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Why Kash Patel broadcast his alleged drinking issues to the world, despite denials, by suing the Atlantic
Kash Patel’s lawsuit against the Atlantic has already backfired, big time.
Had the FBI director just put out a statement denouncing the magazine’s piece on him, the controversy would have vanished in two days.
But by filing the $250-million suit against what he calls a "defamatory hit piece," he turned it into a top story on cable news, especially MS NOW, with constant coverage all day Monday, most of it unfavorable.
In other words, Patel shined a white-hot spotlight on accusations of excessive drinking and disappearances to a vastly larger audience than would have heard about them.
FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL FILES $250 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ATLANTIC OVER 'DEFAMATORY HIT PIECE'
"We will vigorously defend the Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit," a magazine spokeswoman said.
While Patel is free to sue anyone he wants, there are two main reasons this is a seriously bad idea.
As a public figure, he would have to prove that the Atlantic acted with malice – that is, either knowingly publishing something false, or showing reckless disregard for whether or not it’s true. The Atlantic is a liberal magazine, but has serious reporting chops.
KASH PATEL DOUBLES DOWN ON LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ATLANTIC, SLAMS OUTLET AS ‘FAKE NEWS MAFIA’
Beyond that, Patel would open himself up to discovery, meaning the defendants could have access to all kinds of emails, texts and documents, some of which surely be unflattering. He could be deposed under oath. He would have the same rights.
The malice question for public figures has been the legal standard since a 1964 Supreme Court ruling. Now I suppose this conservative court could overturn that. But I don’t think this lawsuit will even make it to trial.
The Atlantic reporter, Sarah Fitzpatrick, pointed to "more than two dozen people I interviewed about Patel’s conduct, including current and former FBI officials, staff at law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, hospitality-industry workers, members of Congress, political operatives, lobbyists, and former advisers," all on an anonymous basis.
Patel’s suit says that despite his denials, he was given just two hours to respond to the magazine’s list of questions.
He provided a statement, which the article included, and the denials were repeated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said "Director Patel remains a critical player on the administration’s law and order team."
In the article, Patel is described as having a "freak-out" when he couldn’t sign on to the internal computer system, telling staff members he had been fired. It turned out to be a glitch.
FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL VOWS TO TAKE THE ATLANTIC TO COURT OVER 'DEFAMATORY' REPORT
Among the allegations in the Fitzpatrick piece:
"Several officials told me that Patel’s drinking has been a recurring source of concern across the government. They said that he is known to drink to the point of obvious intoxication…Early in his tenure, meetings and briefings had to be rescheduled for later in the day as a result of his alcohol-fueled nights, six current and former officials and others familiar with Patel’s schedule told me.
"On multiple occasions in the past year, members of his security detail had difficulty waking Patel because he was seemingly intoxicated, according to information supplied to Justice Department and White House officials."
The Atlantic described Patel’s drinking as "no secret. While on official travel to Italy in February, he was filmed chugging beer with the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team following their gold-medal victory. The incident prompted the president—who does not drink and whose brother died following a long struggle with alcoholism—to call the FBI director to convey his unhappiness, according to two officials familiar with the call."
What’s more, the piece says, "Patel has led a purge of people who he believes are anti-Trump ‘conspirators’ or ‘enemies’ within the FBI. This has included firing people, opening internal investigations, and pressuring agents to quit when they pushed back—or were perceived to have pushed back—against Patel’s demands or questioned their legality."
Patel, a onetime congressional aide, is a lawyer and ontime public defender who held various posts during Trump’s first term, and in 2022 became a director of the Trump Media & Technology Group.
In his lawsuit, the FBI chief said the article is "replete with false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy Director Patel’s reputation and drive him from office…Director Patel does not drink to excess."
HOW DONALD TRUMP TRIED TO COURT THE ATLANTIC – AND WHY THE LIBERAL MAGAZINE LANDED AN INTERVIEW
Under Editor Jeffrey Goldberg, the Atlantic won its first Pulitzer Prize and three straight National Magazine Awards for general excellence. Adweek named him Editor of the Year and last year he won the John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism.
It was Goldberg, you’ll recall, who was accidentally copied on a Signal chat in which War Secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified war information. But he cooperated with the administration on what could fairly be published.
Although Trump attacked Goldberg last year as a "sleazebag," he later invited him and two reporters to an Oval Office interview.
