U.S.Associated PressCourt tosses $300,000 hospital bill for promised $1,300 tab
Colorado's Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a woman who expected to pay about $1,300 for spinal fusion surgery but was billed more than $300,000 by a suburban Denver hospital that included charges it never disclosed she might be liable for. This week's ruling in favor of Lisa French, who underwent two surgeries in 2014, follows efforts by many U.S. states and the federal government to help curb health care costs by restricting or eliminating so-called “surprise billing ” and requiring increased price transparency for consumers. In a unanimous opinion, the Colorado justices ruled Monday that agreements French signed before surgery at St. Anthony North Health Campus in Westminster don't compel her to pay the extra charges, which stemmed from a then-secret list of prices for services that hadn't been disclosed to her.
BusinessBusiness InsiderA SpaceX flight attendant said Elon Musk exposed himself and propositioned her for sex, documents show. The company paid $250,000 for her silence.
SpaceX, the aerospace firm founded by Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, paid a flight attendant $250,000 to settle a sexual misconduct claim against Musk in 2018, Insider has learned. The attendant worked as a member of the cabin crew on a contract basis for SpaceX's corporate jet fleet. She accused Musk of exposing his erect penis to her, rubbing her leg without consent, and offering to buy her a horse in exchange for an erotic massage, according to interviews and documents obtained by Insider.
ScienceBGROctopuses torture and eat themselves after mating, and scientists finally know why
For years, scientists have wondered why octopuses torture themselves after mating. Now, after all this time, researchers may finally have the answer. Today's Top Deals #1 best-selling bed pillows are on sale for $13 each — see why they have 126,000 5-star Amazon reviews!
WorldReutersUkraine's Zelenskiy says Donbas region has been completely destroyed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday said Russian forces had "completely destroyed" the industrial Donbas region and accused Moscow of carrying out senseless bombardments as it intensified its offensive. Zelenskiy also accused Russian forces of attempting to kill as many Ukrainians and do as much damage as possible, repeating his charge that Russia was carrying out a genocide. Zelenskiy said that while Ukrainian forces were continuing to liberate the Kharkiv region to the east of Kyiv, Russia was trying to exert even more pressure in the Donbas, which lies in the southeastern part of Ukraine.
U.S.The Daily BeastVengeful Madison Cawthorn Vows ‘Dark MAGA’ Takeover
Less than 48 hours after his shocking defeat in North Carolina's primary election, Rep. Madison Cawthorn took to Instagram to post a defiant, vengeful, and typo-riddled message promising a “Dark MAGA” comeback. After decrying the establishment-driven campaign to unseat him following a long series of scandals, Cawthorn credited those he called his true allies, specifically naming figures like former President Donald Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), “the great Charlie Kirk,” and Tucker Carlson. I am on a mission now to expose those who say and promise one thing yet legislate and work towards another, self-profiteering, globalist goal,” Cawthorn said.
U.S.Fort Worth Star-TelegramAngler reels in ‘freaking scary’ fish in Texas marsh, photos show. It’s a rare beast
An angler recently reeled in a rare and “freaking scary” fish after casting his hook into a murky Texas marsh, photos show. The scaly creature's striking look, jet black from tail to toothy tip, took the fisherman and his guide by surprise, according to a post by Lotus Guide Service. Well … (we) found out melanistic gar do exist,” said the May 16 post, sharing photos of the fish whipping and thrashing against the fishing line.
WorldReutersRussia uses new laser weapons in Ukraine, Zelenskiy mocks 'wonder weapon'
LONDON (Reuters) -Russia on Wednesday said it was using a new generation of powerful lasers in Ukraine to burn up drones, deploying some of Moscow's secret weapons to counter a flood of Western arms. Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018 unveiled an intercontinental ballistic missile, underwater nuclear drones, a supersonic weapon and a laser weapon. Little is known about the specifics of the new laser.
U.S.NextSharkIndian American student choked by peer receives harsher punishment than his bully from Texas school
A viral video of a Texas student choking an Indian American peer has sparked a petition against the aggressor. In a video circulating online, Shaan Pritmani can be seen being assaulted and choked by a white student in the cafeteria of Coppell Middle School in Texas on May 11. The video begins with the aggressor choking Shaan with his right arm before demanding him to stand up from his seat.
