Chris Hollingsworth
- World News
Harvard morgue manager accused of trafficking stolen human remains online
Four individuals, including Harvard Medical School’s morgue manager, Cedric Lodge, have been accused of trafficking stolen human remains. Lodge allegedly took body parts, such as “heads, brains, skin and bones,” from corpses donated to Harvard University’s medical school and sold them online. His wife, Denise, is also among the accused, having sold the body parts to buyers in Pennsylvania and…
- World News
Fed holds interest rates steady amid persistent inflation concerns
The Federal Reserve has opted to keep interest rates steady, marking the first time in over a year that it has not increased them. The decision, which holds the benchmark rate between 5% and 5.25%, allows officials time to evaluate the impact of ten prior rate hikes since March 2022. These measures were implemented in an attempt to control inflation.…
- World News
Indian students facing removal in Canada granted temporary respite
A group of Indian students in Canada facing removal due to allegedly fraudulent college admission letters have been granted temporary respite. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that “genuine students who are the victims of fraud” will be permitted to stay in the country pending further investigations. The students claim to have been deceived by an immigration agency in India and…
- World News
Trump pleads not guilty amid showmanship and Republican unease
The indictment of Donald Trump unfolded in two distinct arenas on Tuesday afternoon – a federal courtroom in Florida and the realm of public opinion. Within the Miami courthouse, Trump and his legal representatives maintained a composed demeanor. A lawyer for the former president informed the judge that Trump was pleading not guilty to all charges. Discussions ensued regarding the…
- World News
Trump pleads not guilty to charges over classified documents
Former US President Donald Trump has entered a not guilty plea in response to criminal charges alleging he unlawfully retained classified documents after leaving the White House. The 37 charges against him include obstructing the government’s attempts to retrieve the files. Prosecutors are pushing for a swift trial now that Trump has made his court appearance; however, legal experts suggest…
- World News
FTC seeks halt of Microsoft’s $69bn Activision deal amid competition fears
US regulators have requested a judge to halt Microsoft’s US$69bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the Call of Duty publisher. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressed concerns that the deal, the largest in the video game industry’s history, could “substantially lessen competition” within the sector. This development follows the UK’s decision to block the deal over similar concerns, while the…
- World News
Actor Treat Williams dies in motorbike accident aged 71
Renowned actor Treat Williams, known for his roles in the film musical Hair and the American television series Everwood, has tragically passed away in a road accident at the age of 71. Williams was involved in a collision with an SUV while riding his motorbike in Vermont on Monday. He was airlifted to hospital in critical condition but was sadly…
- World News
Canadian judge quits over misconduct claims from Arizona resort incident
A Canadian Supreme Court justice has resigned from his position following allegations of misconduct, according to the Canadian Justice Council. Justice Russel Brown was accused of being involved in a drunken altercation at an Arizona resort in January, where he allegedly harassed a female guest. Brown, who has denied the allegations, has been on leave since February. The retirement concludes…
- World News
I-95 collapse: Body found, Philadelphia motorway repairs to take months
A body has been recovered from the wreckage of a section of the I-95 motorway in Philadelphia, which collapsed following a petrol lorry fire on Sunday, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The identity of the body, handed over to the Philadelphia County Medical Examiner on Monday, remains unknown. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has declared a state of emergency to speed…
- World News
JP Morgan to pay $290m in Epstein lawsuit settlement
JP Morgan is set to pay approximately US$290m to settle a lawsuit involving alleged victims of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bank’s lawyers stated that the settlement was in the best interests of all parties, particularly the survivors who suffered from Epstein’s appalling abuse. The lawsuit claimed that JP Morgan, the largest US bank, overlooked red flags about…
- World News
JP Morgan settles Epstein lawsuit, regrets 15-year relationship
JP Morgan has reached a preliminary agreement to settle a lawsuit involving alleged victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bank’s attorneys stated that the settlement serves the best interests of all parties, particularly the survivors who suffered from Epstein’s horrific abuse. The lawsuit claimed that the largest US bank disregarded warning signs about its client during a 15-year…
- World News
Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayeh dies aged 52 from sudden heart attack
US actor and comedian Mike Batayeh, best known for his role in the hit series Breaking Bad, has passed away at the age of 52. His family informed TMZ that he died in his sleep on June 1 at his Michigan home, following a heart attack. Batayeh had no known history of heart problems, and his family described his passing…
- World News
Trump faces prison over classified files, obstructing investigation
Former US President Donald Trump faces criminal charges for the second time in recent months, this time concerning his handling of classified files after leaving the White House. Thousands of documents, including around 100 marked as classified, were seized in an FBI search at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago last year. Legal experts suggest that Trump, who plans to run for…
- World News
Ex-Trump aide charged over national security document mishandling
A former aide to ex-President Donald Trump, Walt Nauta, has been charged alongside Trump for the alleged mishandling of national security documents. Nauta, a US Navy veteran, served as a White House military valet during Trump’s presidency and later became his assistant at his Florida mansion after Trump left office. Nauta is facing six charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice,…
- World News
Trump faces new criminal charges over classified files mishandling
Former US President Donald Trump faces criminal charges for the second time in three months, this time concerning his handling of classified files after leaving the White House. Thousands of documents were seized in an FBI search at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago last year, including around 100 marked as classified. Legal experts suggest that Trump, who plans to run for…