The president, who was trying to get a favorable cover story, had posted that he was meeting with Goldberg "of all people."
"It was "my way of explaining to people that you’re up here, because most people would say, ‘Why are you doing that?’ I’m doing that because there is a certain respect," he told Goldberg.
The president, of course, has sued numerous news organizations, winning settlements of at least $16 million apiece from CBS and ABC.
In that vein, Patel’s lawsuit may not necessarily be about winning.
The FBI director may simply be going to court as a way of forcing the magazine to hire lawyers and as part of the Trump campaign to intimidate the media and perhaps soften or sink highly critical stories. (And yet the president talks to journalists virtually every day, increasingly takes their calls, and is going to his first White House Correspondents Dinner.)
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The Atlantic is owned by a company founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs’ widow, who is the lead investor and chair of the magazine. She has spent about $5 billion, roughly half her inherited fortune, on such matters as environmental and social justice causes. Deep pockets don’t seem to be a problem.
Kash Patel has broadcast serious questions about his conduct, even as he denies them, by going the lawsuit route. All he’s accomplished so far is putting the allegations on a huge national stage.
Minnesota allows ‘happy hour’ in nursing homes under new law easing alcohol restrictions
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill Tuesday allowing nursing home residents to drink alcohol, clearing the way for "happy hour" in senior living facilities.
Previously, Minnesota law barred facilities from organizing events that included alcohol without a liquor license. The new "Grandparents’ Happy Hour" law allows nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve alcohol without one.
The measure also updates the state’s liquor laws, allowing some cities to issue licenses and easing rules for certain businesses, including nursing homes and University of Minnesota facilities.
Walz announced the bill in a post on X, encouraging seniors to enjoy a drink.
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"Living in a nursing home shouldn’t mean giving up everyday freedoms," Walz wrote in a post on X. "I just signed a bill allowing seniors living in nursing homes to consume alcohol - so that everyone can enjoy happy hour!"
The law requires staff serving alcohol to be at least 18 years old, and facilities are responsible for ensuring residents do not overindulge.
The bill drew attention during the legislative session, largely due to Anita LeBrun, an 88-year-old resident of an assisted living facility whose support went viral.
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"My friends and I love happy hour, just like many of you do, I am sure," LeBrun said before the House Commerce, Finance and Policy Committee last month.
"Over a shared drink, we get to reminisce about parts of our lives, military service, raising a family, the loss of a friend, and celebrating the golden phase of our lives too," she said.
LeBrun also told a state Senate committee that living in an assisted facility "doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else."
She later appeared on "Fox & Friends," describing social gatherings with snacks and music where residents previously had to bring their own alcohol due to restrictions.
While policies vary, senior living communities in many states allow residents to drink or host informal social hours.
Minnesota’s rules stood out because they limited how facilities could organize and serve alcohol in communal settings.
"Living in a nursing home or assisted living facility should not mean giving up everyday freedoms," Walz said in a statement. "This bipartisan bill increases independence and safety under clear regulations, while ensuring residents are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve—including the ability to get together for happy hour."
As the bill was considered, industry advocates said it would preserve small routines that support quality of life.
"Ultimately, the ‘free the happy hour’ bill is about restoring a fundamental expectation — that moving into a senior living community does not mean giving up one’s autonomy," LeadingAge Minnesota, an industry group that represents senior living providers, said in a statement last month.
Fox News Digital's Deirdre Bardolf contributed to this report.
ICE detains illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting minor after hospital parking lot birth
Federal immigration officials issued a detainer for a Mexican national accused of sexually assaulting a minor in South Carolina after the victim was found giving birth in a hospital parking lot.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for Luis Armando Argueta Montejo, who is accused of having sexual intercourse with a female minor believed to be between the ages of 11 and 14.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Montejo was arrested days after the minor was found giving birth in the parking lot of Oconee Memorial Hospital in South Carolina.
Evidence collected by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office indicated that Montejo had sexual intercourse with the victim, according to DHS.
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The 43-year-old was charged with incest and three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child, DHS said.
"This sicko should NEVER have been in our country to prey on children in the first place," Acting Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. "He now faces charges for incest and multiple child sex crimes."
Montejo told ICE he first entered the U.S. in 2006 and does not have a prior criminal record, according to officials.