U.S.The Root“Don’t you have some fish to catch, African-American man?” says Santa Barbara Karen
On a sunny day at The Boathouse, a Santa Barbara restaurant, a Karen decided to cause an unnecessary ruckus. In a five-minute video recording of the incident, the woman confronts the person recording, a Black man, and takes things to another level. On May 11, Ian Soleimani, a local DJ, shared to his Instagram the footage he caught of the incident.
WorldAssociated PressUS intel shows Russians fear Mariupol abuse will backfire
The U.S. has gathered intelligence that shows some Russian officials have become concerned that Russian forces in the ravaged port city of Mariupol are carrying out grievous abuses, a U.S official familiar with the findings said Wednesday. The Russian officials are concerned that the abuses will backfire and further inspire Mariupol residents to resist the Russian occupation. The U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the Russians, who were not identified, also feared that the abuses will undercut Russia's claim that they've liberated the Russian-speaking city.
U.S.WFTVDeputies: Motorcyclist with concealed carry permit stops knife-wielding driver in road rage incident
A Flagler County man is under arrest after he threatened a motorcyclist with a knife in a road rage incident near Palm Coast Tuesday. Deputies said they responded to the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Whirlaway Drive just after 1 p.m. after getting several calls to 911 for a reported road rage incident. According to the sheriff's office, 50-year-old Rafael Vincent Rivera and a motorcyclist got into an argument after Rivera cut the motorcyclist off.
PoliticsNBC NewsTrump leaves Pennsylvania GOP fuming over 'cockamamie election.' Next up: Georgia.
Three days before Election Day, Trump veered hard to the right in the governor's race by backing Doug Mastriano, the state senator who built a devoted grassroots following for his efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's win and promote Trump's stolen election lie. Mainstream Republicans fear that Mastriano, who had been on track to win the primary anyway before Trump's nod, is too extreme to win a general election in a state with a half million more registered Democrats than Republicans. A Democratic victory in the Pennsylvania contest for governor would reverberate through the 2024 presidential election cycle.
WorldReutersExclusive-U.S. aims to arm Ukraine with advanced anti-ship missiles to fight Russian blockade
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House is working to put advanced anti-ship missiles in the hands of Ukrainian fighters to help defeat Russia's naval blockade, officials said, amid concerns more powerful weapons that could sink Russian warships would intensify the conflict. Ukraine has made no secret it wants more advanced U.S. capabilities beyond its current inventory of artillery, Javelin and Stinger missiles, and other arms. Kyiv's list, for example, includes missiles that could push the Russian navy away from its Black Sea ports, allowing the restart of shipments of grain and other agricultural products worldwide.
WorldUkrayinska PravdaGuerrillas blow up a Russian armoured train in captured Melitopol - media
DENYS KARLOVSKYI In captured Melitopol, the Ukrainian resistance movement has managed to blow up a Russian armoured train as it was transporting soldiers and equipment. Source: local media; Mirror of the Week, quoting the Defence Headquarters of the Zaporizhzhia region Details: Eyewitnesses in Melitopol reported hearing explosions and gunfire in the area of the meat-packing plant. Local journalists later confirmed that Ukrainian guerrillas had remotely detonated an armoured train near the meat-packing plant in Melitopol.
U.S.TheGrioMichigan school assignment compares President Obama to monkeys
The Roeper School released a statement to Fox 2 on Tuesday saying it was reviewing the circumstances of the incident. A school for gifted students in Birmingham, Michigan, has come under fire after a teacher handed out an assignment that featured pictures of primates alongside a photo of former President Barack Obama. The educator at the Roeper School — which describes itself on its website as “the oldest preschool through grade 12 school for the gifted in the nation” — handed out the assignment earlier this month in a high school biology class, according to Fox 2 in Detroit.
WorldReutersUPDATE 2-Top U.S., Russian generals speak for first time since Ukraine invasion
The top U.S. military officer, General Mark Milley, spoke by telephone with Russia's Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the Pentagon said on Thursday, the first conversation between the two since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. "The military leaders discussed several security-related issues of concern and agreed to keep the lines of communication open," said a spokesman for Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. "In accordance with past practice, the specific details of their conversation will be kept private," the spokesman added.
