Inside crowded convention halls, hotel conference rooms and late-night Zoom classes, one man has quietly become one of the most powerful figures in American competitive spelling. Scott Raymer charges families up to $180 an hour to prepare children for the Scripps National Spelling Bee and is widely believed to be the only full-time specialized spelling-bee coach in the country. His students include champions like Dev Shah and Faizan Zaki. What was once seen as an elite academic competition has evolved into an increasingly professional world of high-pressure preparation, advanced linguistic strategies and premium coaching. At the center of it all is Scott Raymer, a man who many families believe can turn the kids into national champions.

The Spelling Bee Coach Who Charges $180 an Hour

Long before he became one of the most recognized names in competitive spelling, Scott Raymer was a competitor himself. He competed in the national spelling bee until 2008 and placed fourth in his final appearance.According to Raymer, that experience stayed with him long after the competition ended. What started as a passion for words and language gradually evolved into a full-time profession based entirely on training elite young spellers.Born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Raymer later earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 2016 and a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge a year later.While still a teenager, she published her first spelling-bee guidebook, Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripts National Spelling Bee. Over time, he expanded into full-time teaching and eventually moved to Mexico City, where he now coaches students remotely in spelling, language, writing, and test preparation.Remmer’s reputation grew because of one thing above all else: results. According to a report by the Associated Press, he has trained five national spelling bee champions and worked with at least 29 contestants during each of the last four national competitions. As the bee approaches its final rounds each year, many of the competitors are often current or former Raymer students.The most famous names associated with them are Dev Shah, who won the national title in 2023, and Faizan Zaki, who won in 2025. Former champion Anamika Veeramani was also one of the early winners trained by him.His visibility in the spelling world became so strong that championship photos often showed Raymer standing with winning contestants holding copies of his spelling-bee guidebook.

Why do parents pay up to $180 an hour?

Elite spelling coaching has quietly become a serious business in the United States. Raymer reportedly charges up to $180 for an hour-long private lesson. In some cases, he also receives performance-based bonuses tied to competition wins. According to the Associated Press, Faizan Zaki’s father said that Remar received 7% of the champion’s prize money after his 2025 victory.Despite the high prices, many parents continue to seek him out because of his track record.Students and families say their lessons go far beyond simple memorization. Rather than simply drilling down vocabulary lists, Raymer teaches language origins, pronunciation systems, spelling structures, root words, and linguistic patterns in many languages. Its purpose is to help competitors understand unfamiliar words logically during competitions, even if they have never encountered them before.Proponents say the approach gives students a deeper understanding of the language and a competitive advantage during tough times.

An intense coaching style that divides opinion

However, not everyone believes that the system is entirely positive. Former students and parents interviewed by The Associated Press described Remmer’s teaching style as highly demanding and academically intensive. Some said that young students struggled with the pressure and eventually moved on to other tutors who provided a more comfortable learning environment.Even some supporters acknowledged that Raymer set excessive expectations for middle-school-aged contestants.Former finalist Simone Kaplan described her as a “true logophile” who aggressively motivates students to maintain their level of linguistic knowledge. Remmer himself admits that he tries to adapt his methods to different personalities and learning styles, although he acknowledged that it is not always easy to balance intensity and encouragement.

How spelling bees became ultra-competitive

The rise of coaches like Scott Raymer reflects a larger change taking place within competitive spelling. Over the past decade, spelling bees in America have evolved from relatively straightforward academic competitions to highly specialized competitions involving years of preparation, advanced linguistic analysis, and extensive historical word databases.Many top competitors now work with multiple coaches and spend years studying etymology, language systems, and pronunciation rules at an elite level.The change accelerated following the famous 2019 “Octo-Champs” event, when eight contestants tied for first place after the competition eliminated prepared word lists. Since then, families and competitors have viewed spelling bees as more like typical sports or music competitions than traditional school activities.

