PoliticsBusiness InsiderTed Cruz says Biden's comments about the Derek Chauvin verdict are 'grounds for a mistrial'
Cruz said Tuesday that Biden's comments on Derek Chauvin provided potential grounds for a mistrial. Cruz said that Biden was providing "a possible basis on appeal to challenge any guilty conviction." President Joe Biden's comments about the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who was convicted of murdering George Floyd, provided potential "grounds for a mistrial," Sen. Ted Cruz said on Tuesday.
U.S.Associated PressMan pumping gas at convenience store killed, shooter dead
A man opened fire at a convenience store in Pennsylvania early Wednesday, apparently at random, killing a truck driver who was pumping gas and wounding another man before taking his own life, officials said. The man had first shot at a car on a highway several miles away before heading to the convenience store around 4:45 a.m., according to Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin. The woman in the car told authorities she didn't realize her car had been hit with a bullet until she stopped at a Wawa store in Upper Macungie Township, outside Allentown.
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.
WorldThe TelegraphBoris Johnson scraps plans for televised White House-style briefings from £2.6m studio
Boris Johnson's plans to hold White House-style press briefings have been abandoned, despite the Government spending £2.6million on a new Downing Street conference facility. In another major No 10 upheaval, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the Prime Minister had decided to axe the daily televised press conferences. The No 9 briefing room, which has only recently been renovated, will now be used by the Prime Minister, ministers and officials to hold press conferences.
U.S.Business InsiderA US Air Force general is facing court-martial for the first time ever. He has been charged with sexual assault.
A US Air Force general is being court-martialed for the first time in the history of the service. The charge is linked to allegations of sexual assault against a civilian during a 2018 off-duty incident. The Air Force said it is unclear at this time when the court-martial will take place.
PoliticsReutersPfizer, unions, others donated $61.8 million for Biden's inaugural
U.S. President Joe Biden raised $61.8 million for his inauguration events, receiving large contributions from corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals, according to a financial disclosure. The Democratic president's inaugural committee took in $1 million in contributions each from about 10 big companies, including Pfizer Inc, the maker of one of the COVID-19 vaccines being deployed in the United States, as well as from AT&T Services Inc, Bank of America Corp and Boeing Co. Corporations making $1 million donations also included Uber Technologies Inc, Lockheed Martin Corp and Qualcomm Inc, according to the filing submitted on Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission.
PoliticsArchitectural DigestHouse Call: Embracing My Outdoor Persona
We're getting outdoorsy on Clever this week Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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.
WorldThe TelegraphNicola Sturgeon accused of 'dodging scrutiny' after refusing to appear on BBC Question Time
Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of "dodging scrutiny" of her record in government after refusing to appear on a special Holyrood election edition of BBC Question Time. The leaders of all the other main parties in the Scottish Parliament have agreed to take part in Thursday's show, which will feature questions from a virtual audience. Opposition sources said they had been told to expect an all-leaders show, and that Ms Sturgeon had initially agreed to take part before pulling out.
PoliticsKansas City StarChauvin verdict sparks optimism among lawmakers on police reform
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's conviction for the murder of George Floyd has provided a jolt of momentum to Congress' long-stalled effort to enact meaningful police reform, lawmakers on Capitol Hill said. Members of Congress who are working to craft legislation said they are optimistic that a compromise that appeals to both parties can be reached as they continue to negotiate after Tuesday's verdict, though significant hurdles still remain on the volatile issue. Rep. Karen Bass, a California Democrat who is leading the charge in the U.S. House, said she is hopeful that a bipartisan group working on police reform will have the text for a new bill ready next month.
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Sen. Durbin: Republicans alarmed that 'too many voters are showing up'
EDITOR'S NOTE: AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS STORY MISIDENTIFIED SENATOR DURBIN'S HOME STATE. HE REPRESENTS ILLINOIS, NOT DELAWARE. "The problem is obvious," Durbin said.
TechnologyAssociated PressEU outlines ambitious AI regulations focused on risky uses
Risky uses of artificial intelligence that threaten people's safety or rights such as live facial scanning should be banned or tightly controlled, European Union officials said Wednesday as they outlined an ambitious package of proposed regulations to rein in the rapidly expanding technology. The draft regulations from the EU's executive commission include rules for applications deemed high risk such as AI systems to filter out school, job or loan applicants. The proposals are the 27-nation bloc's latest move to maintain its role as the world's standard-bearer for technology regulation, as it tries to keep up with the world's two big tech superpowers, the U.S. and China.
