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29/10/2023
Matthew Perry has reportedly died.
According to TMZ, who spoke with law enforcement sources, the Friends actor was found on Saturday in a Los Angeles home. He died from an apparent drowning. The incident is said to have happened in a jacuzzi.
Sources noted that first responders initially responded to a call of a cardiac arrest.
There were reportedly no drugs found at the scene and no foul play is suspected.
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28/09/2023
Microplastics have been found in clouds and may be impacting the climate in unknown ways, according to researchers in Japan. The particles, ranging in size from 7.1 to 94.6 micrometers, are present in cloud water at high concentrations and may play a significant role in cloud formation and climate systems.
When microplastics reach the upper atmosphere, they degrade due to sunlight, contributing to greenhouse gases and global warming. This highlights the potential environmental harm caused by microplastics, which come from various sources including textiles, personal care products, and more.
The presence of microplastics in clouds raises concerns about their impact on human and animal health, as well as the potential contamination of food and water sources. If not addressed, plastic air pollution could have irreversible and serious environmental consequences in the future.
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28/09/2023
Last year, Cher was accused of hiring men to kidnap her son from a hotel where he was staying with his wife on their wedding anniversary. Cher allegedly had her troubled son kidnapped in an attempt to prevent him from reuniting with his wife.
One of the men who took Cher's son claimed that they were hired by Cher herself. This allegation brings into question Cher's involvement in the kidnapping.
The alleged incident involving Cher's son being kidnapped paints a disturbing picture of a troubled family dynamic, with Cher resorting to extreme measures to control her son's life. The truth behind these accusations and the motivations behind Cher's actions remain to be fully understood.
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18/09/2023
Marilyn Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and a fine of $1,400 for blowing his nose on a videographer at a concert. He pleaded no contest to the nose-blowing charge and the charge of spitting on the videographer was dismissed.
The incident occurred at a concert in New Hampshire in 2019, where Manson approached videographer Susan Fountain, spat on her and laughed as she walked away. Fountain described it as the most disgusting thing a human being could have done.
Manson, who has faced other allegations of abuse, has to give proof of his community service by Feb. 4. The judge allowed him to serve his community service in California.
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08/09/2023
The IRS is targeting hedge funds, large law firms, partnerships, and millionaires who owe at least $250,000 in tax debt, using artificial intelligence to identify tax delinquents.
The agency has collected $38 million in back taxes from 175 millionaire taxpayers and aims to narrow the gap between taxes owed and actually paid, which could be as large as $1 trillion each year.
The IRS plans to conduct audits on 75 large partnerships, including hedge funds and real estate investment partnerships, while also increasing scrutiny on taxpayers with cryptocurrency holdings and foreign bank accounts.
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07/09/2023
Scientists have developed an "embryo model" using stem cells that closely resembles a real 14-day-old embryo. This model mimics the key structures and hormone release of a developing embryo and could provide a more ethical way of studying early human development.
The embryo model was created by reprogramming naive stem cells to become four types of cells found in the early stages of human embryos. About 1% of the cells spontaneously assembled into a structure resembling a human embryo. The model showed the formation of the placenta, yolk sac, and embryonic disc, providing insights into how different types of cells emerge and the importance of early placenta cells.
The study raises ethical and legal questions, as well as possibilities for future research. Improving in vitro fertilization success rates, understanding miscarriage and infertility, and testing drug safety during pregnancy are potential applications. However, the 99% failure rate of the current model needs improvement, and the question of mimicking embryo development beyond the 14-day stage remains unanswered.
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05/09/2023
Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh are alleging that the Colleton County Clerk of Court, Becky Hill, tampered with the jury that found Murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife and son earlier this year and are requesting a new trial. Murdaugh's lawyers accuse Hill of advising the jury not to believe Murdaugh's testimony and other defense evidence and pressuring them to reach a quick guilty verdict.
The defense also claims that Hill had private conversations with the jury foreperson and invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense. They argue that Hill's actions deprived Murdaugh of his rights to a fair trial, and they have requested a federal investigation.