The debate around specific spelling coaching

The increasing commercialization of spelling bees has also sparked debate about fairness and accessibility. Some parents and former competitors argue that expensive coaching creates advantages for wealthy families who can afford private tuition and intensive preparation. Alternative coaches often charge much lower rates, with some former competitors teaching students for around $50 to $75 per hour.Others argue that coaching itself is not the deciding factor and that the real work still comes from the students.The Scripps National Spelling Bee does not officially endorse private coaching, but organizers acknowledge that coaching has become a common part of the modern competition landscape.Executive Director Corey Loeffler said achievements are ultimately up to the children and still depend heavily on discipline, study habits and long-term dedication.In many ways, Scott Raymer represents the new era of American competitive spelling, where vocabulary, language patterns, and childhood competitions have become part of a much larger high-performance ecosystem.

Hassan Pikar is facing a federal investigation after the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control reportedly issued a subpoena related to his March 2026 trip to Cuba. Authorities are investigating whether participants violated U.S. sanctions laws through financial or travel-related activities involving entities linked to the Cuban government. Hasnabi denied wrongdoing, saying, “Well, we stayed in the right hotel.” The controversy quickly spread online, with creators and critics debating whether a political streamer could face serious consequences.

Political dreamer Hassan Pikar has found himself at the center of another major online controversy after reports emerged that the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control had issued a subpoena related to his March 2026 trip to Cuba. The incident quickly spread across social media, with critics and supporters alike quickly turning the situation into one of the internet’s biggest political flashpoints.The subpoena reportedly focuses on whether participants in the “Nuestra America Convoy” violated US sanctions laws during their travel to Cuba. Federal officials are said to be reviewing financial activity, coordination efforts and possible interactions involving entities linked to the Cuban government. Although no charges have been announced, the investigation has already sparked heated debate online over activism, foreign policy and political speech.

Hassanabi Cuba travel controversy sparks federal investigation

According to reports, investigators are looking into whether the trip crossed legal limits related to US sanctions on Cuba. Those sanctions ban trade, financial transactions and certain travel-related activities involving entities associated with the Cuban government or military.One item that is receiving a lot of attention is hotel accommodation. OFAC rules say Americans can be punished for knowingly doing business with military-owned hotels in Cuba. Possible consequences include confiscation of assets, fines, compliance sanctions and, in extreme cases, even criminal investigations.After news of the summons surfaced online, Hasnabi vehemently protested against the charges. Responding to criticism on X, he wrote:“By the way, we stayed in the right hotel. The government got cheated by a…viral.” twitter Post. “I’m going crazy.”The comment quickly circulated across streaming communities, where reactions ranged from support to outright ridicule. Some critics defended Hasen’s humanitarian explanation for the trip, while others argued that the investigation could be more serious if federal authorities believed sanctions laws were deliberately ignored.

Hassanabi responds as streamers and critics react online

The controversy escalated further when streamer Tektone shared its response to the summons reports. Posting on social media, he claimed:“They just summoned Hassan. He is 500%… The legendary series may be over. A big day for the unemployed indeed.”Hassanabi later directly criticized the US government, addressing the investigation and the broader political conversation surrounding Cuba. Citing the coverage of the summons report, he posted:“The US government would rather try to criminalize providing aid to a country we are starving than punish the Epstein class.”The situation has now gone beyond the usual dreamer drama. What started as a politically charged trip has turned into a federal issue garnering national attention. With authorities still reviewing the case and social media amplifying every update, Hasnabi’s Cuban controversy is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

