full power from both the engine and the electric motor. The suspension is at its stiffest here, while AMG’s unique adaptive engine mounts also become more rigid, prioritising chassis performance over refinement.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
In practice there’s a slight difference there, but not to the point where every interior fitting shakes loose. It’s these fine touches that give AMG’s influence on the E-Class life and energy, not so much the interior.
As expected, the low-profile tyres, large alloy wheels, and stiff suspension result in a fair bit of road noise inside the cabin, particularly on coarse-chip surfaces. This is worse in cars fitted with the optional 21-inch alloys.
It’s forgivable as the E53 is a luxury sports sedan first and foremost, not a long-distance cruiser. But that does raise the question of exactly who it’s aimed at, given the standard E-Class is arguably better suited to long-haul commuting or road-tripping.
In Australia, where road quality is questionable in many areas and speed limits too low where the roads are good, this car really can’t stretch its legs. Because of how planted it feels, we’d expect the E53 to be perfectly suited to the speed limitless freeways of its home country.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Regardless, it’d almost certainly be easier to live with when equipped with the softer standard seats. The combination of the hard AMG Performance Seats and the firm adaptive suspension – even in comfort mode – will probably be a little much for many.
Where this car shines is in the twisties, which is probably what AMG had in mind for non-******* markets, even if that’s a fairly niche use case. And the E-Class chassis provides a strong foundation for AMG to build upon.
Crank the dial up to Sport+ and everything comes alive. You’ll notice a fair bit more engine noise, though most of it is fake and played through the speakers. Look closely at the car’s rear and you’ll see the exhaust outlets aren’t quite real.
What isn’t fake is the E53’s handling dynamics, despite weighing well over two tonnes. It can rotate on a dime at low speeds thanks to its rear-wheel steering, although taking sharper turns too fast will induce some understeer.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
There’s just enough feedback through the seat and steering wheel to know exactly what the car is doing under you, and you’ll struggle to break rear-end traction in any meaningful way thanks to its 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system – even if it is rear-biased.
You will notice some tyre squeal as the fronts grapple to keep the E53 in check around those tight bends, but for the most part it feels glued to the road. Also solid are the car’s upgraded brakes, which take a moment to get up to temperature but bite aggressively once there.
That’s a good thing for a car like this, as managing weight was a big part of what AMG needed to accomplish in order to make it feel enjoyable and not unwieldy. It still feels heavy under hard cornering though, and not quite as nimble as we’d like during quick direction changes.
It’s on the open road where the E53’s high-speed stability and road holding really comes into its own. Australia just doesn’t have the roads to fully exploit this.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
And there’s no question about this big sedan’s powertrain performance. Planting the throttle away from an intersection can activate the stability control to minimise wheelspin. That’s seriously impressive for an all-wheel drive car, and speaks to the mountain of torque on tap here.
There’s very little torque steer when doing so too, which is evidence of the AWD system’s rearward bias and more proof this car isn’t geared towards comfort, which is where its Benz-branded siblings have the edge.
As with the regular E-Class, the E53 is loaded with tech. The screens are one thing, but there’s a strong suite of assistance systems that make the car easy to drive in normal traffic.
On the highway you can make use of its adaptive cruise and lane-centring systems, which work well when the road is dominated by sweeping bends and predictable movements. You can also use this on rural roads to an extent, though the car is hesitant to crank on significant steering lock on its own.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
This is where rivals like the 5 Series have it beat, as the big Beemer can confidently steer itself around tighter bends at speed, as can many Audis. We were impressed by the E53’s ability to stay centred on straight roads with no edge markings though.
There’s speed sign recognition, but the car won’t beep at you for exceeding the posted limit by a kilometre or two. It will beep if you’re indicating in the direction of a car alongside, which is annoying if you’re turning across a multi-lane intersection in parallel.
As mentioned, the four-wheel steering helps with manoeuverability at low speed, while the array of sensors and cameras helps to position the car in tight spots despite its long bonnet.
Visibility out of the cabin is good too, with a decently sized rear window and good sight lines over the shoulder for quick head checks when necessary.
All up, AMG’s E-Class chassis and powertrain upgrades significantly improve the E53’s handling and acceleration performance, for a price that seems justifiable. But its real advances are only fully realised at higher speed, so it all seems a bit of waste in a country like Australia.