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ICE lodged a detainer on April 17 to ensure he is transferred to federal custody after local proceedings conclude.
"Prior to these horrific crimes, this illegal alien lacked a criminal record in the U.S.," Bis said. "Under Secretary Mullin, ICE lodged an arrest detainer with South Carolina to ensure this monster is never loose in our communities again."
Bis said the case underscores the need for coordination between federal and local authorities.
"Thankfully, South Carolina cooperates with ICE law enforcement," Bis added. "This is why we need cooperation from state and local partners, so together we can keep criminals off our streets and make America safe again."
US military launches first-ever autonomous warfare command to deploy unmanned systems across Latin America
The U.S. military is launching a new autonomous warfare command to deploy cutting-edge unmanned systems across Latin America, marking a first-of-its-kind move by a combatant command.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) commander Gen. Francis Donovan said Tuesday he ordered the creation of the SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command to support national security priorities and regional efforts.
"From the seafloor to space and across the cyber domain, we fully intend to leverage the clear superiority of the American defense ecosystem by deploying cutting-edge innovation and working ever closer with our enduring partners in the region to outmatch those who threaten our collective peace and security," Donovan said in a statement.
According to SOUTHCOM, the new command will employ "autonomous, semi-autonomous, and unmanned platforms and systems to counter threats and challenges across domains, linking tactical missions to long-term strategic effects."
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SAWC will also work with U.S. allies in the region and advance missions including targeting narcoterrorist and cartel networks and responding to large-scale natural disasters.
Donovan said the region is well-suited for innovation and collaboration with partners.
"Our geographic area of responsibility has a wide range of conditions, varied terrain, and diverse operational environments that make it an ideal setting in which to innovate. It is also a region with very capable and committed security partners who lean forward, embrace technologies and are very eager to work collaboratively with us to support regional stability in new and effective ways," he said.
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SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.
The U.S. military has carried out dozens of strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.
In a written posture statement to Congress earlier this year, Donovan said he aimed to leverage emerging technologies, telling lawmakers he intended "to capitalize on next generation capabilities like unmanned platforms, AI integration, and commercial tools to better enable us and our partners to counter … threats together."
In March, Donovan told an Armed Services Committee member he aimed to build cost-effective, modernized forces for SOUTHCOM’s mission, including autonomous systems and human-machine teaming, "to greatly increase lethality, all-domain awareness, and data sharing for U.S. and partner forces."
SOUTHCOM said it will work with the military services and the War Department’s Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) to identify capabilities needed for the new command to begin operations and integrate into its mission.
Lincoln Riley thinks USC's 'championship window' is open, despite lack of success heading into his fifth year
Remarkably, the 2026 college football season will be the fifth year for Lincoln Riley as head coach of the USC Trojans.
When Riley came over from Oklahoma, he brought an exceptional resume. Over five seasons in Norman, he put up a 55-10 record, coached two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks and won four consecutive Big 12 Conference titles.
He had three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, though never advanced to the National Championship game. Thanks in large part to a heartbreaking loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 Rose Bowl. And therein lies the one thing missing from Riley’s list of accomplishments: a championship.
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While Oklahoma is a storied program in its own right, the move to USC brought with it championship-level expectations. Matching his high-octane offense with SC’s recruiting prowess and location in Southern California was supposed to get the Trojans back to the top of the college football world.
Well, SC has not returned to the top of the college football world. Which is why it’s so surprising that Lincoln Riley is telling the media he expects the program to be entering a "championship window."
In a new interview with On3’s Wilson Alexander, Riley said he believes that it’s been "a lot of work" to get there, but they’ve now gotten "this window opened."
"USC had to get really serious about being great in the sport again," he explained. " I give the school administration, everybody, credit. They have."
"Taking this over, you knew you had to go fight like hell just to try to get this window opened," Riley said. "And we’re at a point right now where there’s a lot to be excited about and a lot in front of us. It’s been a lot of work for a lot of people, a lot of commitment from a lot of people to get there, and it should be a lot of fun these next few years."
"We came here to win championships," he continued. " A lot of us have been fortunate enough to be a part of a lot of championships. We certainly didn’t come here for anything less. We’ve got to go buckle down and improve and really come together, but there’s the makings of a championship-level football team in that building right now."