Alex Murdaugh, a disbarred attorney from a prominent South Carolina family, was found guilty of killing his wife and son after three hours of deliberation. He has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences and is appealing his conviction.
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05/09/2023
"The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg has tested positive for COVID-19 again, co-host Joy Behar announced on Tuesday as the show returned from its summer hiatus.
Behar announced that Goldberg was not at the table for the show's season premiere due to the illness.
"It's back! [The virus is] back, but she's on the mend. She's on the tail end and she'll probably be back this week, but sorry she's not here for those of you who were looking forward to seeing her," she said.
Goldberg has had the virus three times, suffering previous bouts in November 2022 and also earlier that year in January.
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05/09/2023
A 14-year-old boy in Massachusetts died after participating in the "one chip challenge", a viral trend on TikTok involving eating an extremely spicy chip. Results from a post-mortem are pending to determine the cause of death.
The chip, made by US brand Paqui, is flavored with Carolina Reaper and Scorpion peppers and is considered one of the spiciest tortilla chips in the world. The company warns that the chip should only be eaten by adults and kept away from children and those sensitive to spicy food.
The boy's school paid tribute to him, describing him as a rising star and mourning his tragic loss. A fundraiser has been set up to help his family cover funeral expenses.
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04/09/2023
Steve Harwell, former lead singer of Smash Mouth, has died at the age of 56. He had been in the final stages of liver failure and was receiving end-of-life care at home.
Harwell helped make Smash Mouth successful with their hits "All Star" and "I'm a Believer." The band was nominated for a Grammy and gained cult status after their songs appeared in the movie Shrek.
Harwell faced personal tragedies, health issues, and struggles with alcoholism throughout his career. Despite these challenges, he was known for his charm, charisma, and determination to reach pop stardom.
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03/09/2023
Tens of thousands of people attending the Burning Man festival in Nevada are stranded in the Black Rock Desert due to heavy rain and mud, with limited access and no driving allowed in or out.
The festival organizers have advised attendees to conserve food, water, and fuel as they shelter in place until the weather improves. The city is expecting more showers and thunderstorms over the weekend.
Despite the challenging conditions, people at the festival are taking care of each other and checking on others' well-being, creating a sense of community and support.
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02/09/2023
Texas has implemented a new law requiring convicted drunk drivers who cause the death of a child's parent or guardian to pay child support until the child is 18 or graduates high school.
The law, known as House Bill 393, went into effect recently and requires those convicted of intoxication manslaughter to make restitution payments.
The bill defines intoxication manslaughter as causing the death of another person due to operating a vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or amusement ride while intoxicated. Incarcerated individuals are expected to make payments within a year after their release.
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02/09/2023
Rudy Giuliani pleads not guilty to charges related to the alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, joining former President Donald Trump and 10 others. The charges against Giuliani include violation of Georgia's anti-racketeering law.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis plans to try all 19 defendants together, but some individuals are filing motions to be tried alone or in smaller groups. Others are seeking to move their proceedings to federal court or requesting extensions for trial deadlines.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp appoints a panel to consider whether Shawn Still should be suspended from his state Senate position. Still is among the 16 Georgia Republicans indicted for signing a false certificate declaring Trump's victory in the state. The panel will determine if his indictment relates to his office activities.
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02/09/2023
Christopher Pray, a man charged with attempted murder, escaped from a psychiatric hospital in Oregon while fully shackled, but was arrested after being found buried up to his armpits in a muddy pond in Portland. Police are investigating how Pray managed to escape while restrained with leg shackles, a belly chain, and handcuffs.
Pray was being transported to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem when he slid into the driver's seat of the van and drove away while the driver was outside the vehicle. He had been sent to the hospital after being found unfit to proceed with trial.
Pray now faces charges of attempted murder, robbery, assault, and felon in possession of a firearm in Multnomah County Circuit Court. He was recognized by a hospital employee who called the police when he gave a false name.