WorldThe TelegraphCovid passports proving vaccine status to be available for summer holidays
Covid passports will be made available to prove people have been vaccinated as early as next month, in time for summer holidays, the travel industry has been told. The Department for Transport wants an official certification scheme that gives British travellers a document they can show at borders overseas in place by May 17. In a separate development, a European medical agency recommended that fully vaccinated travellers should be able to sidestep tests and quarantine.
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.Miami HeraldPretty Ricky singer in critical condition after being shot at South Florida bowling alley
A colorful sign that reads “Sparez” is close by. HL's caption says that the Miami rapper (real name Diamond Blue Smith) was shot at Sparez bowling alley in Davie, but gives scant information. People surround the man trying to help keep him comfortable while waiting for an ambulance.
WorldBBCIndia to start vaccinating all adults over 18 amid surge in infections
India is currently vaccinating health workers, front line workers and people over 45, but a number of states - including the worst-affected Maharashtra state - have reported insufficient supply. There have been reports of people being turned away from vaccination centres in many areas. How India failed to prevent a deadly second wave India's Covid-19 patients turn to black market Can India's vaccine producers meet demand?
WorldReutersTwitter becomes platform of hope amid the despair of India's COVID crisis
After spending hours fruitlessly calling government helplines in a search for a hospital bed for a critically ill COVID-19 patient, Indian lawyer Jeevika Shiv posted an SOS request on Twitter. India is reporting more than 250,000 new COVID-19 cases a day in its worst phase of the pandemic. In response, people are bypassing the conventional lines of communication and turning to Twitter to crowdsource help for oxygen cylinders, hospital beds and other requirements.
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.
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”.
CelebrityBusiness InsiderImages capture Cori Bush and Ayanna Pressley's emotional reaction as Derek Chauvin was found guilty for the murder of George Floyd
Bush, serving her first term as Missouri's first Black congresswoman, said in a statement after the verdict that Chauvin's trial "has been nothing short of a traumatizing, painful and gut-wrenching reminder of how difficult it is to hold police accountable when they murder members of our community." "Over the last month, we've been retraumatized, over, and over again as we watched 8 minutes and 46 seconds become 9 minutes and 29 seconds," she wrote in the statement. "Listening to the verdict today, I wanted to be overjoyed.
U.S.Raleigh News and ObserverWake high schools plan in-person graduations they hope seniors ‘will always remember’
Wake County high schools will offer something closer to a normal graduation ceremony this year for seniors, while still following North Carolina health rules about masking and social distancing. Wake high schools are planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at their football stadiums and gyms this spring. High schools will typically hold multiple in-person ceremonies to maintain social distancing while also offering opportunities for seniors who don't feel it's safe to be at a large event.
U.S.The StateAfter 3,000 miles, 7 months, couple’s walk to help families with illness ends in SC
Matt Grooms is hoping his fifth pair lasts him until Myrtle Beach. Time in a Bottle cleans houses free of charge for families with children battling life-threatening illnesses. The idea for the nonprofit came after Nesseth's brother dealt with cancer and their mother began cleaning houses to pick up extra money.
U.S.The IndependentPolice officer’s powerful TikTok message on Daunte Wright goes viral
A US police officer has demonstrated the “huge difference” between a gun and a Taser in a viral TikTok video, describing how it is difficult to confuse the two items in an officer's arsenal, in the wake of Daunte Wright's death. The video posted from the account of a man named Brian B had about 6 million views and 1.4 million likes before the account was taken down after it became viral and triggered an extensive online conversation. The officer, appearing in his police uniform in the Tiktok video, can be seen loading his belt with both Taser and pistol before tapping the pistol as “dominant” and Taser as “not so dominant.”
U.S.INSIDERDerek Chauvin is being held in solitary confinement at a maximum security prison with 280 other convicted murderers
Derek Chauvin is being held at the MCF-Oak Park Heights Administrative Control Unit. There are 280 convicted murderers at the facility, according to Department of Corrections data. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who killed George Floyd, is being held at the maximum security Minnesota Correctional Facility at Oak Park Heights, where Insider previously reported he is living apart from the general population of the prison in the Administrative Control Unit.
PoliticsBusiness Insider'Hell no, don't raise them!': Manchin dismisses GOP-favored gas taxes and user fees to pay for infrastructure
Sen. Joe Manchin opposed increasing the gas tax or levying new charges to pay for infrastructure. "Hell no, don't raise them!" he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Gas taxes and new user fees are measures Republicans floated in recent days to cover infrastructure.
“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.”