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LONDON (AP) — When digital artist Beeple put an NFT digital artwork up for auction this month, he became instantly famous when it sold for almost $70 million. The record sale also sparked huge interest in digital certificates of authenticity…

Former President Donald Trump is defending some of his supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, saying they posed “zero threat” to the lawmakers who had assembled there to certify the Electoral College vote that confirmed Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential race. Trump complained to Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham on Thursday that law enforcement was “persecuting” the Capitol rioters, while “nothing happens” to left-wing protesters. Trump did acknowledge that those who stormed the Capitol “went in and they shouldn’t have done it.” More than 300 people have been charged in connection to the riot.

The U.S. will take steps to more quickly move hundreds of migrant children and teens out of cramped detention facilities along the Southwest border. That from President Joe Biden Thursday as he pushed back against suggestions that his administration’s policies are responsible for the rising number of people seeking to cross into the country. Biden was pressed repeatedly on the situation at the border at his first news conference since taking office. He cited a series of measures such as opening space at a Texas Army base for about 5,000 unaccompanied minors, to address the issue. But he also sought to portray the rise in migrants as little different from seasonal increases in the past. 

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has reached a settlement that bars the Georgia Republican from blocking anyone from her public Twitter account and other social media while in office. She also agreed to pay $10,000 in the settlement with a Los Angeles-based political action committee. MeidasTouch sued Greene in February for blocking it from one of her Twitter accounts. The group had criticized Greene, who in the past has promoted violence against Democrats and conspiracy theories about QAnon and the 9/11 attacks. Under the settlement, Greene won't block any member of the public from accounts she uses in her official role. She doesn't acknowledge any wrongdoing.

Stan Albeck, the former San Antonio, Cleveland, New Jersey and Chicago head coach during a long NBA career, died Thursday in hospice care at son John’s home. He was 89. John Albeck told the San Antonio Express-News his father entered hospice care Thursday after having a stroke March 14. He also had a stroke in 2001 while an assistant coach with Toronto. Albeck coached the ABA’s Denver Rockets in 1970-71, then directed Cleveland in 1979-80, San Antonio from 1980-83, New Jersey from 1983-85 and Chicago in 1985-86 — with Michael Jordan in his second season. He took the Spurs to consecutive Western Conference Finals in 1982 and 1983. Albeck grew up in Chenoa, Illinois, and starred at Bradley.

Washington Nationals star Juan Soto left a 7-3 exhibition loss at the Miami Marlins in the middle of the first inning with what manager Dave Martinez said was a cramp in his right calf. The 2020 NL batting champion drew a 11-pitch walk from Sixto Sánchez with one out in the top of the first. Soto stayed in to run while the next two batters were retired. He was replaced in right field in the bottom half of the inning by Gerardo Parra. Martinez said Soto will be re-evaluated and receive treatment on Friday.

Casino giant Caesars Entertainment is putting its losses because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 at more than $2 billion — and is suing a long list of insurance carriers it says are balking at paying its business interruption costs. A Caesars spokeswoman declined Thursday to comment about the lawsuit, and representatives from most of the insurance companies didn't immediately respond to emails. The breach of contract and unfair claims practices case was filed March 19 in state court in Las Vegas. It's not the first of its kind among Las Vegas casino operators. Circus Circus and Treasure Island filed similar cases last year in federal court.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has tweeted his way into trouble with another federal agency, this time the National Labor Relations Board. The board on Thursday found that a Musk tweet in May of 2018 unlawfully threatened employees with loss of stock options if they decided to be represented by a union. Board members ordered Tesla to make Musk delete the tweet and stop threatening employees with loss of benefits for supporting a labor organization. The United Auto Workers union called the decision a victory. Tesla did not respond to messages seeking comment.  

Jim Nantz’s familiar introduction of “Hello friends” will continue to be heard on CBS. Nantz and CBS Sports reached agreement on a new deal Thursday. The 61-year old Nantz has been with CBS since 1985. He has been the lead announcer for the NCAA Tournament since 1991 and has worked the Masters since 1986. He has also been the lead voice for the network’s coverage of the NFL since 2002 and called his seventh Super Bowl last month.

Arkansas' Republican governor has signed a law banning transgender women and girls from competing in school sports teams consistent with their gender identity. Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the move Thursday afternoon. It makes Arkansas the second state so far this year to enact such a restriction. The bans have faced objections from medical and child-welfare groups that say it would have devastating impacts on transgender youth. Hutchinson said he believes the new law will help promote and maintain fairness in women's sports. Republicans in at least 20 state legislatures have been pushing for similar bans this year.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States said Thursday it is giving $15 million to vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, a sharp reversal from the Trump administration which cut…

The Supreme Court has ruled the Ford Motor Co. can be sued in the state courts by people who were killed or seriously injured in accidents involving Ford vehicles. The justices on Thursday unanimously rejected the Michigan-based company’s argument that its ties to Minnesota and Montana were too tenuous to allow it to be sued in those states by accident victims. The ruling could make it easier to bring state court lawsuits against other car makers and companies that do business nationwide. Justice Elena Kagan wrote the court’s majority opinion holding “the connection between the plaintiffs’ claims and Ford’s activities in those States ... is close enough” to allow the lawsuits to proceed.