US President Donald Trump

Amid the ongoing war in Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would meet negotiators during the day to discuss Tehran’s latest offer and a final decision on resuming military action would be taken on Sunday.Speaking to Axios, Trump said it was ‘solidly 50/50’ whether the United States would be able to achieve a ‘good’ deal with Iran or instead ‘blow them up in the state.’“I think one of two things will happen: Either I’m going to hit them harder than ever, or we’re going to sign a good deal,” Trump told Axios.Click here to watch live updates on Iran war The comments come amid intense diplomatic efforts to forge a ceasefire and comprehensive understanding between Washington and Tehran following weeks of escalating conflict between several Middle Eastern countries.Trump was expected to meet later Saturday with key advisers, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Vice President J.D. Vance, to review Iran’s latest response and decide on the next course of action, according to Axios.The latest draft resolution has reportedly emerged after Pakistan-led mediation efforts. Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been playing the role of mediator between the parties, left Tehran on Saturday after meeting senior Iranian officials.Pakistan later said that ‘encouraging progress towards a final understanding’ had been made, although no final agreement had been reached yet.Regional mediators including Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been holding several rounds of talks over the past 24 hours in an effort to bridge differences between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US negotiators.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also confirmed on Saturday that Tehran and Washington were in the final stages of discussing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.The proposed agreement reportedly includes gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing the US blockade on Iran, and releasing frozen Iranian funds. The spokesman said a broader and more detailed agreement would be followed by a negotiation period of 30 to 60 days.However, major sticking points remain unresolved. Trump has insisted that any final agreement must address uranium enrichment and the future of Iran’s rich uranium reserves.Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said there had been ‘some progress’ in talks, but reiterated that Iran ‘can never have a nuclear weapon’ and that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened ‘without a toll’.The ongoing talks have reportedly exposed divisions among US allies and advisers. Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that some regional leaders had urged Trump to launch stronger military strikes against Iran to weaken the regime and secure better terms, while others warned that attacking Iran could destabilize the Gulf’s oil infrastructure and threaten shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.Read this also Iran agrees to give up enriched uranium as deal with Donald Trump ‘significantly negotiated’: ReportMeanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials are reportedly in close touch with the White House regarding the emerging deal.While Trump described Netanyahu as ‘cracked’, Israeli officials have expressed concern over the terms currently being discussed and have reportedly insisted on another round of military strikes.In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump announced that an agreement had been ‘extensively negotiated’ between the United States, Iran, and several allied countries.In the post, Trump said he had had a ‘very good conversation’ with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, which he described as a “memorandum of understanding related to peace.”“An agreement has been substantially negotiated, which is subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and various other countries listed,” Trump wrote.He also revealed that he had spoken to Netanyahu separately and said that the conversation had been ‘very good’.Trump said the final aspects of the agreement were still under discussion and would be announced soon. He also indicated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be a key part of the agreement.This diplomatic success has come after several months of increasing tension and military pressure in the region. US Central Command recently announced that it had redirected approximately 100 commercial ships during a maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports as part of efforts to pressure Tehran economically.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards used a UAE-based procurement network to secretly acquire advanced Chinese satellite communications equipment linked to Tehran’s drone and missile program, according to leaked commercial and shipping records reviewed by the Financial Times.The revelations reveal how a company operating out of the United Arab Emirates helped supply sensitive communications technology to the same branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that later launched a massive bombardment of the Gulf state with drones and missiles during Iran’s retaliation against US-Israeli attacks. The documents also highlight the sophisticated methods used to conceal the final destination of shipments and avoid investigation despite years of Western sanctions targeting Iran’s military procurement apparatus.Records show that in late 2025, the IRGC Aerospace Force acquired military-grade Chinese satellite antenna equipment through Teleson, a company based in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The equipment, manufactured in China, was shipped from Shanghai and via Dubai’s Jebel Ali container port before ultimately reaching Iran.The UAE later became a major target of Iran’s retaliatory campaign following US-Israeli attacks on Iranian assets. According to the report, Tehran launched more than 2,800 drones and missiles at the Gulf state, including in attacks on civilian locations.These revelations are particularly sensitive given Abu Dhabi’s traditionally hardline stance towards Tehran. Yet despite political tensions, the UAE has long remained an important commercial hub for Iranian businesses operating offshore. Analysts have repeatedly warned that the country’s vast free trade zones, where oversight can be weak, create opportunities for sanctions avoidance and illicit procurement networks.According to invoices, customs declarations, packing lists and freight records seen by the FT, Teleson arranged the delivery of a 4.5 meter motorized satellite antenna manufactured by Chinese manufacturer Starwin. The consignment, weighing approximately 1.8 tonnes, was described in customs records as “antennas and accessories”.The equipment was initially transported on the Chinese container ship Zhong Gu Yin Chuan from Shanghai to Dubai’s Jebel Ali Container Terminal 1. Shipping records reviewed by the newspaper show the ship arrived in Dubai on August 28, where it offloaded containers later collected by an Iranian ship named Rama III.Documents indicate that Rama III stopped at the same pier on 23 November and departed a day later carrying a shipment to Iran.However, an FT analysis of marine GPS data and satellite imagery shows that the Iranian ship deliberately transmitted false navigational information in an apparent attempt to conceal its activities.According to the report, GPS signals from the Rama III indicate that the ship moved away from the Gulf and stopped briefly near Oman. But satellite imagery reportedly taken on November 25 showed that the ship did not exist at the coordinates sent to nearby ships.The discrepancy strongly suggests that the ship was “spoofing”, a deceptive maritime practice in which ships transmit false location data to disguise their true routes and destinations.On November 29, satellite images captured a ship matching the size, shape and appearance of Rama III berthed at Iran’s Shahid Razai port in Bandar Abbas. The same port was listed in the shipping documents as the final delivery destination for the consignment.The shipment was sent to Ertebat Faragostar Kish (EFK), an Iranian telecommunications company. According to a contract reviewed by the FT, Telesan purchased equipment on behalf of EFK for a project involving another Iranian entity, Saman Industrial Group.The U.S. Treasury approved the subpoena in December 2023, alleging that the company acted as a commercial front for the Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization, the research and development wing responsible for the Guard’s ballistic missile, drone and electronic warfare programs.US officials have accused Saman of helping Iran acquire drone-related technology through intermediary companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. The alleged devices included antennas, servomotors and other components applicable to unmanned aerial vehicles.The European Union has also sanctioned the Self-Reliance Jihad organization, accusing it of supplying Iranian drones to Russia.The EFK itself is not currently subject to Western sanctions.The shipping agent handling the Iranian side of the transaction was identified on the bill of lading as Blue Calm Marine Services. The US had imposed sanctions on the company in 2023, accusing it of facilitating shipments to another entity linked to the Iranian Defense Ministry’s missile propellant development program.Teleson publicly describes itself as a UAE-based supplier of fixed and mobile satellite communications systems in the Middle East and North Africa, providing services “from design to installation and commissioning”.Neither Teleson nor the UAE Foreign Ministry responded to FT’s questions regarding the allegations. Iran’s embassy in London also did not respond.The report adds to growing scrutiny over technology transfers involving China supporting Iran’s military infrastructure. Last month, the FT reported separately that the IRGC Aerospace Force had secretly acquired a satellite launched by Chinese company The Earth Eye. The satellite was reportedly used to monitor US military bases and Gulf infrastructure before the attacks in March.Earlier this month, Washington imposed sanctions on The Earth Eye for allegedly supporting Iranian military operations.The US State Department said, “The United States will continue to take action to hold China-based entities accountable for their support of Iran.” “Targeting U.S. service members and partners will not go unanswered.”The revelations are likely to raise concerns among Western governments over Iran’s use of Gulf commercial hubs and international logistics networks to evade sanctions imposed on its military procurement ecosystem. The revelations could put renewed pressure on the United Arab Emirates to tighten oversight of companies operating within its free trade zones, amid fears that sensitive military technology is flowing to Iran despite years of sanctions and surveillance efforts.