U.S.Military.comGuard Officer Allowed to Retire with Benefits After 'Motorboating' Subordinate
A Louisiana Army National Guard officer retired in March with benefits after being convicted of assault and conduct unbecoming an officer for "motorboating" an enlisted soldier during a promotion ceremony in Jordan in May 2021. Court documents show that Capt. Billy Crosby, a logistics officer with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who was deployed to Joint Training Center Jordan, initially was charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and abusive sexual contact. According to court documents, Crosby told the junior soldier that he planned to "motorboat" her at her promotion ceremony to sergeant and did just that: placing his face between her breasts and "moving it from side to side ... without the sergeant's consent" during an impromptu ceremony initiated by Crosby on May 15, 2021.
- WorldApp.com | Asbury Park Press
Sand collapse kills Maine man on Ocean Beach III
RAW VIDEO: Emergency personnel work to recover the body of an 18-year-old man who was killed when sand collapsed over him on the Ocean Beach III section of Toms River.
WorldReutersPhilippines' Marcos wants China ties to 'shift to higher gear' under his presidency
Philippines president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday said his country's ties with China will expand and "shift to a higher gear" when he takes power, signalling intent to advance outgoing leader Rodrigo Duterte's pro-Beijing agenda. Marcos, who won last week's election by a landslide, said he held "very substantial" talks by phone on Wednesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who assured him of support for his "independent foreign policy", and agreed to hold more comprehensive discussions. The 64-year-old son and namesake of the notorious former dictator said Xi also acknowledged his late father's role in opening diplomatic relations between China and former U.S. colony the Philippines.
U.S.Rock Hill HeraldRock Hill SC man again denied parole after conviction in fire that killed baby brother
A South Carolina man, who has been in prison for seven years for a deadly Rock Hill fire that killed his baby brother, was denied parole Wednesday. Morgan, now 24, was denied a chance at release Wednesday by the unanimous vote of a panel of the S.C. Parole Board after a video conference hearing, said Valerie Suber, associate deputy director of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The parole board had gathered in Columbia.
PoliticsINSIDER4 charts show how many candidates Trump has endorsed who have won and lost
Former President Donald Trump's endorsement record is being tested in midterm primaries. Several high-profile Trump picks have either lost or underperformed. Former President Donald Trump's endorsement record has held up relatively strong so far in the 2022 midterms.
U.S.Associated PressEx-deputy gets 18 years after detainees drown in locked van
A deputy in South Carolina whose police van was swept away by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, drowning two women seeking mental health treatment trapped in a cage in the back was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison. A Marion County jury found former Horry County deputy Stephen Flood guilty of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless homicide. Judges ordered Wendy Newton, 45, and Nicolette Green, 43, to be involuntarily committed the day they died, but their families said they were not violent.
WorldBusiness InsiderTimeline shows Putin's alleged health problems as Ukraine claims he is concealing a serious illness
Rumors of health problems and secret surgery have followed the Russian president for decades. Speculation about President Vladimir Putin's health reached fever pitch on Sunday after former MI6 Russia spy Christopher Steele indicated the Russian president could be seriously ill. Speaking to Sky News, Steele said Putin's health could be a factor in the unfolding invasion of Ukraine.
BusinessMotley FoolRetirees Are Poised to See the Biggest Social Security Change in 41 Years
In 2023, retirees on Social Security are likely going to experience something that no senior has in 41 years. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) they are on track to receive would result in the largest benefit increase in more than four decades. This change sounds positive for older Americans, but in fact that's not the case at all.
WorldAssociated PressGerman ex-leader Schroeder loses privileges over Russia ties
Germany's three governing parties plan to strip former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of his office and staff after he maintained and defended his long-standing ties with Russia despite the war in Ukraine. Schroeder's own Social Democratic Party said Wednesday that lawmakers on the parliamentary budget committee had agreed to link some of the former German leader's privileges to actual duties, rather than his status as former chancellor. Schroeder has become increasingly isolated in recent months due to his work for Russian state-controlled energy companies.
“It could give millions a chance to finally buy a house or start their business or help their kids get an education, too.”
“You signed a contract…If you don’t want to deal with the financial pressure of debt, don’t take out the loan.”
“Without action from Biden, Black student debt will hinder his agenda with respect to eliminating racial inequities.”
“Blanket relief could end up routing too much relief to those who do not need it and too little to those who do.”
“Unlike a number of other policy issues, student debt relief doesn’t need to be pushed through a narrowly controlled Congress.”