- World News
Trump faces criminal probe over classified files at Mar-a-Lago estate
Reports indicate that former US President Donald Trump has been informed of a criminal investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. This development suggests the possibility of charges being filed against him, which would mark the second indictment for Trump, who is currently campaigning for presidency once again. The investigation has been ongoing since last…
- World News
Virginia high school graduation shooting kills two, injures five
A high school graduation ceremony in Virginia turned tragic when a shooting claimed the lives of a student and his stepfather, leaving five others injured. The incident occurred outside Altria Theater in Richmond, where hundreds of people, many clad in graduation gowns, ran for safety. The police have identified the 19-year-old suspect, Omari Pollard, who is believed to have carried…
- World News
Ex-deputy on trial for inaction during Parkland school shooting
The trial of a former sheriff’s deputy charged with failing to protect students during the 2018 Parkland, Florida school shooting has commenced. Scot Peterson, 60 years old, was the on-duty police officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when the deadliest school shooting in US history occurred. Seventeen people died, and 17 others were injured. Peterson is the first US…
- World News
US faces worst chemotherapy drug shortage in 30 years, affecting 100,000 patients
Toni Dezomits, a 55-year-old retired law enforcement officer, faces a difficult battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Just before her third round of chemotherapy last month, she was informed of a nationwide shortage of the generic chemotherapy drug carboplatin, one of the three medications she was scheduled to receive. Left with no choice, the North Carolina resident is completing her…
- World News
Canadian wildfires cause major flight delays at New York airports
New York airports, including LaGuardia and Newark International, have experienced significant flight delays due to reduced visibility caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed travellers of potential two-hour delays, with 619 flight delays reported by 17:50 EST (22:50 BST) at New York City airports, according to Flight Aware. The air travel disruptions have also…
- World News
Virginia graduation shooting kills two, injures five in chaotic attack
A graduation ceremony in Virginia turned tragic as two individuals were killed and five others injured in a shooting incident. The attack occurred outside the Altria Theater in Richmond, causing panic among the attendees, many of whom were dressed in graduation gowns. The police chief described the scene as chaotic, with people scattering in all directions. A 19-year-old suspect attempted…
- World News
Judge hears case to reveal Prince Harry’s US immigration records
A federal judge in Washington DC has started hearing arguments in a lawsuit that aims to make the Duke of Sussex’s US immigration records public. The conservative Heritage Foundation has filed the lawsuit, seeking to force the government to reveal the records to determine whether Prince Harry, 38, disclosed his past drug use. The outcome of the case may take…
- World News
FBI’s most damaging spy Robert Hanssen dies in maximum-security prison
Nearly 20 years ago, FBI agent Richard Garcia was assigned to a covert operation that would lead to the arrest of the most damaging spy in the history of the agency, Robert Hanssen. Hanssen’s death in prison at the age of 79 has brought back memories of the case that sent shockwaves through the intelligence community and changed the lives…
- World News
Fatal Virginia plane crash probed amid hypoxia concerns
Investigators in the United States are examining the wreckage of a small plane that veered off course and crashed in rural Virginia, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and three passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet disclosed the identities of those involved. The wreckage, described as “highly fragmented,” is scattered across a mountainous area, and it…
- World News
Canada faces worst wildfire season on record, burning area size of Belgium
Canada is preparing for what could be its most severe wildfire season to date, with 2,214 fires already recorded this year, burning an area roughly equivalent to the size of Belgium. Forecasters predict the risk of wildfires will escalate in June and remain unusually high throughout the summer. Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal natural resources minister, described the season’s projections as…
- World News
Pence battles Trump for 2024 GOP nomination and evangelical vote
The prospect of a 2024 presidential campaign led by Mike Pence, with his background in Congress and experience as a state governor, would have been highly promising in a conventional political landscape. As a former vice-president, Pence has had numerous high-profile roles within the administration and four years to establish connections with his party’s grassroots. Additionally, he is a methodical…
- World News
Prince Harry’s US visa under scrutiny amid drug use revelations
A US judge is set to hear an appeal from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, demanding that Prince Harry’s visa application be made public due to his past drug use. The federal court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Washington DC and will be open to the media. In his memoir Spare, released in January, Prince Harry admitted…
- World News
Twitter hires NBCUniversal exec amid Musk’s top team shakeup
Twitter has recently appointed Joe Benarroch, a former senior executive at NBCUniversal, to join its top team as Elon Musk continues to restructure the social media giant’s leadership. Benarroch will begin his new role on Monday, focusing on business operations. This appointment comes less than a month after Linda Yaccarino, NBCUniversal’s former head of advertising, was named Twitter’s new chief…
- World News
Biden praises GOP for averting economic collapse by raising US debt limit
In his first Oval Office address on Friday, President Joe Biden announced that raising the US borrowing limit had prevented an “economic collapse.” The bill, which had bipartisan support, was signed into law on Saturday. Biden expressed appreciation for his Republican counterparts’ cooperation, stating that they had “operated in good faith.” Failure to raise the debt ceiling by Monday’s deadline…
- World News
Utah school district removes Bible for ‘vulgarity and violence’ concerns
Elementary and middle schools in Utah’s Davis School District have removed the Bible from their premises, citing concerns over “vulgarity and violence” within the text. The decision comes after a parent complained that the King James Bible contains material unsuitable for children. This follows a 2022 law passed by Utah’s Republican government, banning “pornographic or indecent” books from schools. Most…