U.S.Yahoo NewsThe Postal Service is running a 'covert operations program' that monitors Americans' social media posts
The law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service has been quietly running a program that tracks and collects Americans' social media posts, including those about planned protests, according to a document obtained by Yahoo News. The details of the surveillance effort, known as iCOP, or Internet Covert Operations Program, have not previously been made public. The work involves having analysts trawl through social media sites to look for what the document describes as “inflammatory” postings and then sharing that information across government agencies.
U.S.Raleigh News and Observer21-year-old paratrooper died in jump from Blackhawk helicopter at Fort Bragg, Army says
The 21-year-old Army paratrooper who died Monday at Fort Bragg was killed when something went wrong during a helicopter jump, according to the 82nd Airborne Division. “Jenks was conducting a static-line jump from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter when she suffered the fatal injury,” the 82nd Airborne reported. An investigation is underway, Army officials said.
U.S.NextSharkPakistani College Student Survives ACID Attack Outside Her NY Home
A Pakistani woman nearly died after falling victim to an acid attack just outside her home in Elmont, New York last month. Hofstra University student Nafiah Fatima, 21, was helping her mother unload a car at their Arlington Avenue residence when the male suspect suddenly appeared around 8:15 p.m. on March 17. In a neighbor's surveillance video, the suspect can be seen running up to Fatima while she was in her driveway, according to NBC New York.
U.S.Associated PressGrizzly victim knew risks of living with bears, friends say
Grizzly bears are part of life in the gateway communities bordering Yellowstone National Park, and backcountry snowmobile guide Charles “Carl” Mock knew well the risks that come with working, hiking and fishing among the fear-inspiring carnivores, his friends said. Bear spray residue found on Mock's clothing suggested he tried to ward off last week's attack using a canister of the Mace-like deterrent, considered an essential item in the backcountry. While some outsiders questioned the inherent perils of such a lifestyle in the wake of Mock's death, those who knew him said he accepted the risk as trade-off for time spent in a wilderness teeming with elk, deer, wolves and other wildlife.
- WorldWABC – NY
Lawsuit seeks monetary damages after Asian American detective taunted
The complaint charges that Terrell Harper used anti-Asian slurs and even threatened Detective Vincent Chung's mother on March 11.
U.S.The WeekNew Florida law makes tearing down statues punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It also lessens liability for ramming protesters with a car.
New legislation signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) earlier this week increases criminal penalties for crimes committed during protests. DeSantis called it "the strongest anti-looting, anti-rioting, pro-law-enforcement piece of legislation in the country," MSNBC reports, and it may be part of a trend in Republican-led states, The New York Times writes. One of the most notable aspects of the law is that tearing down monuments, including Confederate ones, is now a second-degree felony offense, meaning anyone who is charged with doing so would face a maximum of 15 years in prison, the Times reports.
U.S.AxiosDerek Chauvin held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is being held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's death on Tuesday, according to the New York Times. Why it matters: Chauvin, who is still awaiting sentencing, is being held in the isolation wing of Minnesota's only maximum-security prison because the state's prison system fears for his safety. The cells in the prison's isolation wing are small and only contain a bench with a mattress pad, a toilet and sink, and a tiny shower and are constantly monitored by cameras as well as a guard inspection every 30 minutes.
WorldReutersSearch for missing Indonesian submarine reveals oil spill
JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesian rescuers searching for a submarine that went missing with 53 people on board found an oil spill on Wednesday near where the vessel dived, authorities said. The 44-year-old submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, was conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of the island of Bali but failed to relay the results as expected, a navy spokesman said. An aerial search found an oil spill near the submarine's dive location and two navy vessels with sonar capability have been deployed to assist in the search, the Defense Ministry said.
U.S.Associated PressRecords: Superintendent lied to jury investigating massacre
The superintendent of the Florida school district where 17 students and staff died in a 2018 high school massacre was arrested Wednesday after investigators said he lied to a grand jury investigating events surrounding the shooting. Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at district headquarters and charged with perjury in an official proceeding, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. According to an indictment issued by the grand jury last week and released after Runcie's arrest, the superintendent lied when he testified before the panel three weeks ago, but it gave no specifics about the alleged falsehood.
U.S.The IndependentBiden calls George Floyd’s family to pray for them ahead of Derek Chauvin verdict
George Floyd's younger brother says President Biden called his family to say he was “praying” for them. “He was just calling,” Philonise Floyd told NBC's TODAY Show on Tuesday. The Floyd family – and the rest of the country – are now anxiously awaiting the verdict, which come within hours or even weeks.
U.S.ReutersChurch leaders call for Home Depot boycott over Georgia voting curbs
NEW YORK (Reuters) -Black religious leaders in Georgia representing more than 1,000 churches called on Tuesday for a boycott of Home Depot Inc, accusing the home improvement giant of failing to take a stand against the state's new Republican-backed curbs on voting. In a statement, Bishop Reginald Jackson, who oversees Georgia's African Methodist Episcopal churches, said Home Depot had rejected requests to discuss the new law. Other Georgia-based corporations - including Delta Air Lines Inc and Coca-Cola Co - have sat down with activists and issued statements opposing the voting restrictions.
U.S.BBCUS killer requests death by firing squad in Nevada
A killer who may become the first person put to death in Nevada in 15 years has requested the use of a firing squad rather than lethal injection. Lawyers for Zane Michael Floyd, who are fighting a possible June execution date, say their client's request is "not a delaying tactic". In court documents seen by the Associated Press, lawyers say the method is "less painful".