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
There’s only one version of the Mercedes-AMG E53 available.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 equipment highlights:
20-inch AMG light-alloy wheelsAMG electronic rear limited-slip differentialActive rear-axle steeringAMG high-performance compound brake systemDynamic AMG engine mountsSemi-autonomous parking assistRed brake calipersIlluminated grilleLED headlightsPanoramic sunroofPrivacy glassKeyless entry and startPower-folding exterior mirrorsAMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leatherHead-up displayMBUX SuperscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoAugmented reality satellite navigationDigital radio17-speaker Burmester surround sound systemWireless phone chargerPower-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seatsNappa leather upholsteryFour-zone climate control with Digital Vent ControlAmbient lightingIlluminated front door sillsArtico, piano ****** and open-pore ****** ash wood trimMBUX Interior AssistantOptionsCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpertCamera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
The Night Package ($3000) includes:
High-gloss ****** front splitter, mirror housingsBlack chrome radiator shell, door handles, tailpipe trims20-inch matte ****** alloy wheels
The AMG Carbon Fibre Package ($6000) includes:
Carbon-fibre mirror caps, spoiler lipsCarbon-fibre centre console trimMicrofibre/carbon-fibre steering wheel
The AMG Performance Seat Package ($5000) includes:
The Energizing Package Plus ($5300) includes:
Multicontour front seatsComfort front head restraintsHeated front armrestsHeated outboard rear seatsAir Balance package with interior fragrance, ionisation
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Mercedes-AMG E53 safe?
The Mercedes-AMG E53 doesn’t currently have a safety rating from ANCAP, though the Mercedes-Benz E-Class on which it’s based has a five-star rating from sister organisation Euro NCAP.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Standard safety equipment highlights:
10 airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Adaptive cruise control with stop/goBlind-spot assistDriver attention monitoringLane-keep assistActive Steering AssistSurround-view cameraTraffic sign recognitionTyre pressure monitoringFront airbags, including centre and driver’s knee airbagSide and curtain airbags for both rows
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the Mercedes-AMG E53 cost to run?
Mercedes-Benz Australia backs the AMG E53 with its standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and an eight-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
For context, service plans for the standard Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost $3395 for three years, $4675 for four years, and $6945 for five years.
To see how the Mercedes-AMG E53 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid
The AMG-developed E53 Hybrid marks a significant evolution of E-Class formula, and presents a strong albeit niche new option in the realm of ******* performance-luxury motoring.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
The addition of a beefy PHEV powertrain adds substantial performance and keeps the E53 up-to-date with BMW and Porsche. And even if it doesn’t have the same ‘wow’ factor or outright performance as the M5, it’s hard to argue AMG hasn’t struck a good powertrain balance here.
It’s easy to drive around town, supremely confident on the highway, and opens right up when it’s time to go fast – especially in the context of its only direct competitor in the petrol-only Audi S6.
On top of all that, you can commute long and regularly in EV mode. The generous battery and strong regen braking will allow many to employ only the battery to get them to and from work, and the average E53 could probably spend most of its driving life with its engine switched off by being charged each night.
Of course, however, you wouldn’t buy a $200,000 Mercedes-AMG and let half of its powertrain go to waste, and we’re pretty sure many owners will drive their E53 in a mode that maximises engine performance.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
In typical ******* fashion, this straight-six is exceptionally smooth but always ready to show you what it can do. TheV6-powered S6 isn’t too dissimilar, and a PHEV version of the Audi would likely give the E53 a run for its money.
But we can’t help but think the Merc’s interior doesn’t quite do its engineering prowess justice, given it’s practically identical to the standard E-Class. The Superscreen is a little much and lacks the class of the outgoing W213-generation’s cabin.
The E53’s sheer weight is also difficult to ignore, especially for something pitched as a performance car. It’s not that far off the notoriously weighty but much more powerful M5, which means it can’t mitigate its mass in the same way.
Still, it presents a relatively good value option for buyers who doesn’t want to jump all the way to the more extreme M5 or Audi RS6, or a larger Panamera, even if it’s much pricier than the S6.
But if a big, high-performance super sedan wearing the three-pointed star emblem is what you’re after, we suggest biding your time for the next E63.
Camera Icon2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid Credit: CarExpert
Interested in buying a Mercedes-AMG E53? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG E53
ProsTantalising taste-test for an E63 PHEVStrong PHEV powertrain with solid EV capabilityEffortless performanceConsInterior still a little plastickyToo much screenRide is a touch too firm
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