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SeaWorld Orlando visitors can come face-to-face with emperor penguins later this week, the theme park confirms.

The birds, native to Antarctica, will become available to the public Saturday, although SeaWorld’s annual passholders will have early access Thursday and Friday.

The 16 emperor penguins were transported to Florida from SeaWorld San Diego, making Orlando the only place in the Western Hemisphere where folks can check them out. SeaWorld Orlando renovated its Antarctica realm to meet the environmental needs of the species, including reducing temperatures to around 28 degrees and mimicking Antarctic light cycles to reflect their natural rhythms.

“This is an incredibly rare and exciting opportunity for guests to encounter one of nature’s most extraordinary species,” said Jon Peterson, park president of SeaWorld Orlando, in a news release.

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“We’re proud to continue SeaWorld’s legacy of penguin care and conservation while giving our guests a rare chance to connect with these animals in remarkable ways,” he said. read more

If you’re among the millions of borrowers who haven’t made full, on-time federal student loan payments after the on-ramp period ended Sept. 30, 2024, take action now. Otherwise, your loans may default in July or August.

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  US and China are holding trade talks in London after Trump’s phone call with Xi

Once a borrower’s payments are 270 days past due, their student loans default. That status can bring serious consequences, including wage garnishment, damaged credit and lost access to affordable repayment plans.

Nearly 5.6 million borrowers were between 91 and 180 days behind on their payments as of March 31, per Department of Education data. That means they’re at immediate risk of defaulting this summer. These are borrowers who were in good standing before the pandemic but who haven’t gotten back on track since payments resumed. read more

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI

WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump builds a crypto empire — including hosting a private dinner with top investors at his golf club — Democrats have united in condemning what they call blatant corruption from the White House.

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But the Democratic Party’s own relationship with the emerging crypto industry is far less cut and dried.

Work in the Republican-led Senate to legitimize cryptocurrency by adding guardrails has drawn backing from some Democrats, underscoring growing support for the industry in the party. But divisions have opened over the bill, with many demanding it prevent the Republican president and his family from directly profiting from cryptocurrency. read more

By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — High-level delegations from the United States and China met in London on Monday to try and shore up a fragile truce in a trade dispute that has roiled the global economy,

A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng held talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at Lancaster House, an ornate 200-year-old mansion near Buckingham Palace.

Wang Wentao, China’s commerce minister, also was part of Beijing’s delegation.

The talks, which may continue Tuesday, follow negotiations in Geneva last month that brought a temporary respite in the trade war.

Stacked containers are seen at the Yangluo Port on the Yangtze River in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Trucks loaded with container move through a container terminal port in Shanghai, China Monday, June 9, 2025. (Chinatopix Via AP) Trucks loaded with container move through a container terminal port in Shanghai, China Monday, June 9, 2025. (Chinatopix Via AP) In this image, taken from a video footage run by Phoenix TV via AP Video, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, poses for photos with British Chancellor of Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, outside 11 Downing Street in London, England, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Phoenix TV via AP Video)