The mother of a man shot and killed by Secret Service officers near the White House has said she was shocked after learning about the incident online, insisting that her son was “never violent”.A woman identified as the mother of 21-year-old Nasir Best told The Washington Post that she learned of the fatal shooting through a social media post before authorities contacted her.“No matter what people were posting, it was never violent,” he said.Best was killed on Saturday evening after allegedly opening fire near a White House security post Washington DC. According to US Secret Service officials, a bystander was also injured during the shooting and is in critical but stable condition.The shooting occurred shortly after 6 p.m. near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House complex.Police said Best fired toward Secret Service officers stationed near the checkpoint. The officers returned fire, seriously injuring him. He was later declared dead in the hospital.us President donald trump They were inside the White House at that time but they did not suffer any harm. No Secret Service officers were injured. Best had previous encounters with law enforcement near the White House and a documented history of mental health problems. He was arrested in July 2025 after allegedly attempting to enter the White House grounds near another security checkpoint. During that incident, he allegedly ignored police orders, claimed to be ‘Jesus Christ’ and asked officers to arrest him. He later spent time in a psychiatric facility.The shooting sparked panic around the White House complex, with viral videos showing reporters and television crews running for cover after hearing gunshots.CBS journalist Aaron Navarro described the moments of confusion after the shots were fired.He told the BBC, “As soon as we heard it, we fell silent and I saw other journalists start running away, and soon you heard Secret Service officers saying ‘Get in, get in’.”ABC correspondent Selina Wang also shared footage showing reporters taking cover on the White House grounds.Saturday’s incident marks the third armed security threat near the president in the past month. Earlier incidents included an armed man disrupting a White House correspondents’ dinner and another suspect being shot by Secret Service agents near the Washington Monument.After the shooting, Trump praised the officers involved in the response.“Thank you to our great Secret Service and law enforcement for the prompt and professional action they took this evening against a gunman near the White House,” he wrote on social media.

