FCC fines Verizon, AT&T other major carriers nearly $200 million for sharing customer data

Several major cellphone carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint (now merged), have been fined nearly $200 million in total by federal regulators for unlawfully sharing customers’ location data without consent. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the fines following investigations revealing that the carriers sold access to customer location data to aggregators, who then sold it to third parties without proper authorization. FCC Chairwoman … Continue reading FCC fines Verizon, AT&T other major carriers nearly $200 million for sharing customer data

Home prices surge to another record high in February

In February, home prices surged to a new peak despite soaring mortgage rates, exacerbating affordability challenges for many Americans amid a persistent housing shortage. According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index, national home prices rose by 6.4% compared to the previous year, accelerating from the prior month’s 6% increase and marking the fastest growth since November 2022. On a monthly basis, prices climbed by 0.4%. … Continue reading Home prices surge to another record high in February

Walmart to close 51 clinics as it shutters its entire Walmart Health division

Walmart is shutting down its Walmart Health initiative, including all 51 of its doctor-staffed health clinics located in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas, along with its virtual care option. Despite previous plans for expansion, the retail giant cited financial challenges as the reason for the closure. Patients with appointments will still be seen, with efforts made to direct them to alternative providers within their … Continue reading Walmart to close 51 clinics as it shutters its entire Walmart Health division

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao sentenced to 4 months for allowing money laundering

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao received a four-month prison sentence for neglecting money laundering issues on the cryptocurrency exchange. Despite a guilty plea and efforts to enhance compliance, Zhao faced criticism for disregarding U.S. banking regulations. Prosecutors argued for a stricter sentence, emphasizing the severity of Zhao’s actions in allowing transactions linked to illegal activities. Defense attorneys highlighted Zhao’s lack of personal involvement in specific transactions … Continue reading Binance founder Changpeng Zhao sentenced to 4 months for allowing money laundering

Beijing May Be Preparing To Deploy Economic ‘Nuclear Option’

China’s aggressive buying of commodities has raised concerns among analysts about the possibility of the country resorting to the “economic nuclear option.” Speculation abounds regarding whether China is preparing for a significant devaluation of its currency, the yuan. Such a move could stimulate exports but would also trigger global economic repercussions and exacerbate trade tensions with the United States. China’s recent accumulation of resources like … Continue reading Beijing May Be Preparing To Deploy Economic ‘Nuclear Option’

Trump leads Biden in major battleground states: Polls

New surveys by Emerson College Polling/The Hill reveal former President Trump leading President Biden in seven crucial battleground states, though the margins are slim and within each poll’s margin of error. Trump maintains slight leads in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The inclusion of undecided voters leaning towards a candidate slightly boosts Trump’s lead in some states. Third-party candidates impact support … Continue reading Trump leads Biden in major battleground states: Polls

China’s Xi says the U.S. needs to accept Beijing’s rise for bilateral relations to improve

Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken the importance of viewing China’s development positively for bilateral relations to improve. Amidst strained ties, highlighted by tech competition and geopolitical differences, Blinken emphasized the necessity for face-to-face diplomacy to prevent misunderstandings. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi acknowledged increased dialogue but warned of rising tensions, urging the U.S. to respect China’s development rights … Continue reading China’s Xi says the U.S. needs to accept Beijing’s rise for bilateral relations to improve

RFK Jr. Is a Huge Help to Trump in Swing States

A recent survey conducted by The Hill and Emerson University indicates that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could significantly impact the upcoming election. The poll suggests that Kennedy’s candidacy might hurt President Joe Biden’s campaign while benefiting former President Donald Trump’s chances. In a head-to-head matchup between Trump and Biden in key swing states, Trump leads by various margins. However, when Kennedy is … Continue reading RFK Jr. Is a Huge Help to Trump in Swing States

Democratic leaders say they’ll shield Speaker Johnson from Greene motion to vacate