Riley’s critics would point to several examples of head coaches taking over programs and immediately turning them around. Curt Cignetti at Indiana, for example, went 16-0 and won a title in his second season. Kenny Dillingham took ASU to the playoff in his second year in Phoenix.
Those situations, though, do have some differences with Riley’s time at SC. Indiana had significant financial backing to bring in a top transfer portal class, and Dillingham had the advantage of a "weaker" Big 12 Conference relative to the Big Ten or the Pac-12. SC fell behind quickly in the NIL era, only recently putting its financial muscle into recruiting and signing top classes.
Realistically, though, with a tough schedule, and the vaunted 2026 recruiting class needing time to develop, 2027 might be a better opportunity for SC to really compete for a title. But given the disappointing results in 2023 and 2024, Riley might need to win nine to 10 games to even get there.
Drake seems to troll Bears star QB Caleb Williams with ‘Iceman’ album promo in Toronto
As rapper Drake rolls out the latest promotion for his upcoming "Iceman" album, it appears he’s also taking a jab at Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the process.
The Canadian artist posted a photo on Monday of himself rocking a Green Bay Packers jacket in front of blocks of ice that were set up in downtown Toronto with the release date of his highly anticipated album hidden inside. The promotion led to fans trying to speed up the melting process of the heavy blocks.
A streamer who goes by "Kishka" ended up finding the envelope, took it to Drake’s home in the area, and the May 15 release date was eventually revealed for all to see.
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The Packers even reposted the pictures of Drake, with a simple "Hi" in their caption while tagging the famous rapper.
So, where does Caleb Williams come into play here?
Well, as Williams helped lead the Bears to the playoffs, he claimed himself the "Iceman" after coming from behind for dramatic wins during a remarkable 2025 campaign.
Then, Williams took it to another level, trying to trademark the nickname in March, though he received scrutiny not from Drake, but Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin. The four-time scoring champ and 12-time All-Star was called "Iceman" throughout his career.
But now, Drake is claiming himself the "Iceman." And while it could just be a coincidence Drake was wearing the Packers bomber jacket, he is quite known for jabs at his "foes," whether straight-forward or through subtle things like his attire.
Drake has been hinting at this new album for some time now, slowly releasing promos since last summer. Considering his love for sports, he made sure to play that up to build anticipation for the album.
At Scotiabank Arena, the home of the Toronto Raptors, Drake had fake icicles placed on the two courtside seats that he usually sits in when he attends NBA games. They were spotted on April 12 — a 136-101 blowout win for the home team.
Meanwhile, Bears fans have learned to enjoy "Iceman" Williams, even if the games are rollercoasters at times. The 24-year-old threw for 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, while leading the team to the playoffs with an 11-6 record.
The Bears eventually fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round in an overtime thriller. It wasn’t Williams’ best game, throwing for two touchdowns, but three interceptions in the loss.
But feelings around the Bears are that the No. 1 overall pick is the right guy to continue leading the franchise, especially when it comes to defeating divisional opponents like the Packers.
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Top California Dem running for office tied to Chinese school accused of US diploma scandal
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who is running for lieutenant governor, is facing blowback for promising jobs and internships to students at a China-based boarding school accused of committing diploma fraud in conjunction with a California school district, after the school’s founder poured tens-of-thousands of dollars into her campaigns.
Pegasus California School, based in Qingdao, China, was the subject of a probe completed in February by California education officials in Riverside County, following concerns that the Val Verde Unified School District was illegally issuing diplomas to Pegasus' China-based students. It also identified other potential concerns related to Pegasus and California education officials working for the district and the California Department of Education, indicating there was evidence of them engaging in potential fraud, misappropriation of funds and other illegal fiscal practices. The audit concluded that investigators found "a pattern of favors, official acts, promises, and payments" leading to the California Department of Education's ultimate approval of a pilot program that allowed wealthy Chinese students to obtain a U.S. high school diploma overseas.
Meanwhile, a post on the school's website shows Ma visiting in 2023, telling students, parents and teachers there that she would be able to help the enrollees at the school get jobs and internships back in the U.S. The same post on the school's website heralded Ma's visit as evidence of "the California government's recognition and attention to Pegasus," which became a sister-school to California's Val Verde Unified School District in 2016 and started its pilot program issuing California diplomas a year later.