A woman saved luigi mangione And she sparked outrage after claiming she would kill her mother if she became a health care executive like the slain UnitedHealthcare CEO. Brian Thompson.Lena Weisbrot, 32, made the comment on Instagram after reports identified her mother, Rena Natero, as an executive at CVS Health who oversees prescription drug insurance coverage rules.Weisbrot first attempted to downplay his mother’s condition after the information became public.“He’s an activist,” she wrote in a text message screenshot, which she later shared to her Instagram Story, according to the New York Post.After this he escalated the controversy with shocking comments.“If my mother had been a health insurance executive I would have shot her myself,” Weisbrot wrote.He continued to imagine a hypothetical scenario in which he inherited money from his mother after such an act.“If she were a health insurance executive like Brené [sic] Thompson, and I were the same person I am now and if I had known what I would do now (not likely because I am coming from and [sic] extremely wealthy family would make me a fundamentally different person), and I was still in the will and I thought I could get away with it, I would inherit the money and redistribute it to all the families he destroyed with his murderous company,” she wrote.He added, “But it’s so far from my reality, it’s just a fantasy. A fantasy that makes me…wet.”In another Instagram Story post, Weisbrot wrote: “Debate: If my mom was a health insurance CEO would I really comment on that.”He added: “When it comes to me arguing about hypothetical situations that don’t exist: no.”Weisbrot is known online as one of several self-described “Mangionistas”, a group of supporters and independent bloggers who have attended Luigi Mangione’s court hearings using press credentials issued by the City of New York.Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, whose death sparked online debate over the US healthcare system. Some consider his death justified, while others say Mangione is another ruthless killer.Outside a recent court hearing, Weisbrot caused further backlash after saying that Thompson’s children are “better off without her”.He said, “He has to learn not to be like his father – and enjoy blood money.”

The life sentences handed down to two teenage boys convicted of the racist murder of 38-year-old Kamran Aman in Wales have been referred to the Court of Appeal amid concerns the sentences could be “unduly lenient”.Marcus Staniforth, 17, and a 16-year-old boy, whose identity is protected by law, were jailed for life after brutally attacking Aman outside his mother’s home in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, earlier this year.The victim, described as a devoted husband and father, had given groceries to his mother just before midnight on June 30 last year when he was attacked without provocation.

Who was Kamran Aman??