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02/09/2023
Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into a billion-dollar empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions, has died. He was 76.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement posted to Buffett’s official website and social media pages said late Friday. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.
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01/09/2023
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has initiated investigations into unsolicited offers for property in the fire-stricken Maui town of Lahaina, in violation of an emergency order. The order aims to prevent outside buyers from acquiring land in the community and give residents time to decide their next steps.
The fear is that Native Hawaiians and long-time residents who have owned properties for generations may feel pressured to sell, leading to an exodus from the area. The fire destroyed around 1,800 to 1,900 homes and caused the death of 115 people.
While Green initially wanted to impose a moratorium on land sales, he decided on a prohibition of unsolicited offers instead. Violators may face imprisonment for up to one year and fines up to $5,000. The government is exploring options, such as forming a land trust, to prevent predatory behavior and ensure local people can remain in the rebuilt community.
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01/09/2023
NASA has discovered a new crater on the moon, likely caused by the impact of Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft that crashed last month. The crater is approximately 10 meters in diameter and is located close to Luna-25's estimated impact point.
Luna-25 was Russia's first moon mission in almost 50 years, launched from the Vostochny spaceport. The mission aimed to collect samples from the moon's south pole, believed to contain water ice. The crash highlights the decline of Russia's space program since the Cold War.
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter imaged the crater and concluded that it was likely the impact site of Luna-25. This incident prompted Moscow to form an inter-departmental commission to investigate the reasons behind the mission's failure.
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31/08/2023
North Korea has conducted a simulated "scorched earth" nuclear strike on targets in South Korea in response to joint drills held by South Korea, Japan, and the US. The exercise involved repelling an invasion, launching nuclear attacks, and occupying territory.
In addition to the simulated strikes, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, following failed attempts to launch a spy satellite. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the actions, stating that they pose threats to peace and stability in the region.
North Korea's disclosure of detailed war plans reaffirms its aggressive nuclear doctrine and its protest against the ongoing South Korean-U.S. military exercises. The missile launches were seen as a significant provocation that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korea, the US, and Japan remain committed to defending against North Korean threats.
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31/08/2023
Kia is recalling nearly 320,000 vehicles due to a broken trunk release that could trap people inside. This is the second recall this month by the Korean automaker, following concerns about a defective part that poses fire risks.
The recall affects Kia Rio vehicles from 2016-2017, Optima vehicles from 2016-2018, and Optima Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid cars from 2017-2018. The base of the trunk latch could crack, violating federal regulations and preventing the trunk from being opened from the inside.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that a person inside the trunk may become trapped, increasing the risk of injury. Kia will replace the part if needed and affected owners will be notified by October 19th.
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31/08/2023
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson have launched the People's Fund of Maui with a $10 million donation to assist survivors of the Aug. 8 wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry. The fund aims to provide $1,200 per month to every adult who was displaced by the wildfires.
Community leaders, including Hokulani Holt-Padilla, Keali'i Reichel, Archie Kalepa, and others, provided guidance in establishing the fund to ensure that the money reaches those most affected.
The limited cash support from the government has prompted frustration among Maui residents, leading to the creation of the People's Fund of Maui and other fundraising efforts. The wildfire's devastating impact and the resilience of the people of Maui were acknowledged by Winfrey, Johnson, and the advisory board.
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31/08/2023
Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty and waived arraignment in the case accusing him and others of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. This saves him from having to attend an arraignment hearing.
Trump and 18 others were charged in a 41-count indictment alleging a scheme to undermine the will of Georgia voters who chose Joe Biden over the Republican incumbent in the presidential election.
Trump previously turned himself in at the Fulton County Jail and became the first former president to have a mug shot taken.
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30/08/2023
OpenAI is projected to generate over $1 billion in revenue in the next 12 months from the sale of its AI software and computing capacity, exceeding its previous estimate of $200 million in revenue for this year. The company's revenue has increased to over $80 million per month, compared to $28 million in the previous year.
OpenAI's success is attributed to its chatbot, ChatGPT, which has gained significant attention. ChatGPT, powered by OpenAI's large language model, has reached 100 million users and is being adopted by over 80% of Fortune 500 companies.
