Mention market; USS Lincoln; Crimea; Kennedy Center : NPR

Key Points:

• Federal regulators, specifically the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, are investigating "mention markets" on prediction sites like Kalshi, where bettors wager on public figures' word choices; Kalshi has removed these markets amid the probe following revelations of betting on President Trump's exact words.
• Democratic lawmakers have urged the Pentagon to investigate severe shortages of food, poor sanitation, and mental healthcare issues aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for over 250 days in the Middle East amid disruptions caused by the conflict with Iran.
• Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Crimea, disrupting electricity, water, and fuel supplies in the Russian-controlled peninsula, complicating Russia's military logistics and severely impacting civilian life and tourism.
• The Kennedy Center board voted to close most of the main complex for a $250 million renovation project lasting until 2028, while keeping The REACH open; the board also decided to restore former President Trump's name to the center's entry, pending federal judicial approval.
• Spotify will soon introduce "AI Persona" badges to identify AI-generated artist profiles, Disney's former CEO Bob Iger and investor Joshua Kushner are buying the Los Angeles Lakers, and Luigi Mangione’s legal team and prosecutors are meeting amid speculation of a plea deal in a high-profile criminal case.