House Democratic leaders have pledged to support Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, against a potential conservative coup led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. This move aims to stabilize chamber business and prevent internal turmoil. Greene’s threat to oust Johnson stemmed from disagreements over deals he made with President Biden, including on federal spending and aid to Ukraine. Despite Greene’s motion, only two other GOP members … Continue reading Democratic leaders say they’ll shield Speaker Johnson from Greene motion to vacate

Trump held in contempt for violating gag order in “hush money” trial

Former President Donald Trump was found in contempt of court by Judge Juan Merchan in New York for repeatedly violating a gag order related to his criminal trial. Trump breached the order nine times by making social media posts targeting key witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. Merchan fined Trump $9,000 and warned of possible jail time for future violations. The gag order, initially issued … Continue reading Trump held in contempt for violating gag order in “hush money” trial

Idaho Falls man kicks Yellowstone bison and goes to jail, say park officials

Yellowstone Park officials reported an incident involving a man from Idaho Falls who, while intoxicated, approached and kicked a bison, resulting in his injury and subsequent arrest. Clarence Yoder, 40, was found near the West Entrance of the park after reports of harassing a bison herd. Rangers intervened and charged Yoder with various offenses, including being under the influence of alcohol and disturbing wildlife. The … Continue reading Idaho Falls man kicks Yellowstone bison and goes to jail, say park officials

Former NSA worker gets nearly 22 years in prison for selling secrets to undercover FBI agent

A former National Security Agency employee, Jareh Sebastian Dalke, received a sentence of nearly 22 years in prison for selling classified information to an undercover FBI agent posing as a Russian official. U.S. District Judge Raymond Moore described Dalke’s actions as a deliberate betrayal, bordering on treason. Despite Dalke’s claims of remorse and mental health issues, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the offense. Dalke’s … Continue reading Former NSA worker gets nearly 22 years in prison for selling secrets to undercover FBI agent

Police and public capture runaway zebras in Washington state, but one is still missing

Law enforcement and the public in Washington state joined forces on Sunday to address an unusual hazard: zebras on the loose. Near North Bend, just outside Seattle, four zebras broke free on Interstate 90, prompting a unique response from troopers and locals. Three of the zebras were successfully captured, but one remains elusive. Trooper Rick Johnson, from Washington State Patrol District 2, described the incident … Continue reading Police and public capture runaway zebras in Washington state, but one is still missing

Destructive tornadoes in America’s heartland kill 5 across 2 states

A severe weather outbreak wreaked havoc across the American heartland over the weekend, unleashing dozens of tornadoes that ravaged communities stretching from Texas to Iowa. The devastation claimed the lives of at least five individuals, leaving thousands of residents grappling with the aftermath, sifting through debris in search of salvageable belongings. Since Thursday, over 90 tornadoes, ranging in intensity from EF-0 to EF-4, have been … Continue reading Destructive tornadoes in America’s heartland kill 5 across 2 states

4 law officers serving warrant are killed, 4 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home

Four law enforcement officers were tragically killed and four others wounded during a shootout at a residence in North Carolina while serving a warrant for a felon wanted for firearm possession. Amidst the chaos, additional officers rushing to assist were also injured by a second shooter. The intense standoff lasted for three hours before armored vehicles breached the suburban home. The suspect, who was wanted … Continue reading 4 law officers serving warrant are killed, 4 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home

45 dead in Kenya floods

Flash floods and a landslide wreaked havoc in Kenya, claiming the lives of at least 45 individuals and leaving many others unaccounted for, according to the Interior Ministry. Initially attributed to the collapse of the Old Kijabe Dam in the Mai Mahiu area, authorities later clarified that a blocked railway tunnel was responsible for the sudden surge of water, mud, and debris. The disaster engulfed … Continue reading 45 dead in Kenya floods

Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms spotted in Canada

In Ontario, Canada, the discovery of a harmful worm species known as the hammerhead land planarian has raised concerns. These worms, capable of reaching lengths of up to three feet, are toxic and pose risks to pets, small children, and wildlife. Originally from semitropical regions, their presence in Ontario has surged in recent years, possibly facilitated by the transportation of greenhouse plants. Hammerhead worms are … Continue reading Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms spotted in Canada