OpenAI aims to recover its losses through the success of ChatGPT. The company has launched a business version of ChatGPT with improved security and privacy features, and early users include Canva, Estée Lauder, and PwC. OpenAI also generates revenue by selling API access to its AI models.
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30/08/2023
Tesla is allowing some drivers to use its Autopilot driver-assist system for extended periods without making them put their hands on the steering wheel, a development that has drawn concern from U.S. safety regulators.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ordered Tesla to tell the agency how many vehicles have received a software update making that possible and it’s seeking more information on what the electric vehicle maker’s plans are for wider distribution.
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29/08/2023
Idalia had strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane early Tuesday evening with maximum sustained winds at 100 mph. The center of the storm was located about 195 miles southwest of Tampa and 300 miles south of Tallahassee.
Idalia is moving toward the north near 16 mph and a northward to north-northeastward motion is expected through the night, with Idalia's center forecast to reach the Big Bend coast of Florida on Wednesday morning. After landfall, the center of Idalia is forecast to turn toward the northeast and east, moving near or along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina late Wednesday and Thursday.
Additional strengthening is forecast, and Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane tonight before it reaches the Big Bend coast of Florida.
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29/08/2023
A 127-year-old water main under New York's Times Square gave way early Tuesday, flooding midtown streets and the city's busiest subway station.
The 20-inch water main gave way under 40th Street and Seventh Avenue at 3 a.m., said Rohit Aggarwala, commissioner of New York City's Department of Environmental Protection.
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29/08/2023
The Pentagon announced Monday a new program focused on building out thousands of autonomous systems, including drones, as the U.S. seeks to better counter China’s vast military buildup.
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25/08/2023
Former President Trump surrendered and was booked in Georgia on criminal charges relating to his alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election results.
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23/08/2023
Billy McFarland, the co-organizer of 2017’s Fyre Festival who spent four years behind bars on multiple counts of fraud, announced that tickets are on sale for Fyre Festival II. The event is reportedly set to take place at the end of 2024.
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22/08/2023
Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others, was sentenced to life in prison in the United Kingdom.
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18/08/2023
Hilary was upgraded to a hurricane from a tropical storm and could bring heavy rain and flash flooding to the Southwest by the weekend, according to forecasters.
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15/08/2023
Former President Trump was indicted in Georgia by a grand jury that accused him of efforts to unlawfully overturn 2020 election results in the state.
It is the fourth criminal case brought against the former president and the second to allege that he tried to subvert the results of the vote.
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15/08/2023
A Montana state court ruled in favor of a group of 16 young climate activists who alleged that the state violated their constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.”
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13/08/2023
The death toll from fires on Hawaii's Maui Island has risen to 93 people, marking the deadliest American wildfire in over 100 years. Per Maui police, crews with cadaver dogs have covered 3% of the search area.
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10/08/2023
At least six people have died and dozens have been injured by wildfires sweeping the Hawaiian island of Maui, according to officials.
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09/08/2023
The Supreme Court has ruled to allow the Biden administration to enforce its regulation of "ghost guns” while an appeal by the White House is pending.
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08/08/2023
Paramount Global agreed to sell book publisher Simon & Schuster to private equity firm KKR for $1.62B, the media company announced.
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04/08/2023
Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to all federal charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into 2020 election interference.
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03/08/2023
Researchers at the cancer treatment and research center City of Hope claim to have found a new way to treat cancer through a targeted chemotherapy pill that can kill solid tumors, according to a recent study.
The protein the drug targets is present in most cancers and helps tumors grow and multiply within the body, and was previously thought to be “undruggable.” The investigational chemotherapeutic is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in humans at City of Hope.
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03/08/2023
Federal jurors decided that the gunman who killed 11 and wounded seven others when he opened fire on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018 will be sentenced to death.
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01/08/2023
NASA was able to detect a signal from Voyager 2 after losing contact with the spacecraft, which has been operating for nearly 46 years.
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