"Fiona chose Pegasus as the only school to visit in China, which shows the California government’s recognition and attention to Pegasus," Pegasus bragged in the now-archived post from its website.
It then included an excerpt from Ma: "I am honored to come to Qingdao Pegasus California School today to see many students perform and communicate with them. If they want to intern in California, they can come to me, I will provide some internship and employment opportunities."
Steven Ma, who is unrelated to Fiona Ma but is Pegasus' founder, directly contributed over $13,200 to her campaigns for State Treasurer and Lt. Gov., according to California campaign finance records dating back to 2021.
The Pegasus founder's college-admissions consulting firm, ThinkTank Learning Inc. also contributed $23,800 to Ma's campaigns since 2010, according to state campaign finance records.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ma multiple times for comment on her visit to the China-based school, and to the Val Verde school district itself to inquire whether it was aware of Ma's visit, but did not receive a response.
Business Insider released a scathing report in 2021 calling out the Pegasus California School for its improper relationship with the Val Verde Unified School District, which Business Insider argues spurred the recently completed audit into Pegasus by California education officials. The China-based school, according to Business Insider, was charging up to $34,000 a year for students to enroll and, despite drawing on Val Verde resources, it functioned as a private boarding school. The school's own website describes itself as an "independent" international school that uses a "fee payment and registration" framework for students after gaining admission, similar to how private schools in the U.S. operate, according to a Fox News Digital review.
A February 2018 Memorandum of Understanding between the China-based boarding school and Val Verde, reviewed by Fox News Digital, indicated that in return for receiving diplomas and teachers from the United States, ten students from the Val Verde school district would be afforded the opportunity to travel to China and attend Pegasus for 10 days at the cost of $300 a student. It also laid out an exchange program for students at Pegasus to visit schools' in California. While the audit does not appear to identify any clear direct repayment from Pegasus to Val Verde itself, it does highlight travel, consulting opportunities, scholarships and other perks, like "great publicity," that benefited officials and the district more than its own students.
Meanwhile, Pegasus was allegedly telling its students and parents that it could guarantee them admission to one of the top 100 universities in the U.S., and if that didn't happen, they would get a complete tuition reimbursement. A 2019 Memorandum of Understanding, included in the California audit, showed the University of California – Riverside even made a commitment that students who met certain academic thresholds would "receive a UCR scholarship."
Following the completion of the audit from Riverside County officials in February, announced publicly in March by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez, the California Department of Education issued a cease-and-desist demanding Pegasus terminate official statements on its website claiming it was founded in 2016 with the department's "blessing and support."
"California Business and Professions Code Section 17533.6 makes it unlawful for a non-governmental entity to use a state government name in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted or construed as implying connection, approval or endorsement by the state government," stated the March cease-and-desist. "The above statement on your website could reasonably be interpreted or construed to imply that the California Department of Education is connected to, approves or endorses Pegasus California School. You are on notice that the California Department of Education is not connected to, does not approve and does not endorse Pegasus California School."
Michael and Susan Dell surpass 1 billion in donations backing AI driven hospital project
Billionaire Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, have become the first donors to give more than $1 billion to the University of Texas at Austin, funding a massive new medical research campus and hospital system powered by artificial intelligence.
The couple’s latest investment includes a $750 million gift to help build the UT Dell Medical Center, a planned "AI-native" hospital expected to open in 2030 as part of a more than 300-acre advanced research campus.
University officials said the project will integrate research, clinical care and advanced computing to improve early disease detection, personalize treatment and expand access to care in the rapidly growing Austin region.
The Dells’ support builds on decades of contributions to UT, including funding for its medical school, scholarships and research programs.
"By bringing together medicine, science and computing in one campus designed for the AI era, UT can create more opportunity, deliver better outcomes, and build a stronger future for communities across Texas and beyond," Michael Dell and Susan Dell said.
The gift ranks among the largest in the history of higher education, alongside major contributions like Phil Knight’s $2 billion pledge to Oregon Health & Science University and Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University.
The new UT Dell Medical Center will be developed in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center, integrating cancer care into a system designed to connect prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
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"We will deliver better outcomes for patients by providing research-driven cancer care that is precise, compassionate and hope-filled," Peter WT Pisters, president of UT MD Anderson, said.
Officials said the facility will be built from the ground up to incorporate AI, rather than retrofitting older infrastructure — an approach they say could transform how hospitals operate.