Hamas to consider ceasefire-hostage release proposal that Israeli sources say could avert Rafah invasion

Hamas is considering a new proposal from Egypt to release up to 33 hostages taken from Israel in exchange for a halt in hostilities in Gaza, sources informed CNN. The proposal, supported by Israel but not yet fully accepted, involves two phases. In the first, 20 to 33 hostages would be released over several weeks in exchange for a pause in hostilities and the release … Continue reading Hamas to consider ceasefire-hostage release proposal that Israeli sources say could avert Rafah invasion

US urges countries supplying weapons to Sudan’s warring parties to stop, warning of a new genocide

The United States called for a halt to arms sales to Sudan’s warring factions, citing the alarming situation in Darfur, where a genocide occurred two decades ago. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned of a potential large-scale massacre in El Fasher, the only Darfur capital not held by paramilitary forces. She urged all nations to recognize the looming crisis and pressed for immediate de-escalation efforts and … Continue reading US urges countries supplying weapons to Sudan’s warring parties to stop, warning of a new genocide

German coup suspect targeted for his pandemic beliefs, lawyer says

The lead suspect in a case involving nine men accused of planning a violent coup against the German state was targeted by prosecutors due to his involvement in organizing demonstrations against pandemic-era restrictions, as stated by his lawyer in court. The defendant’s lawyer argued that he was unfairly associated with dangerous extremism simply for opposing COVID-19 social distancing measures. The trial, which began in Stuttgart, … Continue reading German coup suspect targeted for his pandemic beliefs, lawyer says

Beijing’s space army can blast targets around curve of Earth

China’s rapid expansion of its space military capabilities has raised concerns among US space officials, who liken the development to scenes from science fiction epics like Star Wars. The number of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites orbiting Earth has reportedly tripled, with experts worried about the potential for these assets to be used for military purposes, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. China’s growing satellite fleet, … Continue reading Beijing’s space army can blast targets around curve of Earth

Possible UFO over NYC baffles passenger flying out of LaGuardia

A passenger aboard a commercial flight captured video footage of a mysterious object resembling a “flying cylinder” above New York City, sparking speculation about a possible UFO sighting. Michelle Reyes, who recorded the sighting on March 25, reached out to the FAA, expressing concern about a potential safety hazard. Despite no acknowledgment from authorities, Thomas Wertman of the Mutual UFO Network analyzed the footage, suggesting … Continue reading Possible UFO over NYC baffles passenger flying out of LaGuardia

How Scientists Are Preparing for Apophis’s Unnervingly Close Brush With Earth

In five years, the asteroid Apophis will pass by Earth at a distance closer than 20,000 miles, providing scientists with a unique opportunity for study. Originally classified as hazardous, further observations have ruled out any immediate threat of impact, offering relief from potential catastrophic consequences. However, the asteroid’s close proximity still presents a chance for scientific exploration. Researchers aim to investigate how Earth’s gravitational field … Continue reading How Scientists Are Preparing for Apophis’s Unnervingly Close Brush With Earth

Chinese Astronauts Performed Emergency Space Station Repairs Following Debris Impact

China’s Tiangong space station encountered a critical issue when its core module, Tianhe, suffered damage to its solar wings from space debris. In response, the Chinese astronauts conducted two historic spacewalks to carry out repairs. The successful repairs, confirmed by Xinhua, restored full functionality to the solar arrays. The spacewalks, conducted by the Shenzhou 17 crew, lasted nearly 16 hours in total. Although the exact … Continue reading Chinese Astronauts Performed Emergency Space Station Repairs Following Debris Impact

NASA astronauts arrive for Boeing’s first human spaceflight

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived at Kennedy Space Center ahead of Boeing’s inaugural crewed spaceflight, slated for May 6. The duo will pilot Boeing’s Starliner capsule, finally embarking on its crewed mission after years of setbacks. Unlike its previous unmanned test flights, this journey aims to dock at the International Space Station for a week-long evaluation. Boeing hopes to catch up with … Continue reading NASA astronauts arrive for Boeing’s first human spaceflight