Kamran Aman, 38, was a grocery delivery driver and family man who had visited his mother’s home on Barry Road shortly before the attack. According to prosecutors, Aman was preparing to return to his car when the teenagers targeted him.Court proceedings revealed that the attackers had been drinking and taking drugs at a nearby house before spotting Aman sitting in his vehicle.Before trying to confront Aman, the young defendant allegedly began shouting racist abuse, including anti-Pakistan slurs.

The attack was described as ‘relentless’

After failing to enter the passenger side of the car, the teen came to the driver’s side, forcing Aman to get out and defend himself when he was punched.Witnesses described the attacks as “relentless”, with neighbors telling the court that the boys behaved like a “pack of animals”.During the attack, Staniforth fled to a nearby house and returned a short time later carrying a large kitchen knife. Eyewitnesses said he swung the weapon several times before stabbing Aman in the heart.Even as the victim lay in a pool of blood, the younger boy allegedly continued to use racist abuse, including the N-word and slurs targeting Pakistani people.

Evidence and arrest

Paramedics attempted emergency open-heart surgery at the scene, but Aman died of fatal chest wounds.The court heard that after the stabbing, Staniforth went back inside the house and attempted to wash the knife and his hands with bleach before the two teenagers fled.Within about 10 minutes of the attack, the police arrested him at a short distance. Investigators later found Staniforth’s DNA on the knife, while Aman’s blood was found on the boys’ clothes and shoes.

Court can increase the punishment

At Cardiff Crown Court in February, Staniforth received a life sentence with a minimum of 17 years, while the 16-year-old was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible for parole.Mr Justice Griffiths described Staniforth as “a very dangerous young man indeed” and told the young defendant that he had “instigated a deliberate, unprovoked, sustained, violent racist attack”.The case has now been referred under an unnecessarily lenient sentencing scheme, meaning the appeal court judge will decide whether the minimum prison sentence should be increased.

Thousands of H1-B visa holders in the US will no longer be required to automatically leave the country when applying for permanent residence, after US immigration officials issued clarification on a controversial new policy introduced by the Trump administration.The clarification comes days after the Trump administration issued a major policy memo that limited the circumstances under which foreign nationals can apply for a green card from inside the US. The move caused consternation among international workers, including a large number of Indian professionals working in the US technology sector.However, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesman Zach Kahler later told Newsweek that many applicants who provide an economic benefit or serve the national interest can still remain in the US during the process.“Those that offer applications that provide economic benefits or are otherwise in the national interest will likely be able to proceed on their existing path,” Kahler said in an email.He said others “may be asked to apply abroad depending on individual circumstances.”The administration’s earlier guidance suggested a tougher approach. In a press release accompanying the policy memorandum, Kahler said most temporary visa holders will now be expected to return to their home countries before applying for permanent residence.“We are returning to the original intent of the law to ensure that aliens properly navigate our country’s immigration system,” Kahler said.He said: “From now on, a foreigner who is temporarily in the US and wants a green card must return to his or her home country to apply, except in exceptional circumstances.”For decades, workers on temporary visas, such as H1-B, L-1, and student visas, were generally allowed to transition to permanent residence through the domestic adjustment-status process. That system enabled applicants to remain employed in the US while avoiding the lengthy disruptions caused by foreign processing.The issue is particularly important for H-1B visa holders, many of whom work in fields including technology, healthcare, engineering and finance. Immigration lawyers warn that forcing workers to leave the country during this process could create great uncertainty for both families and employers. Applicants from countries facing visa backlogs or limited consular appointments could potentially be stranded abroad for months or years to complete processing outside the US.The policy has also raised concerns over family separation, work disruption and a lack of clear guidance on who actually qualifies under the “economic benefit” or “national interest” exemptions.According to USCIS, the H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in particular occupations for up to three years, with extensions available in some cases. The program is capped at 85,000 new visas annually, with 20,000 reserved for applicants holding advanced US degrees.Indians still remain the largest group among H-1B visa holders in the US.