PoliticsArchitectural DigestHouse Call: Embracing My Outdoor Persona
We're getting outdoorsy on Clever this week Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
U.S.Business InsiderThe lawyer who pointed his gun at Black Lives Matter protesters in St. Louis is considering running for Senate
Mark McCloskey and his wife Patricia displayed their guns as BLM protesters passed their house last year. McCloskey told Politico on Tuesday he's considering running for Senate in 2022. A grand jury indicted the couple on charges of exhibiting guns and evidence tampering last October.
U.S.Fort Worth Star-TelegramMom kicks kids out to host a party and attacks them when they return, Michigan cops say
A Michigan mom is facing child abuse charges after police say she attacked her teen children when they returned home during a party she was hosting. Around 3:40 a.m. Sunday, a teen boy called 911 and said he'd been assaulted by his mom, Michigan State Police said Wednesday in a news release. When officers arrived, the boy explained that his mom had kicked him and his sister out of their Richfield Township home so she could throw a party.
PoliticsPoliticoSenate Democrats reject Republican infrastructure bid
Republicans haven't even introduced their infrastructure proposal yet, but the Democratic reviews are already in. Democrats are roundly rejecting a still unfinished counteroffer to President Joe Biden's $2.5 trillion spending package, potentially moving the slim Senate majority ever-closer to abandoning talks with Republicans on a bipartisan bill. Democrats argue that the GOP plan to spend fewer than $1 trillion and focus on brick and mortar infrastructure is a non-starter and is not the basis for bipartisan negotiations.
U.S.The WeekChauvin found guilty of murder in death of George Floyd
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter on Tuesday, found guilty on all counts related to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, who was killed last year when Chauvin pressed on his neck for more than nine minutes while arresting him. Sentencing has not yet been determined, but the Post reports the second-degree unintentional murder charge and third degree-murder charge each carry a presumptive prison sentence of 12.5 years, given Chauvin has no previous criminal record.
PoliticsThe IndependentRepublicans scramble to distance themselves from Marjorie Taylor Greene's 'America First' caucus
US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene's nativist congressional caucus celebrating the heritage of Americans – but only the white ones – ended before it ever really began. The "America First Caucus" was the brainchild of Ms Greene, who is perhaps best known for having been stripped of her committee seats for supporting assassination threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on social media and for openly flirting with a number of conspiracy theories, including one that alleged the Parkland School Shooting was fake as well as QAnon. The caucus members were to "follow in President Trump's footsteps, and potentially step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation," according to a policy outline obtained by Punchbowl News.
U.S.Miami HeraldPretty Ricky singer in critical condition after being shot at South Florida bowling alley
A disturbing, graphic video circulating on social media Wednesday on Hollywood Unlocked says that Pretty Ricky singer Baby Blue was shot. In the video, a man who looks like the music star is seen lying on a patterned carpet. A sign that reads Sparez is close by.
PoliticsThe IndependentSupreme Court scraps last GOP election lawsuit, ending five-month challenge to results
After five months and an estimated 65 lawsuits, the GOP lost its final legal bid at challenging the results of the United States' presidential election. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed as moot a Republican challenge to the extension of Pennsylvania's deadline to receive mail-in ballots. It was the last challenge over Pennsylvania's results, and the last of 65 cases brought by GOP plaintiffs, according to Democrat Party attorney Marc Elias, who has been tracking the post-election legal battle.
U.S.Business Insider'Did I strike a nerve?': Reps. Val Demings and Jim Jordan get into a heated screaming match over policing
Reps. Val Demings and Jim Jordan engaged in a heated shouting match over policing. The argument came hours before a jury convicted Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Democratic Rep. Val Demings and Republican Rep. Jim Jordan got into a shouting match about policing in the US on Tuesday, just hours before a jury convicted the former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.
U.S.CBS NewsPolice shoot teen girl to death in Ohio and release bodycam video
Police in Columbus, Ohio, released bodycam video Tuesday night of the fatal shooting of a teenage girl earlier in the day. Interim police chief Michael Woods said at a press conference that it is unusual to have video released so quickly but "we understand the public's need, desire and expectation to have transparency." Police did not identify the girl but her family and Franklin County Children Services identified her as 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant.
TechnologyBBCEU artificial intelligence rules will ban 'unacceptable' use
Some "unacceptable" uses of artificial intelligence would be banned in Europe under proposals unveiled on Wednesday. The European Commission's rules would ban "AI systems considered a clear threat to the safety, livelihoods and rights of people", it said. It is also proposing far stricter rules on the use of biometrics - such as facial recognition being used by law enforcement, which would be limited.
LifestyleArchitectural Digest12 Outdoor Furniture Sets for Living Alfresco
With warmer weather just around the corner, we're taking our home-design focus to the great outdoors Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
WorldThe IndependentUpbeat assessments buoy hopes for revival of Iran nuclear deal
Vienna talks meant to revive and restore the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appear to be going well, according to assessments by both American and Iranian officials as the latest round of negotiations drew to a close. Iran's president Hassan Rouhani said in a speech Wednesday that the Americans “appear to be serious” about lifting sanctions imposed by the former administration of Donald Trump. And though Iran's chief negotiator Abbas Araqchi warned that Iran would abandon talks if United States demands became excessive, the reformist daily newspaperEbtekar said the “anti-Iran coalition was on its last breath” and that reviving the deal was "in the home stretch”.
“High-speed rail is bold and attention-grabbing, but the scale of the project makes it near impossible.”
“While a long, slow train ride across the country can be a great thing, the US needs real high-speed rail too.”
“Liberals are right that America has a car problem — but it's commutes, not road trips, that suck.”
“Investments into a high-speed rail system wouldn’t just improve the railroads — automobile traffic could also see some relief.”
“Big cities that are reasonably close together is pretty much a prerequisite for high-speed rail.”