Independent experts have cautioned that AI in health care can introduce risks if not carefully validated. A widely cited study published in the journal Science by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago found that a commonly used health care algorithm underestimated the needs of Black patients due to biased training data, highlighting broader concerns about equity in AI-driven systems.
The project also includes funding for undergraduate scholarships, student housing and the Texas Advanced Computing Center, where officials are developing one of the nation’s most powerful academic supercomputers.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the investment will help position the state as a national leader in health care innovation.
"Texas already dominates in technology, energy and business, and now we will further cement our leadership in health care innovation as well," Abbott said.
The university said it plans to break ground on the medical center later this year and has launched a broader campaign to raise $10 billion over the next decade.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama enters concussion protocol, ruled out of Game 2 after fall against Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama was ruled out of Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers after he was placed in concussion protocol.
Wembanyama was out of sorts after hitting the court face first in the second quarter. The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year this season was fouled by Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, and Wembanyama was unable to brace his fall, as his jaw hit the hardwood and play stopped midway through the quarter.
After staying down on the court for some time, Wembanyama sat up in a seated position as coach Mitch Johnson called timeout to check on his big man.
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Despite seeming dazed at first, Wembanyama was able to stand and ran into the tunnel to get further evaluation in the locker room. However, the Spurs announced that he wouldn’t return to the game due to protocol.
The Spurs, who won Game 1 of the First Round series, are looking to further their advantage in the best-of-seven matchup with the Blazers. But doing so without Wembanyama, who led the team with 35 points in the Game 1 victory, isn’t ideal for the Spurs.
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But it’s hard not to look ahead for the team and fan base alike. Being in concussion protocol means having to hit all checkpoints in recovery before making a return to the court.
San Antonio is set to play in Portland for the first time in this series on Friday night, with a 10:30 p.m. tip-off for Game 3. Luckily for Wembanyama and the Spurs, that gives him some days to potentially check those boxes needed to play.
This is the Spurs’ first trip to the playoffs since 2019, and Wembanyama, an MVP finalist, played a large role in helping the team achieve regular-season success, enough so to earn the No. 2 overall seed in the Western Conference with a 62-20 record.
Wembanyama was also just named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, marking the first time anyone has been a unanimous winner as well as being the youngest to ever win the prestigious award.
The 7-foot-4 Frenchman earned all 100 first-place votes, while Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren finished with 76 second-place votes. Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson finished in third place when the ballots were tallied.
Former Detroit Piston Ben Wallace came closest to a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in 2001–02, falling just four votes short in a 120-person panel.
Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-high 3.1 blocks this season.
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Tokyo theme park worker dies after being trapped inside ride mechanism during routine maintenance
An employee conducting routine maintenance at a Tokyo theme park reportedly died after becoming trapped for an extended period inside the mechanism of an attraction ride.
The incident occurred at Tokyo Dome City Attractions on the "Flying Balloon" ride on Tuesday, the company said.
"During routine maintenance work on the ride, one of our employees became trapped within the ride's gondola mechanism," the company said. "Following rescue operations, the employee was transported to a hospital, where their death was subsequently confirmed."
According to local media outlet NHK World Japan, the worker was identified by police as 24-year-old Kamimura Hina. It took roughly five hours for personnel to free her, but she was ultimately pronounced dead at a hospital.
"Flying Balloon" is reportedly a 12-seat ride where passengers sit in a circle around a central pillar. The seats rotate and rise along the structure to a height of roughly 30 feet.
During the operator’s monthly inspection, the seats were elevated, allowing Kamimura and five colleagues to access and inspect the ride’s mechanisms, according to the outlet.
The victim is believed to have been working on a stepladder when the raised seats suddenly fell, trapping her against the central pillar.
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"We offer our deepest prayers for the repose of the deceased employee's soul, and we extend our profound condolences and apologies to their bereaved family," the companay said. "We also wish to offer our sincere apologies once again to all customers and stakeholders who have been inconvenienced and caused anxiety as a result of this accident.
The corporation said it is conducting a full-scale investigation into the cause of the accident in coordination with relevant authorities, including police and the fire department.
Operations at all the attractions of the amusement park were immediately suspended until further notice, "as we dedicate our full efforts to thoroughly investigating the cause of this incident and implementing measures to prevent its recurrence," they added.